Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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

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

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.

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®

click on the link

welcome mamajess.. how are you doing? where is your recruit at right now, like how many weeks?

Just thought I would do a fast drive by and say hello!  Welcome to this crazy world of emotions. 

I’m Shanny. My son enlisted in 2020 and is a COVID bootcamp survivor.  My experience was very different than yours will be but I’m here to try to help if needed. He is currently stationed in Virginia on a carrier and works on the flight deck. I can’t believe we are almost 3 years in!

you have found a great group of women. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. There truly are no dumb or bad questions. Chances are, I have asked them myself!  Every emotion you are feeling right now is valid. Just know, we are here and we understand. 

Good Morning Everyone!! 

I have my RED on - how about you!!

Shanny - thanks for the fast drive by!!

MamaJess and others, even if your loved one is getting ready to head to BC, don't hesitate to come here and ask questions. We know what things they should take with them, and what they can get at the NEX. 

Also, be sure to read the pages in the upper right of this screen. I prefer to use my computer, so if you are on a mobile device, put it in desktop mode. Remember to click the view all at the bottom of the list on the right. 

I have to get ready for an early morning appointment but here is the BC website page for graduation -  U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command > Graduation - Lots of info and links to watch PIR Live! 

Today's PIR live:

LIVE PIR 4.14.2023

Hello everyone

Hope you're all having nice day.

I saw the intensive training exercise and we're panicking at how my son(with autism)might cope.
(Once again he's completed a year of Army cadet).
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/what-us-navy-recrui...
At present we're preparing to travel (from the UK) to visit the recruitment center in LA California, in some weeks time.
The officer told us that BC is about 10weeks before deployment.
They said its best if parents are around during this period (which makes sense especially as its also a transition phase
for my son). This means I have to secure a means of staying in the country.

Question for help : May I ask if any one knows of any organisation or referrals eg non-profit or others who could offer me a position in the US.
This helps to stabilize our stay once my son is accepted to the BC and deployment. He's concerned that we don't leave him
behind.

Many thanks for your advice.

NavyM&D - I'm not sure why the recruiter would say that you need to be around during boot camp.  You won't be able to see him at all - you may get a couple two or 3 (if you are lucky) phone calls while he's there.  Letters will come after about the halfway point.  In the beginning he might sound very down in the letters but then the tone will perk up.  It's all a mind game. 

We've had many parents on here that were nowhere near close in proximity to their recruits during boot camp and everything turned out fine. 

If, and that's a big IF, he ends up not completing boot camp and is separated (for whatever reason) that will also take time.  It's a process - they don't just send them home overnight. 

So I think you could stay in the UK and it wouldn't be an issue.  If you are planning on going to PIR (graduation) we of course recommend that you make travel arrangements that can be changed with no penalty (get insurance) as anything can happen - they can be setback for various reasons or again, they may not finish. 

You would need to think about that.  If you do come to PIR you might get as little as a few hours with him or you could luck out and it could be a couple of days.  It depends on where he goes after.  They usually don't "deploy" right away.  It's usually somewhere for more schooling - depending on their job.

You're not "leaving your son behind" - he's moving forward with his life.....he needs to make sure he's in the right frame of mind for this - it's definitely as much mental as physical at boot camp - maybe even more mental!

Hope this helps you a little in figuring out your plans....

Navy M&D -- I'm a bit confused.... You currently live in the UK but you are traveling to the US to visit a US Navy Recruiter so your child can enlist in the US Navy? I'm assuming you are US citizens living abroad.  Why did you choose to fly to LA, California instead of somewhere on the East Coast?

BC is 10 weeks, then they usually go to some form of a training school for their job.  Then they go to their first assignment which may or may not involve a deployment.  Usually they are assigned to a ship but not always.  It depends on what the job is.  I'd say if you are going for a first visit to MEPS then Yes, you need to plan to stay stateside until your son is approved for enlistment in the Navy. It sounds like you will have more hurdles to overcome and this is going to be a longer process than you may be thinking. It is rare for a kid to go to MEPS, Sign up, and Ship off to BC the same week. It's rare for them to do it in the same Month!  It does happen but it's rare.  The added complication I see here is that you will need a waiver for the Autism.  That can take a while, so Keep that in mind as well.   

just got a sweet morning phone call!  He's doing better and it is end of week 4 (got some clarification on the "week"  term -- it starts the Thursday of the week they finally get there, not the Monday dropped him off at the recruiters office).  I asked if he ever had someone/RDC yell in his ear, and he said NO and like the boy I know, added the "... because I know not to disrespect"  = lol bahaa okkkkk my arrogant-ish child. 

He also said they did physical assessments and he passed for his age group .... he was worried about the run and passed.  WITHOUT junk food, late nights or back to back days of little sleep and too much video gaming --- I am sure he is surprising himself, with his new set schedule, decent food, and exercise!  

ok, well ... I know from the videos that there are a lot of exciting training modules coming up for him and I think even he is looking forward to it ...  I can see him during the teargas exercise saying 'it didn't even affect me' (did I mention he is a tiny bit cocky).  

ok, going to sleep in a couple hours,  I work overnights and just glad he called me early so I can sleep all day. ALSO, he said they are allowed to call every 2 weeks -- if they behave etc , I'm sure (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡  Nite!

monwojo - WooHOO!!! I am so glad you got an early morning call that worked with your schedule and that your SR is doing so well!!! Thank you for sharing!!

I got the “I’m a sailor!” call yesterday afternoon! He’s in a 900 division, so apparently they go a little earlier than I was expecting - he’s at the end of week 7. He said his team went through with zero strikes, so they were pretty proud of that! Next week I’ll be able to watch for him on the live stream of PIR as he’s in in the honor guard. He sounded great - very proud of himself and his team and I couldn’t be happier for him. Every week has gotten easier for me on this end - only 3 weeks to go before I can give him a hug!

Oh Diahn!! WooHoo! Bravo Zulu to your son!! Congratulations!! They still have to do their final PFA, correct??  We are rejoicing with you!!

@Chipmunk - Yes! Still has to do his final PFA next week. I’ll be able to breathe  easier once that is done!

Diahn - Yes, this slight change to their schedule at the end of BC is different and hard. You want to rejoice but you also know they still have that PFA to complete!! All the best to him!!

Hi everyone...sorry I've been a little out of touch but I'm trying to catch up with everyone's news.  Congratulations Diahn!!  And monwojo - calls are the best!!  Welcome to everyone new here...you'll get so much support from this group!  Quick update on my son - he had a final follow up with his ortho doc last week and his xray showed his tibial fracture is healed and he is clear to start running again.  So he's on a schedule to get back in shape and be ready to reenlist at the end of July (he's so over living at home with me and his Dad and is ready to get back!).  Happy Monday everyone!

Tootie - that's great news!

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

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

WHOOP
WHOOP
WHOOP
ATTENTION ON DECK
WE HAVE A NEW SAILOR
Congratulations to Diahn and BZ to her Sailor

Tootie -- I'm so glad that he is fully healed.  Have they given him ways to prevent this from happening again?  Here's to praying that the waivers process is smooth and he's able to complete BC successfully!  We will STILL be here to cheer him and you on! (I'm sorry he's not loving living with you!  Darned parents and their rules... The Navy wasn't like that!! ;0) )

belovedbyHim - I know right!? - he can make up his bed at bootcamp but not at home - what's up with that? lol!  He is doing physical therapy for strength and conditioning so hopefully that will help to prevent it from happening again.

Tootie -- When my Bee comes home to visit even though it's been nearly 10 years... He's a COMPLETE slob!! I have to constantly remind him that we have a No food or drink (Except water) in the bedroom policy!! I let them eat elsewhere but not in their rooms because I don't want to have to go searching in there for dishes and sliverware!! On one trip home I swore that he was throwing away all my spoons!! Nope... they were buried in his room under dirty underwear and stinky socks!

Welcome MamaBear67!  This is your main page for getting answers to your Navy questions, Support as you transition to a Navy Mom and your space to vent where others get you! 

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

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

Tootie - That is wonderful news!!! I am so glad that his injury has healed up. I agree, I hope he is able to get some direction on better running techniques and how to prevent any future injuries. Just keep encouraging him. 

MamaBear67 - Welcome to the group!!! No matter what stage of the journey you are in, a loved one getting ready for BC and in DEP, thinking about whether or not to join, or already at BC, we are here to support your, encourage you, or answer questions to the best of our knowledge. 

Good Morning Everyone!!!

I hope your week is going well. My SR's letters always arrived on Thursday, based on where we lived. So you all have something to look forward to.

Here are links to some discussions which are not in the queue above, some other helpful sites, and information as well. Also, be sure to read through the information above and in the pages in the upper right. Be sure to click on view all. 

As well, be sure to join your PIR group. The more you post the easier it is for others to connect with you. 

Have a wonderful day!

PIR Weekend Experiences - Post Covid

Private Messages - Creating & Sending + OPSEC

Sandboxx App

RTC - Bootcamp website

Informed Delivery - USPS

Welcome to our newest member Beth!! We are glad you are here. Please come say hi when you have a chance!!

Diahn - One more week closer!!!! Be sure to check out the link I posted below about PIR weekend experiences. Also, if your new sailor will be flying out to their A school, you might want t check out my discussion above. What PIR weekend might look like for those flying out of GL. 

Chipmunk - thanks so much! We are getting excited!

Hello Everyone!

I am asking for some serious prayers for my SR.  Instead of graduating in December, like he was supposed to...he had stress fractures of both thigh bones. THen he was supposed to graduated this month. Nope....stress fractures of both shin bones, so he will be graduating in August. He may make it in time or with special permission, to be in his sister's wedding. 

Please, I'm asking for prayers for his full recovery and a graduation.

Thanks,

Patti

Oh patti - I am so sorry to hear about yet another setback for your SR.. We must always stay hopeful! I will definitely add your son to my prayers. 

Mom2Boss - Welcome aboard!!! WE are glad you have joined the BC Mom and Loved Ones group here on N4M. Please come say hello and let us know when your SR arrived at BC. 

We are here to offer encouragement, answer questions, and help in any way that we are able to. 

Oh Dear Patti!!! For sure!! He also has the option of coming home to heal and address the root causes of the stress fractures and then re-enlisting after his sis's wedding but that means starting over from square 1 instead of going back in at the same point of training that he got pulled due to the fractures so that is a tough call to make!  For sure We'll be praying for him!!

Diahn -- Have you heard if he passed the Run?  Praying for news soon!! (It may not come this week... Not sure how they are handling that call with the change in training)

Welcome Beth & Mom2Boss.  You are in the best place to get any and all Navy questions answered and if we don't know the answer we'll try and help you find someone who does or commiserate with you on the lack of info available! (Your Sailor is still the Best source of Information... They just aren't always the best at sharing it!)

Patti, I will definitely add your son to my prayer list. There are others in the group going through similar injuries. I hope they reach out to you. I know they allow them to bring a good pair of running shoes now, not sure if that would make a difference or not. Also holding you up in prayer, this is so hard on a Mom as well.

Patti - so sorry to hear about this new setback but kudos to him for persevering.  While this is not an ideal situation I'm sure he is figuring out he is much stronger than he ever thought.  Prayers for him and hugs to you!

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

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 2023

PIR APRIL 2023

THank you everyone! He will persevere instead of going home. He actually moved up in rank for time served.  Again, thank you for your continued prayers.

Congratuations to all of our new Sailors! BZ!

Patti

Just got the call that my SR passed his PFA! He’s going to graduate 5 May, as scheduled! Can’t wait to see him!

Diahn, congratulations to both of you, have fun and give your Sailor a big hug from us.

Hi, Beth here. My son left for Boot Camp on Monday, April 17. I haven’t heard from him. I did get a call from a number I didn’t recognize….it was a foreign country and I did not answer it. Has anyone not received a I’m here call?