Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

It looks like RTC has updated their website again, I have to get used to the new format! 

Tootie -- I am heartbroken for you both to hear that he has had ADDITIONAL fractures occur!! I agree that it is a hard choice but coming home and healing may be the best option for him both mentally and physically!! We are proud of Him for trying and wish him well, be it here in the Navy or out in the "Real" world! Be sure he finds out if the Navy will pay for his medical care for his legs while he's getting stronger at home and Exactly what he need to do to re-enlist should that be his decision.

I agree it would be helpful if you can stick around to help other moms with SR's who may end up in RCU.  There is nothing like hearing from a mom who has been there, Done that to ease those worries. 

However, If you choose to leave this page, I also understand that and I wish you and your Sailor all the best!! Please stick around long enough to let us know that he's home safely!  All the best to you and your Son no matter what the future holds!

Just a reminder-- Do NOT delete your account on here otherwise all the information you posted is also deleted!!

Thank you all for your kind words.  I will certainly keep connected and glad to be of any help to anyone.  My son called today to say he started the separation process.  I told him again that I was glad he was coming home and that he would now have time to reassess if he wants to reenlist.  His response was "Oh I'm definitely going back!" So...looks like I'll be sticking around for awhile until we do this all over again in 6 months!  I'll keep you all posted during the process about his separation experience and his medical care. He did tell me that he is eligible to continue his Tricare health insurance for 180 days after separation - so that is very good.  He said the separation process will take 10-20 days before he comes home.  I'll be so glad to see him!!

Welcome Jasmyne -- You have come to the right place to get your sea legs.  Please see my blog at : https://navyformoms.ning.com/profiles/blogs/welcome-to-the-navy-eve...
There will be some good information there for you as you are getting ready for your Son to leave.

Tootie -- Do please keep us updated.  It sounds like he's in a good head space and that coming home to recover is a great plan.  I do hope that he's able to fully recover and heal and strengthen those bones (Take lots of Calcium and Drink his milk!!) and pursue his dreams! 

Tootie - That is good news to hear that one your son is doing well with his decision but also that there is still some insurance available for him.  - I also encourage Vit D! 

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

Went to Pinnacle Peak for a nice steak this weekend.  Been a long time since we've been "out".  It was yummy!  Hubby, youngest son and his fiance.  It was a beautiful day in sunny SoCal!

I have the March PIR group up.  No PIR's 3/3 or 3/10. 

Here's the link:

PIR MARCH 2023

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

PIR MARCH 2023

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

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

Hello Everyone I had a wonderful weekend! My family and I went to Great Lakes for my sons' graduation on 1/06/2023. I must say we had an awesome time. We weren't able to make it to Sarge's Meet and Greet due to the time frame that we flew in. We flew with United with no problems. We stayed in an Air BnB in Waukegan. I rented a vehicle so we could get around with no problems. The air BnB was about 10 minutes from post. He is staying in Great Lakes for A school so after graduation, we had about 10 minutes with him and he had to leave to go get settled in. 4 hours later he called for me to pick him up and he was able to stay with us for the rest of the weekend. We cooked dinner on Friday and let him relax. On Saturday we went to the outlet which is about 10 minutes away, and then we went downtown Chicago to explore, and try some deep-dish pizza. On Sunday we went and had brunch at the Cheesecake Factory before we dropped him back off. I wish I would've known he didn't have to report back until 21:00 I would've made arrangements to stay another day. His A school was supposed to start yesterday but he is being delayed for two classes ahead of him, but none the less we can talk and facetime every day until he is finished with A school. He will then head to San Diego. The whole weekend was filled with bliss. So those who are waiting for graduation hold tight it will definitely be worth the wait :) #proud mom of a sailor

sounds wonderful cheri39.. same path as my sailor who is in San Diego now after over a year at GL. Love the communication..

glad you had a good time cheri39!  He'll love it when he gets to San Diego ;-D

Cheri39 - Sounds like a wonderful weekend! The 2 days we spent in GL for PIR rank as some of the best ever for me. Wishing your sailor all the best in school and in San Diego. 

Cheri39 - It sounds like you had an amazing time!!!  If you haven't already come join us in the Beyond BC - Navy For Moms (ning.com) group!!  I will say, one benefit of driving, was that we had a little more flexibility with our schedule than if we had flown. 

Welcome to our group -  DiannaB - We are glad you have joined us. Be sure to come say hello!!

For our newer members, I encourage you to keep coming by and posting. It helps me to recall who has a SR at BC and we just get to know everyone better. My sailor will be completing his enlistment before long. It is hard to believe. I stick around to encourage others to stick around and come share with all of you, as well as in the Nuke Moms group. 

cheri39 -- Thank you so much for sharing your PIR with us!  It is just the best time!! I'm sorry you didn't know to stay till Monday with your Sailor staying in Great Lakes.  Hopefully other moms coming behind can learn from you.

cheri39 - sounds like the perfect weekend with your sailor!  Best of luck to him!

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

PIR MARCH 2023

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

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

Welcome aboard to dilyn1967 & DiannaB - We are glad you have joined us, and this is the best place to post your hellos and your questions for our group!

I just want to encourage everyone that is able to attend Sarge's Meet N Greet. We had a wonderful time, the food was great, (be sure to donate something if possible - but definitely RSVP) and we met people that night who became our Saturday and airport families that we stuck around with. 

B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) -- I'm with you!!! Who do we see to collect our $200??

Welcome dilyn1967 & DiannaB --  Please read my blog to give you an idea of what the first few weeks may look like.. Welcome to the Navy... Everything will be ok!  The First part is some things to do before your SR leaves IF you Can, It’s NOT ESSENTIAL! Up and to the Left is a link to all the Navy Lingo! It is titled Navy Speak and you can find it here. We are here to get you through the “Great Silence” of the next 4 weeks (ish) and the 10 weeks of BC (ish). You will come to learn that No News Is GOOD News and everything is Needs of the Navy. You life will be Hurry Up and Wait and it’s ok to make plans but they are subject to change until after they have happened so it’s best to embrace the Motto: Semper Gumby!! (Always Flexible!!)

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

PIR MARCH 2023

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

Proudmomof2 - Welcome to our group. This is where you want to come say hi and introduce yourself and post questions. Be sure to scroll through some of the recent posts as well. 

Then be sure to go back to the top and start your way down. There is a lot of information on this group page. But feel free to ask questions.  Also, be sure to check out RTC Bootcamp website as well. They also have a lot of information. 

If you live close to MEPS, you might be able to follow your SR from there over to the airport and receive a gate pass to accompany your SR to his gate and wait for his flight. I would ask him first if he wants you to, but know that it is a possible option. The airlines are the ones that grant you access and you need all identification as if you were flying. 

Be sure to check your profile page for messages - That goes for everyone, and watch your Inboxes as well. 

SRs (seaman recruits) do not need to have a phone card if you can't get one ahead of time. They will be able to purchase one at the NEX @ RTC.  They do need a black or at least dark Navy wallet. Their SS card, DL, and to know their bank account. Also, they should be able to have a very small sized memo (breast pocket sized) notebook with addresses and phone #s. Or write these on an index card and tuck inside a Bible or other religious text that is allowed. 

Some people write a small note and stick it in their SRs wallet for those times of waiting for the first letter. 

Be sure to read on the RTC site about Sandboxx - 

Sandboxx Information

Recruit Training Command (RTC) allows recruits and their families to regularly communicate. All RTC families will receive the recruit’s mailing address and information about graduation. The general information is also on our website www.bootcamp.navy.mil located under the “Graduation” tab.

Recruits may regularly receive letters from families via USPS or other mailing services. Another alternative is communication through a private company, Sandboxx. Should your recruit opt-in to the Sandboxx service, you will receive a text message and/or email with a link to create a profile. Once you create a profile, you will have expedited access to their mailing address, division number, and graduation date, in addition to recurring updates about what your recruit is experiencing during training. The information is FREE to access once you have registered.

Also check out our information at Sandboxx App for BC

Momof2, there are tow things I wish we would of done that I didn't was get a passport for him and then do a power of attorney. Mine went in during Covid so we didn't have any times to accomplish any of this, we tried when he was home during Christmas but things did work out. I am hoping to get things done before he heads to his duty station.  Even dealing with cell phones can be a pain if your name isn't on it.  It's not a biggie but would of been so much easier if it was done.

Here's the link to watch today's PIR - happening live now:

LIVE PIR JAN 13, 2023

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

PIR MARCH 2023

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

Congratulations to all of our new sailors!!! If you are at PIR - Have a wonderful time!

Navy Mom 101 - Things to do before BC - 

As Northwoodsmom stated: 

- Get Passport

- Get POA

another get a NFCU - Navy Fed Credit Union account if able and wish. Also, have yourself put on as a joint owner with you sailor, or find out what they need for a POA (they will need to verify any outside POAs @ NFCU) if you choose not to be on an account with your sailor. 

Also - Get their Driver's License!!  This is especially important if your sailor is going to be a Nuke. They will live off Base for their Prototype training and need to have a personal vehicle for transportation as well as a Driver's License. - Our recruiters expected my son to have a Driver's License and so when we were still slower doing that with him, they were insistent, he still had it before leaving for BC, but he did not have a lot of driving experience. Thankfully, he was able to ride his bike a lot at his A school and learned to use his phone's GPS during that time. It is still not the same as driving a car. Some of the bases like Norfolk, VA do not have a good bus system and are very large, they may have a lot of driving when stationed there, as well as being in a "high risk" area. 

Discuss Budgeting!! - This is another issue that I hear many parents comment about. Especially during COVID there were many situations with our sailors having to pay for lodging while they were on ROM - restriction of movement, after they left A school, but before they were allowed to board the ship, etc. They had to pay out of pocket and then wait for reimbursements. Or if they have to lodge in an apartment or such at some point, they need money in savings to cover unexpected expenses. Not just splurge and spend their money on expensive gaming equipment, TVs or such they may have to give away later, or expensive cars. 

Tip on getting a passport - Look online for the passport offices (Google it - sorry I can't at the moment). Find the stand-alone offices versus the ones at USPS. - If you go to a Post Office, you may wait a long time because of the priorities given to postal workers. (One of my children had a personal experience with that!) When I was trying to get my son's passport over a Christmas leave, we found a passport office at a local university that was still open but the school was closed for the holidays. I was able to park right outside, versus paying for parking, and we got right in and out. I think they even took his photo there as well. And since he already had his military ID, I had the impression that his passport was expedited, because they had been talking about delays, but I had his passport received in the mail within about 3 weeks or so, maybe two. I kept with us until I went to see him. I think it had to be mailed to his home of record address which was our house. 

If you do not have a passport before they leave for BC that is okay, at least if they are going to have a long school period. And even if not, they can also apply for one with help from the Navy, but it is strongly recommended, as you never know when their ship will be headed to an oversees port. 

I will say, if possible, wait until your child is at least 18 before getting their passport, that way it will be good for 10 years. I think if they are under 18 it is only good for 5 years. At least that was the case with my girls years ago. 

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

PIR MARCH 2023

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

REMINDER - NO Meet N Greet this week (1/19).  Sarge has previous appointments scheduled.  They will resume next week.

Good Morning Everyone!!

Please join me in welcoming TexasGir! to our group! We are glad to have you. This is the best place to ask questions as more members will see the notifications and be able to reply. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We got to see our grandbabies and we are making plans for when our sailor can come see his nephew, who is growing bigger every day!

Hi TexasGirl, from another Texas girl...

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

PIR MARCH 2023

PIR FEBRUARY 2023

PIR JANUARY 2023

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,).

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).

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.

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