Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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Ning - the platform that our N4M site is on is very outdated.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.

Here's the link to the same map:

Map to Graduation

Click on it and then on the right side you'll see a tab: Map to Graduation Ceremony.  Click on that.

Junebugg - Welcome to the BC Mom and Loved Ones group!! We are glad to have you, this is where we do our daily chatter!

Welcome to anyone else who is new, that I might have missed. Be sure to come say hi and introduce yourself.

Thank you belovedbyHim. I have been sending mail since I received my reply letter from him (through Sandboxx) and he has sent letters to a few family members with the same return address. Now that we are midway into week 4 I was getting edgy about the form letter still not arriving. Clearly I need a bit more patience. 

Danamom-- Ahhhh Since you have already been exchanging letters... Mail away!! Your form letter may be lost in the mail.  You can get the Information and the PIR form in the "Form Letter" post located above this chat wall.  You want to get that PIR information back to him ASAP.  Also share that info with his dad so he knows too.  Sometimes for unknown reasons those form letters just get lost.  I believe Shanny is STILL waiting for hers and her Sailor is out in the fleet already!

Here's the link to the Security Access Form - 3 guests.  This is the form that you would use Danamom.  Remember, your SR has the final say in who the guests are:

SECURITY ACCESS FORM - 3 guests

Thank you everyone for your kind words and advice.  I received word from the PAO with his new ship/div.  They set him back 4 weeks. I have already requested to join that PIR group.  Mailing his first letter there tonight.  This sure is a bumpy ride.  But as he was already finished with W4, he should be able to help his new shipmates.  I only hope for no more setbacks.

Thanks BelovedbyHim, yes I hope the group gets it together. Al my family think it’s crazy they have to be son careful about mail and they are STILL asking if they can leave him a message on his phone. Lol how else can so explain it to them- no contact really means no contact …and nothing to draw attention means no brightly colored cars or heavy mail…lol. Oh and I think there might be a change in the weekly BC schedule since my SR did not know anything about Marlin Spike in Week 3.. I’ll try to get some more info from him about what week is what. He said he though guns were next week. I’ll let you know. He might also just be clueless about what they are doing till the end of the week. 

Danamom- I love Sandboxx. First off my writing is terrible so I know he can read it with it being typed. Secondly he asked me to use it more than regular letters cause he said it gets there faster and he doesn’t have to worry about putting an address on the envelope/saves some time. I like that it’s very easy to send a collage of pictures. He already knows we will NOT be using it once BC is over but for now it seems to be helpful albeit a little pricey. His favorite thing is getting the Bible verses-feels they are keeping him strong. I’m. very careful what I put in the letters though… mostly just daily routine stuff. 

Welcome to Kirstenleigh - We are glad to have you join us. This is where to come post a hello!

B'sNukeMom - Thanks for posting the link to the Security access form, I missed getting that done earlier. 

JNMnavymomOH - I am glad that you have finally had some word on the updates with your SR. Sometimes being setback can prove to be very helpful. 

Be sure to watch the PIR live or video from a previous PIR so that you have an idea of what to expect for yours!!

JNMnavymomOH-- I'm glad you have the address and yes, just because he's been set back it's not the end!  He should be able to help the others and he may thrive with the extra time!  It's hard because you have to wait longer but it's going to be ok!

B-  Thank you.  I was drawing a blank! I was also dealing with an accounting mess and was ready to scream!! (I foolishly thought taking a break to read N4M would help!  It didn't and now I have to deal with it tomorrow!!)

CBMom -- They can call and leave a voice mail but he won't get it till he gets his phone when he leaves RTC.  It's actually not all bad but he won't be able to respond before then.  I know not every one finds us here and that some of the FB pages don't say much about what is and isn't allowed so there are some SR's who get packages and letters in bright envelopes and glitter!! (Worse than Herpes in BC!!) but we try and reduce it as best we can.  Just warn your sailor and maybe add their addresses so he can write and tell them himself what is and isn't allowed (Or know to open those letters carefully and over a trash can!)

Osheatoo2 - WooHOO!!  Is this your first letter? The form letters come in legal sized envelopes, otherwise, the stationary at RTC is letter sized. If this is the form letter, you will need to fill out the Security Access form and mail that back. If you have not received one, then scroll down and find the link that B'sNukeMom posted yesterday. 

A phone call should come around week 3 or so. Mine came in on Saturday afternoons but the times vary. Read this letter from Lemonelephant that is posted in the upper right of our group page. Phone Cards and Phone Calls

Have you started a new project, taken on any continuing education classes? Anything like this is something new that you may share with your SR and is a little way to let them know that you are coping with them being gone, even though you miss them, and they miss you. 

Hello!  My daughter arrived at bootcamp 2 days ago.  We got the I'm here call the night before last.  Now we're playing the waiting game.  Trying to keep myself busy and understanding that no news is good news!  She was so ready to go, but she is my baby, so we now have an empty nest, and it's just weird!  I know she will do great, but she did start to cry on the I'm here call, and that was a little rough for me, although I know it's just due to nerves and leaving home and all the emotions that come with.  Crazy ride, but so proud of her!!!  

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!

Kirstenleigh - be sure to join the Moms of Daughters 2 group.  Here's the link:

Moms of Daughters 2

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

Anyone going to PIR tomorrow?  And what about the Meet N Greet?  Anyone going tonight?

@Bsnukemom Not this week but I’ll be there next week! *happy dance!*

Kirstenleigh - when you feel up to it, be sure to check out the links to the BC videos that are posted in the upper left of this group page. It will give you an idea of what she is going through. They keep them up for at least 36 hours, I believe, when they first get there, so she is likely tired. 

From what my DIL has shared, the best thing for the females is to just stick to business and get through BC. My DIL was older when she went through, so she wasn't into the female drama much. 

Thank you, Chipmunk!  We have watched both videos a couple times now.  We did a ton of research before she left to help settle all our nerves.  And yes, her plan was to just do her best and get through it.  

I'm definitely doing a lot better today than I was yesterday.  And I have already started writing a letter to her, just waiting on the form letter.  Her recruiter did send me an address yesterday, but I know those usually aren't accurate, and he had put a 300 division of some sort in it, and I am pretty sure that my daughter will be in a 900 division.  So, while I appreciate the recruiter for trying, I will wait til I have the correct address!  Until then, I'll just write down a little something each day to her.  

My daughter gave us the first letter right before she boarded the plane, which told us about the other letters that she had left in her room for us to open as we needed while she was gone.  Pretty thoughtful girl!  She has made me cry multiple times, and we've only opened 2 of them so far!!!  Just wanted to share!  

Osheatoo2 -- YEAH!!! Is this the first letter or Form Letter?

Kirstenleigh -- That "I'm here" call can be rough!! For some this is when reality strikes... They are really there and there is no going back!  Nerves, worry, some fear, and a whole lot of excitement all rolled up in that call!  She's going to do great and you both will be amazed at the transformation that happens in just 10 short weeks!! (Although right now it may feel like forever!)
I can already tell that you've got a special one there!! Just LOOK at all those letters!!  WOWZERS!!!!  That's Incredible!! And it's super sweet of her to leave them.  I guess if you can restrain yourself then the great silence won't be so silent!! You have these sweet letters for when it starts to feel too much!  What a treasure!  You should be proud of her already!  I know you both will just fly through this time!!
Yeah... the address the Recruiters have this early on is the "Projected" Div assignment.  However, there are many reasons that an individual SR would be moved.  And while you can write and send letters, they still don't have a Recruit Mail Petty Officer selected and trained to deliver the mail so any letters that arrived, EVEN If they had the correct DIV number would be set aside to be sorted later when that DIV has their RMPO. Sometimes that doesn't happen till later in BC and sometimes it doesn't happen at all and letters go missing, never to turn up (Or to turn up years later!)  IF she has to call for any reason then ask and mail but not till you KNOW.

tgcunny -- WOW!!! That was fast wasn't it!!! Just think, This time Next week you'll be less than 24 hours from getting your FIRST Sailor Hug from your child!!!  Oh how wonderful!!! (Be sure to bring tissues!! )  I'm so excited for you!!

Kirstenleigh - that's about the sweetest thing ever! I'm not crying, you're crying!

To all our new members, if you are looking for something to keep you busy consider joining your local Blue Star Mothers group.

Here's the link - you can look for a group in your area.

https://www.bluestarmothers.org/

Here's the Wikipedia link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Star_Mothers_of_Americ

And here's the link to the Blue Star Mothers group on here:

Blue Star Mothers

Kirstenleigh - We often recommend that those getting ready to leave for BC stick a small note in their SRs billfold and they do the same or leave a voice message to help you if you get in those lonely spots - But WOW!!!! Your daughter spent some time thinking about you ahead of the game!!

When my son left for BC, I did not know about this site, but I would email him every night. I could see his smiling face and it tends to be my normal way to communicate details to my children. I would write a short note almost every night and then once I had the form letter with an address, I would copy and paste those email messages into one longer letter to mail. 

Osheatoo2 - Glad to hear that you had a positive upbeat letter from your SR. He is not the first to be in RCU for stress fractures and won't be the last. All the best to him as he recovers, exercises as he is able, and prepares for getting back at it. 

Osheatoo2 -- I'm sorry that your SR has stress fractures but I'm glad that he's finding a way to see the positive in it.  Hopefully he'll heal quickly and not be delayed too much!

Today's PIR being livestreamed now:

PIR LIVESTREAM 8/12/2022

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

The USS Abraham Lincoln returned from deployment yesterday.

Here's a great article regarding Navy Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt:

1st Woman to command aircraft carrier recounts mission

Osheatoo2 - your son is doing everything right, especially the meditation! It'll keep his mental health strong. I've mentioned on here that my daughter dealt with stress fractures, too. She followed her PT's guidance and kept her mind busy. Lots of recruits don't  handle the stress of NOT having anything to do and have to SEP. Your guy will do well, I'm sure. 

Kirsteinleigh - Welcome aboard! I love meeting new people on here and everyone who has already come is super supportive! This is my go to every day even if I don’t write, I read;) 

Osheatoo2 a I am so sorry to hear about the stress fractures but I tell you what I’m so glad they found them because a lot of times people don’t find them until it’s really bad and it keeps them off their feet much longer. It totally stinks that it delays him but better delayed than totally off the boat- and feet ok!! People tend to run on stress fractures and this can really really harm them so I’m hoping will just be a short delay! Fingers crossed!

Tammyrunbikelovefaith - I bet you are right about that September meeting - would be sooner than later if they were concerned. Hang in there!

Kirstenleigh - I’m so envious of those letters wow!! I hope your daughter meets my son and tells him to do that lol!!!