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? 

Good Morning and Happy Friday!  

Yes, PIR is going on live right now - here's the link again for anyone interested in watching:

PIR SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Amy - Here are some motel comments from some of the Beyond BC group - 

Pizanche said - "we stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Libertyville.  We had a suite which was nice because sailor wanted to shower and relax. It was big enough, but I don't know if I would recommend it, because of the sink not working in the kitchen and a Cheeto being there when we came and when we left (under the chair) but it was right during the Covid stuff so not a lot of staff (8/2021) but it was comfortable."

Andrea says "I recommend Courtyard by Marriott in Waukegan.  Ask for a room with the courtyard view which you will have a balcony.  My son wanted to hang out in the hotel.  If you change out of uniform, you must stay in your room.  This gave us extra space and the weather was warm and sunny. Having the balcony was great.  There are many food options right there as well."

Here is a link from Great Lakes regarding their Updated Liberty Rules during PIR weekend, effective August, 2022. (Thank you Amy for sharing this with me.)  I'll post it in a few different places. (Great Lakes groups and I posted it up above.)

Updated Liberty Rules for GL - August 2022

GREAT LAKES SCHOOL
LIBERTY PIR WEEKEND INFORMATION
The Great Lakes School has split and become 2 different Commands with differentrules. One of the different rules is PIR weekend and Liberty. One allows all weekend Liberty and one does not. Below is a list of the 2 Commands and what
ratings (jobs) fall under each.

SWESC Great Lakes: Does allow overnights Pick up after transfer, return Sunday night (Monday if a holiday). Phone muster (call in attendance) each Liberty day. Sailors will find out all the rules during transfer, including curfew Sunday or
Monday (if a holiday). See ratings/jobs below that fall under this school.

SCSTC/NETC: Does not allow overnights. They will have daytime (aka Cinderella) Liberty. They will find out what their pick and curfew times each day are during transfer. See ratings/jobs below that fall under this school.

SWESC Great Lakes: Surface Warfare Engineering Training Command
https://www.facebook.com/SWESCGL/
All the Engineering Rates:
Machinist Mate (MM)
Electricians Mate (EM)
Boatswain's Mate (BM)
Gas Turbine System Technicians (GS)
(GSE/GSM)
Hull Technician (HT)
Quartermaster (QM)
Engineman (EN)
Machinery Repairman (MR)
Damage Controlman (DC)
Partial BECC Basic Engineering
Common Core School (E-Pact)
Surface Common Core (S-Pact)
NETC: Surface Combat Systems Training Command
https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Surface-Combat-Systems-Training-...
AfVvo-F85jF-4/
Navy Enlisted
Electronics Technician (ET)
Fire Controlman (FC)
Fire Controlman (Aegis) (FCA)
Gunner's Mate (GM)
Interior Communications Electrician
(IC)

Mineman (MN)

Operations Specialist (OS)

Sonar Technician (Surface) (STG)

Melissa -- I'm so sorry!! That's a rough way to start this journey.  I'm so sorry for the loss of your companion.  Letting a beloved pet go is never an easy decision.  They love us unconditionally and we wish they could be with us forever. 
Don't withhold your tears.  You have reason to be sad and to cry.  Not only are you saying goodbye to your cat but also you are releasing your child to the Navy.  This is an adjustment.  There will be a time to "put on your Big Girl Navy Panties" and "buck up Buttercup" but that time is not today.  Allow yourself time to grieve and then when you are not so raw, you can begin to pick up the pieces.  Be kind to your heart.  You are stronger than you may know but you don't need to beat yourself up to prove it.  You'll get there!! (Now if you are still this way in 9 weeks.... That's a WHOLE 'Nother issue... But less than 24 hours in AND having to put down a pet.... Well... {{{{{{BNMH}}}}}}}} That's just rough all around!!)
On a slightly different note, I believe I left the link to my blog on your page.  There is a timeline that gives you a rough idea on what to expect and approximately when.  This is NOT a hard and fast rule but a guideline.  The Airport is also NOT a given!! Most of that info was PRE- Covid.  The rules absolutely can and do change and it's completely up to the airport about getting gate passes.  They can say no and they are well within their rights to do so!! That also goes for TSA... They can deny you passage beyond the check point.  I'm glad they issued the gate pass but for others, They may say no, so be aware that it's not a given. (Sometimes tears can have their uses but not always!)
This is hard!! Try and Mark Fridays instead of Seconds.  It's easier on the heart to think it's ONLY 10!!! You can count to 10!! You've been doing it since you were little!! So... 10 is Easy!! If you need to start with 10 minutes.  Can you focus on something else for 10 minutes?  Then 10 hours? Then 10 days... 10 weeks.... Before you know it all 10 will be used up and he'll be a Sailor!!  You got this!! We will be here the whole time!!

TREY and UMMI!!!! Enjoy those AWESOME SAILOR HUGS!!!!!
Soak up every second and make AWESOME Memories!!! I'm so Happy for you both!!! You MADE IT!!!!

Melissa - BNMHs - so sorry about your kitty - that's heartbreaking. Agree with the call on not telling your SR - that can come later. Like others have said - give yourself time to grieve - your kitty and your SR heading off to the hands of the Navy. This is hard and it's okay to cry. I've had a lot of big ugly cries - I've needed to. But it does get easier with time.

Trey & Ummi - Enjoy graduation today ladies - and enjoy those sailor hugs! So excited for you! Hope traveling has gone without a hitch!  

Liz - hang in there!!! One day, one step at a time! 

Sooo happy it's Friday!  BUT... I need to get myself some red shirts to wear - I seriously don't own ONE red shirt! LOL 

Melissa - so sorry to hear about your fur baby - hugs to you.

BZ to all the new Sailor's today!

My apologies - I think my post to Trey & Ummi was misrepresented. They both have sailors who are Beyond BC, but I knew they had answers to some of my questions for all of you. 

jt3Navy - Welcome Aboard!! Be sure to come here, say hello, and let everyone where you are at in this Navy journey. Feel free to ask any questions here. 

Thanks to you all. I'm not ashamed to say that I am really struggling

Melissa - It is understandable!! 

OOPS... sorry...trey and ummi....

So who is at PIR today?  I thought we had moms this week.... I didn't do a good job of writing them down...
Maybe a BC roll call...
Name- PIR or Expected PIR if you haven't got the letter yet.
Or Beyond if they are in A-school or Beyond!

Melissa!!! {{{{It's going to be ok!!!}}}}} You are allowed to struggle.  You have been through a LOT in the last 72 hours!! Can you get a nap or just a long hot soak and a good relaxing beverage?   {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

I'm so glad I found this page!! You moms are fantastic!

Melissa - You are fantastic too!!! You are a Navy Mom!!

It's okay to be a mess..  we all get it.. and understand..

Question: are they ever allowed to call home from BC?

Melissa,  YES!  I got the I'm here call, a call at about week 3, a medical call (my SR was injured), another call, call after BattleStations, and call after passed final PFA (fitness assessment)  Most of the time she had about an hour to talk and was able to call multiple people.  All of our calls came from area code 847.

Melissa - I don't recall, did you say you received your "I'm Here" call? That would have come in late last night. Not everyone gets one, so if you did not - it is okay, it is just a short, scripted call. 

Then they generally get to call around the 3-week mark, another around the 6th week mark, and I think now they have not only their "I'm a sailor" call after Battle Stations, but one after they pass their final PFA, since BC has been extended to 10 weeks. 

This page from the upper right side of our group explains 

 Phone Cards and Phone Calls - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

Also, if he did not take a phone card with him, he will be able to buy one with the NEX gift card all recruits are given (they will pull the funds from their 1st paycheck) when they get to BC or on their first stop at the NEX. 

When things settle down for you, be sure to read through the pages in the upper right (click view all), and also watch the videos which are posted in the upper left side. 

Hi everyone, I'm new here.  My son left for BC a little over a week ago, and I'm missing him every day and praying he is doing OK!  Thank you for all the great information on this site.

Hey Everyone... We have amouse in the House!!! Join me in welcoming her. 
I will post some info to your page a little later tonight!
Feel free to introduce your self and ask all the questions.  That's what we are here for!!

Q's Momma  - So happy for you!!! I hope to see you post in the Nuke Moms group or the Beyond BC group!!

Amouse - Welcome!! We have several moms on here whose SRs / Sailors will be headed to Goose Creek (GC) as well. 

This discussion might be of use to you - What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL

welcome amouse... feel free to ask anything or vent as needed..

Chipmunk, I was just reading the Nuke schedule and trying to wrap my brain around all this when I saw your post.  Again, thank you for all the helpful information.  Nuke school is where he will be headed after PIR I believe.

Trey & belovedbyHim, thank you!