Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Today's PIR happening live:

PIR 08.26.2022

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

I tried to watch todays PIR and the live stream feed must have had some technical issues, very disappointed, was hoping to catch a glimpse of my daughter.

Amy - try watching it again.  It is posted now and working.  Maybe you'll still see her!

Today's PIR:

PIR 08.26.2022

B'sNukeMoM - I tried, still a no-go, frozen in places.  Not a huge deal, it was always going to be a long shot to see her anyway.  She said she would be assisting with guests and I don't think they video too much of the audience.   I'm good, got the BS call this week and the mystery package arrived.  I had sent her a prepaid envelope to send back some of her mail and that's what it was.  I am hearing that I may get one more call after the last run test, so excited for that if it happens.  Otherwise, I'll just be busy packing my bags and looking forward to a really long drive!

Q's Momma, thank you for the confirmation, happy, happy dance!

Liz -- 6 years seems long from your end but mine will have 9 at the end of this month (From PIR--- We have lots of milestones to mark time)  It seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye!  Just like their childhood passes quickly, one day you will feel the same way about their initial commitment.  If they choose to extend, re-enlist or go career... We'll be here for that too.  Maybe not on this page but Navy moms don't abandon Navy Moms.

Amy, Q's and all our other BC Moms-- That's great news about the additional Phone call following the final PFA!! We'll add that to the milestone check boxes for moms to mark off as they process through BC!!  I KNOW you all live for knowing when you might possibly get a phone call so these details are helpful for others to know when there may be calls coming in.

Good Morning Everyone!

For those that might be waiting for a phone call, especially if you are nearing the approximate 3 weeks, make sure you have your phone ringer on loud and the phone on your person. My calls came in the afternoons on Saturday, but that is not the case for every division. 

Amy- How did you do the prepaid envelope? My son says he’s running out of room for his mail too.

Liz, 

This weekend marks 5 years since my sailor's PIR. We were still driving home from GL. So much has happened in those 5 years, the most blessed, his marriage to another sailor, who I refer to as my sailor gal. 

Even though we do our best to prepare them for adulthood, I don't know that anything helps to prepare us for letting them fly, especially when they join the military. 

Lori - Welcome to the BC Mom and Loved one group. I haven't had a chance to post a personal hello on your page. This is the best location on our group to come say hi, let us know where you are at in your Navy life journey, ask questions and share with others. More of our members see the comments here than up in the discussions. 

Everyone have a wonderful afternoon - I will be off again for a bit. 

Good Afternoon

Got a call from my son yesterday.  He is doing well, but failed the RDC assessment again.  He is making progress though.  So he said they will keep him where he is until after BS21 and the final run.  If he fails that, they will send him back to another division starting from 1-1. Will they just keep setting him back until he passes?  

I am watching about the envelope.  I have a feeling that we will need to do the same thing the longer he is in.

JNMnavymom, prayers for your son to pass his final RDC. They should have someone working with him.

CBMom and JNMnavymomOH - sorry for the delayed response.  I go to bed earlier than most toddlers and I don't kick and scream about it. I get up early and work on Sundays.  

I went to the post office and purchased a Priority Flat Rate envelope with postage, it was $8.95.  I filled out the label as from her to me. I mailed it to my daughter in large brown envelope with a short note advising her that it was paid so all she had to do was put whatever it, seal the envelope and mail.  I figured she might have had to open it in front of the RDC so kept it short.   She sent back most of the letters the family had sent and some of the paperwork she had been given when she opened bank account, etc.  She kept the letters from her boyfriend - LOL.  Hope this helps you and your SR.

Liz:  it's ok to be upset. My son has been in for just over 2 years. I still have the occasional break down. Not as often as I used to but it's still there. He is currently home on leave and will be returning to base soon. Had a moment of sadness just today because he must return soon. I just started a new job as well. Good luck on your first day!  I hope it goes well and you love your new job

Liz - welcome!!  These mothers are amazing, full of encouragement and information.  RDC is Recruit Division Command. The assessment is the physical fitness (PFA) tests that they must pass to continue in training.  For my son the problem is the run.  BS21 is Battle Stations, which is their final test of all they have learned prior to being "capped" or being able to call themselves a sailor.  After BS they have a final PFA to which they must pass in order to have PIR.  Thank you as I am frustrated as is he.

Northwoodsmom - Thank you. They do have someone helping him. He said that his time has improved, he went from 16 and some change to 14:56. But he needs to be at 12:15. I guess since he shaved over a minute off in 2 weeks it might be possible should he be ASMO'd again to start over.

Liz - welcome!  My daughter is currently in BC and should  graduate in 11 days, 15 hours, and 51 minutes, I  put a countdown widget on my phone as a reminder to look forward. Other things that helped me in the beginning was watching the videos that are available and just trying to learn as much as possible.  I also find that having my blue candle lit is comforting. It's OK to be heart broken, I cry every day at some point, or multiple points but it's not as overwhelming now.  The support here is AMAZING so please, ask whatever you want to know.  BNMH - Big Navy Mom Hugs

JNMnavymonOH, - I can not say for certain, if they will continue to set him back, just so that he can pass his PFA, but what I can assume is that based on what I know his A school will require PT at least once if not 2x / week and they use to also do a 5K, I think it was in the mornings one day a week, before they went and did classes. Because they know those sailors are less likely to be as physically active - if you get my drift. 

So, because they want these SRs to become sailors, I am sure they are working hard to get them to make it through and pass the physical test.  All the best to him!!

Liz & Lori - Here are some links for you - Blue Candle & Video 1 - BC & Video 2 - BC

Amy - Not much longer!!! 

Happy Monday All! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! 

Welcome Liz & Lori! I echo what others have said - this is an incredibly supportive and encouraging group of women! It has been my saving grace in moments where I felt totally insane with all this! Liz - good luck at the new job. I hope today went well.  Like others have said - this journey is not an easy one - for our kids or for us here at home. My son has been at BC since July 11th (less than 4 weeks now till PIR!) and there are days my heart just hurts from missing him. I cry several times throughout the week - but not as intensely and not as long as I did that first week or two he was gone. It does get better. BNMHs to you! 

JNMnavymomOH - sorry to hear about your SR! That's so frustrating. I'm glad he's been able to make some improvements though!  I will pray your son is able to pass the final PFA!  

Good Morning (and in some cases, good afternoon!) and Happy Monday.  It's been a busy one and I'm just getting a chance to log in.....you all have been busy this morning.  Good to see ;-D

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

My SR has been transferred to Ship 02, is there a group for this so that I can get more information?

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa and my son will be leaving for RTC this Thursday! I'm trying to figure out what he needs

I'm so happy I found this group of moms! I don't have any friends or family with kids in the military so please indulge me when I have a lot of questions or get sad. I miss him already!

Hi Melissa!  Welcome!  I am Shanny. I guess I’m a long timer but feel like I’m a newbie still. My son has been in for just over 2 years now. You have found a great place with a whole group of people who have gone through what you are and we all understand. 

so, as for thing your sailor needs…. My son would say nothing but the clothes on his back and to wear his own running shoes as the ones they give them are horrible. But he skips the simple things…. If he is taking a wallet, it needs to be black. If he is going to wear a watch, something simple and black. (Don’t wear an iwatch or anything similar). If he is going to keep his bank account at home and not open a Navy Federal account, he will need his routing and account info for direct deposit. I wrote important numbers and addresses on a small piece of paper and stuck it in his wallet. They can keep their wallets but their phones will be put away until they graduate. If he is religious, they are allowed to bring a religious book such as a Bible with them. I think people recommended a pocket sized one as their room for storage is very limited. 

I know others will have more ideas. Their belongings and clothes they are wearing upon arrival need to fit in a box about the size of a shoe box. So they really do not want to take much with them

Here are links to some of the pages in the upper right corner, for everyone's benefit. 

Ship/Division - How it Works

Ship 02 houses the 900's division - 900's Division group - Cindi@FrostyAcres - I think this is what you are looking for?

The 800's use to also be housed there, they were the special forces trainees, but I believe they dropped this division during COVID and SRs with those contracts are now being integrated within the other divisions. If you do have a SR with a contract for special forces, DO NOT post that on this public page. Please reach out to B'sNukeMom or myself and we can get you in touch with information you may be looking for. 

Ship 04 is where the RCU - Recruit Convalescent Unit is located.  Recruit Convalescent Unit - RCU - For those whose recruits are sent here, be sure to join - RCU Ship 04 Div 741

Be sure to read through the information also posted on the Ship/Division page as there are several things housed in Ship 04. 

Hi Melissa, Glad to see you posting here. I was putting together the Ship information below for Cindi@FrostyAcres. I am glad that Shanny was able to say Hi!! She is a great gal! 

B'sNukeMom posted this a few days ago the link to BC FB page (https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand)  - You have to scroll down a bit to Aug 23 2022 where guidelines are shared about what running shoes are permissible at Boot Camp now. 

- If you can get ahold of a prepaid calling card before BC, then your son can activate it at home. If not, they can buy them at the NEX. 

Like Shanny said, make sure they have their bank account information. Also, make sure they have their social security card. I think I also tucked in a couple of postage stamps as well. Some moms will write a short note to stick in the wallet or inside of their Bible with an encouraging message for them to be able to read when they have not received letters yet. 

Some SRs will write letters and leave for their families or will leave a voice message on the phone. Here is an information page about Letter writing and fun stuff/questionnaire

Ok, sorry, I am just really confused, I am pretty certain my SR told me his new address was Ship 02 Div 741, he was injured and will be in rehab.....everything on here says it should be Ship 04.  I want to get a letter out right away to him, but I don't know. Do you think his recruiter could help me?

Hi Cindi@FrostyAcres - I can't find anything on the RTC website to verify. All I know is what Lemonelephant has posted in the past and the Ship 02 Div 741 group on this site. I would honestly, join that group, but I think that Ship 2 is what you are looking at if your SR was injured. If in doubt, send a letter to both ships, but I think it is ship 2, if he was injured. Since you had not stated earlier that he was injured, I did not want to just assume and tell you it was ship 2. But if he told you ship 4, that is confusing.

I don't know if your recruiter has any more info or not. Maybe B'sNukeMom will know in the morning. I am sorry. 

Ummi - Do you by chance know if RCU is still housed in Ship 2?  Thanks! Her daughter was in RCU from an injury for awhile. 

Hi Melissa - As far as what to bring - Shanny covered that really well, but our sailor's recruiter had said he could have a small notebook (pocket size) and he could write addresses and phone #'s in it. We put grandparents, brother, some of his buddies, favorite cousin, etc. Gave him other people to talk to if he couldn't get hold of us, (you don't want them to miss the opportunity to talk to the outside world if they earn a phone call) He even wrote a couple of letters to his grandparents. I can't tell you how much that meant to them!  Just a thought, but our sailor was glad his recruiter mentioned it as he realized he didn't have very many phone numbers memorized. 

Osheatoo2 - Thank YOU!!! - I am sorry that your SR is in RCU as well. But I also appreciate you verifying the correct ship.  It sounds like we need to get some information updated on here. 

Cindi@FrostyAcres - my apologies for confusion. I was also tired last night trying to reply and had not even recognized totally the conflict with the ship #s.  I would go with Ship 2 Div 741 - especially since that is where your SR told you he was at. Considering we always tell parents, your SR / Sailor is the best source of information concerning themselves. I would stick with that. 

My sailor still carries a breast pocket sized memo notebook and a disposable mechanical pencil with eraser. He calls it his "pocket brain" and uses it also to write down other thoughts and ideas that he has as well as for notes and numbers / addresses. 

Here's the link to the Ship 4 Division 741 group.  We have it as Ship 4 on here (if it changed, we never changed it here).  Take a look at the group and you should be able to find some helpful info:

RCU Ship 4 Div 741

Still use the address your SR gave you.

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

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

Melissa - Welcome! My name is Tammy. My son (SR) shipped of to BC on 7/11.This group is incredible. Everyone here will answer questions, share in your sadness (or other rollercoaster emotions you experience).  I stuck a few small pictures inside my son's bible. 

Cindi - hope your SR recovers soon. Sending prayers. 

Hi, Melissa!  My son is approaching the one year anniversary of when he left for RTC.  This group was a lifesaver for me!  I hope you will come here often when you have questions or when you need encouragement.  (I cried a lot when my son was gone, and certainly needed the support from here.)

Also, don't panic if you can't find a pre-paid phone card.  I didn't know they needed one until after he left and I had a MAJOR meltdown -- feeling like a terrible parent, thinking he'd never call because I'm a failure.  But not too long after that, he called and said he was glad I didn't send him with one because it was no big deal.  They gave him a $150 gift card to NEX on arrival, he bought a phone card, and the first time he was allowed to call, it worked out great!

The other thing that helped me is when I realized that boot camp was not just training my son; it was training ME to let go, to pray more, to get used to no contact.  When they are in the fleet, we have to be strong, so BC is our first training ground, too.  (Which I kinda sucked at, but I hope I'll do better next time!  LOL)

MomofJoseph - Thanks for coming and sharing. I am glad that you stopped by!

Hi! My son is set to head to the recruiter and then the hotel TOMORROW! I can't believe it! I got him a small, black wallet and out in it a paid calling card, addresses and phone numbers of family and his IDs and some cash. Do you know if visiting is allowed in Pensacola when they are in school?

oh one more thing...if SRs don't need 4 tickets for PIR, can they give it away or another SR? My son has 3 siblings who all want to go plus his dad and me. We're one short

Melissa - There are no trading or giving away extra seats at PIR. And it does depend on the size of the TG at PIR, how many divisions there are, as to whether or not it will be 3 guests, 4 guests, or if they will go back to 2 guests. The siblings can all go with you to see your sailor though, and some hotels will live stream the event, but you may also watch it on your computer on the hotel wifi (if it is strong enough). 

As for seeing your sailor once they are in Pensecola, it will depend on their A school schedule.  - If he will be flying out after PIR - be sure to read this discussion - What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL - Navy For ...

It is a few years old and I am not sure if there are some other updates posted at the end or not but it is about as best of information as I can give you from what it was like for my sailor. 

Tell your son to be sure and let you know what his flight number and airline are, that way you can track him to GL. Also, tell him to call you at the airport, as that will be the last conversation before they catch the bus to RTC/ BC. Make sure you have your phone near you and ringer on loud. The "Im Here" call can come late into the night. It is a scripted call and I thought it was my son on a voice recording, it sounded so robotic. I just said "I love you" over and over. 

If you are able to go to MEPS, do so for swearing in. You are likely able to go to the airport, even if they transport them there. Your SR will have to show orders at the ticketing gate and see if you can get a guest pass. You will need all proper ID as though you are flying. You will go through security and be able to stay at the gate with him, if he wishes. Some do and some don't. We did not know we could.

Oh yes, they give the SRs a meal voucher at the airport. Tell him that if he has a lay over flight to make sure he buys enough food the first time to tied him over. They can only use the voucher once and for my son, they had a direct flight. They did not get food before they left our airport, but when they got to O'Hare, they were rushing around trying to find a food place, and eat before they had to catch their bus, because their plane had been delayed leaving on our end. They will be up for about 36 hours, so they want to eat to tied them over. 

Sorry if there are typos, it is past my bedtime but I saw your msg in my email feed and wanted to reply tonight. 

Happy Wednesday!

Melissa - as Chipmunk said there are no giving away or trading seats for PIR.  That is a HUGE NO NO.  And unfortunately the training groups have all been rather large of late so they are limited to 3 guests only, which makes it even harder on families. Hopefully you can find somewhere for friends and family to watch the livestream.

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022