Reminder - now that you are on your way to having a Sailor in the US Navy just remember that there are so many things out of your control now.  Nothing is "set in stone" so to speak. 

Plans will change and then they'll change again and then they'll change once more just for kicks! 

Learn to roll with the tide - it will make life so much easier and less stressful ;-D

Remember.....

Hi Liz - I hope things are going well with your daughter. I believe you had mentioned she was getting both her Sandboxx letters from you and regular mail. How much faster is she receiving her Sandboxx letters over the ones you mail to her? 

What is the cost difference between the Sandboxx lettes and the regular US postage?

Just testing if it is with all the sites or just the craft site

Northwoodsmom that is sooo cool! Did you make those? I'm seeing a gift for my sailor in his future at some point! Love it.

Hi moms! Just checking in to say hi! I appreciate all the Sandboxx comments. I have been sending letters via Sandboxx every day and since this Friday marks 2 weeks at BC for my SR, I'm hoping to receive something back soon! I miss him terribly. 

I got a call from the Red Cross and almost fell down, but she was kind enough to start the conversation  with, "this is not an emergency" so I calmed down. She just wanted to talk about their services for military families.Phew!

Enjoy the rest of your week! Another week closer to PIR!

Oh and Etsy has a great led light that says the SR's last name with the US Navy and anchor. I keep it lit all the time in blue (you can change the colors). I loved it so much, that I bought one for family members! Can't show you a pic since it has my SR's last name, but it's really a nice gift (thank you to me for sending it to me) LOL!

Happy Wednesday all!

Chipmunk - I posted below the link for pricing to Sandboxx.   A single letter can cost $4.50 but they have "packages" you can purchase for a discount.  Currently a first class letter through the USPS is .60.

Northwoodsmom - awesome cornhole boards!  Did you make them?

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

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

Sarge's Meet N Greet

B'sNukeMom - Thank you!

Melissa - Good Morning!! Yes, the American Red Cross does make phone calls to the SR families. I don't know if I received one or not, and sometimes we forget to mention it. I think it was about 3 - 4 weeks before I had mail from my SR. My letters arrived on Thursday. My son only wrote on Sunday afternoon and almost all of his letters started with "I only have 10 minutes to write!!"

Northwoodsmom - Those are awesome!!

Melissa's post reminded me that it's been a while since I posted this information.

Ladies, This is a Regular Announcement: Please put this information in your Phones:
I have a contact labeled {sailor ICE} with this phone number and text number as the phone number under the contacts, then I have the needed contact info in the notes section. The info in Italics below. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it or have to remember where or what you need! In the event of an emergency I can just pull up the info on my phone and hand it off if I’m not able to think clearly!!

If an emergency (such as a serious illness, death or birth) of an immediate family member takes place then military families can initiate a request for Red Cross emergency assistance. The message will be verified and then delivered. If the emergency requires leave for a service member, the Red Cross will verify the emergency to the service member’s commanding officer. Eligibility for emergency leave will ultimately be determined by them. Throughout the process, the family member will be able to track the progress of the message from anywhere in the world online, by phone, through our mobile app or in person.

To best prepare for an emergency, please have this information ready when reporting an emergency message:

· The service members name, rank, social security number and unit address {SR Davy Jones, 123-45-6789, Great Lakes Naval Training Center Ship 99, Div 1904.} {In Fleet This would be their Ship Name and number}

· The name of the person with the emergency and the nature of the situation {King Neptune, Hospitalized in critical condition}

· The name and contact information for the medical authority to contact regarding the status of the emergency {Doctor Jack Sparrow, Barbados General Hospital, 555-123-4567}

To access these services through the Hero Care Network, create an account and send the message here or send through the Hero Care app by texting “GETHEROCARE” to 90999 or call a Hero Care specialist at 1-877-272-7337.

Please have this discussion before your sailor leaves or ask in an early call or letter (Reassure them that all is well at home but you have learned you should have asked sooner.) No one likes to talk about the possibility of death but it happens and it’s easier if you have a plan for how to handle these situations. When you can, ask if they want to know about anyone not parent or sibling while in boot camp (They likely will not be allowed to leave anyway), ask if they want to come home if it’s a parent or sibling (In Boot camp, It will likely be short, 2-4 days at most)  This is very rare and I only know of one case where it has happened in BC but again, better to be prepared! 
The Red Cross may reach out to you while your SR is in BC.  This is normal and nothing to be surprised about.  They want to make sure you also have this information available and know that they are there should you need them.

Hello all!  Finally back home from the graduation trip, such a long drive!  While I was traveling, I noticed I quit getting emails from this group and was hoping someone might tell me how to fix? 

For anyone in the planning phase for graduation, I would highly recommend staying somewhere that offers a shuttle ride to/from graduation.

Amy - welcome home and hopefully you had a wonderful time.

This shows up next to the "Add Comment" box on here.  Make sure you have clicked on it.  Somehow you may have "unclicked" it.

Follow – Email me when people comment

Here’s what it looks like.

see below 

Mine says stop following, wonder if my email is not working right?

Welcome back Amy! What makes you say to use the shuttle? The place we plan to stay does offer one but I’m afraid of getting there late? I want to be like first in line at 630!

The place we stayed offered shuttle service starting at 6:15 but when we checked in it was full so we took the 6:45 and got there just before 7:00. They went some back way and we didn't have to wait in line. It was a bit of a walk from the gate but I got to see my girl as soon as we walked in!

Good Evening Amy - I was just thinking about you and had planned to suggest that you or anyone else that had been to PIR recently, should chime in and tell about your experience. 

There is also a possibility that you clicked one of these two items in the email feeds - 

To stop following this group, go to:
https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms?unfollow=1&xg_s...

To control which emails you receive on Navy For Moms, go to:
https://navyformoms.ning.com/profiles/profile/emailSettings?xg_sour...

Or that you clicked on the right of your email, and I think there is a way to "block" emails. 

CBMom - We were going to take the shuttle, and had signed up for an early one, but when we went the next morning, our names were not written down on the list. We ended up driving over. We managed to park in the garage. I am glad that the shuttle worked out well for Amy. 

Amy -- I find that when I'm on my phone it's easier to click the "Stop Following" option.  Once you log back in here on a computer it usually defaults back to notifying.  I hope you got it all straightened out!! 
NOW>>> YES!!!! I'm so glad you had a great Trip!!! Once you have a few minutes to get your thoughts together We'd love to hear all about it!  Congratulations again and I look forward to hearing how your SR does on the next steps!

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

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

Welcome home Amy! I hope you had an awesome time with your Sailor! 

We got here last night. My son called me to tell me we have special reserved seating bc he’s the recruit commander. We have to report by 0715! 
We’re going to the meet and greet tonight so that should be fun! 

nursekim - Enjoy your time!!! Bravo Zulu to your new sailor!!

BZ to you and your sailor nursekim...  so exciting.. and wonderful..

nursekim - how exciting!

BZ to your Sailor!

Nurse Kim oh how exciting! Congrats to your sailor! Enjoy every moment. 

As for shuttle (though I won't be at PIR until next week) I heard that the shuttles tend to be able to bypass traffic lines and just drop you off. How was Sarge's Meet nGreet? I'm excited to attend! 

nursekim--  Best seats in the house!! The ones that allow you to see your sailor!!! I'm so excited and happy for you!! Get plenty of rest today since it will be the last time you sleep till you get back home!! (jk but only slightly!) Enjoy every second!!

Congratulations to all!!!!  Such excitement!!  Enjoy your time with your loved one :)

I don't always post, but I do read them.  

Just received a letter from my SR.  He was told that if he is set back from failing the OPFA, he will not get a normal PIR.  He said he would get 3 day leave.  He originally told me that if he failed he would be set back in training to W1D1 with a brand new division.  He is a NUKE, but was told there is a 6 month back up and he would have to stay at GL until he could go.  Any one with experience with this?  I did ask questions about the NUKE stuff in that group.  

Good Morning Everyone!!

Nursekim - Thinking about you this morning and I know that you are one proud Momma!!

Amy - be sure to come share more about your PIR experience. I don't know about you, but it took me about 2 weeks to be able to think about anything "normal" that I needed to focus on. I watched that video stream over and over again, trying to get the timings marked and everything so that I could share with family and friends, and let them know when they could see my sailor son. 

Please join me in welcoming lapdja to our group. 

Here's the link to watch today's PIR:

LIVE PIR SEPT 16.2022

Glad to be here!!! This is all new to me.  My 20 year old is leaving for RTC in two weeks so I have lots of questions.  I'm finding a lot of good information on this site so thanks to you all!!  I look forward to getting to know many of you!  It's an exciting time for us as a family.  He is leaving from Texas to Great Lakes the first week in October!

lapdja - Feel free to ask away!!

JNMnavymomOH - I don't know much on what to say with regards to the PIR and your son's BC schedule. I do believe that there are instances when a SR fails BST the first time and they had to retake that, they were not allowed to stand in formation during PIR, but sat in the stands (as they would have been too tired to have stood at attention that long.) Since they have extended BC now and doing final PFA after BST, it may have something to do with that. I really can't answer. 

I gave you the link for the THU group. The lady who started it, her daughter, I think, was in THU for a while. It is not uncommon for Nukes and others to get held in THU at GL. One of the reasons that my son's PIR day was different than most, is because he was trying to get his medical waiver dealt with, so he wasn't stuck in THU. And around the time he left GL, there were a # of sailors staying for whatever reason. Another delay occurs if there is a hold-up at the new base due to hurricane season and evacuations or flooding in the area. If they can't safely get the new sailors to their A schools, they hold them at GL. 

I wish I could give you more information, but unfortunately this is one of those situations where "needs of the Navy" and "your sailor knows best" apply. Even if your sailor doesn't know that much, they are the one you ultimately have to get the final information from regarding their travel status and details. 

lapdja--- Welcome.  I'm still working on updating my Blog since we have confirmed new Information regarding Sandboxx and the Form letter.  You can read back to last weekend to see those posts but the TLDR is Below:
New SR's can opt to send the form letter via Sandboxx or via a physical letter.  If they send it via Sandboxx, you WILL NOT get a form letter later.  You will know their address sooner (We do not KNOW if they get those letters sooner than the old Snail Mail way.) Please discuss the COST with your SR prior to their leaving. Each individual letter is $4+ vs USPS at $.60  (It may be less per letter if you buy the bigger package, Still researching that with other life stuff.) DO NOT use Sandboxx after Bootcamp so do not buy "extra" thinking that eventually you will use it. They may contact you via email so be sure to check your SPAM folder if you are expecting to hear that way.

Any Current BC moms using that app have any more detailed answers, We'd love to hear them. 

Feel Free to ask any and all questions here!  (Or in your PIR group once that has formed) 
You will running right up against the Holidays so He may or may not be granted Leave at Christmas If he's in A school.  Hope and Pray for it but be aware that it may not happen.  (It really is a wait and see on that one! I just didn't want you to be expecting one thing and then learn it's different!)

You're off to a better start than I was.  Enjoy the heck out of these last 2 weeks!!

hi lapdja.. I'm in Texas as well.. my sailor graduated this time last year.. welcome and feel free to ask/vent about anything..  

This link has all the pertinent info on Sandboxx, including the pricing - which does include a discount rate for multiple letters.

Sandboxx app while in BC

Welcome Lapdja!  My SR shipped 9/12, and I received her address from Sandboxx today. (That's the extent of my experience with the app.  This group has lots of helpful information. 

Just got the I’m a Sailor call!!! So excited!!!

CBMom  CONGRATS!!!  BZ to your new sailor

Hi!  I've been following along for a little while and really appreciate all the information! (We're also a Texas family.)

My SR arrived at RTC on Tuesday. We had a discussion with him before he left regarding Sandboxx vs USPS and he decided that he would refuse Sandboxx at RTC knowing that we could sign up for it later. However, I just received this message from Sandboxx:

"Here at Sandboxx, our mission is to keep military families connected. ***** has arrived at RTC Great Lakes and wants to hear from you. Send a letter with Sandboxx today. DoD endorsement not implied. Reply STOP to opt out.

https://link.sandboxx.us/ahBzYW5kYm94eC1wcm9kLTAxchELEgRVc2VyGI/gl-...*****"

So, I'm wondering if my SR signed up, or if Sandboxx somehow gets access to parents' phone numbers and sends this message to everyone? 

I don't know whether to reply, or wait for the form letter!

Thank you for any insight you might have!

jog6 - I think the only way for Sandboxx to get your info is for your SR to give it to them.  RTC won't just release your phone # without consent.....he probably just decided it was easier (and faster) this way!

CBMom - BZ!

CBMom - WooHoo!! Bravo Zulu to your sailor!

Rosanne - I am glad that you have an address now! May the flow of letters begin.  Are you able to help jog6 out? All of this with Sandboxx and the form letter is new. 

jog6 - Did anything actually say, your SR is in Div# , Ship # and relay that information to you. Did they send the form letter to you?  - I just went to the RTC website - Recruit Training Command Home Page (navy.mil)  on the yellow banner, it reads - If you have received a text message or email recently with a link from Sandboxx, please click here.

This is the information in the pop up window from RTC - My apologies, I don't have time to read this all the way through, and comment, but hopefully it can give a little bit of clarity.

Sandboxx Information

Recruit Training Command (RTC) allows recruits and their families to regularly communicate. All RTC families will receive the recruit’s mailing address and information about graduation. The general information is also on our website www.bootcamp.navy.mil located under the “Graduation” tab.

Recruits may regularly receive letters from families via USPS or other mailing services. Another alternative is communication through a private company, Sandboxx. Should your recruit opt-in to the Sandboxx service, you will receive a text message and/or email with a link to create a profile. Once you create a profile, you will have expedited access to their mailing address, division number, and graduation date, in addition to recurring updates about what your recruit is experiencing during training. The information is FREE to access once you have registered.

B'sNukeMom - That's good information - he probably changed his mind!

Chipmunk- yes, his name was in the message "*****" and in the link. 

Thank you for copying the Sandboxx info from RTC here - very helpful!