CBMom and others -  Why your sailors might not want to display affection in public, while in uniform - 

Every SR, I believe has to memorize the UCMJ - 

UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice)

The primary one that applies is explained in the following article.

"In Uniform" rules - PDA

I recall my son telling me that he could not give us hugs at PIR, and especially for his brother not to "gallumpf" him. Because in public, in uniform, he could not show any PDA.  - I do notice that there are cases when it is slightly acceptable, as long as moderate. When liberty is called after PIR and everyone floods the floor, well, no one seems to be paying any attention. 

But hopefully, this helps you all understand why they might be standoffish. I thought it was interesting that the right hand has to be free at all times, so they are able to salute.

Welcome cheri39! 

Northwoodsmom - good reminder!  I need to get myself a red Friday shirt!

Chipmunk, thanks for sharing that!  Only 19 more days 'til I get to see my girl at PIR!

Welcome cheri39 and Beachymom! This group is an amazing resource!

Here's the link to today's PIR happening now:

LIVE PIR 11.04.22

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

YouTube is having issues today - here is another link from RTC:

https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/30255#.Y2UgMAlZpX0.link

Welcome beachymom and cheri39! You've joined a wonderful group of encouraging Navy moms. 

So eager to see (and yes, hug!) my son at next Thursday's PIR! Feels like it's flown by and been an eternity all at once. Best of luck to all graduating today!

Don't forget we change the clocks this weekend!

Latest update from RTC:

COVID Message Board

* * * The Latest Guidance - Revised Pass-in-Review Policy * * *

Due to a change in COVID-19 status, as of Nov. 10, guests attending the weekly graduation ceremony are no longer required to show proof of vaccination to gain access to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes.

However, with the removal of mask wearing and vaccinations, guests should take whatever precautions they deem appropriate for themselves based on their personal risk factors. Vaccinations and subsequent boosters are still strongly recommended by the CDC. Disposable masks are available at the front desk of the RTC visitors center for guests who may wish to utilize one.

Recruits graduating in the next few weeks are being given the opportunity to phone home to notify their families of this change in policy so they may make changes to their guest access lists over the phone. If your recruit graduates in December or later and you want to change the guest list based on this change, it is recommended you mail a new Guest Security Access Form to your recruit. This form may be found at www.bootcamp.navy.mil under the Graduation tab.

Hello everyone!!

PIR was wonderful.  I posted all about it on the PIR forum.  Thank you so much for everything.  My son is now at Nuke school.  He and about 60 other Nukes took a military flight out of Milwaukee this morning. Got an unexpected 2nd day with him.  It goes by so fast, that is for sure.  

JNMnavymom, so happy you got a extra day with your Sailor. Gosh that is alot of Nukes. Prayers for your son's success and for safe travels for you both.

JNMnavymomOH - Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!! That is wonderful that you got an extra day. You mentioned that he called to tell you. Had they given them their phones back yet?

So glad you got that extra time.. those hugs are so wonderful..

So they got their ditty box on Friday morning.  When my son called he said that they might not have to give their phones back.  Yet when I picked him up the next morning he said they made them lock them up.  They are unable to bring back anything that they did not leave with.  

does he have his phone now that he is out of GL?

Yes, my son has his phone and he is at Goose Creek, SC. He starts INDOC tomorrow and then A school begins in earnest.  So not sure how much he is going to be able to use it or if he gets to use it, how much he will communicate with me.

JMNnavymomOH - So wonderful that you got an extra day with your son (you deserved it!)  Good luck to him on his next chapter!

JMNnavymomOH - Hooray for the extra day!  So happy for you and your sailor!!!  Looking forward to reading about your PIR experience. 

JNMnavymomOH - How wonderful that you got that extra day with your son! Prayers for him as he starts Nuke A school. If all goes well, my son will be joining him in GC next week. Such an exciting time for them.

JNMnavymomOH - What a blessing that you were able to have an extra day!  My son's PIR is the day before Thanksgiving so we are hoping for extra time as well.  He will also be going to GC for Nuke School after PIR.  

Regarding phones and their ditty boxes:  I read somewhere that it was better for the sailors to give their boxes to family at PIR than to wait to receive them at the airport.  Can someone please explain how that works?

Also, what is the purpose of the door anchor and where can I find more information on how to make or purchase one?

joe-mom - HI!  I am also a "joe" mom.  :-)  So exciting that your son will be at GC soon!

jog6 - Congrats that your son is graduating the day before Thanksgiving.  That is the day that my son graduated last year!  I have no idea how they will do it this year, but for my son, he didn't fly to GC until the Tuesday after T'giving.  We were able to stay in GL until Sunday with him.  He arrived at GC and started INDOC quickly, but didn't start A school until January because they took a break for Christmas.  (But we were thrilled about that!)

MomofJoseph - Hello to you, too, fellow "Joe" mom! I was wondering if there would be a delay in starting A school because of the holidays. So did your son get to come home for Christmas? We are SO hoping to be able to spend Christmas with our son...

joe-mom -- Obviously, I have no idea what the Navy will do this year, but YES, my son was able to come home for Christmas!  I had heard that they get a 2-week break and they have to work one week and then they get leave for one week.  But in our experience, he was able to come home for the entire 2-week period (plus 3 bonus days because we all got COVID after Christmas and they told him to stay home longer!)  :-)

jog6 - I just saw your question about the anchor.  I saw those on Etsy for about $50 - 60 and I debated about ordering one.  But a fellow BC mom made one for us and gifted it to me.  <3  We put it on the door of the Navy Lodge, and it is currently hanging in his bedroom at home.  Honestly, I think *I* appreciate it much more than he does.  His favorite thing that we did was give him a fleece Navy blanket.  (It is currently on his bed at GC.)

San Diego A-School? STG? Surface)

Hello All,
A-School in San Diego seems to be near impossible to get info about.. Any help? Any info about A-school in san Diego would be loved ..I'm trying to find a mailing address to send a package to my son. Point Loma Annex San Diego CA. I have posted in other groups but no answer. My son did ask his roommate but roommate has been there since January and they didn't give him a mailing address when he asked for it. I know this group is for BC Moms but it's the only group that will answer. any help would be appreciated. TIA

MomofJoseph - Thanks for that info! I hope your son gets to come home again this year, too.

Junebugg - How crazy that your son wasn't given an address! Hope you're able to get that information very soon. Very frustrating for you!

Junebugg - Some of the more experienced moms might have better input, but until you hear from them, do you think you could try the omnbudsman in San Diego?  I called the omnbudsman in GC to ask about protocol for a death in the family (because we had two family members in hospice care).  She was a wealth of information!

joe-mom, Thank you!  I hope your son gets to come home for Christmas also!!

Junebug I am sorry you aren't getting answers, my son has been in Lemoore California since February, the address he gave me turned out to be wrong and I got all my letters and a package returned. He still hasn't found the right address so I am not even going to bother because he will be moving very shortly again.  I hope you find out something, I will ask around for you. JNMnavymom so happy for you, you'll want to visit it is so beautiful there. We stayed twice at a Airbnb in very nice locations and close to the base. So much to do too. Hope you get the chance.

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

New January training group added.

Be sure to RSVP for Sarge's Meet N Greet.  Remember, PIR is on THURSDAY this week so the Meet N Greet is Wednesday. Here's the link:  

Sarge's Meet N Greet

jog6 - I can only share what I know from previous years, before the phones were stored at RTC. - If your sailor is flying out - then they will stay on the BC side of RTC, and no phones are allowed back into the ship / "sleeping quarters". So, I am assuming, that if they are giving the boxes to them at PIR, then it is like when we use to bring their phones to them, and we could let them use them while on liberty, but then we had to meet them at the airport, very early in the morning and give them their phones and any other electronics, like a Kindle or computer that they want to transport. 

I am not sure if there are sailors that are being transported via military flights, if you are able to go meet them someplace or not. If you are not able to meet them before their flight, then they will need to take their phone back to RTC when you drop them off and have them locked up. Make sure they have their chargers. 

Be sure to read through my discussion - What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL - Navy For ... - 

Also, what is the purpose of the door anchor and where can I find more information on how to make or purchase one? The anchors are just a way for people to celebrate their sailors. Some people buy off of Etsy, others make their own. I always recommend that you really do not display anything outside your motel room, unless you are staying at the Navy Lodge.  Some people consider it at least PERSEC, and do not display anything on public pages with your sailor's last name. 

Some people decorate inside their rooms, and some hotels do not want decorations on room doors at all. I thought this discussion had some pictures of the anchors, Blue Candles - Navy For Moms (ning.com)    but I think only some comments about them. - so if anyone has pictures, please feel free to add it to that discussion for future reference.  (Cover names please!)

Google search - navy anchors for graduation - it will bring up images. I do not endorse any of the sites offering items for sail. 

For those with sailors going to Nuke school, be sure to join us in the NUKE moms - Navy For Moms (ning.com) - We don't always post often, but we still have an active group of Nuke family members who are in various stages of the pipeline, so be sure to post and ask questions. 

JNMnavymomOH - I posted the below message on the Nuke Mom's page and just realized that you asked the question about phones on this BC page.  So sorry!  :-)

Congrats, JNMnavymomOH, for your son's graduation!  I saw your post about your son and cell phone use and wanted to share my experience.  When they are in class or studying, they are not allowed to have their phones with them.  I usually heard from my son in the early afternoon (after class and before study hall opens) and then on weekends.  It's much more like a college schedule than bootcamp was (which I LOVE!)

MomofJoseph - Did you buy your Navy fleece blanket at Sarge's Meet n Greet? I believe that is where I bought the one for my son, and he still uses it. 

Chipmunk - I ordered mine from Lakeside Collection.  Sarge had JUST started the Meet n Greet back up (I think my son's PIR would have been the 3rd one post-Covid), but Sarge got sick and had to cancel.  We were so bummed.

Good morning! Curious to know if anyone's SR who was in Ship 2/RCU for injury was cleared before completing the 4 phases of rehab? My son had a very minor injury and he says he feels fine and able to do anything - will he still have to complete all 8 weeks even if he's able to run with no pain at all? I would think they would want them to get back to training as soon as they are able. If anyone's SR was in Ship 2 less than the 8 weeks (for injury not FIT), I would like to hear your experience. Thanks!

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

Be sure to vote today!

 jog6 - I can only say what happened during our weekend.  My son opened his box and brought out everything that was in there.  The rule is they can only bring back what they went out with, or at least it was the rule for my sons RDCs.  His bookbag included his headphones and phone.  He returned with his headphone and his phone minus the bookbag.  He sent that and everything inside home with me.  

I got the extra day, but not sure how.  I wasn't going to question it.  However about 60 Nukes got on a military flight in Milwaukee to go to Goose Creek.  My son did not inform me if there was an option for me to meet him there, but I would assume not.  If they fly commercial, you should be able to meet them and hand them things.  My son said he didn't really have room for anything as his bags were full.   

MomofJoseph - Thanks!

FYI - In general on commercial flights when the military are flying under orders, the airlines allow them extra bags. However, they already have their arms full, and as I recall, they were not allowed to wear their backpacks because while they issued them at BC, they are not regulation for wearing with their dress uniform, which is how my son flew, so they had to wear their seabag, carry, their garment bag, and their backpack, and most of them were carrying their orders in their hand as well. 

I am sure if they were traveling otherwise, as most of them did during the majority of 2020, they are limited to only having their issued items. But the extra baggage is something worth knowing. Some airlines also allow them an extra bag when they are traveling for vacation, so be sure to double check with the airlines during holiday travel. 

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

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).

Woo hoo!  I have a sailor!  Just got the call!  Can't wait to see her in two weeks!! 

Rosanna, congratulations, I am so happy for you. You must be so excited. Prayers these next 2 weeks fly until you see your daughter!

Roasanne - BRAVO ZULO to your sailor!!! So happy for you!!! 

Congratulations!!!!