Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

lapdja - BZ to your new Sailor!

FYI - NO Meet N Greet on 1/19/23 as Sarge is having surgery.

Reminder for PIR 12/14/2022 - Sarge's Meet N Greet is on Tuesday, 12/13/2022.

lapdja - That phone call is the best. Congratulations to you and your sailor!

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

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

Good Morning Everyone!! 

I am having to play catch up - sorry, I was able to visit my new grandbaby at Thanksgiving, my sailor returned home from a short maiden voyage with his ship, and I have some medical things I am dealing with as well. 

I believe we have some congratulations in order to Lapdja !!

And we have a couple of new members that I have not had a chance to welcome yet - Jessie, obrnkim, & Jem are all joining Bri - We are glad to have you. Be sure to ask your questions here in the comment wall area, as more of our members will see your posts here than elsewhere.  

I think we have a few with SRs going Nuke, that group is active as well, so don't hesitate to ask any questions regarding that rate over there. 

lapdja - congratulations to you and your sailor!!  

Welcome Bri, Jessie, obrnkim, & Jem!  

My sailor had PIR on 11/23, and when I catch up with myself, I will write up my experiences for the group, but it was amazing. 

Hope all is well Chipmunk!

Rosanne - Thank you!! Looking forward to your PIR post. And to having you join us in the Beyond BC group as well. 

Congratulations to your sailor and you lapdja!

We have been through PIR once with our son about 7 years ago and looking forward to being there for our daughter on 1/6!  It is an amazing experience for all!  Congratulations Rosanne to your and your sailor!

Good evening all,

My son is in 009 and PIR is January 6th. I had the opportunity to speak with him over the weekend, and he was very worried about the run that they had scheduled yesterday, due to his legs being in pain, but he refuses to go to Sic call for fearing being pushed back. Does anyone know the timeframe they call in the event the recruit didn't make the run?

cheri39 - I am not certain. Hopefully some of the others who have recently been through this will be able to share. 

Sue M. - it won't be much longer!

I have the February PIR group up now.  Here's the link:

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

cheri39 - your SR will call if he has failed the re-test and is being moved or ASMO'd, however sometimes that call can come several days after they moved. They are given 2 chances to pass the run at each testing (Pdays being the exception). Is this the w4 RDC assessment?  Retest is usually within 72 hours.  That has been my experience.  My son was ASMO'd 4x so I have been through this before.  Keep sending good thoughts and prayers for him to pass.  

Congratulations and Welcome!!  Nuke mama here. I don't post a lot, but I do read every post.  My Sailor is currently at GC just started Nuke A school.  

Hello JNMnavymomOH1

This will be his second test. He is in week 5, and was terrified of failing this week. I gave him all the encouragement that I could possibly give. It's very disheartening to hear your child so upset, and knowing there isn't anything I can do. His legs are giving him lots of trouble, but he is determined to stay away from sic call. Thanks for answering my question. How did your son keep his morale up? 

WHOOP
WHOOP
WHOOP
ATTENTION ON DECK!!
WE HAVE A SAILOR!!!
Congratulations to lapdja  and her Sailor on a job well done!!

Tootie -- I'm glad your SR is healing well and keeping a positive attitude.  I know this week is hard but we will be here for you every step of your Navy Journey!

cheri39 -- If the choice comes down to Sick call or failing his run, He's better off going to sick call.  It could just be his shoes or it could be stress fractures that will only get worse and could cause him to fail all together. I know he wants to push through and only he knows if this is just fatigue from running which he's not accustomed to doing this much vs something being wrong but if something is wrong, that is why they have sick call.

Congratulations!! This is an exciting time!! Enjoy!

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

Part I

Hello everyone!

Those who are new to the group, Bri, Jessie, obrnkim, & Jem!  WELCOME!!!  You are in good hands.  If I have missed anyone, I apologize.

I just want to share my experiences from my daughter’s PIR on 11/23/2022 – Division 416 and our stay in Chicago!  We arrived in Great Lakes (GL) two days ahead of PIR and we rented a car from Enterprise at Chicago O’Hare.  In total, we were there for 6 days.

I do not know if everyone quite remembers how indecisive I was on the fence about staying at the TownePlace Suites or the Navy Lodge (NL).  Well, I went ahead and stayed at the NL.  I chose the NL because my daughter said that she was not able to have overnight liberty and it is closer to Naval Station Great Lakes Main Gate (where her “A” School is located).  We did end up getting a kitchenette.  The larger refrigerator helped because we ate out every night and we brought our food back to the room.  Plus, we had various iced drinks i.e., Starbucks that required refrigeration.  Upon checking in, we signed up for the 6:00 a.m. shuttle to PIR. 

Our Second Day - We went to the Great Lakes Family Welcome Center on Farragut Road to pick up the graduation tickets and to buy Navy memorabilia. There was no line for ticket pick-up. They did ask us if all of our tickets would be used, in case other families needed an extra one, etc.   While in the NL, I noticed all of the creative anchors hung on the doors (the NL provides door hangers if you have an anchor, etc.).  I do not know how I missed not creating one for my daughter.  With being on a time constraint, I bought a plaque from the Welcome Center and I then made her a plaque while I was there and hung it on our door.  I am told that I did a good job ☺.  My oldest daughter and I had Big Ed’s BBQ for lunch prior to going to the Meet and Greet.

Sarge’s Meet and Greet (Second Day) – Now, this man puts on a great show!  He and his family are such great hosts. We had a great time! Make sure you RSVP. If you are able to donate, he will ensure that you have a reserved table waiting for you.   We sat with a family from Texas.  Their son was a Nuke MM.  I wish each one of them the best of luck. There was an abundance of food. There are even containers if you want to take some home at the end of the night.  They had a gift basket raffle.  My hat goes off to those who made those creative gift baskets.  There are refreshments and drinks for sale.  You can even buy memorabilia and/or have T-shirts/Long Sleeve Shirts/Hoodies designed any way you want.  They do it all there and it is ready for you before you leave for the night. Sarge does an incredible job of recognizing the young kids (our future leaders), the families, and the veterans!  Finally, yet importantly, Sarge has the families stand behind their sailor’s divisional flag to take photos.  Just an incredible way to show love and support.

Part II

Morning of PIR – We could hardly sleep.  We got up early to get on the NL shuttle. The shuttle took us directly to Recruit Training Command (RTC).  We arrived at the gate around 6:15. We stood in line for approximately 15 minutes because the gates opened at 6:30.  They search your belongings and wand you through.  You then take a brisk 5-7 minute walk towards the Ceremonial Hall (CH).  Before entering the CH, you walk through and view an incredible sailor museum (I forgot what it is called).  If you can, try and soak that in prior to finding seating.  As you enter the CH, on the left they were selling coins and refreshments.  They even had your sailor’s divisional photos. The divisional photos came with 2023 calendars attached to the bottom.  I did not get one; I wish I had (one of my regrets).  I was in line to get one and then I got out of line because I did not have any money on me.  Honestly, I do not know if they had a price or not. However, when asked, I was told that I could buy/get one after the PIR (in an area across from the CH).  To note, that information was incorrectly given and I was unable to buy that particular photo afterward. Those photos were only given out prior to PIR. I highly recommend you get in line as soon as you arrive at the CH to either purchase or get a free one. However, after PIR, they sell different divisional photos (the ones that are taken in the CH during PIR). You can buy these photos across the way from the CH. 

PIR- One word “Phenomenal.”  I am retired Navy and I was thoroughly and truly impressed. A PIR of 644 of the finest U.S. Navy Sailors graduated that fine Navy day! Incredible and Inspiring.  The band and the flags did an awesome job.  Overall congratulations to all the honorees! You will find two sailors standing on the CH floor with your sailor’s division number.  Use that as a guide on where to sit. Honestly, I do not think you can go wrong as to where to sit.  Although, we felt we were packed in like sardines in a can, don’t worry, there is plenty of seating (overhead). We did bring seat cushions with us but forgot them in the hotel room, ugh.  I tried to sit on my jacket but that was a bit uncomfortable as well.  Nevertheless, the reason why it was so uncomfortable was that we had been sitting for approximately 2 ½ hours before PIR started (and then throughout the actual PIR itself) which is about 1 1/2 hours.  It seemed like the PIR took forever, but that was only because we knew that she was right in front of us and we wanted to run out and grab her.  Once the PIR was over and we located her (that seemed like forever), we hugged her up and kissed her up, and took as many pics as we could with her and with her new shipmates. 

Part III

After PIR - My daughter is staying in Great Lakes for her “A” school.  She had to board a bus immediately to leave to go pack up her things.  We walked back to the shuttle pick-up area and headed back to the NL to await her call/text.  Her check-in process took approximately 4-5 hours. She was able to get her phone and all of her belongings that she had brought with her to boot camp. She text us throughout the process and let us know that she WAS granted overnight liberty!  All that was required of her was that she muster by phone every morning NLT 1000. I was SO happy!  Upon completion of her check-in, we picked her up at the National Museum of the American Sailor.  We saw her walking with a group of sailors when she arrived with her overnight bag and garment bag.  We then went and ate at Big Ed’s BBQ (our second time there, her first).  My daughter ordered ribs and two 32 oz. sides, not the 16 oz. sides, okay!  ☺ My daughter stayed very hungry throughout our entire stay and woke up hungry every morning.  After getting her back to the NL, we listened to more of her boot camp stories and asked her many more questions. She showed us how she had to fold her skivvies, etc.  We pampered her by running her a hot bubble bath and we massaged her hands and feet.  We tried to bring the comforts of home to her to make her feel as special as we could. Afterward, at 2200 (10:00 p.m.) Taps, Taps, Lights Out she was out (sleep) like clockwork.  Only to wake up between 0500 - 0600 hungry again ☺.  In addition, we dined at Anastasias for Thanksgiving.   The next day, we took the Metra into Chicago and enjoyed eating at Portillo’s.  The Metra is very easy to ride/navigate.  The sailors get a good deal for an all-day pass. On our way to Chicago via the Metra, we admired the small towns and the beautiful houses (so different from San Diego).  Every time we looked, we were like, “wow, look at that house!” I compared their houses and towns to a Hallmark card or movie. Upon departure from the Metra Train Station and taking an Uber into more of downtown Chicago, I was in awe.  Chicago is a beautiful, attractive city, and super clean.  At night when the city is lit up, it looks amazing. While in Chicago, we visited “The Bean” (Cloud Gate) in Chicago and took an abundance of pics.  There was even an outdoor ice-skating rink nearby and a view of Lake Michigan (you had to navigate your way via a sidewalk and on over to a bridge to oversee it).  We went to the Sky Deck but it was too late to buy tickets that day.  Additionally, during our stay, we had the pleasure of eating some of the best pizzas EVER at Lou Malnati’s!  If you do not do anything else while in Illinois, go to Lou’s.  You will not regret it.  The pizza was even better for breakfast.  

Part IV

The Last Days – While there in Great Lakes, we wanted to make sure she had everything she needed.  We went to the Navy Exchange (NEX) at least twice in two days and picked up additional uniform needs, bedding for her rack, snacks/drinks, and other necessities.  Currently, is on a “hold” status because school has yet to start.  I hope that she will begin school in January 2023.  We were able to take her to where she is residing for the next 3-4 months.  She enters the ship’s quarterdeck at the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) where she requests to come aboard (arriving on the ship) and requests to go ashore (departing the ship).  I love seeing her salute! BEQs are named after U.S. Navy Ships as well, just like their ships at Boot Camp. I was unable to go to her room, but she is in a room with three other female sailors. She has shown us her room via FaceTime.  She has a decent closet for her uniforms/clothing and she has two somewhat medium-sized drawers near her rack. The room includes a kitchenette, and one bathroom with a tub/shower, and they each have their own desk for studying purposes.  Lastly, as far as food, we had Tacos El Norte the last night we were there.  I hope to get back to Great Lakes at some point in time and visit her while she is there.  On our last day, we had with her; I dreaded dropping her off and heading back to the airport.  I really thought I was going to collapse.  Just the thought of having to leave her there broke me all over again.  I cried as I did when she went to Boot Camp.  I had the ugly cry going on.  I am forever grateful and full of joy that I have had this experience with my daughter, family, and other families.  I am proud of my daughter.  I am proud that she is following in my footsteps and her dad’s.  I am proud that she is starting her own journey and making her own memories. However, a part of me wishes I could go through this all over again.  Of course, my daughter would not want that ☺, but I do have to say that I truly enjoyed every little thing!  Everything did go perfectly as planned. Just know that there was never a dull moment for us.  I would not trade anything for the precious time spent with my daughter.  Time does go by fast, soak in your moments, capture the little things, hold them, hug them, smell them, watch them sleep, and take plenty of pictures.   I am a PROUD MAMA! 

Best Part of It All – She can now call/text/FaceTime us, and are able to do the same.  Priceless!

**Sorry for the lengthy detail.  I tried to capture it all and I hope you find this helpful. Feel free to ask me any questions.

☺HOOYAH DIV 416!☺

Bootcamp0924-- Never apologize for sharing especially when it's a beautifully written as this!!  Don't feel bad about the door. I didn't know it was a thing and I didn't do anything like that either.  Did your daughter order photos to be sent home?  The Div photo may be in those. Your Pride and joy shines in your words and I'm so glad you got the whole time with her.  Those "See Ya Later"s Just never get any easier but you get stronger and the crying gets better. Congratulations on an Amazing Weekend!!!!

Boocamp 924 - thank you so much for sharing your experience!  I know it will help me when I get there! Congratulations!

Bootcamp0924 - wow, amazing information.  I am in the process of planning our trip up for my son's PIR which will be on Wed 12/14.  I'm planning on making a Texas themed basket for the meet and greet and was wondering if there was any insight on this page about what to include in the baskets???  I can't wait to leave and to hug my sailor!

Bootcamp0924 - I'm so happy for you and your family that you had such an amazing time with your sailor! Thank you for sharing so beautifully your experience. It really is an incredible time. I wish your daughter all the best in A school.

Bootcamp0924 - Wow!  Thank you for sharing your PIR experience - amazing ;-D  I closed my eyes and was re-living some of it from my son's PIR back in 2012.  It truly is an incredible experience.

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

PIR 12/2/2022

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

lapdja, here are a few things I made for my basket, I had them in a wooden crate with a anchor attached. I made them all but then Covid hit and everything got canceled so I kept most of them but gave a few away.

@northwoodsmom - wow, those are amazing!  Thanks for the information!  I'm going to get creative this weekend!

New members - be sure to read the discussions in the queue above!!

Good morning everyone. I am trying out new technology with my computer. And I will be copying and pasting this message to probably all the groups so those that are in various groups with me will probably get duplicates of this. Yesterday I had a radial angiogram done so that means my right hand is being a good little hand and not typing or writing and healing well. Everything went well with the angiogram and the doctor was able to determine that the stents that I do have are still clear but there were some other things that he's needing to keep an eye on. he will be starting me on a new medication so that will be a different challenge but the thankful part is that I am not looking at open heart surgery in the next couple weeks. So for that I am very thankful. I need to do some more resting today so I am going to bow out for the day from Navy from moms and hopefully I can catch up this weekend.

That's good news, Chipmunk! My prayers are with you as you continue to deal with this, but I'm happy the result of the angiogram was positive. Get good rest!

Lapdja - Woot Woot!!! Bravo Zulo to your sailor! I loved getting that phone call!! 

Tootie - praying for your SR's healing and his ongoing positive attitude! 

JNMNavymom - how's your sailor likely nuke school so far? Is he settling in and making new friends? 

cheri - I agree with belovedbyHim - he should get it checked out so that his pushing through running doesn't do any serious or permanent damange if he already has a running injury. Praying for his healing! 

bootcamp0924 - what a beautifully written summary of your PIR experience! Sounds amazing!  If she's staying at GL for school - has she told you about 'mass exodus"- the schools there eseentially close down from 12/16 to 1/2 and most sailors get leave - they even allow them to go into the negative. My son is there - I'm counting down the minutes till he gets home in 2 weeks. 

Northwoodsmom - WOW - love what you made! So talented! 

Chipmunk - praise God for the good news! hope the new med is something you can easily adjust to. 

Chipmunk - Glad you're healing well! 

Bootcamp0924 - Great summary!  

Finally going to do mine:

We drove to Great Lakes on Monday and checked into the Navy Lodge. We also had a kitchenette, and I agree the full-size fridge was great to have.  On Tuesday we went to Walmart for some groceries, and then went to the Nex to pick up our tickets.  We went around 1:00 and there was no line for pick-up. 

We went to Sarge's that evening, and it was fantastic.  We prepaid and were seated at a table with two families - one from PA and one from CA.  The food was plentiful, the Veteran's tribute was awesome, and the baskets were fun!  We tried but didn't win anything.  We brought a Southern NJ themed basket with local wines, Tastycakes, saltwater taffy, Wawa coffee and an NJ mug.  

Wednesday morning, we left the hotel at 6:15 and used Sarge's shortcut. We were parked in the parking garage by 6:45. Highly recommend it if you choose to drive! 

Seating was a little different for us, as our daughter won an award.  We were told to the Events Coordinator desk when we arrived, but we missed it because we were shuttled to the left through the random check line.  We went through the museum and to the hall and asked for directions where to go, but the sailors at the door did not know.  We saw a sailor coming towards us, we thought to help us.  Then our jaws dropped because it was our girl!!  BEST HUG EVER!  She said she wished she could have taken a picture of our faces when we realized it was her.  She sent us back in the right direction.  We got back to where we were supposed to be and were seated in a room to wait until they took us all together to a reserved seating section.  We didn't get a chance to shop at the stands, but it was ok.  The whole PIR was so amazing - the music, the ceremony.  These "kids" who they turned into sailors in 10 weeks!  I couldn't be more proud!!

We also learned about "expect the unexpected" - our daughter told us her orders changed and she wasn't staying in GL after all, she was going to Ft. Lee VA flying out on Friday.  So we revamped our plans for the weekend!

After PIR, we waited for her at the Nex while she went to grab her things.  Then she picked up her coin and we were off to lunch.  She requested Mission BBQ which was only about 15 minutes away in Gurnee.  We went back to the hotel where the first order of business for her was to take a shower alone (LOL) and put on some comfortable clothes.  We ordered pizza from Giordano's for dinner, and it was delicious.  We had to have her back by 8:30 (so she could be signed back in by 9:00).  

Our original Thanksgiving plans didn't pan out, so hubby and I made a run to the grocery store, while she took a bath with a bath bomb from Lush (her favorite). We ended up with a Thanksgiving chicken with all the trimmings, and everything worked out fine!

Friday we met her at the airport and got our gate passes when she picked up her boarding pass. We spent the day there together walking around, checking out the stores and having lunch.  We left her about 1/2 an hour before she boarded so she could just chill and focus a little before her flight.  She didn't want to board the plane crying right after saying good-bye.  Actually did ok with tears at the airport, knowing we could now text and call anytime.  But when we got back to the hotel, and I started to repack the bags we brought because she supposed to be staying in GL, the tears started to flow!  

We have texted every day, FaceTimed and had phone calls with her, and that has been wonderful!  

And Bootcamp0924 - I'm right there with you!  Hooyah DIV 416!!  

Rosanne - thanks for sharing your PIR experience too!  Glad you have frequent communication now ~ that's a great feeling for sure ;-D

tammybikerunfaithlove – She will be coming home during that timeframe too.  I am counting down as well!! ☺ She told me that she does not mind going in the negative (hole) because she is ready to come home.  She said that she cannot wait to feel the carpet under her feet, (LOL).  She cracks me up.  Is your son taking the shuttle to the airport?  She bought her ticket today for the 0730 shuttle.

Roseanne - thank you for sharing your experience! I wish I could have met you and your family while in GL.  Congratulations to your daughter!  What a great accomplishment! I wish your daughter the best of luck in her Navy journey.

Chipmunk – I am glad to hear that all is well.  May you continue to find relief and get better every day.

Lapdja – ☺ As far as the baskets, the families got really creative.  What I can remember from that night, I saw money, blankets, mugs, navy memorabilia, popcorn, alcohol, hot sauces, BBQ sauces, etc.  So very happy and excited for you! 

Tootie – I too, pray for your SR’s healing!  May he get better and better every day.

Northwoodsmom – Jaw drop!  What a creative mind you have! ☺

B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN – Thank you for this incredible site to share these moments! 

belovedbyHim – ☺ Her photos were here when I arrived home.  Her division photo was included, thank goodness!

Rosanne -- Thank you for sharing!! I'm sorry you didn't get more time but I'm glad for the time you got!  What a wonderful thing to get to see her get an award too!! Yes, you have ever right to be proud!! Congratulations again!

Bootcamp0924 -- YEAH!!! I'm glad you got the Div photo and didn't have to pay extra!

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

PIR DECEMBER 2022

Thank you B'sNukeMoMMMN for the Merry Monday wish. I wasn't feeling it, but that made me think I should try harder. Have a good week everyone. Safe travels to all who have to navigate winter roads on their way to work!

B'sNukeMoM, oh my gosh you nailed it perfectly, Love it