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

What US Navy Recruits Go Through

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

Boot Camp Gas Chamber

Here is my discussion on the Sandboxx App - click on the link:

Sandboxx app while in BC

**Only to be used while in boot camp.

USPS Informed Delivery - Sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).  

Informed Delivery®

 *** COVID PROTOCOLS ***
Recruit Training Command continues to operate in a COVID environment in order to protect the safety of both trainees and staff while meeting mission demands. This policy is subject to change as leadership continues to monitor the spread and impact of the Coronavirus. Therefore, the following protocols are in place:

• Guests 12 or older need to provide proof of IMMUNIZATION (14 DAYS POST FINAL DOSE,) in the form of a covid-19 vaccination record card to attend. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination, you will NOT be able to attend, and will NOT be issued tickets to attend. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
• To ensure the health and safety of all, every person attending is required to observe social distancing protocols while inside all RTC facilities and throughout graduation ceremonies inside midway ceremonial drill hall. REMINDER: Policies regarding the graduation ceremony can change at any time due to changes in our health protection status and policy. Please travel with a mask in case the requirement to wear one while attending the graduation ceremony is implemented. For those unable to attend we invite you to watch the ceremony online from home. Please continue to follow RTC social media accounts for updates and check www.bootcamp.navy.mil for the most up-to-date information. For specific questions and inquiries, contact the RTC Public Affairs Office at rtc.pao@navy.mil.
• Each sailor is allowed a maximum of FOUR GUESTS, (THREE GUESTS when 11 or more divisions are graduating,) on base for the graduation ceremony. No exceptions, and children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.

REMINDER FROM THE US NAVY RECRUIT TRAINING COMMAND FACEBOOK PAGE:

Everyone who is planning on attending a graduation ceremony MUST personally obtain a ticket, which will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center the week of your recruit's graduation. Tickets are free of charge, but you must have valid photo ID to obtain your ticket (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport, or, for minors, a student ID, driver's permit, SSN card, birth certificate,) AND you MUST also have your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

WELCOME CENTER ADDRESS/GPS: Navy Exchange (NEX) Burkey Mall, 2650 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60088 (Do NOT use generic terms such as NEX, Recruit Training Command or Naval Station Great Lakes).

    COVID Message Board

* * * The Latest Guidance as of August 25th, 2022 - Revised Pass-in-Review Policy * * *

Effective immediately, indoor mask policy is relaxed per CDC guidance. Naval Station Great Lakes (NAVSTAGLKS) remains in HPCON Charlie. Presently, Lake County, Illinois, has a medium level of COVID cases. Guests attending the graduation ceremony are NOT required to wear a mask while indoors, for ticket pickup at the Welcome Center, or while indoors at Recruit Training Command.

hi Moms! Leaving with my SR in 20 minutes to head to the recruiter and then the hotel. Flight to BC tomorrow. Not sure how I'm going to get through this...

You got this Melissa!  Remember to keep your phone on and ringer up high.  You will get that quick 30 second phone call when your SR arrives in Great Lakes.  I'm in CA and my call came in about 8pm PST.  Figure it might be later for you.  Just answer any call!  It will be a scripted call and you'll probably hear a lot of yelling in the background.  Don't let that worry you.  Just shout over your SR and tell him that you love him and he's got this!

Melissa - You will get thru it.  It may not seem like it though.  The trick I hear is to keep busy, find things to do to occupy your down time.  I am struggling with this myself though.  My call came in around 11:30pm and it was 9 seconds long.  It was "Mom, I'm here. You'll get mail from me in about 3 weeks."  I said I love you and you got this.  And then click.  Phone turned off and packed away until PIR. The first few days were the absolute hardest for me. Crying and feeling empty.  I don't cry as often now, but they do come unexpectedly.  It is a process of letting go and no amount of preparation could have prepared me for these feelings.  I was so excited when I got the form letter that I cried.  You raised a strong child!!   BNMH!

I added the November 10, 2022 PIR to the November group.

November 10, 2022 TG-48 4 guests allowed.  Please note this is a THURSDAY PIR due to Veterans Day (395,397,398,399,400,401,402,403,405,948) 

Deep breath Melissa.. you will feel so many emotions that you may just go numb for a day or two.. we did..  but we got through it.. I swear for us it was a 10 week anxiety attack.. stay busy as you can.. write letters every day.. I would surf for odd/funny short stories and tidbits to add some humor to his letters...  BNMH... stay flexible, this is hard on us as well as them as we learn to navigate a new reality

Liz -- I know you replied on Sunday but life happened here so this is my first time back on.  Yes, 1 week of BC feels like a lifetime but I promise that when you look back, it will feel so short.  One Week, One day, One hour, One breath.... just keep taking the next ONE and wait for the AMAZING results!!
(Oh and we don't count typos.... ~;o)

JNMnavymomOH -- They only have so many tries.  Remind me... Was he injured or has he always struggled with the run?

MomofJoseph  -- You didn't suck at being a BC mom... You were new and this is a VERY unfamiliar world!  That's why we need you all to stick around and help the new moms get their bearings!  Moms who came before charted the path, they relayed the word back to those who followed about what lies ahead, however we are on turbulent seas and sometimes the currents change slightly so you can signal those changes to the moms following you... this continues on and on, week after week, new moms come here with no idea what lies ahead except they have been told that "Here there be Monsters!"  It's our job to guide them to safe harbors, To be the Beacon that leads them safely through.  For some that journey will be short, others will spend a lifetime at sea and then there are horrible tempests that we try not to dwell on, but we are there for those too. 
Now, Here you are... Offering words of comfort, Encouragement and wisdom to the new Moms.... And you are doing a beautiful job at it!!

Melissa -- If you can go down tonight to the hotel he's staying at... DO SO!! Take him out to dinner! Have him call TONS tomorrow especially when he lands in Chicago!  That will be your last visit for a while so be sure to take advantage of it!

On the PIR tickets... No If they can only have 4 guests they cannot use another SR's un-used ticket.  In fact "Sharing" tickets can and will get them court marshaled!! DON'T DO IT!!!  I know it's unfair and it stinks but someone will have to remain at the hotel until after PIR at which time they can join you & your sailor off base.
You will get through this One Breath at a time, One minute, one hour, one Day.... Just keep moving to the next ONE!! You are not alone!! We have never lost a mom to Boot Camp... We won't start with you!!! Keep Breathing and keep going... We are here cheering you on and we KNOW what you are going through... You raised a Navy Sailor, You are stronger than you think!

Chipmunk, B's... You ever stop for a moment to be in AWE???
I have had a crazy busy week this week and this is the first time I've had a few minutes to get caught up on emails. 
I just was reading the posts from all these "New" moms to Melissa... They are not so New anymore and They GOT it!!!
I just am busting with pride in them!! I just thought they should know that, Yes... We are proud of their Sailors... But, We are Also Extremely Proud of them!! These Amazing Moms!!!

belovedbyHim4 - he has always struggled.  I feel so guilty for just thinking that it might be better for him to just come home and work on the run and try again.  I don't want him to fail, but the disappointment of watching his divisions and friends graduate while he gets put back is heartbreaking to hear about. I don't know what else to say to him except to keep going and never give up.

BelovedbyHim - Yes, it has been wonderful to see all of our new moms taking the other new members under their wings and encouraging them along. It helps so much when we get busy with our lives and can't always reply immediately. I love to see the many active posts!  

Let me just say, I don't believe any of you ladies "suck" at being a BC/Navy mom.  I am very thankful for your encouragement and wisdom.  Because of you ladies, I am able to feel confident in helping/pass on what I have learned or am learning to other moms just starting.  I do not have a military background so I am trying to be a sponge.  I know that there have been times where I have asked a question feeling rather dumb/stupid for asking.  Thank you from all the moms, whether new just starting or at the end of the BC journey. This journey is something else and it helps having other mom's who have experienced the same thing to talk with, vent frustrations or cry to. 

JNMnavymomOH -- I once heard the only "Stupid" question is the one not asked!  Ask away!!!
I'm so sorry his recruiter sent him knowing he was struggling.  He is making good strides by shaving off 2min in a short amount of time.  If this is what he truly wants, he CAN do it!! Yes it's hard but how much sweeter will be his victory for the struggle!  Keep encouraging him but you may also want to gently let him know that you will NOT see him as a failure if he decided the battle is too much.  Only he can know if he has truly given it his all and that is all we can ask.  The RDC's will work with him as long as he's working hard to improve!
I'll keep him in my prayers as he struggles to make his time!

Hello to everyone and welcome to the new members! 

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for me: My youngest son got his license and a job all in the same week, I went on vacation, worked, traveled for work, and then back to work. I haven't been able to post but I've kept up with reading and am grateful for you who post. 

I got the "I'm a sailor" call yesterday when I was at work! It was so good to hear his voice. He thought he would have liberty all weekend. (He's going to San Antonio). I told him not to be disappointed if he only gets Friday and has to fly out Saturday morning. He gets his orders 9/12 and graduates the 16th. 

He is the Recruit Commander-front and center!- for the PIRs 9/2, 9/9, and his own on 9/16. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to have 2 chances to see him! If you are there or tune in, they will announce his name from Massachusetts.

I have a medical screening this Friday afternoon so I may not be able to watch. I feel so bad for those who were watching last Friday. 

Only a few more weeks and I'll be able to hug him!

I have to decide between Comfort Suites Grayslake and the Springhill suites in Waukegan. One is closer and the other is a little further away but cheaper. Any reviews? 

nursekim, congratulations to you and your son, I m excited for you. Now communication will open up. Prayers for safe travels to his PIR. Have a blast, big hugs and happy tears.

nursekim -- You know they post the videos on the RTC Facebook page so you can watch them later.

Here's the link to last week's video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0-AmkhxdV8

This way even if you miss PIR due to your medical needs you can still watch it again later.

Wait.... I Almost missed it!!!

WHOOP!
WHOOP!
WHOOP!!!
WE HAVE A SAILOR!!!!
Congratulations to nursekim and her sailor!!
BZ on a job well done!

Thanks everyone! We went to the gym this am like we always then I was able to get him checked in with his recruiter, into the hotel and his brothers and I went out to eat dinner at his favorite hibachi restaurant! We spent the rest of the day together before his curfew at 9. He'll be in MEPS tomorrow and then I can go to the airport to see him off to IL. 

I can't stop crying since he has been my constant companion since he was born. I'm so excited for all he will learn and see, but I don't like the change in the family dynamic. He has only been away from home once on senior trip to Disney and he called me at least 4x a day. No phone, no memes, no FT will be really hard for him!

Thank you for all the encouraging messages! I'm so glad I found this page!

Melissa -- I left a link on your page with some tips before he leaves.  Take or leave what is useful for you.  There is also a time line that can be helpful (It's not a 100% this is EXACTLY  what will happen) in knowing what may happen.  It's also been helpful for some of our moms to establish a time of day where your SR (Seaman Recruit) KNOWS you will be thinking of them (Usually in the evening) and they will be thinking of you.  It's a way of staying connected even when you cannot connect directly.  We are here to help you get through this time.  Ask any and all questions even if you think it's silly or has been asked before, that's what we are here for.

Nursekim - WooHoo!! Bravo Zulu to your new sailor!! - I believe we have had several moms stay at the Springhill Suites. I will ask in Beyond BC group and see if anyone can post.  - 

JNMnavymomOH - Being set back is really hard, especially when they have been through so much with their division in BC. It is easy to want to just have our kids come home and be back "safe" with us, it is such a hard thing to know exactly what is best. 

I would get frustrated with my son's recruiter, insisting that he be at as many DEP meetings as they were asking for, primarily to come work on their run. It was just not that feasible for us, and I had to convince them that my son could do the swimming (he had been on a swim team), and he set himself a regimen of almost daily running and doing his other exercises. He knew ahead of time, what his time had to be for a young 18-year-old male and made sure he was under it. Now that I am in this group and hear about so many of the SRs that struggle with their run, even my DIL tells me her story, I see now why they were pushing it at DEP. Not everyone is used to that regimen or do they have the opportunity to put that into their daily routine when in school and then leave for BC. 

However, passing their physical requirements continue throughout their military career and it affects their advancements. So, if there is any encouragement to give him, I would say, remind him that this is helping to build his stamina and strength so that he can continue to meet future PFA requirements. Because it doesn't matter how well you do in your schooling, for your rate, or continue with your qualifications, if you can't do the run and other fitness requirements, you will lose money and not be able to advance. A set back now will be worth it in the long run. And maybe he can be a buddy or encourager to another person who is struggling as well. 

JNMnavymomOH - I am so sorry about your son being setback.  I will pray for him!  I agree with what Chipmunk said about the physical requirements continuing.  We are only 11 months into this adventure, but every time my son has a PRT, he texts and says, "Please pray I pass my PRT."  He actually had one this morning.  I think he has texted me more for prayers for his PRT than he has for prayers for his exams in Nuke School.  I'll be praying for your son to continue to shave time off of his run!  <3

Happy Thursday!

    COVID Message Board

* * * The Latest Guidance as of September 1st, 2022 - Revised Pass-in-Review Policy * * *

Effective immediately, indoor mask policy is relaxed per CDC guidance. Naval Station Great Lakes (NAVSTAGLKS) returns to HPCON Bravo. Presently, Lake County, Illinois, has a medium level of COVID cases. Guests attending the graduation ceremony are NOT required to wear a mask while indoors, for ticket pickup at the Welcome Center, or while indoors at Recruit Training Command.

It really is no change, but RTC updated so I'm posting!

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

Melissa and others - There are two sayings around here, and a few others - "No News is Good News!" and "Semper Gumby" (Always Flexible)  

And then there are BNMHs - Big Navy Mom Hugs!! We give those out a lot and very freely, but they are backed by all our heartfelt love and best wishes as all of our BC Mom and Loved One members are navigating through this new life and then on beyond. 

For those that have a sailor now, be sure to join Beyond BC group and also, remember to change your profile settings to "Enlisted" for your now a sailor's status. It really helps a lot as I am trying to identify new members, especially when I get a notice that someone with a very common name and our default icon has joined the group, and I want to say Hi!

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend Everyone!  

If you have a sailor that will be flying out to their A school, be sure to read my discussion above, if you haven't already. And if you have any updated information, do not hesitate to post a reply at the end.  What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL

I have a very busy weekend planned, so BNMHs to all, keep posting and encouraging each other. We are a team here and it takes all of us sharing as we are able. 

If you don't have a project, craft, or hobby started yet - think about one and then be sure to share it with your SR. It will be good for you and give them something to ask you about as well. as let them know that while they are going through changes and a new season in life, you are adapting and growing as well!

nursekim, I would recommend Springhill suites. It is very nice motel with a sofa so you can visit with each other. Number one reason I picked it was because it is across from Sarge's Meet and Greet where you will meet with other Navy families.  Prayers for safe travels and loads of hugs.

JNMNavyMom - I think I'd be in your exact same shoes - not wanting my son to fail but also not wanting him endure the discouraging feelings that come with getting set back. I will pray for him - for success and for allowing this experience to just make him that much stronger! BNMHs!

NurseKim - Wooot Wooot!! Bravo Zulo to your SAILOR!! Such a proud moment - for him and for his mama!!  Hope you get to catch a glmpse of him on the videos! 

Melissa - I'm sure today will be hard as your boy flies out to GL and begins his BC journey. We are here with you. This is NOT easy - but we moms lift each other up.  You will experience every emotion - and all of it is perfectly OKAY! I feel like I'm buckled in for a roller coaster ride that isn't going to end for years - it's just going to be different each step of the way. You got this! He's got this! And we've got you! BNMHs! 

My SR is 3 weeks away from PIR and I feel like I'm sitting on the edge of my seat. Sometime next week will be Battlestations. I'm excited for him and his group. I feel they will do just fine. After that he applies for a medical waiver and then it is wait and see what his navy future holds. That is the hardest part for me right now. I'm a control freak. Becoming a Navy mom is teaching me how to let that go when it comes to my now adult son (sounds so strange to say that). But I'm still struggling - I can't stand not knowing - even though I know I have zero control over it. So we wait... and I pray ... and I trust that God has a perfect plan. 

Hello!  My daughter passed the final PFA assessment this week and is now officially graduating on 9/9.  I will be driving from FL with my Mom. Do you think she'll be mad if I keep asking "Are we there yet?"

Liz -- We cannot confirm or deny that they are getting delivered.  Do you have a reason to think they are not? or were you trying to ask for something else?

Amy -- YEA!!! Are you getting excited yet??? (Mom or Daughter?)

Amy! - BZ to your new Sailor & you!

Liz-My SR just got a delayed letter from Sandboxx. I think maybe they have issues sometimes getting them through. Also my SR says they hold all mail on weekends at BC- they don’t receive any or get to send any out so I usually get like 2 letters every Thursday that were from the week or weekend before.

Hang in there Liz! BNMHs. You will get your first call in a couple weeks and it will be just a little better, and then the 2nd call and letters. My friend’s daughter just graduated a couple of weeks ago and now she’s at A school and she hears from her daily!! Might just be a text but she gets calls too. You will get through this. Stay close to this site and also do you have some close friends to help keep you distracted? Or any hobbies? Can I tell you that I have a messy basement that I have put off cleaning for like 10 years and I cleaned it the 1st week he was gone? Took me three entire days- 26 bags of trash and 10 to Good Will. It’s important to find some things for yourself to do to stay busy especially the first few weeks. It IS hard. This IS a sacrifice. But how proud we all are of our children defending this great nation and keeping generations safe. I think sometimes why my kid? But ours are super special. Not everyone gets the calling and not everyone makes it. She is getting stronger during this process and so are you. But she is not gone just away for now…and you will hear from her soon! We are here for you. 

Liz Hang in there. It does get a bit easier with time. Those first two weeks for me were torture - lots of random crying, difficulty sleeping...etc.  My boy is just finishing his 7th week - and while I miss him TERRIBLY - I don't cry that often and overall I'm staying strong. I remind myself that if he can do tough things then so can I. This process has definitely made me stronger - just like it's making him stronger. Hang in there. You (and your girl) will be just fine! 

Good Morning All!! I have my RED on how about you? !

PIR goes live at 0900 - it says CST but we are still on CDT - It should be just a little over an hour away! RTC Public Affairs - YouTube - For those with a SR in a 900 division, hope you spot yours!! For others, I recommend watching at least one on a reply (so you can FFwd) before your own, to help you know what to expect. 

Amy - I chuckled at your post!!!  You have a long drive, but I will say, we also drove, and it ended up being for the best as we had a lot more flexibility in my opinion than others. And with the situation with our sailor not getting to leave right after PIR (even though he should have been able to as a sailor who was flying out), we did not have to make adjustments with a taxi.

Be sure you have your car registration papers with you, make sure your car tags and insurance are all to date and that you have those papers with you as well. My son's PIR was prior to the guest tickets being issued, so we had to show all our ID proof, car registration proof, and parking pass at the gate. I don't know if you still do that or not, but our state does not require us to keep our proof of car registration in our vehicles, so I had to make sure we had it. 

tammybikerunfaithlove - The Navy has a way of putting all of us moms with A type personalities and always in control of our kid's schedules in our place! Once they leave for BC, they will forever be our children - but we are no longer the authority in their life telling them when and where to be at what time. As hard as that is on us, it is also hard on our loved ones as they realize they don't really own their time, the Navy does. 

Liz - How are you doing? I did not use Sandboxx - did not even know about it. Did you see BelovedbyHim asking if there was a particular reason you were asking? To my knowledge, the divisions still have to train their recruit petty officer for the mailroom before the mail is delivered to the division and that includes the Sandboxx letters as well. 

Melissa - BNMHs !!

Liz - I see you just posted; we were typing at the same time. I will read what you wrote and reply again. 

Hi Moms! I got my 10 sec call at midnight. He is in BC. I was able to take my middle son to the airport yesterday and we spent a few hours in the USO. I'm so grateful for that! Initially, the gate agents told me they don't give passes, but I kept gently insisting because I read it here! I said to them, "I know you can give us passes because the moms group said so!" We talked as much as we could from the airport and texted. Unfortunately, he called while I was at the emergency vet with my daughter since while he was in the air, our 16 year-old family cat got very sick and we have to put him down today. I didn't want my SR to worry so I told him everything was fine.

Needless to say, last night wasn't great and I feel like I have been awake for a week. Every time I think of him or someone asks, I start crying. He has only been away from home once, to go to Disney for senior trip and he called me every day at least 3 times. This is so hard. I read stuff on my phone that I know he would like, but can't send it to him. I am counting the seconds until PIR!

you can still send it to his phone and he will get a huge amount of messages after graduation... or those are the kind of things to write in your letters, start now. I would open up a file and every day type stuff in to send. later would use sandboxx to copy/paste plus any other stuff to say..   I have just the one son and I homeschooled him so yeah, he didn't go out overnight much, other than grandparents and a few nights when he had an early class at the community college and stayed with our friends, but he was already older at that point.  Good call on the kitty.. sorry for your loss, but we decided if something bad came up that we would just not mention it.. they have enough to figure out and deal with..

CBMom - WooHOO!! Way to go on the decluttering!! That is Awesome!! My sailor was the one that would help me with such things around the house and I did not do a good job of keeping up the decluttering when he left. Instead, I found myself on this site daily, reaching out and helping others in both the BC Mom, but primarily in the Nuke Mom group. 

I do say though, staying busy helps. We had a lot going on the summer while he was at BC and it helped me so much.

Liz - You are not alone. I don't know how many moms that I have come across in the last 5 years on this site who have sent their only child off to BC or were single moms for whatever reason. When your children have been with you always and never left for camp or any sleepovers, this separation can be a shock. When our girls would be off to camp, or when they first left for college, we would walk by their rooms and that emptiness was so hard, but we still knew we could reach them, or they could reach us if needed. 

Sending our kids to BC with absolute silence, knowing they can't reach us - Oh MY - that tears at our momma hearts, but there is a reason!  Our kids have to know they can leave their family behind and learn to trust and rely on their fellow shipmates, and us - well we have to learn how to reach out to each other. How to stay connected with others who understand. How to get connected to our ombudsmen, when our sailors are out to sea. All of this is a learning process, and you are just in the first weeks. There is nothing wrong with being transparent, it is good and there is nothing wrong with shedding tears. 

When those moments of missing the most come, those are the times that I have to remind myself - OK, Chipmunk - maybe there is a reason for your heart strings to be tugging, and so I stop and pray for my SR (now sailor), I pray for my sailor gal - I also pray for my other children. I can't do anything personally to heal their hurts, fix their boo boos, or take their punishment - but I know the One who can, and I have had a lot more years to be putting this into practice and I still stumble, but that is why I stick around to keep encouraging, and to receive encouragement. 

I am glad that you are sharing. I am glad when I read all of the posts from our other new members who are posting. It makes my heart sing!

Melissa - My condolences on the loss of your family cat. That is hard. Be sure to put your pictures of your cat some place where you can easily access them in a file. I say this, because even though our family cat had passed away prior to BC, he had been my sailor's companion since he was a baby. The pictures he has asked for the most during his time in school or out to sea, has been those of his cat. Happy thoughts for him.  

I am glad you "gently" insisted. I think I forgot to mention before that the airlines do have the right to decline guest passes and they do not have to issue them. FYI for anyone else that runs into a similar situation. But I am glad that we "Navy Moms" gave you some clout!

Good Morning Trey & Ummi - May you have a wonderful weekend. Trey - where did you stay in GL? 

Ummi - any words of encouragement to share with those who have a SR in RCU?