Melissa - thanks for the update.  sounds like you had a great time at PIR!

I just want to mention that it is not recommended to use other SR's tickets for PIR.  RTC normally frowns upon this. I'm glad it worked out ok for you but please note that this is not something that is encouraged - your SR could get in trouble for this.

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

Melissa - I am so glad that you all had a wonderful time!! Be sure to post some of your comments in the PIR Weekend Experiences - Post Covid discussion above, so that down the road others will be able to read about your experiences, especially with Sarge's Meet n Greet & taxi service. 

Regarding getting back to base early, I recall my son telling me that they were not allowed to run in their dress uniforms, so instead he had to do this brisk walk in those dress shoes that hurt his feet!!

Henry's Mom - Thanks!

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

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.

Be sure to RSVP for Sarge's Meet N Greet.  It's held on the Thursday night before PIR.  Here's the link:  

Sarge's Meet N Greet

USPS Informed Delivery - Sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).  

Informed Delivery®

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.

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).

Good Evening - Please join me in welcoming Heather & Bootcamp0924 to our group. 

Please come say hello here and let us know where you are at in this BC journey. Heather, it would be especially helpful if you did, since we have several members with this username. 

Good evening.  Since there are so many Heathers in the group I changed my name to SantaFeMom.  My son will be heading to bootcamp tomorrow. 

WELCOME SanteFeMom and Bootcamp0924!!  Hope we can help each other along the way!

Welcome, SanteFeMom and Bootcamp0924!  You have come to the perfect place to get support and answers to any questions you have!

SantaFeMom - Thanks for sharing your username update. We are glad you are here. Remind your son to keep his phone charged up. He may call you along his route to GL and then when he lands, if he has time, he may call you before they board the bus. After that, be sure to keep your phone close by and ringer on loud - the SRs (seaman recruits) generally make their scripted "I'm Here" call, and it comes in very late in the evening or early morning. Mine sounded like it was a recorded call, but they are just reading off a script. They can not talk to you, but you may tell them, I love you, over their talking. They will likely be telling you when to possibly be expecting a call from them. 

Also, there has been some change in how the SRs are sending their mailing address. Be sure to scroll back through the last couple of pages here and read the information that B'sNukeMom posted. Especially on the Sandboxx App. And do not hesitate to ask questions. 

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

Final PIR for January added.

SanteFeMom and Bootcamp0924 - Welcome to the BC group! Wishing your SRs the best boot camp experience possible. It's quite a ride.

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

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.

Sue M. - Welcome to the BC Mom and Loved Ones group. This comment wall area is the best location for coming and saying hello and posting a question or sharing information. 

Welcome Sue M., SantaFe Mom and Bootcamp0924!

Welcome to our newest members SanteFeMom, Bootcamp0924 and Sue M. So very happy to have you join us. Let us know how we can help you through this rollercoaster of emotions!

Rosanne -- Late to the Party but here you go!!
WHOOP
WHOOP
WHOOP
ATTENTION ON DECK!! WE HAVE A SAILOR!!!
Congratulations to Rosanne and her Sailor on a Job well done!!
Enjoy PIR!!{Looks like you get extra time for the holiday!!}

jog6 -- Late to the Party but here you go!!
WHOOP
WHOOP
WHOOP
ATTENTION ON DECK!! WE HAVE A SAILOR!!!
Congratulations to jog6 and her Sailor on a Job well done!!
Enjoy PIR!!{Looks like you get extra time for the holiday!!}

Welcome Beachymom, cheri39, TorpedoMom, Heather (aka: SantaFeMom), Bootcamp0924 and Sue M

JNMnavymomOH --- After all you went through... It's only right that the Navy should have given you a second day!! I'm SO happy for you!!  Your sailor will not have any restrictions on using their cell phones other than the typical... "Not in class, not in certain areas, not on duty...." That ALL sailors have.  Nuke, from my understanding is demanding and that may limit how much he is willing and able to reach out, because he needs to focus on his classes.

Junebugg -- See if he can find an off base postal service. or someone who lives off base that will accept his packages for him.  A school is just temporary so the Navy doesn't assign good addresses!

Tootie -- I don't know the answer but I'm glad your SR is feeling so much better.  I do think they would need to be medically cleared and they don't want to sent them back too soon and have them re-injure themselves.  Yours had stress fractures, right?  Having had one, I do know that the pain stops as soon as you rest it but if you push too soon it can come right back and then it takes even longer to fully heal because you injured the "New" growth and the body treats that as a new fracture. 

Melissa -- Was it as amazing as You'd hoped?  Isn't that first hug just something else!!  I know you were told about the tickets.  Hopefully no one gets in trouble for that.  It is highly frowned upon (as in both sailors can be court marshaled and removed from the Navy for it!  So just be safe!)

MomofJoseph  -- Establishing a friendship here that you choose to take offline is a completely acceptable action, but we have had a handful of scammers over the years.  They are 10000000000000000000% different!  On that note... Rosanne and Jog6 -- If you want to meet IRL be sure to message each other privately and make that plan for before PIR.  After Liberty call... It's just not as likely to happen.

Hi everyone.  Sorry for being AWOL for so long. I should be much more regular here now.

BelovedbyHim - yay, thanks I've been waiting to see that :)

I thought you might.  Sorry for the almost 2 week delay!  Are you just so excited for next week!!!  You get to have ALL of THANKSGIVING to spend with him!! I hope you have made plans for the day already!! (Many places will already be booked up!)  I'm pretty sure I know what you are Thankful for this year! (Oh and he will very Likely be home for 2 weeks at Christmas too!!  They are too new to stand duty watch alone and many of the Senior Staff don't want to baby sit!  Have him start saving now since they don't always know till last minute and we all know that last minute tickets are Pricey especially at Christmas!!)

belovedbyHim - All good! Figured life was doing other things. :) I am so, so excited to see my girl!!  We already called Anastasia's and confirmed they are doing takeout.  She wants to stay in and have TG dinner in her sweatpants. She's staying in GL so we get even a little more extra time!!  I am hopeful for Christmas but not counting chickens before they hatch because I have heard so many different things.  Still prayers raised and fingers crossed!

Rosanne - Enjoy every moment of your time with your daughter!!

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

LIVE PIR 11.18.2022

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

Everyone please welcome  momofnavydaughter to our group!

B'sNukeMom - I have my RED on!! 

Chipmunk - thanks!

Welcome momofnavydaughter!

Good morning everyone!  Welcome momofnavydaughter!

Welcome to all our new members!

Be sure to scroll back a few pages and you'll find lots of valuable info posted. Also read through at the top of this page "Answers to Common Questions". 

As of now masks are no longer required and proof of vaccination status is no longer required to attend PIR.

And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

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

Happy Friday all!  Welcome monofnavydaughter!  Congratulations to all the Sailors graduating today!!

welcome to momofnavydaughter.. hugs to graduating sailors and moms..   have a great weekend.. always here for questions..

Welcome momofnavydaughter  and NewNavyMomof1 

Hi Ladies, I just need a bit of advice for I am so undecided about what to do as far as hotels are concerned.  It is hard for me to decide between the two.  I have two places that I have booked.  I have to make a decision on one of them by tomorrow.  One is the Navy Lodge (basic room - no kitchenette) and the other is the New Townplace Suites- Marriott (w/kitchenette) out in Waukegan off of Lakehurst. The Marriott is a bit more in price and it is farther from the base.  My daughter would need to be back on base at night.  If I choose the Navy Lodge, then I might say, "Boy, I sure wish I had that kitchenette" or vice versa.  Same thing for taking her back and picking her up morning/evenings, I might say "Boy, I sure wish I had a hotel closer" ☺ The thing is do I plan on cooking?  Not really.  However, it good to have that option, and anything for my daughter.  I asked my daughter and she doesn't care which one I choose, ha ha.  She just wants us there.  Ugh, maybe, I should change my name to "Undecisive MOM" LOOOL ☺ ☺.  

P.S. I will also have a rental car

Navy Lodge - appr 1.9 miles from PIR

New Townplace Suites - appr 4.9 miles from PIR and "A' school

Any thoughts will be appreciated!  Thanks!!

Bootcamp0924 my number 1 would be ) does my daughter need to get away from all the Navy stuff for a half a day or not. She seems not to care but deep down she might.

2) am I use to winter driving, winter's in Chicago can be a mess, if your not use to snow and a storm comes in it will only add to your anxiety. 

3) price, does it play a part in your decision. If not I would go for comfort. You want more room and a comfort of a having a kitchen go for it.

You know your family better than any of us, go with your gut.

Bootcamp0924 - I am not going to help any, because my thought is go for the time constraint consideration. You have very little time with your sailor. If your sailor has to be back by that evening, you will need to leave early and make sure she has time to get (walk) to where she needs to be actually checking in for the night.

You can always check out local eating areas, there was a small restaurant near our motel which was almost as close as the Navy Lodge (5+ yrs ago) and we just went over and ordered pizza and took it back to the motel while our sailor hung out with is brother.  You can also have food delivered!!

I also wanted to be as close as possible to RTC for getting there in the early morning. 

So, I go cheap - at least I did when we went to GL, and I wanted to be close. I knew nothing about this site, and I don't recall if the Navy Lodge was listed in the brochure that they mailed to us at that time or not. But this is where we stayed. - Red Carpet Inn - Great Lakes You can Google it. - Yes, it is only a 2-star hotel, and they only had a simple pastry continental breakfast, and they messed up our reservation for the shuttle ride, so we ended up driving. But that proved to be in our best interest, with my son's situation after PIR. 

For us it worked out, because in the end, we left our motel at 0100 on Saturday morning to drive to O'Hare airport and then head on home. If I had paid extra just to have a nice breakfast and an extra cozy bed, to have left it so I could spend more time with my sailor at the airport than I had after PIR (My PIR weekend ) I would have been upset. 

There was / is a restaurant nearby -   Flanagan's Sports Bar   they have dine-in, but we ordered pizza and walked back across the parking lot to the hotel and ate in our room.