Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Hi everyone, does anyone know if vaccinations are required for any other graduations besides from BC?  I am not vaccinated, but am thinking about it so that I can attend PIR.  However, it would be helpful to know if I would miss A school graduation or anything else if I decided not to.

Liz - I am so sorry about the conflicting info on the letters. I have been spending some much-needed time with my other children who do not live close by, and I have not been able to be on the site much.  I knew nothing about the Sandboxx App when my son went to BC. As well, I knew nothing about this website either (I did not find it until the week before PIR.) All the information that I had about BC came from what the recruiter told me, as well as what I found on the RTC Bootcamp website , and so, I had no expectations or things to compare with others. 

I knew that my son would not get my letters until I received his form letter, and he knew it as well. One thing to keep in mind, is that your daughter will be pretty much in the same situation as all of the other SRs in her division. And if your Sandboxx letter does get to her sooner than her postal mail one does, she will have that - but I do agree with BelovedbyHim, I would not spend extra money to mail a Sandboxx app letter, until you at least have her Form Letter with her mailing address. 

Please forgive me if I come across curt, I am trying to reply to comments on my computer, while not in the best of locations and it is also not easy for me to reread and adjust the tone of my comments. 

For those with Sailors flying out after PIR - be sure to read my discussion - What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL if you have been to PIR recently and have any updated information, be sure to post a reply at the end of that discussion. I have always been conscientious about not posting specific times even, but my sailor had one of the earliest buses out of RTC after midnight. We ended up checking out very early from our motel and left it the same time they were leaving RTC to meet him at O'Hare. We spent more time with him at the airport than we had on PIR. Read my discussion for details. We left the airport after his 0600 flight out and started driving home. If you are flying, you have less flexibility, so staying at the hotel airport might be beneficial. However, not all sailors fly out from O'Hare, and they will not know until they have their orders. They may end up staying in GL in THU (temporary holding unit) and not fly out that weekend. Lots of variables. 

Be sure to get their flight information from them. They are the only ones that can tell you that!

You may join -  Beyond BC  IF: your SR has passed BS21 or has completed PIR. This is a follow after group for those who are moving on, but one central group to keep you all connected, even if you join other groups on this site for your A schools, ships, or duty stations. It is the home of the Navy Mom Posse!! Who are called on to help when any Navy Mom is in need.

Remember: if you have a new sailor, be sure to change their status on your profile page to enlisted!

There are also printable coloring sheets here if anyone is interested. Free Serenity Prayer Printables - Bible Study Printables

Amouse - Whether or not you have to be vaccinated to see your sailor at his A school, is most likely going to depend on whether or not you are going to be going on Base with him, and what regulations the A school might have. All I can share is what I know for my sailor, whose ship recently had a "family day" Tiger Cruise this summer. Those who attended had to be able to show proof of vaccination. We were not able to attend the Tiger Cruise but a little later we were able to board the ship while it was in dock, and we did not show our vaccination cards, but we had them with us if we needed them. 

So, while I do not push one way or the other on the vaccine, it is still likely to be expected, if you want to do something "special" with your sailor when they assigned to their duty station. As for at A school or other graduations, that is likely also. To just go see them, if they are given liberty and can come see you, they may not have to verify that you have been vaccinated. (During the shutdown, it was a lot stricter. Not sure what it is for the various locations now.) 

JNMnavymomOH - Even if your son got an account set up at the NFCU that is located there on RTC, he may not have had any money in his account to feel like he could use his debit card from their yet, and that is why he was using his other bank account. 

When Will Recruits Be Paid

The above information page was very helpful to me when I was trying to determine when my son's paycheck was first going into his NFCU account which we set up at our local branch before he left for BC. He may have wanted to wait for using his NEX gift card for things that he needed to purchase at the NEX, and he might have used it to purchase a watch, which took up a majority of his money. 

Hi Liz!  I am sorry that the conflicting info about letters has sent you back to square one.  I want to reassure you that this Great Silence will end soon.  When my son went to BC, I had my massive meltdown on Day 9. (I was counting days since he left home, since I didn't have a PIR date yet.)  It wasn't much longer after that, that I got the form letter.  Then a week later, I got his first letter.  

They are so crazy busy during the first 2-3 weeks, I think they barely have time to be homesick.  They know no letters will be coming because they know parents don't have addresses.  When they mail the form letters, they know it will take a few days for them to arrive at home and they know it will take a few days to get a response back.

I listened to the advice here and wrote my son often.  When I saw on the USPS Informed Delivery app that I was getting a letter from my son, I addressed all the letters that I had written and they were in the mailbox when the postman delivered the form letter.  (Thankfully, the app showed very clearly the return address so I could put it on there even before his letter arrived.)

Hang in there, Liz.  <3  You will hear from her soon and she will get your letters soon.  BNMH!  

I don't know if I had a chance the other day to welcome Lori (who hails from the west coast) to our group or not. This is the best location on this site to post your hellos, ask your questions, share your concerns, frustrations, ups and downs. 

ok... so I have sent 2 Sandboxx letters and I won't send any more until I get the form letter. Is that what you moms suggest? Now, I am typing a regular letter a day and will wait to send them all until I get the form letter. It's so hard to guess at these kinds of things since we can't confirm anything with our SR yet. Augh! 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Melissa I would hold off until that form letter comes and then dump all the letters in the mail! My form letter came 9 business days after he left. It's usually 9-14 days after they arrive. YMMV of course. USPS informed delivery is the best too! Make sure you all are signed up for it! Mine comes at 0715 every morning and I open that email so fast to see if a letter is getting delivered.

BNMH Liz

Well, I'm all packed and leaving in the morning!  My Mom and I will be driving 16 hours from FL to attend PIR on 9/9.  I feel like I am forgetting something.  Probably won't sleep tonight out of pure excitement!

safe travels... take pictures of your house to let you remind yourself the stove is off lol... I do this now and feel better

How exciting Amy! Safe travels! Enjoy your time with your sailor! Shameless plug for mine...he's the recruit commander-give him a cheer from me when they announce him (from Mass).

My Sailor is in a Triple Threat 900 division.  I watched two of the past weeks graduations hoping beyond hope to catch a glimpse of her to no avail.  She had told us she would be in the balcony assisting guests so I knew it was a really long shot.  Well, a fellow Navy Mom was at last weeks graduation, she got there really early and walked around taking pictures of recruits (with their permission of course).  She posted them all online and I was able to see a picture of my daughter!  So, the moral of the story is that Navy Moms look out for other Navy Moms.  So thankful to be a part of such a loving community.

Have FUN Amy!!!! And hope you catch NurseKins Sailor as well!

Safe travels Amy. My sailor is just past 2 years in and I too am leaving from FL tomorrow in the a.m., but to drive up to visit him in Norfolk. It's only 12 hours for me. Maybe we'll pass each other on the highways. 

So I shared the Sandboxx story not to say don't use it in BC but don't over buy either.  It wasn't a thing when my bee went in but this was my first hand experience!  The Bees move different and ships are harder to hide and many of their comings and goings are well announced but still... Don't put your sailor in that position!

I'm sorry if you feel there has been conflicting messages on the Letters Liz.  There is only 1 message and that is before you get the form letter, we suggest waiting to mail letters.  The only way to know 100% they are getting your letters is to ask them and of course you can't call to verify that.  The info I shared is correct.  They have to train a Recruit Mail Petty Officer (RMPO) who will deliver the mail.  Any address received prior to the Form letter, May or May Not be correct!  Trust only a Phone call or the form letter.  Sandboxx is delivered via FedEx not USPS therefore the special training they have to deliver USPS mail does not apply to FedEx and that is why it is not forwarded (It's marked return to sender instead, which is sandboxx.  They may try and forward if they can find the new address or you may get a message back that it was undeliverable.)  All Mail before they have trained the RMPO is set aside to be sorted later. Sometimes that mail is not sorted till they have been there a while and some letters just never arrive. ONCE the RMPO is trained they get mail delivered Mon-Sat (Although someone it seems said that they were no longer getting Sat Deliveries) Just like you do at home.  They also do not get it on Federal Holidays (Like Today).

I Don't remember where in this journey you are, but that is the best advice we can offer.  You can and should write often, even during the great silence but we advise waiting till you get the form letter to mail them.  That is what I was advising Melissa.  Her SR just arrived last Friday so there is no way to have a RMPO trained (They have not even completed P-days anf the initial PFA!!)  and I don't want her to mail a bunch of letters that may or may not get delivered, and for sure are not delivered this early! 

Melissa -- Yes, Please wait!! I KNOW it's hard!!! Believe me!! But it's just far to soon.  Sandboxx is happy to take your money but you don't know what the source of their info is anymore than we do.  They are in this to make a profit and given the experience I have had with them I'm a little suspect of their motives.  I know it is supposed to be a Vet who started the company but still.  You have sent the 2 letters... Know that if the information is correct he'll be among the first to get them but if it's wrong, you won't know and may have used up all your credits on letters that will never get delivered.  It's hard but they are all in the same place, waiting to hear!! Your SR will not be alone!!

Amy -- Just remember to keep breathing!!! They have Walmart for anything else you may have forgotten!! Have a wonderful time and enjoy every second with your Sailor!!! Travel Blessings to you as you travel!!

Amy-- We do try!!

Just to add to the discussion on sandboxx and BC.  A recent change has occurred at RTC that folks should know about. If an SR signs up for Sandboxx there will be NO form letter mailed home. Here's a copy/paste with that info: 

This is BS21 week for my SR!  Funny (or not - maybe just crazy) - I dreamt last night that somehow I was on base at RTC and could peak in the window that showed recruits switching their recruit hats to navy hats... I kept sneaking around so I could watch and not get caught. Can you tell where my brain is at this week!?!? LOL 

Hi, Amouse!  I can only speak for Nuke School, but I wanted to share our experience with Graduation.  At NNPTC, we have been to visit often since we are only a few hours away, but generally we are not allowed on base.  We pick him up outside of base and it's never been questioned if we are vaccinated.

For A school graduation, we were allowed on base and we had to show our vaccination cards.  My son said that if we weren't vaccinated, we would have had to show a negative Covid test.  (This is, of course, subject to change, but it was our experience in July 2022.)

For clarification, we are NEVER allowed on base at NNPTC except for graduation.  (I re-read my email and I didn't think that part was clear.  Sorry!)

Tammy - Your dream cracked me up.  That is so funny!  Good luck to your future Sailor this week!  Woo hoo!

tammybikerunfaithlove - Thank you for the Sandboxx update!!! That is good information to know. And yes, I used the RTC website as my first go to for information, especially since I did not know about this site. I was not on FB so I did not check their information, but my husband would. 

Amy - May you have safe travels - You too Katharine!

Thank you tammybikerunfaithlove  for the Sandboxx info. When you mention the "Guest Access Form" that is for PIR, correct? Also, I saw on the RTC site that most graduations are 3 guests and I thought they got 4 tickets. Anyone have any insight on that?

I think guest numbers vary based on how many divisions are graduating... more than a certain number 3 guests. otherwise 4. when we went last year it was 2 because of covid restrictions..

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

Melissa - it's normally 4 guests but when there are 11 or more divisions graduating they limit it to 3 guests.  It's been at 3 guests for a couple of months now but the latest November PIR is allowing 4 guests as it's got fewer divisions.

HELP!! I just got a phone call from area code 847, but it only rang twice so I didn't answer in time. No voicemail either. What does that mean?

847 is Waukegan area code and 99% is from GL.. keep nearby and turned up.. the phone banks are so broken and out of date that they sometimes have to try several phones to get one that works.. it's a shame they don't repair them or switch to cell phones..

Melissa - what Trey said!  Yes, the phones really do suck at GL.  They've been like that forever!  My son was there in 2012 and it was an issue then :(  I'm guessing your SR may have needed some info and hopefully will be calling back.  Keep your phone close and ready to answer!

Just got the I'm a sailor! call!! Was sooooo good to hear his voice. He sounded exhuasted (has been up since 6 am yesterday) but sounded good.  He's feeling confident about the final PFA. Has a few other hoops to jump through but he's feeling positive. 

Woot!  BZ to you and your Sailor.. 

Tammy - WooHoo!!! Way to go!!

Woohoo tammy!

MomofJoseph-Thank you for the vaccination information.  I'm thinking to just go and do it so that I don't have to stress about it anymore.

Tammy-Congratulations, I'm so happy for you!  And thank you for the Sandboxx information.  I've been waiting for the letter to arrive, and now I'm thinking that it won't. 

Does anyone know when/how we can verify their address so that we can start to snail mail letters?

Trey, They do update and repair the phones in the phone bank. Remember there are literally thousands of recruits that use those phones weekly. It only takes one bad pull on the receiver cord to cause the phone issues.

I'm sure they do try, but that equipment is so old now.. they should buy a ton of low end cell phones and let recruits use those.. bet companies would love that publicity too.

I remember sometimes our sailor on his third phone 

Amouse - I am really not sure how to reply to your question about the Form letter, especially after what was shared today with regards to the Sandboxx App.

I don't know if any of our recent PIR graduates have any information or opportunity to ask their new sailors, if they know anything. It does seem like this is something that should be discussed before a SR leaves for BC. Do the parents plan to use Sandboxx and if so, what this means if a mailing address does not get sent?  To me this seems like it could cause a lot of confusion. 

Tammybikerunfaithlove, congratulations I know your heart feels like it is about to explode with pride. Enjoy every minute!

Chipmunk- Yes, I'm definitely confused, and anxious to send my letters!

Congrats Tammy! It's so exciting to get that call!!

I got a final call from my Sailor tonight saying he passed his final PFA. He is so excited to get his old underwear for A school and wants steak! 

I tried searching but I couldn't find recent posts...should I take my son off my health insurance now or wait until PIR? 

tammybikerunfaithlove-- Thank you!! Well... That now adds to the confusion!  I guess it will be up to you BC moms to teach us "Old hands" a thing or 3.  Sandboxx still costs you more than a regular USPS letter but maybe you can ask them to let you know how soon they got your sandboxx letters compared to when you sent them so you can let us know if it's worth it.

Fingers crossed for the call to come soon and relieve your anxiety!! You are down to just 3 weeks!! Can you believe it's almost over already!!

Nursekim -- you can Take him off now or after PIR, Either is acceptable.  He's completed BS21 and the final PFA so He's a Sailor!! If you have time, You can do it now since the odds of him "Finishing" boot camp are 100%!  The only reason we say wait till PIR was if they for some reason didn't complete... Injury or illness or other SEPs reason early on or failing the Final PFA or BS21 at the end.  He just has this final week of Warrior training so he's good to go!

Chipmunk - I knew that my son would not be paid until August 1. Which I just got his statement and he did get paid August 1, but did not receive Aug 15th (statement end 8/23/22) but did receive a separate deposit about Aug 11th for a much smaller amount.  Not entirely sure how much he is supposed to get paid, so I suppose they could have split it like that.  I thought it might have been re-imbursement for the uniforms, but unsure.  Maybe his next statement will have more info, but I know that without his earnings statement I am only speculating.  I only know that he said he did not receive his Navy Fed CU card yet and that he needed stuff at NEX.  I did ask my SR for a better understanding of what happened in a letter.

Congrats to those that have Sailors!!!  Enjoy your time and safe travels!!

Whoop whoop go Tammyrunbikelovefaith!!! So happy for you! When is PIR?

JNMnavyMomOH- My SR also got paid similar- correct amount on 8/1 but then about 1/2 as much 8/15. My friend whose SR just graduated said they do take out $ for the uniforms so I am thinking same as you. Waiting to hear what he says in a letter. He’s very frugal with his $ so he’ll definitely be on that lol. We got NFCU card prior to him going to BC so can’t help with that but that seems odd to me he wouldn’t get it right away. Are they allowed to use their own $ when there or maybe only the NEX card?

NurseKim- Congratulations!! So excited for you!!! Mine still has about 4 weeks but he’s asking for Chicago pizza. They know what they want lol—and the underwear!

JNMnavymomOH - You are correct that you would have to check his LES, and I think those are only online nowadays.  I am not certain, but I think they wait until the 2nd paycheck to take out the uniform $'s so they have that first early buffer for other expenses. 

The issue with the debit card does seem strange if he opened his account there at RTC NFCU. 

CBMom - Yes, they may use cash, debit, check, credit at the NEX as far as I know. As parents we were able to buy stuff there as well, we just had to pay sales tax, whereas the sailors do not. I don't know if the RTC NEX is still open for parents to shop at or not, since COVID. We were also able to go into the Photo NEX and purchase other photo items and challenge coins for our sailors. I will say, if they have them for sale before PIR that is when you want to buy their ship ones and such. I think they have switched to all of that being cash only ? not certain. That was the last I had heard several months ago. 

Amouse - I Know - confusion is no fun. 

WHOOP  WHOOP  WHOOP
ATTENTION ON DECK!!! We Have A SAILOR!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO tammybikerunfaithlove and her Sailor!!!

Amouse -- It would appear we are in Uncharted waters on the letters.  I don't know the cost so only you can decide how much you want to spend at this time.  You all are going to have to tell us because it would appear that we no longer have accurate info... the Navy has Changed their SOP and we don't have a "Secret" back door to confirm anything.  Believe me, This is frustrating for us too!! We NEVER want to be giving you misinformation.  ESPECIALLY when it comes to communications with your SR!!

Melissa-- It would appear that our info is changing.  Only you can decide how many letters you want to send not knowing when they are going to be delivered.
The phone call could be for TONS of reasons.  DO not worry yourself sick over it! Just keep your phone near and your Ringer on Loud!! That could have been your SR calling for information, or it could be the Red Cross or it could be Spam and just a coincidence.
Yes the Guest access form is a form you can download from the RTC site and print out and send to your sailor.  They should tell you if they get 3 or 4 people so go ahead and send 4 names and info but know that it may only be 3.  Once you know the DIV number and PIR date we can help you figure out if you have 3 guests or 4.  There are Never more than 4 (Sadly & at this time!!)
Of course as you are seeing... Things can change too so....?