Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

Thank you Chipmunk and BelovedbyHim.

TCGunny - Woot Woot!!! Congrats to your sailor!! So exciting! 

JNMnavymom - Aww poor guy. BC is rough! And running can be hard (I'm a runner too - and I've watched my pace fluctuate over the years). Prayers for him for strength and endurance. So glad you had a nice long call with him though.  Hopefully it lifted his spirits and he can take on this next week with a little more energy and enthusiasm. 

Nursekim - glad the GF isnt ready! 

I got an unexpected call from my SR Friday (shortly after getting a letter in the mail box) - he needed some info.  Got to chat for 10 minutes which was great.  He's having problems with the new RCPO in his div. Seems to want to fight and threaten everyone, including my son. My son is handling it well though - so fingers crossed!  

Happy Monday!

tammybikerunfaithlove -- When you write, encourage him to be a duck!  (Working like mad beneath the surface but allowing "Stuff" to just roll off his back that doesn't belong there!) The RDC's are watching and it's likely that the RCPO will not last long in that position if that is his attitude.  If he is truly threatening other SR's then he may not last long in the Navy as well!

nursekim-- Congratulations to your SR on the RPOC posting.  his thumb will recover (Or he'll learn to loosen his grip a tad).
I'm glad that she is cooling things down a bit.  That doesn't mean they shouldn't still be a couple but yes, time is their friend here. 19 and enlisted is a great place to be if you are single but for a couple, it's hard and of course if kids come along that just adds a whole 'nother level to the money stress which in turns adds to the marriage stress!  Encourage him that "Not yet" isn't the same as "No" or "Never".  It may turn out that they grow apart but they may also grow together! 

Just thought I would say "hello' as I sit here and refresh the USPS Informed Delivery site page every 5.7 seconds.

Oh amy that’s too funny! I get emails from them Around 715 every morning so I know when to expect it. Can you sign up for emails? 

I was getting emails for a while but by the time the email came in the morning, I was already at work and no access to check.  

Ha!  I'm getting a letter .. happy dance!  I've been very anxious, my SR had a follow up doctor appointment on 8/1 that would determine if she had to be set back or not and I haven't heard anything.  I assumed 'no news was good news' but I'm really more of a 'knowing is better than not knowing' kind of gal.

Awesome!! I hope it’s good news!

Amy -- Didn't you know a watched mail box never gets any mail!  (As soon as you get distracted that's when it gets delivered!... She says while watching the Amazon delivery truck update.....)

I Hope you are able to get home and get your letter soon!! If she was being set back that would be a Phone call Home, just to ease your mind!  Change in Training/ PIR date ALWAYS comes with a PHONE CALL!

CBmom - You are welcome!!

Amy - I have been a work in progress when it comes to the "No News is Good News", I much prefer having knowledge of what is going on as well!

Osheatoo1 - Hopeful for you and Amy to both have good news.

Madrebee -that's soooo sweet! Made my heart smile!! What a thoughtful youngman! 

Jennifer - BNMHs to you! belovebyHim is right - you will get through this, WE will get through this - even the moments of silence. 

Amy - soooo funny. I find myself on some late nights/early mornngs hitting the refresh button at USPS too! It was a Sunday night sometime after 10 pm that I saw my SR"s form letter was coming in. I slept well that night. Hope the letter comforted you! 

This week I am hoping my phone does NOT ring... when my SR called Friday for info he said he was in the process of getting a medical waiver there. My biggest fear is him getting sent home because he really wants this. So... we wait... for a letter - and not a call. Like Amy, as much as I know that the silence is a good sign, I still want to see a letter :)  

Happy Tuesday - and yay for letters!

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

Here's a video posted online (6/13/22) that shows the 10 weeks of boot camp:

What US Navy Recruits Go Through

If you are interested in seeing what happens during the "Confidence Chamber" aka gas chamber, here is a video link:

Boot Camp Gas Chamber

Be sure to RSVP for Sarge's Meet N Greet.  Here's the link:  

Sarge's Meet N Greet

tammybikerunfaithlove -- Hoping you Don't hear from your SR (Wow it sounds weird to say that!!)

Jennifer -- How are you doing this morning?  Are you still feeling lost and discombobulated or are you doing better?  How can We help and support you today?

Jennifer - It usually takes 2 - 3 weeks before you receive your form letter with the address from your SR. I am not exactly sure where you are at in this BC journey, but you are not alone. There were many moms that during COVID especially and all of the quarantines that the SRs were going through were they did not hear from their loved ones for even longer. I know that probably doesn't help much and is not meant to make you worry, but just know that your son is working very hard. 

I tell the moms, as hard as it is, because we miss them so - put yourself into their shoes and remember that you have family and loved ones and this group to turn to, they do not. So, use all of your loves, prayers, and big Momma Heart to stand in the gap for them and support them from afar. 

Knowing what things my son might be going through helped me with how to focus my prayers for my son. Be sure to check out the BC videos that are posted in the upper left page of this group. 

MadreBee - How awesome that your son left a letter for you!!

Tammybikerunfaithlove - Staying hopeful that your son will get all of his medical situation worked out for the best!!

BNMHs {Big Navy Mom Hugs} - to all of you and those that are just reading and not able to post. One step at a time, one day at a time, and closer and closer PIR will be there. 

I got a letter today and good news, the doctor cleared her to continue and she is still set for PIR on 9/9 - only a month away!

Amy - That is wonderful news!!! So good to hear!

That’s fantastic news, Amy! 

awesome news Amy

My son failed the RDC assessment, so we have been ASMO'd. He thinks about 2 weeks. He was not able to provide a new ship/div, but that he would call me with that info at a later date. I didn't think he was physically ready, but he believed that he was. I fear that after his next assessment, they might send him home. I am praying that doesn't happen.  That he is only missing the mark by a few seconds, not a few minutes as he claims. Outside of this, he has sounded like the rest of it isn't horrible and he has done really well.  

Amy - that is such good news!

Tammyrunbikefaithlove - Hi! Hang in there! Hope all is cleared.

Amy-Woohoo!

JMHnavymomOH - Oh no! That runs a killer- so many kids worry about it and I think quite a few sound like they get set back temporarily but he’ll overcome this. So hard to hear as moms when they are struggling. BNMH!

I got some letters and my 2nd phone call so I’m so happy! He’s struggling in week 3 with homesickness but trying to hang in there. Cracks me up he still thinks I know everything and asks me when his next call is. Lol I’m like you know more than me! His group is having problems working as a team. They are often late and getting IT for mistakes and not working together. He said one stole food and they all got in trouble and some are really loud after lights out. They’ve already lost about 6 in their division so hopefully they get it together sooner than later. 

Amy - that's excellent news! The 9th will be here before you know it!!

JNMnavymomOH I'm so sorry to hear that. I've been told that if they fail the run and get ASMO'd then the SR will work with a running coach. They really don't want these recruits to fail. Praying he can get stronger and pass the next one without issue. 

CBMom - so exciting you heard from your SR! So funny he looks to you for all the answers! I love it.  I feel like everytime a parents talks about the updates from their SR, the SR reports allthe same stuff - lots of IT, late, not working as a team, talking when it's lights out...etc.  Too much. Bummer about the kid that stole food- not a good way to make friends in your division. Hopefully he learned his lesson! 

Still no word from my son so I'm feeling hopeful all is well. Have a business trip this week and it dawned on me that means I'll have times when my phone will have to be powered down on the plane :(  My phone hasn't left my sight since my son headed off to bootcamp! 

JNMnavymomOH - I am sorry to hear this news. Keep writing letters of encouragement so as soon as he has a new address you can send them to him and stay positive that he will be able to work through the run. 

tammybikerunfaithlove - If you have a way to change your voice mail on your phone (such that your SR knows you may be unavailable, but others would not realize you were away from home) - you might see if you can change it. Something like, "I love you and wish I could answer your call, but if I miss you hang in there and call ___ so and so", father, sister, g'ma - whomever. That way he has a message that he knows is from you and can hear your voice and knows to go ahead and spend his time trying to call someone else. Oh, you might tell him to be sure to leave a message!! - 

CBMom - That is funny!! Right now, we sometimes do have more answers to things than they do, but once they are out of BC, then they are going to be the ones with the answers and have to learn that they must communicate with Mom, so she knows all is well, because no one else is going to call her or take her son / daughter to the phone banks to call home anymore. 

JNMnavymomOH - Pre-pandemic we went through a phase where they were sending SR's straight home if they didn't pass their run.  They are back to working with them - hence the ASMO.  They will help him pass - they will have someone run with him.  Hang in there - he's got this!

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

Yeah looks like the few times I can post, PIR September is the winner. 

Really? That went through? Okay 1 of 30 is better than nothing. Hugs and congrats where needed.

1StepForward - are you posting from a computer or your phone? I know I often have issues posting from my phone - luckily I sit at a computer all day so I'm able to post from there!  If you are using your phone, make sure you have it in "desk top" mode.

Ning - the platform that our N4M site is on is very outdated.  We have constant problems.....

Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday so far and that some of us receive some happy mail from our SR's! Have a few  questions: I did receive a Sandboxx request from my son to write which is the only way I had his address. He arrived there 15 Jul 22 and I still have not technically received the form letter" everyone talks about with his graduation date. It was just 3 weeks on Friday, so maybe I am being too anxious???    I was able to look up the PIR date from the Div # in his address, but I dont want to assume it is correct. 

I received a reply Sandboxx letter and a 3 minute phone call 11 days ago...but I guess my momma heart is still having a difficult time with not knowing info, lol - im sure many can relate

My other question is that he wrote to his grandmom and said he had his wisdom teeth taken out last week....is that something that would CHANGE his DIV/address/PIR? If so, how do we get notified about the change? Would that be considered a set back and the notification would be a phone call?

JNMnavymomOH -- I am so very sorry but yes try and help him see this as a bump in the road not the end of the line.  Was it the Run that set him back?

CBMom -- Letters AND a phone Call!!! Lucky You!! That's great!! Week 3-- they are still pretty much messing up all the time!! (Only the RDC's use "sailor language" to inform them of that) Stealing Food!!! WOW!!! That is a HUGE No NO!! It's not uncommon for kids to decide this isn't for them and so stupid stuff to get sent home. Homesickness is Normal and encourage him to hang in there.  Remind him that you all miss and love him too and that he can get past this!  Rally the troops and get friends and family to write!! If you don't trust them to not send "Banned" items You can ask them to drop the letters off with you to include in your mail. HAHAHA!!! They think we know it all now!! How many of have kids who are/ or were surprised you can walk and chew gum at the same time before they left home??  Mine asked how I was going to get all the chores done when they left! And NOW they think we have some magic intel on the Navy!!! (Well, we sort of do but not really!) Oh... IF they earn it they usually call the following week or 2 after that first call home.  When you think about it each week they have a bunch of SR's starting and moving through training. They have to follow a fairly straight forward and routine schedule. SO Everyone has Dental on the same training day and week no matter what the individual needs.  Wisdom teeth are all removed at the same time in the training schedule to allow recovery.  Weapons training is the same way... It only follows then that phone calls, while they can seem random to us would be on that same schedule.  Even more so when you come back from RTC and see the phone bank!!(Small, old phone booths with old damaged pay phones that most of these kids have NEVER seen in their lives!!)

tammybikerunfaithlove -- Safe travels.  If you are comfortable with it and think you may miss a call you can change your voice mail message to be for your SR.  I'd suggest writing and letting him know that you will be away from your phone at XYZ times and including the phone numbers of others who he could talk to (Grand parents, Aunts, Uncles, Family or Friends) but I'm not sure it would get there in time.  Sandboxx would be risky just because it's not PERSEC for you but... You know best. For sure tell him to leave you a message so you can reply it over and over and over.... till the tape wears out or it's PIR!

Welcome Laura, Junebugg and Danamom

1StepForward-- Yeah for PIR in September!!  I'm so sorry you are having issues posting!  I find that my computer is easier than my phone.

B'sNukeMoM️MMN-- Yes it is!!

Danamom - he shouldn't have any setback from his wisdom teeth.  It's common for them to remove them and they often get 3 days SIQ (sick in quarters) for recovery.  Most likely the PIR date based on the division he gave you will be correct.  But remember, anything can change at any given time!  And if his division/PIR date were to change you would get a phone call.  The official form letter will be your best bet still.

Be sure to join the PIR group for his division.

And you can use Sandboxx - just remember it is only to be used during boot camp!

Be sure to read my discussion on Sandboxx:

Sandboxx app while in BC

Hi all! Quick question...can anyone share any tips for those of us who can't attend Sarge's event on Thursday before graduation? I know it is supposed to be a wonderful event where many tips/tricks for PIR day are shared, but I am hoping to glean some info from some of our seasoned pros on here, if possible? Thanks in advance. (I cannot even believe I have come this far to be asking this question.....PIR is 8/26)

B'sNukeMoM thank you...I have read your Sandboxx discussion so I will make sure to only use for the next few weeks of BC. And thanks for answering my questions. I keep looking for the form letter and asking his dad every day (we are divorced so I am not sure what house it will be mailed to) but as they say...a watched pot never boils!! 

Danamom --  I left some info on your page with a link to my blog where some of this is discussed but I'll answer here too in case you are having trouble navigating.
If you have the Sandboxx address you can go ahead and write back.  Don't send all your letters till you confirm that it is correct and that they have a Recruit Mail Petty Officer (RMPO) trained but at least he'll get a short note and know that communications are coming.  It's up to you if you want to use Sandboxx or not but Since it's a Paid service and you CANNOT use it after bootcamp, I'll let you decide on that. You should have gotten the form letter or will be getting it soon so I'd go ahead and send a short letter.  Just don't put anything in it that you can't duplicate later.

No having their Wisdom teeth removed is NOT going to cause them to get ASMO'd  It's actually scheduled into the training.
In the post I sent I included a time line that lets you know roughly what they are doing and when.

The Expected timeline will look like this:
Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call

Week 1 Day 1-7 -- Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)
Day 8 -- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later
Week 2 -- First week of Training including PT and Swim Qualifications
Week 3 -- Marlin Spike - (Line handling- How to tie up a Ship to the Pier) , First inspections and tests (Dental May be this week or next... Not Confirmed)(Form letter/ Personal letters usually arrive this week)

Week 4 -- Confidence Chamber & Fire Fighting training
Week 5 -- Fire Arms Training

Week 6 -7 -- More training, Drilling (Flags and Marching).

Week 8 – Battle Stations (done prior to final PFA). Your SR will call home to say they are a Sailor but they still have to pass final PFA in order to graduate.

Week 9 & 10– Warrior Training (Life skills) and Final PFA
Approx 10 Fridays from Departure they will have PIR!! If you can go you will be amazed at the change that happened in just 10 short weeks. For the time being they are also still Live Streaming the PIR ceremony.

(Oh... And for all the other BC moms out there.... If you learn of any changes to this basic schedule I'd really appreciate if you'd let me know.  I do not have any secret connections at RTC but the Public Affairs Office will neither confirm nor deny this time line.  They have no issue with my sharing it but they also will not confirm it is still accurate so... I depend on you and your Sailors to make adjustments for the moms and SR's who will follow after you into these Semi-Charted waters!)

LMCinTN -- First off... YEA!!!! You are almost there!!!  Are you driving on base for PIR?  Have your tickets ready.  Everyone in the car needs their own.  Bring something to sit on... The benches are HARD!  Layers are your friend.  Mornings can be VERY Cold.  Go online and google this route... I cannot remember how to share it here... You want to come in from the 137 from the North.  There is a Traffic light that will get you through the intersection.  We stayed at the Navy lodge and we took a slightly different route that may have included an illegal U-turn, I was honestly so distracted I don't remember so I won't include it here, (and it's been a few years). Look at the PIR pages above, there is a lot of great info on there as well.