Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Today's PIR live:

PIR March 17, 2023

Click on the link to watch.

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

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

PIR MARCH 2023

Diahn - Welcome to BC Moms! You're about to start a journey like no other.  Becoming a Navy Mom is full of adapting, trust and...PATIENCE! And jokes, because sone of these Moms are funny! But there will be tears sometimes and gnashing of teeth. And Navy Moms will be here to help you, answer questions and guide you through it all. Chime in as much as you want, or sit back and just read if that's your style. No pressure, no judging. Just opens arms, open ears and open hearts. Glad you're here!

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Did anyone get a phone call? How about letters? Is anyone using the Sandboxx APP? 

My son's letters usually arrived on Thursday. I would write him emails and then I printed those out and mailed them. I always added a little handwritten note as well. I also had friends of our who sent him cards and letters. 

Hello to our new Navy Moms. I remember my first few weeks on N4M'S. I just sat back and read the post, so unsure of everything that was happening. I wouldn't dare post anything my emotions were such a mess. Really I thought if I put myself out there they would think I was a complete nut job and kick me off the site. The more I got to know these wonderful Ladies the more I trusted to let go of some of the feels that were torturing me. 

With compassion they wrapped me in their tender care and day by day encouraged me on this amazing rollercoaster of a journe y. I learnt everyone deals differently with the stress. belovedbyHim even had me laughing with her story. Through all the ups and downs you will find a bonding of friendship beyond anything you could imagine. I love, respect and cherish them all for helping me through these past 3 years. I hope you all can build everlasting friendships through your Sailors journey. Prayers and God Bless your son's and daughters as they serve our country with pride.

Good Morning Everyone!!

I am very thankful for all of our members who continue to share their stories and words of encouragement here for our new members. Each of us has our own story as to how we came to BC Mom and Loved Ones group, how we dealt with the roller coaster emotional ride, but each one of us, year by year we have grown and gotten stronger. 

Some of us were able to attend PIR, others were restricted during Covid, and others due to distance, timing, or finances were not able to attend. But we continue to bond and encourage each other during the ups and downs of Navy life with our children. 

NWM - Very well said! 

Happy first day of Spring!

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

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

PIR MARCH 2023

Here is information on the Sandboxx App, with as much updated information as I think we have been able to put together since GL has changed how they are notifying families of the SRs mailing addresses. 

Sandboxx App for BC

If you are going to PIR on Friday try to make it to Sarge's Meet N Greet - it's the Thursday night before PIR.  Here's the link to RSVP:

Sarge's Meet N Greet

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

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

PIR MARCH 2023

Happy Thursday!

Happy Friday!  I've got my RED on.

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

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

PIR MARCH 2023

Today's PIR - live:

LIVE PIR MARCH 24, 2023

BZ to 454 of the US Navy's newest Sailors!

Good Morning Everyone!! Congratulations to all of our newest sailors and their families!  

If you have a recently new sailor, please come join us in the Beyond BC group. It is a great place to stay connected and to ask questions regarding Navy life after BC.

I am a little slower getting ready this morning, but I will be sporting my RED shirt today!! 

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

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

PIR MARCH 2023

We are heading out on vacation next week.  Going to Branson, MO for a week.  If anyone has any suggestions as to what to see/do, I'm all ears.  So far the only thing planned is the Aquarium - tickets are purchased!  Youngest son and his fiancee are joining us and they already have 2 different days of golf planned.  Hubby and I don't golf (unless you count putt-putt lol!) so we'll look for something else to do then.  I did see they have the Salt Caves there so we want to do a hike....and we want to see a show, just haven't figured out which one.....

B'sNukeMoM-- No suggestions but if you are willing to scout it out for me, I'd be grateful!! We are supposed to go there for a week in Aug with my Hubby's club. Most of our time is scheduled but we have a few free afternoons/evenings and we are looking at what we might want to do.

B'sNukeMoM and belovedbyHim - not sure if either of you are Elvis fans but if you are, Dean Z is fantastic and he has a great show in Branson and the Clay Cooper Theatre.

https://www.claycoopertheatre.com/dean-z

Praying for Nashville today.  Another senseless school shooting.  My heart is hurting.

Tootie - thanks for the suggestion - we do want to see a show.  Chipmunk also gave me some fun suggestions (posted over in our nuke moms group), so I've got a few things to look at. belovedbyHim - I'll definitely let you know what we end up doing.

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

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

PIR MARCH 2023

Good Tuesday to All - 

I'm asking for prayers because my son had to schedule another bone scan because last week when he was running his 8 laps, he only got to 7 because his legs had the same sharp pain in them as he had back in December.....:( He would've graduated in April (we were hoping). Maybe his legs are OK, and the pain is nothing at all :| 

patti - I'm sorry to hear he is still having pain. I hope it turns out to be nothing.  Keep us updated.

Patti - So sorry to hear this. Sending up prayers.

So sorry Patti.  I'll be praying for him!

Oh, Patti-- Praying that he's able to call you with good news!! I hope it's just that he can just push past the pain enough to graduate!! (Without causing further harm to himself of course!!) After this The PT testing is so much easier because they can swim instead run!

I believe my sailor mentioned if you are at GL then you have to run PT. Other bases allow rowing or biking.. 

Trey -- I hadn't heard Rowing but most allow for the Swim to replace the run but yes, at GL... Run only!

I will double check I may have misheard row for swim

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

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

PIR MARCH 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'm new here.

My son (diagnosed with high functioning autism) is considering enlisting.
We did have some discussions with the recruiting officer and mentioned the autism.
They asked if he's on any medication, and he is not. So far they seem ok to consider him.
He has completed a year of Army Cadet (British Army).

We are planning to visit the LA recruitment office in a few months time.

Having read a few posts on bootcamp I'm a bit concerned about the bootcamp. Would it be too intense? or become counterproductive to his aspirations?

NavyM&D, I have no idea how the Navy deals with pre-existing conditions. My son had severe acne and they denied his entrance into the Navy for several years. I do know that some recruits (when they found out they were treated for autism when younger) were put on hold or had to get a waiver.  The training is intense, they are trying to determine how they will handle situations under stress.  His doctor would be the most knowledgeable expert with this question. I do know that stressful situations is one of the triggers to our school students with autism. Perhaps there is some information in our files. Good luck to your son and his desire to serve our nation!

NavyM&D -- That is a very individual question.  For some young people the stress and intensity is too much and there is no opportunity to "Step back and take a break", Others thrive under the highly regimented lifestyle and strict adherence to routine and discipline.  You know your child best and therefore are the best equipped to answer your own question.  I am not familiar with "Army Cadet (British Army)" and what all they require.  As for it "become counterproductive to his aspirations", I guess that would depend on what he aspires to.  If he wants to be a Pilot, Medic or go into the Nuke ratings, that may be tough to do, given his history, but if he wants to be a mechanic, or a Seabee or any number of other career options he may very well be fine.  Has he taken the ASVAB?  That is step one.  From there you can see what jobs are possible for his scores and then you can better determine if this is a course you want to investigate further.  The Recruiters should be able to tell him if having autism is an exclusionary condition or not.
You may find this article helpful as you move forward.  There are tons of other Navy sites so I'd do as much reading as you can to learn what the Navy policies are.
https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/can-you-join-the-military-wit...

Hi NavyM&D.. glad to see you here.. I replied to you on Reddit. Hope you can find more info here. 

Navy M&D - Welcome to this site and to our group. We are glad you have found us. I hope you can get some of the answers that you are looking for. I am not sure on other jobs, but I am familiar with the Nuke program, and it is very unlikely that your son would be picked up for that rate. 

This discussion might have some helpful information as you learn to navigate this site - Private Messages - Creating & Sending + OPSEC

Happy Thursday!

Navy M&D - I sent you a PM.  belovedbyHim gave you some pretty good info too.  Best thing is you/your son must do a lot of research and don't rely 100% on what the recruiter tells you either.

NavyM&D - we are here to help in any way we can.  And it looks like you are doing your research - nice to see that and the support for your son!  I will be curious to see how this turns out.  Keep us updated - and feel free to continue asking questions as your research deepens.

Hello all.  I just received the first letter from my child.  It has been 2 weeks and 2 days and the comments in the letter almost suggest an atmosphere of being treated like dirt.  I understand discipline and following directions etc., but you don't kick a dog for instance, if they don't sit and shake.  I totally get the importance of stress and the greatest military in the world.  However, we are human beings and being treated like .... I don't know... this kid is very tough and often exhibits a bold attitude and demands (the other person) show respect.  "respect" has been something he lives by.  There will be respect coming from my kid, but to hear the disrespect and just rude way of handling recruits is sad.  The biggest fear is to be held back.  Is that when they withhold food and bring out the belt?  Im kidding, I think....  I am just having attitude because I am not there, lol, to tell the 'teacher' to be nice to my kid.  thanks for listening and, I hope they don't put hands on these children, but hands/words/side-eye/profanity --- seriously unprofessional.  ok, i said it

monwojo, my son didn't say anything about being mistreated while he was doing BC, of course that's my son. I would yell at him and he would never even open his mouth, just stood there and took it. His Dad and Grandpa were military and I am sure they talked to him about what to expect. When I asked him about it all he told me is " he liked the challenge". 

I am actually glad I don't know about that part of it because I know for certain my Mama Bear mentality would of come out. They certainly break them down and then build them back up. When I got to see mine after BC I was very impressed with not only my son but all of his friends. Military is a rough life, it is a sacrifice by being made by these young men and women. I have learnt through these 3 years of being a Navy Mom my opinion doesn't hold one iola of weight and neither does my Sailors.  Either you embrace it or despise it. I am happy to say my son loves what he is doing and that makes the whole ordeal worth it. Good Luck to your Recruit.