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!

Chipmunk - I went to the post office on my way home from work to make sure my letters went out today! LOL

Jog6 - I had told my daughter not to bother with Sandboxx either because of the cost, but I am guessing they told her it was free to sign up and only cost $ if you use it, so she went ahead.  

Thanks to all the great women here! Could never have gotten through this without you! Thank you!!! He’s so serious…still very focused on the final PFA. Says he’s not a real Sailor till graduation…things can still happen to delay you. He could only talk for a few minutes cause others were trying to get on the phone. Hoping he is just real tired. So proud/hope he can take on some of it. 

Take in I meant…enjoy some of the moment. 

CBMom - I understand how your son feels. It is honestly really awkward to actually call them sailors now after the BS21 - when we know they still have the final PFA. But it is still a proud moment and a lot to rejoice with everyone. They are extremely tired, and they are still expected to stay awake for a certain amount of time. 

jog6 - You are welcome!! I only had a minute to check on my emails and try to figure something out before I had to be back out the door. 

I agree with Rosanne and sort of what I figured.

My personal opinion is that Sandboxx is "offering" their services and encouraging the military to save postage by notifying the families through their avenue that is much faster than USPS, hoping people will buy their letters. Another learning curve for us to figure out, I guess. 

Rosanne, I am sure your SR will enjoy your letters!!

Thanks Chipmunk. He just sounds so different I still can’t believe it. 

WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP!!!!
ATTENTION ON DECK!!!!
WE HAVE A SAILOR IN THE HOUSE!!!!

Congratulations to CBMom and Her Sailor!!! BZ!! Congrats to YOU both!!!

jog6 -- I don't know the answer to the Sandboxx question.  I'd guess it's similar to the Red Cross notification. (Also not a "Military" organization)  It looks like from the information from RTC that this will speed things up a bit.  Rather than 3-4 weeks of silence you will have the address about a week in.  DO be sure to wait till you have the FULL address!! (SHIP and DIV) That usually happens once they complete P-days and the initial PFA (~1 week from leaving home +holidays if there are any)  Does it cost anything to register with sandboxx?  If not, It then is a personal decision to register and get the address that way or not.  It's for sure quicker than waiting for the form letter the old way.  This would be a HUGE change for RTC and communications.

Rosanne-- That is a good call!

BelovedbyHim- Thanks so much! I’ve been waiting for your whoop whoop/it to be my turn and to take a screenshot of it since you do that for all of us when they make Sailor!  I love it! Thanks to all- this group rocks! Even when we are quiet we are still following and reading everything. 

Question for those that have gone through PIR. My son is likely flying out the next day. How does that work at the airport? So he won’t know when he leaves until PIR night and will call from his phone then once AT the airport? And then just 2 of us can wait with him? How do we get permission to wait? Several family members want to see him at the airport but only 2 can right? Just trying to plan.

CBMom - Have you read my discussion above - What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL ? If I have a chance, I will reply to your questions there and then post them here as well.

BelovedbyHim - I think one of the biggest confusions with Sandboxx sending out the Div & Ship #, is my understanding is that the families will no longer receive the form letter. The form letter is being sent in the Sandboxx message. (See the screenshot post from last week.) Only the families whose SR does not send their Div & Ship # via Sandboxx are still receiving the paper copy of the Form Letter where the SR would have been handwriting in their address, which you have always shared was after P-days & initial PFA. 

So, the conundrum, is the address from Sandboxx correct, or will still be correct a week later for mailing postal letters? If a SR is reassigned to a new Div & Ship #, will their Sandboxx letters be forwarded to them or not? (In the past, our understanding, I believe, was that they would not be forwarded.) Therefore, while we have always encouraged our new families to wait to mail letters, until they have the form letter for an address, I no longer believe we have adequate information to understand if that is likely to happen or not. 

For our new members, I went ahead and posted the above here, not to call out BelovedbyHim but I did not have time to send a PM and repost several times. And because honestly, I am still confused myself, about all of this. 

Personally, I would like to share my thoughts, having been a mom who went through BC, not knowing about this site, not having Sandboxx, not even doing "tickets' at PIR, and still received the "kid in the box" (sailor's clothes, phone, etc) after he arrived at BC. My only source of information, came from the RTC bootcamp website, the form letter & motel brochure, the recruiter and letters from my SR. I did find this site a week before PIR and that is when I realized - every situation, every SR / sailor's situation is likely to be different, no matter how similar it is to someone else's scenario. And I have always tried to emphasize that. 

I am glad we did not have to deal with the "tickets", that would have been rough since we drove 12+ hours to GL and did manage to get to Sarge's Meet n Greet.  Holding the "box" for the Sailors to get afterwards, has been a reasonable change due to many families not being able to make it to PIR and give their sailors their phones at the airport. The Sandboxx - form letter - change is different.

I am concerned that trying to speed up the process of the "Great Silence" impacts the initial purpose of why that has always been the case - to prepare families and future sailors for the many times when we will know radio silence. There is a growth that happens in both the SR and the families through the "Great Silence" that I honestly do not think can happen any other way. And for me, this is my primary concern with the new changes. 

(continued) 

My secondary concern is that Sandboxx App is a for profit company, and not everyone can afford to be sending bulk letters to their sailors this way, not every SR is going to receive letters via Sandboxx and all the while, bottom line someone is making a profit, regardless of their initial well-being for supporting our military. 

That said whether you go ahead and mail letters with a Ship & Div # from Sandboxx or wait until you have a form letter is your decision. I recommend that you keep your initial letters short and basic, make copies of your letters (whether on your computer or otherwise), and be sure to # your letters so your SR knows whether they have missed getting one or not.

(I won't be able to reply much today, but I am open for more dialogue with anyone. Feel free to post here, PM me, or post a comment on my profile page.)

CBMom, first off a big congratulations so happy for you and your son. My experience was during Covid but you can ignore it if it is no longer relevant. My son called us right after the PIR and told us his flight information and what time to expect his bus at the airport. There were a few parents already there when the bus came in. I almost didn't recognize my son. There wasn't a limit in the number of family members to greet the Sailors, we had 3 but many had 5 or more. Not sure how many passes they allowed out to wait with your Sailor until his flight left. They let all 3 of us have a pass. I know you are excited, prayers for a safe and wonderful trip. I made posters for their arrival at the airport.

CBMom - I updated my discussion above to answer your question.  Be sure to read all the way through it, the update may be on the last page but it is written to be updated. I have a busy day today and I missed about the phone call. My son told us the night before when he was going to be leaving for the airport and we just left our hotel at the same time. That was 0100 - Yes, shortly after midnight!  I refrain from posting most dates just because it is good practice to learn not to give specifics. 

I see Northwoodsmom replied as well.  I also recommend that everyone read: PIR Weekend , we need to delete the Covid information, but the rest is useful information - remembering Semper Gumby!! 

Thank you BelovedbyHim for your info.

Regarding mail via Sandboxx and snailmail:

My SR made the "I've arrived safely" call on 9/14 at 0120.  I received a text message from Sandboxx on 9/16 at 1330. I used their link in the message, signed up for free, and was able to see my son's address with Ship and Div.  I sent him a short letter today (9/17) by USPS, and am about to send him a letter through Sandboxx. I have asked him to let me know when he receives each of those so I can get a better idea of how this is working now. I guess I'll find out if the address from Sandboxx is correct now, and what happens if there is a reassignment and the address changes. I will update you all when I hear from him.  

Thanks Q, Trey, BNukesMom, Chiomink, BelivedbyHim, NorthwoodsMom, all for your advice on PIR. Hope I can figure it out!

Thanks Q, Trey, BNukesMom, Chiomink, BelivedbyHim, NorthwoodsMom, all for your advice on PIR. Hope I can figure it out!

Moms!! I got a call from my SR and I’m so excited! He sounded so sad and is very homesick, but I hanging in there. He said hearing our voices made a huge difference!

So, he has gotten all the Sandboxx letters! I use it to write him every day. Even though he hasn’t written yet, he got them all. 
I think it’s fair to say it works if you want to use it. We sent him $75 in NEX cards that he is keeping and can’t use yet. 
Hearing his voice was everything!

Playing catch up from being out of town these last several days. FIRST...

Bravo Zulo CBMom!!! Soooo exciting. My son sounded so very exhausted when he made that call!  Getting so close now! 

Welcome jog6 and lapdja! This is an incredible group!! 

Melissa - glad you heard from your SR! I bet the next time you talk with him, he will sound so much different. Those first few weeks are such an adjustment for them. 

Nursekim - how was PIR!?!?! Do tell us all about it! 

I'm just counting down the days (just 5 left) to hug my sailor. I'm having way too many strange dreams that are related to him and bootcamp - like me going through bootcamp in order to be able to see him, or being at the  airport when he arrives but not being able to make my way to the baggage claim area to greet him because they made the airport like a maze with random rooms and hallways. So funny how consumed my brain is right now. It was 10 weeks ago today that we dropped him at the hotel and said "see ya later". On the one hand, it feels like a lifetime but on the other hand - it really has gone by fairly fast. 

nice to hear Melissa... yeah there is that point that they hit where they just seem miserable.. I think that is the hardest part in some ways but after they adjust it goes much better..

Hello everyone! I just returned from Chicago last night. BZ to our new Sailors and welcome to the new moms!

My son,  my sailor's girlfriend, and I flew in from Boston to O'Hare Wednesday night. easy direct flight. I rented a car ahead of time and signed up for Hertz gold. I saw my name and went right to my car and drove to the hotel. Do not wait to get a car at the hotel. Apparently, some families thought they could wait to get a car on-site and weren't able to get one. 

We stayed at the Springhill Suites. Very nice rooms, good breakfast in the morning, staff were wonderful. I had plans but we ended up sleeping in Thursday morning. We picked our tickets up at NEX and did some shopping.

We went to Sarge's meet and greet Thursday night. It's right behind the hotel so we walked over. I gave a donation ahead of time so we had a table up front and were at the beginning of the food line. If you can attend, you should go. It's a good time. I donated a basket and won one. Someone was there making bracelets and another group selling premade clothing and pressing on other add-ons like anchors, letters, etc. Sarge's event usually has a lot of no-shows but DIV 939 had 100% attendance! Hooyah!

We woke up early the next morning to pick up my ex-husband to get his PIR ticket (he flew in Thursday night). We followed Sarge's shortcut directions and were on base in no time. 

Because my sailor was the recruit review commander, we had to check in at the boat desk and had a room to wait in for a briefing. The families of the award winners were here too. We had special seating (still bleacher seats) to the left of the stage if you are facing it. We got to talk to our sailor before the ceremony. I knew I couldn't hug him but it was just so nice to talk to him and say hi to his yeoman.

They sell concessions and challenge coins before the ceremony. They shut the line down promptly at 0830 so get in line early. 

The ceremony was amazing in person. I have watched it almost every week on YouTube but to be there in person is such a different experience. Towards the end of the ceremony, we (families of award winners) were brought to the back for a private reception. They had a cake (which was DELICIOUS!), fruit, sandwiches, water, and lemonade. We took pictures and then headed out. My sailor had to change his shoes and grab his phone before going with us. (He was not staying at GL for A school). I told him ahead of time to mail his pictures home so we didn't have to wait to get them at the NEX. 

We got back to the hotel at about 1140. We had lunch at Primos. The food and service were really good! I didn't think ahead as to what we were going to do after lunch. I didn't have the room reserved through Sunday morning because we stayed at the Hilton in O'Hare. So we went to the Gurnee mills mall. Man is this place huge! My sailor and his gf got a mani/pedi right away and then walked around together.

We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. We used to take the kids there in Disney and our local mall all the time. Our server was not great and we had to ask the manager for our bill because I was nervous about getting him back on time. 

We followed Sarge's shortcut and his recommendation to not drive on base and got him back to gate 8 in plenty of time.

We returned the car and took the ATS to the airport to get to the Hilton. It's accessible from Terminals 1, 2, and 3, but terminal 2 might be less walking. 

part 2

My sailor got on the 5am bus to O'Hare even though his flight wasn't until 8pm. I paid for a late checkout at 4pm. He came over to the hotel room and we had breakfast, he napped and relaxed watching TV, took a real shower,  and snuggled with the gf. 

He flew out of terminal 1 and we were in 3. We walked to his terminal and said goodbye to him there (our flight was before his). I cried like a baby. I didn't even cry when I left him for boot camp. It was an emotional few days. I slept for 11 hours last night. But now he has his phone and hearing his text tone is music to my ears. 

If you made it this far, thank you and I hope sharing my "trip report" helps in some way. This was very therapeutic to write this. 

NurseKim thanks for this report! We have a hotel through Sunday but I was wondering about Hilton. Didn’t want to book though without knowing about which airport he’d be going to and when…

CBMom - You are likely to not know which airport and when until after PIR. (I haven't read through nursekim's post, so if she shared something different it might have changed.)

Melissa - I am glad that you heard from your SR and that he is getting the Sandboxx letters. -

I do just want to comment on the NEX cards, for anyone new. They are given a NEX card that is pulled from their pay. All SRs are given the same amount and it should be enough for the basics that they need. Someone mentioned that their SR had ran out of money, and I think there is a way through Sandboxx to buy more (at least that is my understanding from Melissa's comment and others.) However, your SR will only be able to go to the NEX during certain times and they can also use their regular bank card. 

I really don't know how the gift cards are delivered to the SRs, but FYI - Cash, gift cards, are easy items targeted for being stolen - so keep that in mind, both at BC, at A school, and in the fleet. It is a lot safer to just deposit money into your loved one's bank account. 

jog6 - Thank you for also keeping us posted and asking your SR to help us glean information on the mail service. It is greatly appreciated!!

nursekim - Thank you!! I just read through your message. I will say PIR was one of the most exhausting weekends of my life and I have had a lot of them!!

yes Chipmunk, he told me that they haven't been allowed to go to NEX yet, but he is hoping to within the next week. I gave him enough so he wouldn't have to use his own money (he hasn't been paid yet), but is waiting for the okay. You can use Sandboxx to give them a NEX card. I think they embed it into the letter. My SR is saving them.

congratulations to all the moms who have Sailors!! We're all excited for PIR in November!

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

jog6 -- Thank you so much.  This is just the kind of intel we need!  This is a huge change from how things have been for at least the 9+ years I have been here and our goal on this site is to offer support, encouragement and correct information.  We never want to say something that isn't verified by the Navy especially when it's something as big as a change to the great silence. (Our term not Navy)

Chipmunk -- Yes... From what the Navy (Finally) posted IF a sailor chooses to use Sandboxx they will NOT mail out a form letter.

CBMom -- Semper Gumby!!! It's up to the airlines how many folks they give gate passes to not us or the Navy or ... Only take what you NEED!! You have to go through TSA so ID and cash and that's about it!! (Phones....meds if needed....) Your sailor will know their Flight info any where from Now... Till.... PIR or beyond. (They used to start getting that info after BS21 but with the added 2 weeks... Not sure when that decision is being made anymore.) 

Melissa -- YEA!!! Phone calls are Awesome!!! If this is the first call home, then sounding down is not unusual!  The good news is that they usually get to call again soon(ish) and they often are much more upbeat!  Thanks for confirming that he's getting all the Sandboxx letters.  When you next speak or write to him can you find out how soon he got his first letter? 

nursekim  -- WOW!!! It sounds like you had a Wonderful time!!  Those Tears are normal! Having regular communications will make this all feel so much easier!! Thank you for the Run down of your PIR and all those great details!! You may want to save them in a blog so you can share with others later on.  (Especially the make a car plan and the make a day plan if you don't have a hotel!)

Nursekim Wow - sounds like an incredible weekend!!! So glad it went so well. I'm so excited to see my son Friday - and I'm dreading the 'see ya later'.  This is what our kids (and us) signed up for - but I know it will have joyful moments and tearful moments!  Thanks for sharing your experience in such detail - was so nice to read!! BNMHs to you!

Happy Monday All!  One week closer to PIR!

I have the December PIR group posted.  Here's the link:

PIR DECEMBER 2022

12/02/22 PIR - 4 guests

Reminder from Sarge regarding Meet N Greet dates in November due to holidays:

PIR NOVEMBER 10, 2022 IS ON A THURSDAY

MEET AND GREET WEDNESDAY 11-9-22

PIR NOVEMBER 23, 2022 IS ON A WEDNESDAY

MEET AND GREET TUESDAY 11-22-22

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

Hi everyone!  My son is leaving for RTC in two weeks.  I was wondering, when parents of SRs are divorced, do they send form letters with division information to both addresses?  Or only one?  Can he list my address to receive the form letters that list his division and address information and any updates?  Or will I have to rely on his dad (who he currently resides with) to relay that information to me?  I already talked to both my son and my ex-husband about Sandbox, but not sure we're all on the same page about using it yet.  Being a mama bear, I've researched so much about RTC and bootcamp, so I can be well informed and not caught by any surprises.  I just don't want to miss out on any communication from my SR or his status.  The ex and I are flipping a coin to see who gets the "I've arrived at bootcamp!" call when he gets there.  

Hi all! @lapdja, we are also divorced and share custody of our children. My son decided that he would use my information for all calls and correspondence including with the Red Cross. My SR’s father relies on me to disseminate the information and he’s fine with that. I’m the one who does all of the “kid stuff” so it made sense for us. My ex also doesn’t use Sandboxx, but I have chosen to use it almost exclusively. My SR has gotten all of the letters even before they had someone to give them out in BC. Hope this helps!

lapdja - it is up to your son as to where he sends the form letter.  Hopefully you can all talk about it before he leaves and get it figured out. But as long as you and your ex are good then hopefully there's no issue with sharing the address with one another!

Also good to discuss whether or not your son wants to be notified of any "bad news" that may happen at home while he is at boot camp.  Some decide they don't want to know so as not to mess with their training.  It's just a good idea to talk about it before hand.

And also, important to discuss with your son who he wants to go to PIR.  He has the ultimate say but you all should discuss.  Many of the PIR's lately have been large divisions so they've only allowed 3 guests.....we do have a few with 4 still but not as many as in the past.

And I just re-read your comment about you and the ex flipping a coin regarding the "I'm here" call - sounds like you have a good sense of humor with each other.  I'm rooting for you to win the coin toss - wink wink.  

Oh yes, me and my ex have a great relationship and share just about everything with each other.  But I'm a scrapbooker and I've already started a scrapbook for him and want to make sure I get a copy of the actual form letters to include in his scrapbook.  I told him that if he gets the I've arrived call then I get the I'm a sailor call!! LOL

As far as PIR goes, hopefully they will allow 4 guests when he graduates so that his dad and his stepmom can attend and me and my husband his stepfather, can attend.  We've already agreed that we'd split the tickets two each....hopefully they won't limit us to only three tickets!!! If my husband isn't able to go (he runs his own business and may not be able to take off) I will be taking my father, my SR's grandfather.  I'm glad they also stream them online as we have a huge family between all of us!!!  And they will all want to be able to watch.  A friend of mine just attended her grandson's PIR this past Friday and said it was amazing and emotional.

It's possible you could be looking at a 12/9/22 PIR (although it could go either way - before or after).  They don't have the 12/9/22 PIR listed yet.  But good news is the 12/2/22 PIR is a smaller one so they are allowing 4 guests.  Fingers crossed the trend continues through December!

My husband and I downloaded an app called CallU or something similar it records all phone calls.. we did that for his Boot time so we could listen later or use it to try and make out because of call quality.. it creates files that can be shared so he could get the call. record it and then share with you..

lapdja -- Just the one letter as far as we know.  With the new addition of Sandboxx they may allow for 2 notifications.  If they choose to use Sandboxx remember there is NO Form letter mailed.  (I'd let your hubby get the "I'm here" call.  The "I'm a Sailor" call is the much more exciting and fun call!!!! Plus you get to talk longer!!!)

Melissa - Thanks for sharing that information. 

For anyone that might need this information from the pages to the right - When Will Recruits Be Paid

Even though the recruits do not receive their paycheck right away, they should still have the NEX card that is issued to them for making their necessary purchases. Sending other NEX cards through Sandboxx is fine but not necessary. If the SRs do save them they can use them at their A schools. 

Thank you Nursekim, you post was very informative, and I loved reading it!

Please join me in welcoming Gail to our group!!

Gail - welcome to the group! 

Lapdja - Another tip... have your son call your cell and leave you a voicemail before he ships off... it's nice to have that to listen to when you are missing his voice while he's at bootcamp. Also make sure he has his phone well charged the day he leaves and has his charging cord with him. It can often be a long day of travel to Great Lakes and until he arrives at the final airport, he can communicate with you throughout the day in any downtime he might have. My son texted me about his travels throughout the day - and then one last call when he landed in Chicago (all before the "I'm here" official call). 

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!

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

 PIR DECEMBER 2022

 PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 22

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

Happy Hump Day All!  Another day closer to PIR!!  

I'm finding myself in a strange mix of emotions. It's been awhile since I've felt sad... after the first couple weeks I was able to settle in for the ride... sure I missed my son, but I was okay.  This week I keep finding myself getting so sad because I miss him so much - even though I know I'm going to see him in TWO DAYS!!!  That sadness is mixed in with a lot of joy and excitement because.... well... TWO DAYS!  :)  What a roller coaster.