Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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PIR MARCH 2023

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Hi,

My daughter leaves for BC on February 15th. I have not been emotional because I had suggested the military to her. My Grandfather and his entire family were all in the military. She decided to apply and the rest is history. She will be going to Pensacola after BC for aviation electrician. 
Suggestions on phone cards, and how lightly packed should I send her? What is not worth sending? And is $50 enough?
Sorry for all of the questions. My Grandfather passed away when I was young so besides some medals and flags I inherited I am lost.

I would not worry much about the phone card.. I tried to send one with my sailor but it didn't work right.  He told me that he just picked one up at the NEX and used that.. No cash..Very light pack.. only clothes mine took was what he was wearing.. I do think they get to keep their own running shoes now.. We put our phone numbers on a piece of small paper. There are posts that list more specifically and other moms and info at this site will help more..  Big Navy Mom Hugs.. know we are here for all support...

Hi Valkyrie - Welcome Aboard!! 

My son did take a little bit of cash, but I would not suggest more than $20.00. But Trey's sailor was at BC more recently than my son. If you are interested in getting your daughter set up with a Navy Federal Credit Union account, you can do that ahead of time and she can go ahead and sign up for their Early Start Savings CD, I think it is. It is a special account that earns a higher rate that your daughter would qualify. If you do set up a NFCU account, I would still keep her other local bank account open as well. But her DOD - Dept of Defense checks will go in earlier to NFCU, also there are other benefits for our military that are not often offered by your personal bank. You can check that out between the two banks before your daughter leaves. 

Make sure she has her driver's license, and if so, when will it need to be renewed. Depending on what her schooling and job entails, she may or may not be able to easily get her ID renewed. How easy is it for her to renew her DL if she is away? If you do not have a POA, are you able to be joint on her accounts or able to discuss accounts, even for things like cell phones, car insurance. 

If she worked last year, has she gotten her taxes filed?? That would probably be my greatest priority suggestion for someone leaving at this time. 

Trey shared some good advice. 

Valkyrie -- Welcome!! 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!!)

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PIR MARCH 2023

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Today's PIR happening now:

LIVE PIR JAN 27, 2023

Congratulations to all of our new sailors!! I am also wearing my RED today - 

Thank you for all of your support on my sailor’s bootcamp journey. We officially have a sailor ⚓️

SantaFeMom - Congrats to you and your sailor! 

SantaFeMom - Congratulations!!! BZ!!

SantaFeMom, I am so happy for you and your Sailor, congratulations. I hope you get the big hug real soon!

SantaFeMom.. congrats to your sailor and you.. got your plans for going to PIR?

SantaFeMom - So Happy for your call!  Congratulations to your new sailor!!! 

WHOOP
WHOOP
WHOOP
ATTENTION ON DECK!!
WE HAVE A SAILOR

CONGRATULATIONS to SantaFeMom and her Sailor on a job well done!

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PIR MARCH 2023

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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®

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).

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

Map to Graduation Ceremony:

Map to Graduation

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PIR MARCH 2023

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Just a heads up - I'm going to have limited computer access tomorrow through Sunday.  My dad passed away on the 18th and I'm heading to Washington to help out with some of his things.  Y'all hold down the fort please....

B'sNukeMom - So sorry for your loss.

B'sNukeMom - My condolences to you and your family. 

SantaFeMom - I hope you are able to attend PIR. We look forward hearing about your visit. Remember to share here in the comment section, but also please feel free to add your experience to our discussion PIR Weekend Experiences - Post Covid . Also, if you have any questions about PIR, we will do our best to help answer them. 

Good Morning Everyone!!

Here is the information and the links for watching PIR LIVE

Our graduation ceremony will be live streamed Friday at 0900 Central. Use either our Facebook or YouTube link to view.

I always encourage anyone who is planning to attend PIR, try to watch either live or on the video replay the PIR a week or two prior to your sailor's. It will give you an idea of what to expect. If you watch the replay then you can FFwd through parts of it. 

I also just saw some information posted on the RTC FB page, about relocating some of the divisions from Ship#12 to Ship #11. Hopefully this link works so you can see it posted. - (2) Facebook

And

Frequently check the RTC FB page for any updated news or pictures - (2) U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command | Facebook

As well, my go to information was RTC Bootcamp website  I did not know about this group until a week before PIR, they have updated their site and there is a lot of information there. 

Newer Members: A heads-up message for you. After a post in another group, it occurred to me to mention this. If your loved one does not have their driver's license before they head to BC, for some rates, they might be okay, but not for Nukes.  

My son's recruiter was adamant that he had his DL before heading to BC. I don't know if he realized that Nukes had to live off site (part of the time) and needed not only a DL but also a vehicle or not, but he was surprised my son still did not have his DL yet. (See post on Nuke Moms Group).

There are other reasons to make sure your loved one has their DL, especially if they live on a base that is very large and has minimal public transportation. Some sailors, especially if they are deployed a lot, can get by with using Ubers, Taxis, etc., but that is no guarantee. At least if your son/daughter has their license, they have more flexibility and freedom when they need it. 

Good Evening everyone!! I hope you all have been having a wonderful Saturday. I have been spending the day with my youngest!!

Did anyone get a phone call this weekend? 

Proudmomof2 -- YEA!!!! Aren't those phone calls the BEST!!! I Hope he's doing well and that you are hanging in there!  Only 7 more weeks to go!!

I lived for those phone calls.. always wanted more and longer talks lol..

Proudmomof2 - WooHoo!!  I am so happy for you!! 

I know this is silence hard to get used to, but as I remind our new Navy Moms and other loved ones, this is training for us as well.

I always leave my ringer up on high and I answer all calls, but I especially answer the ones that show they are coming from my sailor. Even in church!!! Even when the pastor is praying!! I have gotten up and walked out of the church service more times than I can count on my hand over the course of the years that my son has been enlisted. His schedule can change on a dime, especially when it comes to what the ship is doing. He wants to talk to me as much as I do with him, so when he knows I won't be able to just call and talk to him, he calls me for a last chat until the next time. 

Good Morning Everyone!!

We are one week closer to your PIR date!

B'sNukeMom - I hope things went well for you that last week. 

Hi all - I'm back.  Physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted but I did get lots done. 

The March PIR group is complete now.

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PIR MARCH 2023

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Click on the picture to enlarge:

My dad was in the Navy from 1956-1959.  He went in at 17 years old - his mom signed for him. He was in 11th grade.  His dad was pissed because he lost his farm help lol.  I found these pictures while going through dads stuff - he looks like a baby!

The first picture is his boot camp graduation (in San Diego back then) and the 2nd is from his "cruise book" on the USS Boxer.

April PIR group is now up.  Here's the link to join:

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B'sNukeMoM, he looks like he is about 12. Great pictures and memories. I wonder where he got the nickname from.