Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Please join me in welcoming norcalmaven to our group. 

norcalmaven - We are glad you have joined us. Be sure to come and say hello, 

Getting back in the loop!  I received a call on Tuesday afternoon, after 3 long weekends without a call, that BATTLESTATION was complete and "passed" and Navy cap received!  I have had my plane/vehicle/hotel arrangements complete for awhile, but also need to make sure I am in the loop for Meet up with Sarge -- I think I have an email from them.  I also confirmed with son that my name was spelled correctly (haha, long story) and the address for his sister (who just moved) is same as her i.d.  Looking forward to hearing that he passed the last physical assessment and then off to Great Lakes on the 25/26th  

monwojo that is fantastic news, so happy for you. I lived for those phone calls and walked around with my head in the clouds for days. Who knew those two words " hi mom "would bring so much utopia to our world. Congratulations!

Welcome norcalmaven, happy you joined. This group was a lifeline for me going through this incredible journey. They validated my emotions I couldn't even understand myself. Your in a great place.

monwojo - Congratulations!!!  I am just copying and pasting the Meet n Greet information from the information section above.  

SARGE'S MEET & GREET  - BACK AS OF 3/18/2022

Plan to arrive the day before PIR so you won't risk missing PIR and go to Sarge's Meet and Greet from 4pm to 8pm the evening before PIR at the Lakehurst Event Center (go to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP). Sarge has a taxi service and he is a wealth of information. His cell number is 847-212-0246. His Meet and Greet and services have been getting great reviews. Find Sarge on N4M as OldSarge.

I think if you click on the Sarge's Meet and Greet hyperlink that takes you to the page to RSVP. You will want to check in with that sooner rather than later, to make sure you reserve a spot. You can always attend, even if you don't reserve a spot, but the reservations help him to better plan on how much food they need to order from the caterer as well as help cover the food costs. 

Well - I think this may be the correct link for the RSVP. 

Navy Family Social The only Meet and Greet for Navy Boot Camp gradu...

Be sure to check out the other links though in the comment below as there is more information there as well. 

Someone asked the other day, maybe in one of the DEP groups, about the difference between Navy Fed Credit Union and USAA as far as banking. I am not a member of the DEP groups, so I could not reply. But I wanted to post the question here, in case anyone could offer some assistance. 

My son has USAA for his insurance, car & renters. But he has a NFCU account as well as he still has an account with our bank, which he has had since a small child. NFCU does offer a start up Smart Savings account or CD, I don't recall which that you can only put a minumum of $3,000 in I think, but at the time my son did his, it offered the highest interest rate. We have a local NFCU branch near us, so it was easy to go in and talk to them and also to get me added to his account. 

There are advantages to any banks offer military services, however, I think my son told me that the biggest difference with NFCU is they will cover your pay checks when the government does their shut downs every so often. I will say though, they are very security oriented, so if you are not on your child's account, you will need to get a POA of their choosing / personally vetted by them, to have an authorized Power of Attny on file. 

Also, I would keep two bank accounts open for your sailor, so that if there is a security breech with their card or such, they can have access to other money. He told me stories in A school of couples who had compromises on their NFCU accounts and so they had their accounts frozen, and they were not able to pay bills. It is a short-term thing, I believe. Things may have changed but it is why we never closed my son's other local bank account. 

Monwojo-

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

Welcome to the group, Norcalmaven! 

Monwojo - Fantastic! Congrats to your son!

Welcome, Norcalmaven!

belovedbyHim: My daughters PIR is 6/30/23. Can't wait to see her! Sometimes we think of going for a drive just to be 'close' to her, but we don't want to seem crazy lol! 

Mom2Boss, I would of been arrested for stalking if I lived close enough, we are near the Wisconsin Michigan border.

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

PIR JULY 2023

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 2023

WHOOP
WHOOP
WHOOP
ATTENTION ON DECK
WE HAVE A SAILOR!!!
Congratulations to monwojo  and her Sailor on a job well done!!

Mom2Boss -- You mean like this???

Has anyone experience or has information regarding non-us citizens/residents who would like to attend graduation?

Mom2Boss - I do not think it is possible for a non-US Citizen to attend graduation. I don't recall is your loved one at BC? You should have been sent a Security Verification form or a link to download it and return it via the Sandboxx App, now, I think. 

I don't recall if you have to supply a Social Security Number on that or not, but all attendees have to be vetted and they will verify your identity. My son had BC before all of the ticket information, etc. and we had to have our ID checked against the list of names that my son gave before we could enter the Great Hall for PIR. 

Depending on the hotel you are staying at, some of them will offer live streaming of the graduation, or you may use a Wifi access and log into the live streaming in your hotel room and then meet your sailor at a designated spot for pick up. Someone with a "Ticket" access though, would have to be able to pick up the sailor at RTC inside the gates. 

This information is in the area above the discussions and weather maps. Be sure to click on the blue hyperlinks for more information. - 

Your recruit will indicate the names of up to FOUR guests who will be permitted to receive tickets and attend PIR. RTC may change that to three guests if there is a large TG. Children ages 2 and under do not need a ticket to attend PIR, but a copy of the child's birth certificate may be presented in order for the child to attend PIR. The names of the guests will be listed on the Security Access Form. Your recruit will send the Security Access Form with the form letter and it will need to be completed fully and returned to your recruit. if you do not receive the form letter, then you can download the Security Access Form and complete it and send it to your recruit, but your recruit has the final say on who will attend PIR.

ALL GUESTS 3 YEARS OLD AND OLDER MUST HAVE A TICKET TO ATTEND PIR, INCLUDING MILITARY GUESTS (ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, RETIRED, VET). No extra guests allowed, no exceptions.

GUESTS SECURITY ACCESS FORM: If you are going to be attending the graduation ceremony, you will need to fill out the security access form, which is included with your form letter. Return the form to your recruit according to the instructions. 

ONLY YOUR RECRUIT CAN CHANGE THE GRADUATION CEREMONY ACCESS LIST: Your recruit will be able to make changes to the access list throughout training. The last opportunity to make changes will be the week before graduation. If there is a change to be made to the access list (such as a name spelled incorrectly, name-swap, etc…) please communicate any changes to your recruit by mail. Recruit Training Command staff cannot change these names or release the names of those on the list. Please do not call for additional seats!

The form can also be downloaded by anyone from the website, but only the recruit has final say-so as to who will be invited. Those names are submitted and those names will be printed on tickets. All of those guests attending must be present with ID to pick up the ticket in person. No exceptions, no swapping of tickets, no changing of names during final week of graduation.

Continuing with ticket information - 

If you are attending a graduation ceremony, you MUST personally obtain your ticket, you cannot pick up tickets for others. Tickets will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center, located inside the Navy Exchange Burkey Mall, Bldg. 3452, 2650 Green Bay Road Great Lakes, IL 60088 

Additional information on ticketing is also available at www.bootcamp.navy.mil. (See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq.html#grad_ceremony.)

Once you receive your ticket, please DO NOT lose it, as this will be the only ticket you will receive. These tickets are not transferable and are serialized to each graduation attendee. If you do not have a ticket, then you will not be permitted access to the base.

The Recruit Family Welcome Center will be open on the following days and times: Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM], and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:00 AM]. ***Certain federal holidays may require adjusting days and times. Please refer to the command website for those specific updates***

Please plan accordingly so each person listed can check in to receive a ticket for the graduation ceremony. Again, if you don’t have a ticket you will NOT be allowed entry to the base. Tickets will only be issued to those guests who the graduating recruit has verified will be attending. 

On the form it says the following; "All Non-U.S. Citizens/Resident Aliens will be considered for installation access on a case-by-case basis."

So I was just wondering if anyone had gone through this process. 

Mom2Boss - You found the fine print, I did not look, sorry. I have not heard of anyone else dealing with this since I have been here the last six years, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. I would turn in the request, or at last give your SR the information and then plan for the loved one to have a place to stay during PIR if they are not allowed to attend but want to come to see your sailor. 

Mom2Boss - and others - Here is the link for the contact page on the RTC website - U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command > Contact Us - They have email option and phone option. Email, might work better, I don't know. 

Also, be sure to read their FAQ - U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command > FAQ

Temporary Holding Unit @ RTC - This may be of interest to those of you with sailors who will fly out of GL to their A school. I was posting this in another group and thought I would share here. 

Q. My Sailor is being placed in the Temporary Holding Unit. What does this mean?
A. Sailors placed in this unit, are Sailors who have graduated from Recruit Training Command and are awaiting follow-on orders to their school. The reasons for placing a graduated Sailor on hold can vary from clearance issues, needing a special physical, or sometimes it is as simple as waiting for a class to fill up.

These Sailors, however, are not just waiting around. They follow a daily schedule. Many maintain work assignments while awaiting their follow-on orders, to include: manning the Ship, acting as escorts for recruits transiting to medical or legal appointments, or performing office duties at locations throughout the base.

They are also housed separately from other recruits and have the ability to enjoy liberty, and are permitted to leave the base for recreation or for visiting with family members. They may also call home during their non-duty hours.

This is from the FAQ page. - When my sailor was at RTC, there were several sailors being held in THU, and he would have as well, if he had not been able to get all of his medical clearance done, which meant, we did not have as much time with him at PIR. - Yep - SEMPER GUMBY - always flexible!

This is posted above in the discussion thread but if you are reading on your phones here is the link again. - What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL - Navy For ...

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

PIR JULY 2023

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 2023

Johanna - Welcome Aboard!! We are glad you have come here. I am so sorry that you are experiencing this situation with your new DIL. If possible, I would speak to your son privately, and let him know that you would still like to be informed and that the only way you will have an address to write him, is if he mails his address to you. Also, you might want to read this about the Sandboxx APP. SANDBOXX APP for letters to BootCamp - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

I don't know if he can provide two different email addresses or not. Also, let him know that if he would like you to come to PIR, then he will need to put your name on the Security Access form and let you know that he has passed BC, and when he will be having PIR for certain. He is allowed to make more than one phone call during his phone time. He could call you first and just keep it very short and say hi, and then call his wife and have the rest of the time with her. Sometimes they only have 30 minutes on that first call so don't expect this. 

Be sure to read all of the information on this group page. It is easier to navigate if you are on a computer. And come here often and post in the comment wall area here. More of our members see these posts. 

I know you feel like you are in panic mode and I understand. But I also understand what it is to be the mom who no longer gets the first phone call after my sailor married. Thankfully, I do have a good relationship with my DIL, but it still is hard knowing you are not their #1 priority. 

Also, if he can at least get you his Ship & Division #, once he is at BC, either through his wife or someone else, then we can help you get his mailing address. 

Johanna -- Welcome!! Your Son will be your best and in most cases ONLY source of information.  As Chipmunk said, You need to make it clear to him that HE has to provide you an address and include you in his letters and calls. 
We and RTC can only provide general information. RTC actually won't provide you with any information at all.  They are adults and it's 100% up to them to reach out and contact you.
This isn't to say you can't have any information but to encourage you to talk to him and let him know that you support him and want to be able to communicate.

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

PIR JULY 2023

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 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

Happy Thursday!

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

PIR JULY 2023

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 2023

Good Evening Everyone!!! How are we doing? 

Please join me in welcoming BennyLj2023!!! to our group.  

BennyLj2023!!! - This is the best place to come ask questions. I think your loved one is getting ready to leave for BC?  Is there anything we can help you with? Once you have found your way down our group page here to post a hello, be sure to go back and start reading through the information above and the pages on the upper right side. 

If you are viewing this site on a mobile device, we generally recommend that you put it in desktop mode. I find it easiest to navigate and reply on my computer. 

I know you are just starting out on this journey, but we can help you through all the various stages of DEP and BC. 

BennyLj2023 - Welcome! 

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

PIR JULY 2023

PIR JUNE 2023

PIR MAY 2023

Congratulations to the 443 new Sailors today.

Watch the PIR live - here's the link:

LIVE PIR MAY 19, 2023

Thank for the warm welcome. My son is leaving next week and I am grateful for the support from this group.  I am excited for my son's new journey, but like all parents, I am going to miss him.  

I do know this is an incredible opportunity for him, and a positive, fulfilling life choice. I am happy for him.

His brother was in the Army for two tours, and I remember how boot camp felt to us at home. I know my son's experience in BC in the Navy will be his own, but am glad to see more of what he will experience. 

I am so excited to have so much information to read about BC and I am glad for this group.

Thank you for all you do, I so appreciate it.

BennyLj2023 - Wishing your son a great BC experience. And thanks to both of your boys (and you) for their service!

Diane - I have to scoot for a bit but I wanted to say hello!! You have found the right place to post and ask your questions. Hopefully others will reply, otherwise, I will do my best to get back to you later today!!

Yes, you can send pictures, just not too many, they don't have room for a lot of stuff. 

Johanna -- Best guess... As long as everything goes smoothly you are looking at an Aug 4 PIR (ish) (Could be Aug 11 as well, if he's held up waiting for a Div to form.)

BennyLj2023 -- Welcome.  Thank you for raising young people who are willing to defend our country.  I left some information on your page but you may already be familiar with much of it since you have been through Army BC.  It will be interesting to see how much the Navy experience differs from the Army. Depending on when in the week your son leaves you are looking at the end of July or early Aug for PIR (Again assuming no issues)


For all of our DEP Moms... Please read the changes to Sandboxx!  You want to have your SR Opt IN to get you the address and PIR info quickly, However.... After BC Please forget that the app exists!!!

Several years back my Sailor was due to come home from deployment.  We had made arrangements to go be there when he got back.  We were a day out when we learned that he would not be coming home on time.  A girl friend of one of the sailors who was part of the advance party returning ahead of the main body sent a "Booty call" Sandboxx message including a timeline and dates.  That group of ~50 Sailors got to spend several days camped out in an airport hanger eating from vending machines till the food had run out!  The rest of the battalion came home about 2 weeks later than expected in the middle of the night with no fanfare and no notice.  Once they were back they had to call for rides to come get them in the middle of the night.
While I am sure that none of you would be sending messages of this nature, please be aware that while Sandboxx has been approved for use in BC, it is NOT OPSEC or PERSEC compliant for use in the fleet!  There are better and more secure ways to communicate. 

Diane, you will be so excited to finally hear his voice, I had my head in the clouds for days afterwards.  They use pay phones so be prepared that the connections are not always the best, try to find a quiet place so you can hear. Always have your phone with you and answer all calls. You may have to turn off your spam alerts so you get all calls. You DO NOT want to miss the call. You would end up beating yourself up if you miss the call. If it's not your recruit you can always hang up. 

Some recruits are excited and will talk endlessly about what he/she is learning and friends they are making. Others are very homesick and having trouble adjusting to BC. A lot has to do with how their division is gelling together. Be encouraging as you listen, next phone call is usually alot better as they become more like brothers/sisters. They make friends and build more confidence in themselves. You know your son better than anyone else, I was very surprised at how well mine was handling RTC but he was 26 and more mature than others.  It can be a little heartbreaking for a Mom if their recruit is struggling but it is only temporary and they just need your encouragement. I hope your son is doing great.

Diane -- Welcome.  I left a message on your page.  You are NOT alone in your feelings.  I was a HOT mess all those years ago.  I couldn't stop crying and I felt like someone had died... even though I knew they were fine!  This site was a life saver for me!  I want you to know that your feelings are valid and you are NOT going to be left to wonder and worry on your own.  We are here to help you get your sea legs and learn to navigate this new life!  We haven't lost a mom to Boot Camp yet, We won't start with you!

Does/Has anyone sent money or phone cards to their BC Recruit? Is so how have you done it. My SR told me she is running low on the card they are given, she can use her own money but I would rather help her out.