Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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. 

tammy - so close!!!!!  And so excited for you!!!!!

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

 PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 2022

PIR SEPTEMBER 2022

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

Sarge's Meet N Greet

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).

 *** COVID PROTOCOLS ***
Recruit Training Command continues to operate in a COVID environment in order to protect the safety of both trainees and staff while meeting mission demands. This policy is subject to change as leadership continues to monitor the spread and impact of the Coronavirus. Therefore, the following protocols are in place:

• Guests 12 or older need to provide proof of IMMUNIZATION (14 DAYS POST FINAL DOSE,) in the form of a covid-19 vaccination record card to attend. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination, you will NOT be able to attend, and will NOT be issued tickets to attend. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
• To ensure the health and safety of all, every person attending is required to observe social distancing protocols while inside all RTC facilities and throughout graduation ceremonies inside midway ceremonial drill hall. REMINDER: Policies regarding the graduation ceremony can change at any time due to changes in our health protection status and policy. Please travel with a mask in case the requirement to wear one while attending the graduation ceremony is implemented. For those unable to attend we invite you to watch the ceremony online from home. Please continue to follow RTC social media accounts for updates and check www.bootcamp.navy.mil for the most up-to-date information. For specific questions and inquiries, contact the RTC Public Affairs Office at rtc.pao@navy.mil.
• Each sailor is allowed a maximum of FOUR GUESTS, (THREE GUESTS when 11 or more divisions are graduating,) on base for the graduation ceremony. No exceptions, and children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.

RTC Facebook page posted info regarding the 2022 Thanksgiving Adopt-A-Sailor Program - see below.  

PER RTC FACEBOOK PAGE....(Regarding Thanksgiving Liberty)

Divisions set to graduate 11/23 will have the option to spend Thanksgiving day with their family before being shipped to A school.  They will not transfer until Friday or Saturday of that week.

Tammy - excited for you!  Looking forward to your post-PIR report! :)

tammybikerunfaithlove -- {{{HUGS!!}}}} you cannot control how you feel but you can control what you focus on.  Allow yourself the grace to be sad, For all the reasons real and imagined and then move forward.  The good thing about feelings is that they do eventually change! (If they don't then, Please seek professional help.  No one should have to go through life feeling only sad!)
In 2 days you'll feel a whole other mix of emotions and you may even cycle back through sadness as the let-down of PIR weekend sets in.  That's ok.  Just move through the feelings.
I'm so happy that you have made it this far!!  Enjoy the Navy Journey!

belovedbyHim - thanks for the hugs and the beautiful words! Funny thing about seeking professional help... that's me... I'm the professional help LOL (hard but usually rewarding work).  I'm looking forward to PIR, to Sarge's and to just hanging with my sailor, along with the hubs and my daughter. 

Hey Tammy --- Sometimes the Helpers need some help too!! No shame there.  Sadly depression is so stigmatized that folks don't want to ask for it when it's needed and there is medication if you can't get past the sadness that is more than just feelin blue about missing your sailor.  We can only see the words on the pages and I'd hate to think we missed something that had gone deeper than just the normal Boot camp Blues. 
I addressed my comment to you but it applies to all our BC moms!  If you are still desperately blue after a week or 2 please speak up!  You may just need to vent but it may be that there is something else at play.  We are here to support you all either way

I'm glad my post was helpful and informative. I will try to remember to put it as a blog post. 

CBMom I took a chance of booking the OHare Hilton not knowing where he'd fly out. I got lucky!

Welcome lapdja and Gail

Tammy, enjoy PIR!!! I can't wait to hear how it is! I didn't realize we lived close- I'm in Dracut, MA. I'm a crier and I cried so much more than I thought I would when we left Chicago. I had to leave him once again. Even though I knew we would be able to text/talk, it was hard for a few days after I got home.

My drug of choice is food so I bought a Sprinkles cupcake from a vending machine at the airport, ate a giant cookie and a pint of Ben and Jerry's over the last few days. It actually helped and now I can be "normal" again.\

I second what belovedbyHim said .I hope you start feeling a little better after your sailor gets their phone back. If not, definitely seek help. I waited so unnecessarily long to get the help I needed and it was a lifesaver.

BNMHs!

You ladies are amazing!!! thank you nursekim and belovedbyHim!! I'm a mess today. It's been a rollercoaster of a day. I know the next few days will be filled with lots of joy followed by some sadness after another 'see ya later'. I will re-evaluate my mood after some time has passed. I think I'm okay - but... this whole life change and my first born leaving the nest... maybe I'm not. But I'm open to help and I'm open to whatever that might look like. I simply LOVE that you are so attuned to the possibility. That's what makes being on here so incredibly special and important in this journey. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I will give an update after the dust has settled - I'm sure I'll be beaming with pride and joy on Friday. It truly amazes me what these young adults sign up for and go through just to get to where they are going. We need a world filled with more people like them! As mom's we have so much to be proud of! 

BNMHs to each and everyone one of you. THIS is a journey - not for the faint of heart - and we are blessed to have sailors who are sacrificing so much to serve our country.  Such a blessing, even in the moments of difficulty. 

My son called on 9/20 to say that they passed battle stations. He said it was fun and he would do it again.  He also said that he cried when being capped as they were playing "God Bless the USA"  All he has to do is pass the final run.  He has worked so hard, I am so proud of him.  I am a Navy Mom!!

Thank you ladies for being on this BC ride with me.  I appreciate all the advice.  I hope to be able to help a new mom like you have helped me.

tammybikerunfaithlove, special prayers for safe travels to Chicago, I am sure you got absolutely no sleep. Remember to live in the moment, enjoy all your son's accomplishments and embracing every minute you have together. Don't think about the days after just take one day at a time. Give that Sailor a hug from all of us and thank Him for protecting our Freedoms.