Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Beachymom - It's possible that he did sadly there is no way that I know of to confirm that information.  You may be in for a long wait.  Maybe reach out to sandboxx and see if they have any information?  It possible that they can fix a typo but I really don't know.

Beachymom - I have to agree with BelovedbyHim, it is really hard to tell. This is all new for most of us with the Sandboxx text messages. We are used to the snail mail, and it would usually take about 3 weeks before we would receive our form letters. 

Did everyone see this update on the FB page ?

Friends & family of RTC,

Due to a recent reorganization, we are relocating divisions into new ships (barracks). Although recruits will be afforded opportunities to call and provide their new addresses, below is a list of where the divisions are being moved to and where you can reach your recruit moving forward.

SantaFeMom - No, I had not noticed this. THANK YOU for sharing! 

I am hopeful all the Christmas cards that have already been sent will be forwarded to the new address. It looks like the recruits are “moving “ on Saturday to their new barracks. 

SantaFeMom -- Yes, I saw that last night but then by the time I got home and started on a project, I had forgotten.  I'm sure the mail room is well aware of the "Confusion" this will cause for a bit and they are prepared to adjust mail as needed.  I just hope it doesn't cause delays in delivery!!  (Hopefully there is NO cash or other "Gifts" sent in the cards!!)

BeachyMom-- YEA!!!! I'm so glad you got the text!! There are a million and ones things happening in this first week so it's not uncommon for there to be all kinds of delays or changes.  Yes, there are some things that are volunteer and others that they are Volentold for.  We can speculate as to why but really it almost seems to be random from our view point. 
Just so you know, According to my Sailor... NAVY stands for Never Again Volunteer Yourself!  You will have to wait for communications to find out for sure why he ended up in a 900Div.

Beachymom - Proof of life is definitely something to be excited about!!  Here is information on the 900 divisions. - 800 and 900 Divisions - Navy For Moms (ning.com) - To my understanding they no longer have the separate 800 divisions, so scroll down past that information to the bottom.  

The 800 divisions were for our "special" SRs as I refer to them, I think they now incorporate those rates into the general BC divisions. If anyone has a SR that falls into this category feel free to reach out privately to B'sNukeMom, myself, or BelovedbyHim, we can direct you to more information. 

Ladies -- Have you seen the Great Lakes 12 days of Christmas posts on FB?  They are a Hoot!! https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand/

Good Morning Everyone!!  I hope your Monday is starting out well. We have sunshine, so I am thankful for that. 

BelovedbyHim - That is a hoot!! Thanks for sharing. 

How are all of our new members and those with SRs doing? I just wanted to remind you that this time especially can be very hard not having your loved one home. Thankfully my son went through BC during the summer, so I don't have a lot of words of advice what to write to your recruits about at the moment, but I would definitely focus on asking them questions, showing your interest in what they are doing. You may use BelovedbyHim's timeline to field questions. Or you might try sending one of the questionnaires.  Letter writing and fun stuff/questionnaire - check out the link to that page on the right. It is also okay for you to send an extra letter in your mail to your SR that they might share with a shipmate who is not receiving mail. And you may have children draw Christmas cards, or a picture. Just remember - no glitter!! And no newsprint as it can smudge. 

What are you doing to take care of yourself?  - If you haven't checked out the Blue Candle discussion above, do so.  Christmas has a lot of preparation time in and of itself, to help you stay busy, but have you read a good book lately. Watched a Christmas show, put together a jigsaw puzzle, started working on an old or new hobby project? What about an indoor workout routine? 

I cannot get out walking as much as my husband and I were doing when we had more daylight hours. I knew I had to do something, and I don't like getting out in the morning to go driving to work out at a gym, so I decided to look online for some ideas. I found a couple of low impact cardio routines that I have worked through and actually am combining to make a comfortable option for myself. 

Remember, we are here for you. Feel free to come share as often as you need to. 

Our sailor was at RTC 2 Christmas ago. We went to the other side of the state to spend the holiday with our older son, his fiancee and part of her family. Her brother in law is from Denmark, they had planned to go there for the holidays, but thanks to COVID they were not able to. Instead he cooked a traditional Danish dinner and introduced us to some of their traditions. I was surprised, but it really helped me to celebrate in a different way than normal. Trying a new tradition might help some of you get thru with a bit more cheer. I was feeling blue about what to do regarding a gift for our sailor. We ended up making a donation to a charity that had been important to him. Bonus was we got several notes and a phone call from people asking how our sailor was doing and sharing funny antidotes about him. It was really special.  

Beachymom - Here's the link to the 900s Division group.  My son was also in a 900 division - he was a "body snatcher".  And yes, they are "voluntold"! 

I have info posted over there regarding the various jobs they do.

900s Division

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

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

Hey guys!  Last week I had the pleasure of attending my son's PIR (Wed 12/14).  All the advice and information that everyone has shared on this site has been life saving!  We decided to drive from Dallas, Texas to Waukegan, IL instead of booking a flight because we didn't want to risk dealing with delayed and canceled flights! And it's a good thing we did, because on Tuesday, many many flights out of Dallas were canceled due to several tornado warnings in North Texas.  My ex, my Sailor's dad, was due to fly up early Tuesday morning and was to attend Sarge's Meet and Greet with us, but his flight was canceled due to the tornado that touched down just north of DFW airport.  We were in panic mode for a few hours before he was able to get on a new flight later that afternoon.  Unfortunately, he didn't make it to the meet and greet, and apparently a lot of folks that were flying in that Tuesday morning had similar problems, because Sarge said there were a large number of RSVPs that no showed.  So we drove up from Dallas to just north of Saint Louis on Monday and stayed the night, got up early Tuesday morning and drove the remaining 4 hours to Waukegan and arrived around 11:30am.  We (my father and I) went straight to pick up our tickets, didn't have to stand in line, and then did a little (okay, a lot) of shopping at the NEX.  We checked into the hotel, showered up and rested a bit, and attended the Sarge's meet and greet.  It was informative and very emotional when the Sarge paid tribute to the Vets.  The sarge does such a phenomenal job to put on this social event.  He addresses everyone by first name and personally engages with just about every person who attended.  We were lucky enough to get reserved seating up in front of the stage and met some families of sailors in our sailor's division (001) which was really cool! It was fun to finally put faces to the names.  The food was great, the personalized Navy memorabilia was great, and my dad purchased a personalized flag for me!!! We got to PIR super early using the Sarge's short cut, and didn't have to stand in line at all!  We sat right in front of the Div 001 sign in the drill hall, however, I wished we had sat closer to the center of the hall because we had a hard time seeing our sailor.  PIR was everything everyone has said it would be and more.  After they called Liberty I rushed down to hug my boy.  Apparently I had a hard time letting go, because my dad, his dad and his granny were waiting patiently to get their turn! We were all in tears.  I cried during the Navy Hymn - it was my paternal grandparents' favorite hymn...my grandpa was a Navy Seabee at the end of WWII and my grandmother, his wife, just passed away in August at 92 so it was pretty emotional.  We did waste a lot of time getting photos (which my sailor ordered a ton of and cost us a small fortune...LOL), and so I would suggest that if you can, have your sailor send them home!  My son had a ton of plans that he wanted to do after PIR when we spoke on the phone the week prior, but in the end, he just wanted to eat lunch out and then order dinner (chinese) in and hang out and relax - in sweat pants!  All in all a great experience, although the weather was horrid, and it went by so fast.  So grateful to have had the opportunity to go!

sounds wonder lapdja.. we are near Dallas as well.. didn't even think about the tornados delaying flights..  Tough drive though, kudos.. Sarge is a lovely man.. I always use his taxi service. but my sailor is in San Diego now and never wants to see Chicago again, or snow.. lol.. yes to the pictures, our sailor did something similar and pricey, but he did send home the shadow box one at least..  Hugs.. where is he off to next?

He's already in Pensacola.  He left RTC at around midnight after PIR and his flight departed Midway at 0600 in the morning.  He's decided to stay on base for Christmas so he can let others go home and to save his leave time for after A school.  

lapdja -- Thanks for sharing.  I'm so glad you had a wonderful time!! I though you were last week!   YIKES about the tornadoes!!! This time of year it's so iffy to travel at all!! Driving you worry about road conditions, Flying you worry about runway conditions or tornadoes or trickle down delays or ......  Not that any other time is easier though!  I'm so glad you got the extra long hug!! The others didn't die waiting but you might have!! Mom privilege!! the First and Longest hugs!!
I agree on the photos!! They are great but expensive.
Tell your SR's to mail them home.  For anyone who is still waiting for their SR to ship or if they are in early days, Write and share this info!!  I know at one point there was a page that had the pricing but the Exchange website is down atm and I cannot find that page.  I'll share when I find it, unless someone else succeeds first.

This doesn't have updated pricing but here's some info.  The link we have shows pricing from 2018....

Photographs and cruise books may be purchased only by the recruit prior to their graduation from boot camp; however, if your recruit did not order a DVD of PIR, the Navy Exchange Photographic Services Office will accept orders on the day of graduation.

Please verify with your recruit that a DVD has not been ordered by them prior to placing your request.

To order a DVD of your Recruit's PIR, please contact the Navy Exchange Photographic Services Officer at (847)578-6205 and provide the following information:

Recruit's Name
Division Number
Date of Graduation (Pass-In-Review) Ceremony
Return Address (Sorry, No P.O. Box or Overseas Addresses Please)
Daytime Phone Number
For prices and additional information, please contact the Navy Exchange Photographic Services Office at 847-578-6205.

Here's the link we have on here that has 2018 pricing:

Division T shirts & pictures

Is there a group I should join here for Pensacola A School moms?  Wondering about sending care packages.  

thanks!

Hi lapdja! I have a sailor at A school in Pensacola now. I have sent him some packages already and he has received them no problem!

lapdja - here's a link to one of the Pensacola groups:

Pensacola FL A School

Good Morning Everyone!! Sorry, I had a slight plumbing issue with my washing machine, just now having a chance to say Hi!

AgnesB - Thank you for sharing your Christmas BC experience with others who are going through it this year. It helps to know that others have learned to make adjustments through the difficult times. 

lapdja - I am so glad that you were able to see your new sailor!!! Wow, I guess I missed the news about tornados near DFW - We also drove, although we are a few hours closer.  Yes, that line at the photo Nex can be long. My sailor had actually picked his pictures up prior to PIR, because he knew we were coming to see him, but many people do have their SR mail them home. 

Besides the Pensacola FL A school group, you may also join the Beyond BC - it is a great group to just stay connected with other Navy family - we have members whose sailors are still in school and others who are at their new commands, so depending on where your sailor ends up, you might make a connection with someone there as well. 

B'sNukeMom - I love the Snoopy pictures but I don't know if my granddaughter would even know what to think of all of the snow. They get very little! I forward them to her every so often. 

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

lapdja, congratulations to you and your son. My son and his big ole heart did the same exact thing, gave up his chance to come home so others could for two years straight.  He then didn't get to come home for 3 years. I was very proud of how he put other before himself until my empty arms ached for him, his Grandma passed away and she never got to see him as a Sailor and his Grandpa is almost 92 and hasn't seen him since he left for MEPS. It was definitely time. Thank our good Lord He Blessed us this year and we have him home after 1069 days! When you give up your chance to come home you might be sacrificing more than you thought about. It is definitely a honorable thing  I just wanted to let others know just what you might be sacrificing!

Welcome Charlotte -- This is the main page where we post most of the Information.  We are here to help you navigate this Navy Boot Camp experience.  If there is anything we can do to support you please just let us know.

lapdja -- I agree.  I encourage every sailor to go home at least once a year if they can manage it.  You just never know what the future holds and while it's admirable to "Let the others go first", Make sure you are on the list to go!   My son isn't going to be able to come home for the holidays but we got to see him this past Oct, so he's taken duty for other guys on both Thanksgiving and Christmas so the guys who have kids can spend it with their family.  He does see that it's very valuable though to come home and see his family from time to time and it gives him a break from "Work" and lets him relax!  Also If you haven't already, Come over and join us on the  Beyond BC group.  You'll see lots of familiar faces and they may be able to connect you with the P-cola folks.

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

LOL!!

Charlotte - Good morning and welcome! I posted a message on your profile page for you as well, but hopefully you see this first. 

Beachymom - this is the info from RTC - hopefully you'll be getting your text soon!

And here's the discussion on the Sandboxx app:

Sandboxx app while in BC

Hello All,

I received my "I'm A Sailor Call" PIR 01/06/2023 Almost there!!

WooHoo Cheri39  congrats to your sailor... and you..

woohoo cheri39! 

cheri39, congratulations to you and your spanking new Sailor. I am so happy for you. Enjoy every minute of your time together.

Beachymom - My apologies, I have had a couple of really busy days. Something that occurred to me earlier when I saw your question, It is your son might have gotten to RTC at the same time as other friends, but for whatever reason, he may have gotten held back to fill a different division, and that may be why you have had a delay with your letter. 

This new Sandboxx situation with them sending the form letters is all new to us. What B'sNukeMom shared was the best first-hand information that we received from RTC. So, maybe they are still sending out some paper form letters, even though our understanding was different.

Our mantra around here is: "No News is Good News". Keeping hanging in there. 

cheri39 -  Congratulations!! To your new sailor, and to you NavyMom - rejoice! You may change your SRs status on your profile page to Enlisted, if you haven't already and you may come join us in Beyond BC Group!!

Sorry I am just catching up!  lapja I was so excited to read about your experience at PIR and so glad you got that hug! 

cheri3 - Congratulations to you and your sailor!! 

Welcome to Charlotte!

Beachymom - my son was in a 900 division before he was injured and they are there a couple of extra weeks while they fill the division, so that might be the delay in getting your letter. However, my son signed up for Sandboxx and I received the text from Sandboxx but never received a welcome letter.  Not sure if they are doing it differently now but you might not even get a welcome letter.  I just had to download the security access form from the RTC website - it never came in the mail.

No updates on my son yet, but hoping for a call in the next week telling me he's cleared from RCU and going back to a new division - maybe they'll get a call for Christmas weekend - fingers crossed!

Charlotte - Welcome!

Cheri39 - Congrats on having a sailor! Hope you'll be able to attend PIR - it's an awesome day!

Lapja - Sounds like such a great time with your sailor. PIR weekend is amazing, and it's fun to see how much our kids change and mature in just a few weeks.

Beachymom - I had the same experience as Tootie. We used Sandboxx, so we were able to download the security form and all necessary info from their site. Never received a physical letter from RTC.