Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

PIR happening now:

Live PIR 8/19/22

Northwoodsmom -- It's very easy to do!  If you are getting the emails and look at the hypertext one link is to go to that comment and the other is to stop getting the emails.  If you accidentally click on the wrong one...*** Poof *** there go the email notifications!!  There is also the "Stop Following" link below the comment box.  You can always get back by logging into your account on here and going to your groups and selecting the Follow option below the chat box.

tammybikerunfaithlove -- Right... Like weren't we just finding out we were pregnant a week ago!! I gotta stop blinking!!

I have my sailor!!!

tgcunny - BZ to your new Sailor!  Enjoy ;-D

I tried to look but I didn't see anything.  Can someone tell me what a "sponsored division" is?  My son says he is in one and asked me to find out what it means.  Any help would be wonderful.

Tgcunny-- Enjoy every second!!! Congratulations!!!

New PIR photos are up on the FB page. https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand/
Maybe you'll spot your sailor in some.

Q’s Momma -- Let the countdown begin!!

A Ship or command can sponsor a boot camp division. The Ship or command can come watch the boot camp division do different events. ie battle stations, pizza night, PIR, etc.

There is no extra requirement of the recruits - in fact, it's an honor.

Divisions have even been sponsored by various sports teams in the past, Chicago Cubs, White Sox, St Louis Cardinals.

Thanks B'sNukeMom - I just saw the post and found the answer on NavyDads.com!  

Tgcunny - WooHoo - enjoy your time with your sailor!

Thank you!!

Tgcunny, you look so proud and happy congratulations!

Welcome Kirby20 -- Please come say Hi and introduce yourself.

Nursekim - BZ to your son! My sailor wants to do that too!

So I'm trying to guess about the time frame for the "I'm a Sailor" call, I have read anywhere from 2PM to 8PM.  Is that what your experiences have been?  Also, is it a quick type of call or will they be able to talk for a while?  Are they given time to call more than one person?

Amy- my call came at 1:05 pm EST. Got to talk for about 30 minutes :) 

Amy - I believe the calls come in sometime after 2 pm central time on the day after - My sailor was able to talk for about 30 minutes or more, but keep in mind they have been up for a long time and they may not be thinking very straight. Also, we were driving to GL, so my son's call came in earlier in the afternoon when I was to be finished packing so we were on the road in a timely manner on Wednesday. 

My recommendation, pack the day of BS so you have something to focus on getting ready, while you know your SR is working hard to become a sailor!!

jog6 - Welcome to the BC Mom and Loved one group!!! This is where we do our daily chatter. Be sure to stop by and say hi to everyone. Let us all know what stage you are in with the BC process. 

jog6 - Hiya new Navy mom! All this may seem corny to you,  but we're all here to listen, suggest, and encourage you. If you're  worried, we'll try to make you rest assured.  If you're fearful, we'll try to soothe your fears with examples of how we've been there and come out okay on the other side.  If you just feel like unloading, we'll  listen without judgment. There's a wealth of different experiences among all these moms, and somebody has gone thru something like you will go thru. So, don't  hesitate to reach out, or just read our posts, or just say 'hi!'

Hello ladies!

tcgunny- Woot! Woot!! Congratulations!! So happy for you and your Sailor!! Can’t wait to be in same spot. 

We’ve gotten 2 calls and several letters since I was last on here I think. They just completed Marlinspike and are finally starting to get it together. Omg he sounds so grown up now. I swear his voice is different more confident;)

Welcome Tiggerkat to the group, we are glad you are here, be sure to come say Hi!

CBMom - that is wonderful that your SRs division seems to be coming together now. 

Ummi - Thank you, you summed up our group here beautifully. 

tgcunny, Q's Momma, and Chipmunk, thank you!  I only got 5 minutes of the last phone call due to work so I was trying to decide what time to take off early on the day.   

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

Welcome Fawnface to the BC Mom and loved ones group! This is where we do our daily chatter and encourage you to come say hi and share where you are at in your new Navy journey. 

Welcome jog6, Tiggerkat & Fawnface -- You have found the best place to be to get all the info on Being a Navy Boot Camp Mom!! (And loved one) Share your Highs and Lows, your fears and triumphs and your worries, concerns or information you learn that you think may be helpful to others!

CBMom-- Wait till you See them, if you think he sounds different!! They are still your kid but the change that happens in such a short time!!! It's just incredible!!

***Tissue Warning***
9 Years ago today I was in tears most of the day.  I had received a letter on Saturday (Not my usual Thursday) from my SR telling me that he still had Pneumonia and was waiting at Medical for additional testing to see if he would be allowed to run for the PFA , that because he'd been sick for so long he'd not been allowed to run for the past week and a half so he was not sure if he'd be able to pass even if he was cleared and that if he was not cleared he'd not be allowed to do BS21 but either way I should get a phone call on Tuesday. There was a PS on the inside of the envelope, A Nurse at Medical said she'd mail the letter for him when she got off shift so I'd know what was up.  I was Clinging to "No News is Good News" but THAT Monday morning I just could not stop the tears.  I prayed and put on a brave face when folks asked all morning Sunday but how did I explain that I was supposed to leave on Thursday morning to go see him and I was anxious that it might not happen.  One of my good friends gave me a card as she was leaving Church but in the craziness that was my life back then I hadn't opened it right away. (My birthday is this week and I just assumed it was a birthday card)  When I opened it Monday afternoon, it wasn't a birthday card but a card of encouragement. (She had forgotten it was my birthday but KNEW my son was due to finish Boot camp that week). In the card was the Bible verse Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  As I read that I decided to put it into action.  I had been anxious but there was NOTHING I could do either way.  I had to at that point release whatever the future held for my son and trust that God loved him even more than I did! 
Well, Ladies, Let me tell you.... That evening around 5 pm I heard the most glorious sound!! My SAILOR Was calling!!! He could barely speak above a whisper, His voice was raspy and you could hear the rattle in his voice but he'd been cleared the MORNING of the Final PFA, Quick Marched (But not running... BUT Quick Marching) back to his barracks to fly out of uniform and into his PT gear to just make it to the Hall in time.  He passed because his RDC ran along side him the whole time to help him pace and encourage him and several of his buddies would drop back to check on him and cheer him on before picking up their pace to complete on time.  He LOVED BS21 and wished they could do it again because as he said, "It's FUN!! All the stuff we heard about we finally got to see and do and it was FUN".  Our Flight to GL would be delayed so we would miss Meet & Greet and not get to our hotel till nearly 12, (It's hard to find dinner after 10pm in a city you don't know!) and of course we were up at 5 to head to the Drill Hall for PIR.  We'd get a brief Nap while our Sailor had watch and then again from 9pm to 12 when we got up again and drove down to Chicago to sit with him till his flight left and the tears began again but ... 9 Years ago TODAY I got that GLORIOUS call... "Hi Mom... I made it... Are you still coming?" "Yes Son... Nothing could stop me!"

So,  I think I will be getting a call this week and you would think that would be enough but no, no, I am still doing my nightly refresh Informed Delivery page every 5.7 seconds routine and I happened to notice that I have a package coming from Great Lakes.  Does anyone have any ideas on what it could be?

belovedbyHim - girl, girl, girl. Glad I'm good at holding back tears, 'cause I ain't got no tissues! I loved that your son persevered, that his RDC stuck with him and his division-mates encouraged him. But I really loved that you realized the Almighty is in control of everything and you submitted your will to His. Well done, both of you.

Ummi  - or anyone else with more experience on injured SRs than I have, are you able to reply to this new blog post ? - My daughter in law was injured in her 4th wk of training. - Navy Fo...

Amy, maybe it is his pictures. I know my son mailed his home but now with them having 10 weeks maybe they are on the way. I hope it's something that special 

Amy - Your son might have mailed his photographs to your house instead of trying to pick them up at the Photo Lab. 

Hi Northwoodsmom!! I had not refreshed so did not see your reply. Glad to know we are on the same wavelength!!

Amy -- Agreed on the likelihood that it's Photos.  It could also be division T-shirt.  It's easier for them to mail those than for you to have to try and take them on the plane!

Ummi -- I knew that God was in control for much longer but that weekend... It was such a rollercoaster.  I Shared in hopes that another mom will find encouragement that even if things look bleak in that moment... There is always Hope!! FB Popped up with the memories which is part of what prompted me to share.

Good Morning to all of our BC members - How are we doing today? For those of you waiting to send your loved ones off to BC, do not hesitate to ask any questions that you might have. 

Just some basics - All accessories for sailors must be solid black, so generally billfolds, but I think we found a dark Navy nylon one for my son, that is in a pocket, but watches and later umbrellas must be all black. 

Does your loved one have a valid state driver's license? - If they are going to Nuke school, they will be living off site during Prototype and their crazy watch hours makes it hard to have others drive them. So, those sailors need a car and a DL for the best opportunity for them to succeed. Also, Norfolk, VA and surrounding area is huge, having a car is ideal. 

Does your loved one have a passport? - If you have time and are able to take care of this prior to leaving for BC, great! Otherwise, they can do it later, after they have their military ID, but they will also need a Birth Certificate.  - Something to think about. 

Do they have a prepaid calling card? - Those are getting harder to locate. I think I finally found ours 5 years ago at a CVS pharmacy. My son was able to activate it beforehand and know how to use it which was a plus, since they don't often have a lot of time at the phone banks. If you can't find one - don't sweat - they have them available to purchase in the NEX at RTC. 

Do they have a basic black watch? My son liked the simple waterproof ones from Wal-Mart, and did have to replace his at the NEX, but again just bought a basic one, not the fancy expensive kind. 

Are they exercising? Do they know how fast they need to run? This might sound silly but stress fractures and not making the cut on the run are some of the primary reasons that SRs (seaman recruits) are set back in their training. Can they do the proper float for the swim test? Have them ask their recruiter. 

Make sure they know it will be a few weeks before they hear anything from you, and that their form letter could possibly get lost in the mail, so to be sure to write you and mail a letter with their address to you as soon as they are able. - Put a small note, scripture, or word of encouragement in their wallet, small Bible (our MEPS office had some there as well), (check on other Holy books allowed), for them to read when they are missing home. - Tell them a specific time when you will be thinking only about them during the day / evening - sending all your love and prayers their way, so they can hold fast to that as well. 

Have the talk -  Who do you want to be contacted about if something happens to them? And at what stage of sickness, illness, etc.? Most likely if something major happens you will need to contact the American Red Cross. Decide ahead of time if they want to know and possibly be flown home for a funeral, in the middle of BC. It has been a couple of years, but we had a situation like this occur, from my time here on the site. 

BelovedbyHim  awww - I love that story - thanks for sharing. I try so hard to give my anxious thoughts to God - not always successful - but it definitely helps! 

Welcome jog6. Tiggerkat. kirby20 & Fawnface !!  This is an incredible group!!! I've recieved so much since joining - information, education, support, encouragment, validation... You name it! 

CBMom - that's so awesome your SRs group is coming together. And I'm with you on the change... my son's most recent letter was sooo...different!

TGCunny - I just LOVE your pic!! Congrats to your sailor! 

Just playing catch up on all the posts. We had a nice time camping and boating all weekend (though strange without my SR there!).  My daughter's 17th birthday was Saturday and she got a letter from my SR on that day - he wrote a nice letter and sent her some $$ which really shocked her. They were super close when they were young - then the teen years hit and there was A LOT of bickering (there's only 14 months between them). Suddenly now... huge shift. She had written him about how worried she was with school starting without him and who would protect her from the bullies. He wrote back and said "give me names and I'll take care of it when I'm home"  - Been waiting for awhile for this "big brother" moment... (and no, he wouldn't really beat anyone up... it's just the sentiment).  We got a letter yesterday from him - and in both our letter and hers, he wants her to come to graduation (warm my heart!) so... she's coming now. (I'm in shock how much money we are spending to see our son for not even 24 hours! - crazy but I don't even care!). Like CBMom said... the change is incredible. He's been there for 6 weeks (oh gosh that hurts my mama's heart) and he's changing so much already. I'm so proud and yet I miss him so much my heart aches today.  (Maybe it's my hormones LOL)

OK.... off to get some work done! Happy Tuesday! 

tammybikerunfaithlove - I am so glad that your daughter is going with you to graduation and that you are going to be able to attend!  His letter to his sister was priceless, I am sure. 

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

PIR AUGUST 2022

hello! can anyone tell me if we are allowed to send our SR's mail vis USPS flat rate service? I wanted to send him a flat rate envelope so he can mail back some mail he has received. I was hoping to send a flat rate envelope so he doesn't need to be concerned about the postage but those envelopes are kind of bulky so I think sending them flat rate is better?  

Danamom - you can send it.  They might make him open it in front of the RDC just to make sure there isn't any contraband in it.  I would hope that he wouldn't get "hit" for this lol!  Just put a note on it saying it's for him to send letters home ;-D

              ATHLETIC SHOE UPDATE

Check out the new Facebook post on the RTC page.  Recruits are now allowed to bring their own personal running shoes to boot camp but there are guidelines to follow:

Navy Recruit Training Command - FB

Great News!!!

I have a Sailor!  It was so good to hear her voice but she was so very tired that she sounded sad.  

Yay Amy!  BZ to your new Sailor!

Thank you!  

Danamom - the flat rate envelope is a good idea, but consider that your recruit may not write too often.  The Navy keeps them pretty busy!

Amy - GO AMY! GO AMY! GOT A SAILOR, GOT A SAILOR! Big Navy Mom Hugs for you!

Amy - WooHoo - So glad you got your phone call!!!  

Amy - Now that you daughter has passed BS-21 - please feel free to come join us in the Beyond BC group - Beyond BC - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

WHOOP!!!

WHOOP!!!!
WHOOP!!!
WE HAVE A SAILOR!!!!
Congratulations to Amy and her Sailor!!! BZ!!!!