Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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!

Amouse - You are welcome!!!

Melissa, your emotions are natural so don't think you need to apologize because you think you are more needy than anyone else. We are your support group and here for you no matter how you are dealing with this desperation. 

I myself thought I was completely loosing my mind and thought my husband was going to commit me for a emotional nervous breakdown. Standing at the edge of a big black hole unable to function because all I did was bawl my eyes out I found this group. Many seasoned Moms took me under their wings, told me their stories of struggle. belovefbyhim said " we haven't lost a Mom to BC yet and we aren't going to start with you"!  That has been almost 3 years ago and I am happy to say I not only made it through BC but Beyond. The struggles are real but with every step you experience the stronger you get. I was one of the Covid Mom's whom faced unbelievable circumstances, setbacks, no PIR, and no leave time for our Sailors to come home or A school graduations. Still I am standing here Proud and stronger than I ever thought possible. 

Take one step at a time, find a hobby, a exercise class or just go for a walk putting all that anxiety in a different direction, keeping your mind busy. Before you know it you will be getting that " Hi Mom, I'm a Sailor call" and you'll be heading to Great Lakes for that amazing hug as a Proud Navy Mom. Prayers for your aching heart.

Welcome Amouse!

Amouse Welcome!!! So glad to have you with us! My son arrived on July 11th - we have just 3 weeks left till PIR. This group had been great for info, support, validation and normalizing all my crazy thoughts. 

Melissa - praying for your and for some peace. You've had a lot thrown at you all at once. Hang in there. We are here for you. 

QsMomma - CONGRATS!! I bet PIR and your visit were just wonderful! Best of luck to your sailor at Nuke school! 

Q’s Momma - I am excited to hear that your son is headed to Nuke School!  My son is there now.  (Well, technically, he on leave NOW - woo hoo, but he'll be back at GC soon.)  I hope you'll join the Nuke Moms page.  It's not as active as this one, but Chipmunk and B'sNukeMom and Northwoodsmom are great at answering questions there, too!

My son finished A school in July and will start Power School this month, so we are just barely started in this journey.  :-)

Amouse - Welcome!  You have come to the right place.  These moms helped me so much when my son was in BC.  And it will be great to keep in touch when your Sailor is in Nuke school, also.

Melissa - Big hugs to you!  Praying that the Great Silence will pass quickly and you will hear from your SR soon!

You moms made my night by telling me that they can call a couple of times from BC. I was thinking that I wouldn't hear his voice for 10 weeks and that was killing me! Thank you!

@Northwoodsmom I do have a full time career and 2 other kids at home who play hockey so I'll stay busy for sure. I', just used to having my SR around ALL THE TIME so these initial days of silence is deafening. I can't wait to get a letter from him and I have so many people in my life who are eager to write to him so that will help a lot. 

You all are so helpful!

I got a quick call from my SR this morning.  They did really well on inspections and earned an extra one.  He doesn't believe that he is progressing on the run fast enough so he is struggling with that anxiety still.  However, what worries me is he still has not received his debit card from Navy Fed.  I thought I read that they got those pretty soon after account opening.  He has been there since 6/30.  He was going to talk to his RDC about it after the phone.  Would they have sent it home instead of giving it to him there, as he was ASMO'd?  Should I be watching for it?

JNMnavymom, I don't think the card they give them for personal needs at the NEX is their Federal Navy Debit Card, I think they are two separate things. Not sure when they get their debit card but I do remember my son's debit card account had a deduction for the Navy photo pictures he took and sent home. I hope this is what your referring to.

 JNMnavymomOH  My son has been there since 7/13, and he said he got his Navy Federal debit card right away when he opened the account. They personally gave it to him, it wasn't mailed.  

JNMnavymomOH Just to be clear, he did open his Navy Federal account there at RTC.

Northwoodsmom I think my son said he used up his NEX card already.  I'm not sure how he gets another one or if he just has to pay with his own card from this point on.  I know that I can send him money thru sandbox....or since I have his DoD# maybe thru the NEX itself?

SDNukeMom   yes he opened it during Pdays.  I'll get better clarification from him when I write, but I thought they got their debit cards right away.  He has been using his other debit card to pay for things, like a haircut and a new phone card.

Amouse & Melissa - howdy there! Glad you're here! You'll  find these moms MORE than helpful and caring. And it doesn't stop after BC! Hang out with us as long as you want, sit back and listen, offer your take and experience, cry your eyes out...whatever works for you. This is also YOUR BC, too, and we'll be there to give you and your future sailor BNMH when ya'll graduate!

Q's Momma - Awww! I'm so happy you got to be with your Sailor. Doesn't seem real,  does it? All your hard work raising him, all his hard work persevering, all the Navy's hard work shaping him have made him the young man he was meant to be.  BZ!

Q’s Momma -- The early morning arrival is not out of the norm.  The first bus usually arrives around midnight and they just keep making the rounds till they get them all moved.  I'm glad you had the time but yes the parting is rough!! I won't say it gets easier but you do get stronger!! We also do not say Good bye!! We instead say "See Ya Later"  We look forward to the next greeting and accept the temporary parting.

Melissa -- YEA!! I'm glad that the answers helped.  Yes the silence is deafening! No matter how prepared or not you think you are, Despite all the Love and Pride you have for your child... This sudden and complete disconnect is a total shock to the system!! College parents can call and leave a message with reasonable expectation they will hear back (Or just withhold a payment or money and you for sure will hear!!) They can go to where their kid is and see them if they want.  They have communications. 
We have.... ***Crickets Chirping in Cadence!***
It's HARD!!! No one here will tell you this is all easy.  Some adjust quicker but they are not usually the ones coming here.  They don't feel the need to seek a support community.  
The good news is they are being cared for!  Unlike college or after BC... For the next 10 weeks you know EXACTLY where they are and roughly what they are doing. You know they are not getting into car accidents or drinking or.... They are being fed, Sheltered (Mostly), Getting plenty of Exercise and fresh air (ish)... They have a medical team checking them over and the level of supervision is almost as good as they would have had at home! Take comfort in that.  No News is Good News but that doesn't mean that there will never be any news!! Plan for 3 phone calls (I'm here, I'm Still Alive, I'm a Sailor) Hope for 4 (I've passed my PFA) and rejoice if you get 5!!(Hi... We earned a bonus call!) There can be reasons they don't get to make a call that do not mean you need to worry, they could have Duty/watch or are taking care of business, but those are the most common calls they make. (Most of them come in the last half of BC)

JNMnavymomOH-- They usually give them to them on the spot (They have machines at the branch they can do them on the spot!) Hopefully his RDC can walk him over this week to get that straight.  I hope his anxiety doesn't cause him to have added issues. I would not send money via any other method.  (Having his DOD number won't help.)  Keep your eyes open but there shouldn't be much he needs to buy so I'm unsure how he spent all his card.  They usually don't have much extra that isn't covered in BC.  Sadly you cannot send NEX gift cards.  There is no way for civilians to buy them even to gift to sailors! (Annoying!!)

Welcome Sarie  -- I left some information on your page.  This is your place to come and share, ask, cry, vent, rejoice and learn!  please introduce yourself and let us know a bit about where you are on this journey.

Hi Moms! I got a great surprise yesterday when I got a text from Sandboxx with my SR's address! I sent him a Sandboxx letter already! That came way before I expected it, is that normal? I thought we had to wait the 3 weeks until they send the form letter...

Hi, Melissa!  When my son was there (Sept - Nov 2021), I didn't get the notification that my son wanted to connect on Sandboxx until like Week 5 (and we had already been communicating since Week 3).  That's amazing that you got notification so quickly.  (I will say that the info that Sandboxx sent was accurate - it just came too late.)

It's a little surprising that they would know his division number since he just arrived on Friday.  But if I were in your shoes, I would have sent a letter immediately, too!  :-)

Regarding Sandboxx, I listened to the advice from the women on this page and kept in mind that other eyes were reading my letters, so I was careful about what I said to him.  But Sandboxx was great because I could use it to respond quickly to his letters.  For example, in one of his letters, he said, "I am sorry I don't write much.  I only have time on Sundays to write." I immediately sent a Sandboxx letter to reassure him that even though I was writing him every day via USPS, I was not expecting him to write often.  I used Sandboxx when I needed to tell him something quickly, and used USPS for everything else.

@belovedbyHim  and @MomofJoseph so, should I not trust the link with the address that I received? I put a little piece of paper in his wallet with our phone numbers and addresses and we all got the text with the link to his address. Is it legit??

Thank you for the BZs and recommendations for hotels. I booked the Springhill Suites, but am considering a Friday night at the Hilton in O'Hare so we are right there to see him off (He's going to San Antonio). I don't think I will know his day/time of departure until graduation so it's a money gamble (the hotel is expensive!)- sounds like it was worth it though Q's Momma!  I plan on bringing him some underwear haha! I'm sure he'll appreciate getting out of the BC ones.

Melissa in my son's case, the address I got from Sandboxx was correct but it's best to wait until his form letter comes, and then you will know for sure what his address is. 
The letter would sit for a while anyway while the new post office recruit (Sorry I don't know the correct term) learns the job. I wrote letters and just held on to them until I got his address and mailed them. 

For the new moms here, this is a wonderful group. I don't post often, but I read all of the posts that come through my email. 
We've all run the gamut of emotions. Some days are good, others not so good where we miss our babies. Mine was "so ready" and then there was a hidden message in the envelope of his form letter saying he was coming home. They will struggle but grow into amazing Sailors. Mine went from asking to come home to being the Recruit Commander for the PIR that just happened, this upcoming PIR, and then his own on 9/16. Even if he didn't have this amazing leadership position, I would still be so proud of him. 

Even if you aren't religious, I recommend the Serenity Prayer. I was attending al-anon when I finally understood what it meant and it 100% changed my life for the better. 

BNMH to everyone here! I appreciate all of you!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. I will have to catch up later, as I have been spending a lot of family time. 

Welcome Sarie and Amouse!

Q’sMomma- so happy for you and your Sailor!! Enjoy every minute! Hope you get some time at the airport too! Please reply how that goes cause I’ll be in your position hopefully in a few weeks as my SR will be flying out the next day too…want details :)

Melissa- Hang in there! We all need this group! I will tell you that I felt the Great Wall of silence was the hardest thing for me so far. It was such a relief when I got his first letter and first real phone call. Take it day by day hour by hour if needed. My daughter and I made a paper chain and now it’s so short!! But that really helped me to physically take off a link every day and I also had the first day of BC and PIR on there as well. I knew I might have to add links if he got sick or injured or something but I tell you I look at that link every day several times and it just somehow helps me stay connected to him. Also my Sandboxx address was correct but I only sent one letter until the address was confirmed. I use it a lot (because he asked) but I am very careful what I say in it. I told him I won’t be using it after BC due to safety. 

JNAVYMOMS- I hope you get the debit card situation straightened out. Hang on there. My friends Sailor was there since March and just graduated so if he sticks it out I’m sure he will pass- not saying it would take that long though!  
BelovedbyHim- I did get a NEX card through Sandboxx and he got it? 

CB Mom-- That's great that you were able to get a NEX card through Sandboxx.  I DO not believe it would be wise to use it after however.

Only use Sandboxx in BC. Keep in mind the letters are visible to anyone who works at Sandboxx so treat it just like a post card. Nothing personal, Nothing that should not be shared, nothing you wouldn’t stand in a public square and shout. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL SAILORS... DO NOT Use Sandboxx when your Sailor is out in the Fleet!! Long Story short... My Son was on Deployment (Seabee so they travel by Plane not ship but same thing can happen with a ship!!!) They were in Route Home. Someone's Girlfriend sent a Sandboxx Booty call with dates and times. One group ended up landing at a base (The one with that sailor, not mine) and they got to spend 3 days and 4 nights eating from a vending machine and sleeping on the ground. My Sailor was held at their deployment location for 2 weeks additional. All their gear had already been shipped separately so they had none of it... Just the clothes on their back and whatever “Comfort Items” they were hand carrying home. We had plans to come to see him for Homecoming! The First (and so far only)  one we would have been able to be there for. He was able to call us the day we were leaving so we were able to modify our plans but we were not able to extend our stay to be there when he got in. They arrived in the middle of the night to no fan fare, No waiting family, No Homecoming. Just landed, Bused to base and dismissed to find their own way home (Calling loved ones to come get them or hanging out till the “Rot lot” opened later in the morning). I am NOT a fan of Sandboxx!!! I will NEVER Condemn you for using it in BC!! It does get letters to them quicker than Snail Mail but After BC, Close Your account and Forget it exists!!! If they are off grid, there is a reason!!!IF they need money use Venmo or Paypal or....!!! IF it’s an emergency then use the Red Cross!! There is NO reason to use Sandboxx after BC EVER!!!

BelovedbyHim- No, definitely a big NO to Sandboxx after boot camp!!!