Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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!!!

Good Afternoon!! It is good to hear from everyone!!

BC is all about taking it one day at a time. 

The flags are different rewards, so to speak, that each division earns. When you watch PIR (which I highly recommend that you watch either live or a reply of one a week or so before yours, so you have an idea of what to expect), you will see each division marching in carrying the flags that they have earned for different reasons. Be sure to notate what they look like or what your sailor's division has so that you can ask them about the flags afterwards. 

tammybikerunfaithlove - Be sure to check your private messages!

Good evening!  Yesterday I set up a countdown widget on my phone with my SR PIR date. Every time I look at my phone, I smile. It's helping me to look forward and if it's helping me, it might help someone else so I thought I would share.  

Amy  - That is great!! I am glad that it is helping you!! If it makes you smile that is a good thing. 

Laura - Welcome to the group!!! I think we have another Laura that joined recently who I might have missed. 

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

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PIR AUGUST 2022

* * * The Latest Guidance as of August 15th, 2022 - Revised Pass-in-Review Policy * * *

Effective immediately, everyone must wear masks indoors at Naval Station Great Lakes (NAVSTAGLKS).
NAVSTAGLKS has been directed to return to HPCON Charlie. Presently, Lake County, Illinois, has a high level of COVID cases. All guests attending the graduation ceremony are required to wear a mask while indoors, for ticket pickup at the Welcome Center, and while indoors at Recruit Training Command.

MASK MANDATE BACK IN EFFECT - see post below.

B'snukemom thanks for the update! Bummer - going to be hard enough to pick out our sailors as it is! LOL  Fingers crossed the numbers go back down and they lift it again!  

Happy Monday! Wishing you all a very blessed week! 

lol  you will find yourself in a game of where's recruit/sailor waldo for sure.. I was certain I had mine picked out.. wasn't even close.. 

My son went through BC in 2020. We weren't allowed to go to PIR. So I stalked RTC Facebook page daily looking for pictures. Then...  there he was!  In their PIR pictures. Looking right at the camera. Closeup of him and 2 others. So keep checking those pictures!  It's seriously one of my favorite pictures. Even if he is wearing a mask 

We were in the same boat as Shanny. Stalked RTC photos is a most appropriate description of what we did. My husband or I would find a potential "match" and blow it up, turn it upside down, squint, close one eye, etc, Found a PIR photo of 3 sailors in profile, was sure (OK sorta sure) one was our sailor. When he got to A school I sent it to him and asked if it was him. Cue the eye roll...and "geez Mom, you can't even tell your own son in pictures??"  Lost serious parenting points as we also never could find him in the PIR footage no matter how many times we watched it and he told us where he was in the formation. I love the photo (even with the mask, could be a Navy recruitment poster, and plan to print and frame it when we get around to redoing his bedroom. Where's Waldo, the Navy version!

Does it have to be a certain kind of mask or any mask?

AgnesB, Shanny, Trey, tammybikerunfaithlove - I couldn't attend my girl's PIR so I wstched it live. I knew her division number, so I listened carefully as the announcer called it out. They walked by so quickly that I  couldn't make her out. When they presented the state flags I was SURE she was holding the Arizona flag (even though she's from Maryland). I KNOW my child! Turns out, that was somebody else's child. My child was wearing new glasses and had lost some weight. BUT, I watched it again later on YouTube and finally caught her serious little face go right by the camera! All 4 seconds of her! I watched it over and over, got all teary snd texted her aunt and grandmother with the precise minute:second count so they, too, could glimpse her for an instant. Ahh, it was glorious.

Amy - they don't specify mask type.  I believe it just has to completely cover your nose and mouth.  I know some places had issues with bandana or gator type so you might want to steer clear of those just to be safe.

Please join me in welcoming Rosanne - to our group!!

Amy - I concur with B'sNukeMom - I also do not think they will allow face shields. Some of the military bases have returned to mask mandates and those employees were issued the cloth masks like the sailors had. You should be able to use the disposable masks. You might check with your local pharmacies like CVS, Target, Sam's - they may still have a supply of the masks that were issued for free distribution to the US population. 

Ummi - Even though we attended PIR, there were many who could not, and I did the same thing with my son's video - I marked the precise counts for them to scroll to and see him!

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

Hi Laura, You are getting close!!! I am glad that you have had communication with your SR!! If you haven't joined your Aug PIR group, be sure and do so, that is a private group and you can connect with others in your group. B'sNukeMom just posted the links again. 

Welcome to the group, Laura!  Your PIR date is quickly approaching!  2 weeks left. Have you received the I’m a sailor call yet?  So they may not say those exact words but it is the call that signifies they made it through before the final 2 weeks that sound like classroom work?  I know someone will correct me if I’m wrong…. So much has changed since my son went in. 
I’m Shanny. My sailor has been in 2 years and is in the fleet right now.  That’s first call can be brutal. The first letter was hard for me as well. He was miserable but they were in quarantine so they had nothing to do but sit. And wait.   Welcome to the board. There are a lot of great people here so feel free to reach out anytime 

Welcome Laura!  If your SR is Ship 13 then I believe his PIR is 9/30 (My SR's girlfriend is Ship 13 - that's how I know).  Glad you've been able to talk with him. Nothing really prepares you for this. I keep telling myself "settle in for the ride, this is just the beginning"  (My SR is Ship 11 - his PIR is 9/23) 

Welcome Rosanne!  Looking forward to getting to knowyou! 

Laura - Be sure to join the September PIR - Groups - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

So, FYI - as best as I have ascertained over the last few years, private groups do not show up on a person's profile page when you go to look at their page. So, if I recommend that you join a PIR group, or another group that is private, and you already have, it is because I cannot tell by looking at your profile page. 

Everyone - be sure to check out the discussions that are posted above. I know if you are on your mobile phone, you might not see it, so go to Desktop Mode. I try to keep some of our popular discussions bumped into the queue - one of them is our Blue Candle discussion that also has some posts about decorations or items for Sarge's Meet n Greet raffle baskets. 

BC Moms-- Be sure to ask your SR where in formation they are so you can find them (For example: Row 2 from the left when looking at them from the Audience... 5th sailor back from the front of the formation....(This does not include the Sticks and "Officers"))

Welcome Laura! I believe your SR might be in the sister ship/connected to my SRs’s. Mine is in 335. They may do drills together;) Are you going to the PIR?