Thanks for all the congrats for my sailor! I am definitely filled with pride and really enjoyed our call yesterday (he sounded exhausted LOL). 

Sandboxx.... Everything I've seen, minus someone getting ASMO'd, has been that the address you get is accurrate. But yes - they don't get the mail until they division has been trained - so usually 2 or 3 weeks. Once the mail is flowing, according to my son, he gets sandboxx letters quicker than regular mail - usually in 2 days. I send a combination of both. Sandboxx isn't cheap - and I wasn't going to use it - but my sailor asked...and I just couldn't say no (which is really NOT like me ..but hey..he's in BC).  The nice thing about sandboxx is it has the paper and envelope with mailing addresses all filled out for your SR. I'm VERY careful about what I write in my sandboxx letters. Anything personal beyond our basic day to day stuff I save for regular mail. You can include a picture which they print out (on regular paper) -so I like that too (though rumor has it the quality is fair at best). I will be glad to be done with sandboxx after BC though - I'm looking forward to regular calls/texts as time allows for my sailor and being able to send fun little care packages at times. 

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

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!

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).

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.

Be sure to RSVP for Sarge's Meet N Greet.  Here's the link:  

Sarge's Meet N Greet

tammybikerunfaithlove -- Thank you for the detailed update.  I will include this in my information.  It's good to know first hand that the sandboxx information is correct.

Happy Thursday!

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

Happy Friday Ladies!!! Is anyone in this group going to their sailors PIR today? If so... I hope you enjoy every second - especially those big sailor hugs!!! 

Happy PIR Everyone!! It is also RED Friday!! I won't be online much today, but please ask any questions, post your news or just vent your emotions. Others are available and if not, we will reply as soon as we are able. 

Good Morning Tammy!! - All the best to our new sailors who are completing their final PFA! 

PIR is happening now.  Here's the link:

LIVE PIR SEPT 9.2022

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

Good Morning Everyone!! Be sure to keep your phones close by you. My SR calls came in the afternoon on Saturdays, but they come at various times. If your SR has trouble with the connection tell him to push and hold the cord into the receiver to see if that helps. Or try a different phone. I know it can be frustrating, but this is the best I can offer. 

Liz I'm so sorry you are feeling like those who have been around this board and the navy journey a long time are telling you they know better. I must have missed something when I re-read all the conversations here about the mail and sandboxx...etc. I provided some info about sandboxx and form letters (stuff that has changed even since my son arrived at RTC in July) and belovedbyHim and others responded in an appreciative way of the new information because it only takes a short bit of time to realize that things can and will change in the military. I've been in this group since day 1 of my son shipping off - and have had this experience over and over again - sharing info, learning new things... the "old" and the "new" moms alike. This has been the most supportive and uplifting group for me. I am sorry you are not having that same experience. I might suggest that if you have a concern with a particular member, bring it to them directly through private messaging. We all make mistakes from time to time - but I'm certain intentions are always very good - that's why some of the "old hats" stay in this group - to provide support, encouragement and information to us "new hats" - their sailors are further along in the navy journey - but they stay here for us bootcamp moms. I'm sure getting called out in a big platform like this doesn't feel so great. 

I recently shared with all of you that I got the "I'm a sailor call" and that my son had is OPFA on Friday and then he had to complete a medical waiver to determine if he could stay in the navy and if he could then would he get rerated....  I have an update - though I didn't get to speak directly with my son.... he couldn't call me so he had one of his buddies call when they were making their calls after OPFA Friday. Funny thing was... first, my hubs and I were out to dinner with friends and when I saw the # on my phone, I about knocked my friend to the floor when trying to rush up and out of the restaurant - oops! (she was so gracious about it) -  when we finally got outside so we could hear, it was a confusing phone call at first - it sounded scripted and it sounded like my son was talking about himself in the third person and as if he had been crying. My heart sunk because he doesn't cry. Well... after a few questions of trying to understand what this young man was saying... we realized it wasn't our son (but WOW do they have the same voice!) Poor kid had a bad cold which is why it sounded like he had been crying. Anyway... he was able to tell us that while our sailor was off on watch, he is fine, he's staying in the navy and is not going to nuke school (exactly what he was hoping for).  The relief brought tears of joy (still does) because getting separated would've been so devastating. I think I may have tuned out the next 30 minutes of our dinner conversation with friends as I was too busy in my head thanking our Lord for this gift. Thank you ladies for all your prayers. 

On another but related note... this young man that called... well ... about 5 or so weeks ago, I asked my son if there were any recruits not getting any mail that I could write to so as to help lift them up through their training. This was the young man who I wrote to. I don't know his story (darn phones at RTC make it rather hard) but I learned where he's from, what school he's going to... and I learned no one is coming for PIR... so I invited him along to join us during liberty that Friday (he leaves early the next day for A school). I'm excited to meet him (he and my son have become good buddies and share a sense of sarcasm!).  

So now... I can breathe... not only has my son passed BS21 and final PFA, he's going to officially be a US Navy Sailor. My heart is bursting with joy and with pride!  And no one (in my civilian world) gets it ... but I know you ladies do.  So again - thank you! 

that is so awesome.. and good for taking that sailor under your family wing.. all family now..

Lily, I am sorry if any of us have every made any of our new members feel this way. I can assure you it was never any of our intentions. I know with following OPEC sometimes the statements feel a little harsh especially with ours emotions running high. My own feelings were hurt during Covid, everything was so unknown and such a mess, I followed my heart even though I was torn and I don't regret my decision. Everyone's experiences are different and when they concern our child we want to follow our heart, which usually serves a Mother well. We just always have to remember as long as it won't affect our Recruits and Sailors and others around them negatively go with your gut.

We are all working together trying to be helpful and supportive answering what we can with a compassionate heart, please forgive us if in our desire to help make any of you feel not valuable or belittled, it is definitely not our intention. I've been in 3 years and I am still learning. There is so much to learn and understand but after these years I have learnt my heart will be stepped on throughout this journey not only by other Moms but by the Navy and even my own Sailor. God Bless you all!

Tammyrunbikefaithlove - I’m so excited for you and your new Sailor!! Such great news! I hope he has the BEST PIR!

Liz- Thank you for expressing your feelings because I felt a little like that too about the Sandboxx info. I hadn’t really planned to use it much but my SR asked and so I am and it’s been useful. He has really enjoyed the daily Bible versus.  I understand we are all on different timelines and I believe everyone has the best of intentions. At the end of the day it is all about keeping our kids safe so I totally get it. We will all be stronger after this. I’m glad this is a place where people can express their feelings, even if we disagree sometimes. Support is support and we are all on this together. Maybe we are also a little in BC and will learn to work better as a team from here on out;)

Liz, CBMom, and anyone else, my sincerest apologies if I said anything to make you feel like what information you had was incorrect or not valuable. Flexibility is a big key to Navy life, primarily because things change and we don't always have the firsthand knowledge, even if it is the way it has been done previously. 

The reason my discussion - What PIR weekend might look like for those flying out of GL is above, is because everything that I found on this group, this site and any place else that I Googled before my son's PIR, was nothing like the experience that I had at PIR. I wanted to share that there were other possible scenarios and now after over 5 years, there are likely even more scenarios. The same thing with the Sandboxx App. 

I never used Sandboxx, I don't even know if it was available when my SR was in BC or not. I can only go with what general information we have had in the past and that is why we ask for you all to be sure and share with us when you know something new and more specific. I apologize that we did not understand either what you were asking in the first place or that we listened well enough, to realize you had new information that we were unaware of. Sometimes our own schedules of time, and quick replies are not the best at communicating support and encouragement. 

I don't recall, but I think it might have been after your post, that someone who just came from PIR and was able to verify with their sailor that there were changes - or something was posted on FB after your post about the change with Sandboxx and the form letter. That alone is a big change and it will take some getting use to. Not to mention that we all volunteer our time on this site, reaching out to new members, trying to help you along, and encouraging you to stick around and keep helping others. 

I appreciate you sharing that you felt misunderstood, brushed aside and any other feelings. I wish that you had sent me a message, posted a comment on my page (click on my Chipmunk - I moderate my comments so they do not post if it is OPSEC / PERSEC) or reached out to B'sNukeMom who is one of the Admins on this site. 

No one should feel like they are being brushed off. My apologies. Please feel free to share again the specifics of updated information or your specifics that can help us as we move forward with the changes in protocol that RTC seems to be handling the Form letters. It would be greatly appreciated. 

BNMHs!! 

 tammybikerunfaithlove- WooHOO!! Congratulations!! I am glad that things are working out well for your sailor. 

Liz - Again, I am reading through your message quickly because I am actually needing to leave back again with my family for lunch but saw your message and wanted to reply. I see you do mention that your daughter was able to register her family with Sandboxx App. This is the information that we are looking for, so we can add it to the post that B'sNukeMom has. If you can give us some more specifics or share with her, we would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!! 

Tammy - wonderful news about your son!  So glad everything has worked out for him....do you know yet what his new rate will be?

B'sNukeMom - not sure what his new rate yet will be. He's hoping for CTM - but beyond that we know it's all up to the navy. He's been given the impression that because his ASVAB scores are high, they navy will look for rates (that they need to fill) that better suit him and then let him rank order his choices - and then they will decide where to put him. 

Liz -- I'm so sorry that I caused so much offense.  That has never been and never is my intention.  I do not believe that I "Know everything" .  In fact I know very little.  What I do know is that A post was made that was very out of character and While I am hopeful that when I get the chance to read all the posts that have been made in the last few days it is confirmed that this is the New way of doing things, I didn't want a mom to get her hopes up, only to be crushed if it turns out to be different. Helping our Boorcamp moms through the uncertain days of their Navy Journey is all I want to do.  I am open to messages and I try and respond to them as soon as I am able.  I am again sorry if I offended you.  Yes things do change and I am happy to help share that change with other moms.  I hope that you will stick around and share your wisdom with the moms coming onboard now.

Good Morning Everyone!!

Today is a new day, let's rejoice!! We are one week closer to PIR, to phone calls, hugs and letters! I have sunshine and I am happy; I hope your day is lovely.

With the discussion about Sandboxx App, I would just like to share, that so far, I have only been able to ascertain is that there is new "scuttlebutt" as to form letters and the App. Some of this seems to be coming from some of the newer recruits but I can't find anything "official" about it. Hopefully one of the admins can get something more definitive or not. I am not finding any information on the RTC sites. 

It is good for us to share our concerns, and to see if we can get some clarification on any updates if possible. I just wanted to let you know that we are trying. 

Reminders: Be sure to read this discussion of mine, it will help you navigate this site some - Private Messages - Creating & Sending + OPSEC 

I set up the Beyond BC group for you to join after you receive the "I'm a Sailor" call or have attended PIR. Many of the others who post comments and encouragement come from this group and stick around to help support you all. 

 Alright everyone - let's get this week off to a good start shall we?

In regards to the Sandboxx App it has been and continues to be a controversial topic.  We can all agree that even RTC says "it's ok to use in BC" but not to use after due to OPSEC issues. 

Sandboxx wasn't an option when my son left in 2012 and wasn't an option for many of us old timers.  We are just passing on info from RTC and we all know that things can change weekly, daily, hourly. 

We try to do our best to keep up on things in the Navy but it's often not an easy task.  We are all volunteers on here (with outside commitments) and my son is out now so it's even harder for me to keep "up to date" on current affairs with the Navy.  But we try!  We are always open to hearing about new things/changes/suggestions for the boot camp group.  We don't proclaim to know everything.....and our goal is to help not hinder.  We never intend to be hurtful.  This is a support group and we do our best to help and encourage new moms. 

With that being said I hope we can all move forward and continue to build up and support one another.

Have a great Monday!

Here's some info that was given to Chipmunk from another mom who got it from the admin of the FB group.....I have an email out to RTC to confirm the accuracy of this so I will keep it posted for now.  If I hear otherwise I will remove it.

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

All November PIR dates are now listed. 

Please note that November 23, 2022 TG-50 PIR is on WEDNESDAY due to Thanksgiving and only 3 guests allowed.

Hello ladies, it’s been a bit since I have posted but I am here in spirit and watch the emails of posts.  I was reading posts on Sandboxx and just wanted to say that my son’s PIR was this past January. In DEP and at swear in just before he left the recruiters and Navy Personnel that did his briefing all went over Sandboxx and encouraged usage for boot camp.  I used it the entire time for boot camp and have nothing but great things to say about it.  Hope that helps!

B'sNukeMom & Jrdsmama - Thank you!

Jrdsmama -- Thank you.

I also want to say Welcome Home to the USS Harry S. Truman!

They returned today after a 10 month deployment. Thank you for your service!

B'sNukleMom I just watched a snippet of the video showing the homecoming. So powerful and so emotional. Being on the opposite side of an event like that right now... just made me think wow... BC really is a drop in the bucket with all this. But of course in the moment, as we moms walk through this early stages, it feels HUGE and often overwhelming. So grateful for all these sailors and families for their sacrifice every day! 

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday. 

I also received an email back from RTC this morning regarding the Sandboxx App and everything is confirmed.  If your SR chooses Sandboxx then you will NOT  receive a hard copy of anything.  All necessary info will come from Sandboxx and it will direct you to their website where the info will be, or you can go RTC's website.  If your recruit opts out of Sandboxx then they are SUPPOSED to be receiving the hard copy of the family letter to mail home.  I was told there was a slight snafu where that wasn't happening for some of the recruits, but it should have been rectified by now.

Good to know the updated sandboxx info…thank you. 

will my sailor have an insurance card? I have to show a gain of coverage to take him off my insurance. 

And just to clarify - there is a cost to use the Sandboxx App.  1 letter is $4.50 to send.  They do offer discount plans for multiple letters.

Sandboxx Pricing

nursekim - I believe their military ID doubles as their Tricare insurance card.  Tricare info should be listed on the back of the card.