Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

 PIR JUNE 2023

MomofK - My sailor went thru almost the same thing when she was in BC. Stress fractures, too. She spent about 2½ months in RCU. Please tell your Sailor that if he needs to take the time to get himself back together, the Navy will love to have him back. His determination and drive will help make him a better sailor. And if he decides to turn himself toward a different  opportunity other then the Navy, then he'll almost certainly took what he's learned so far and apply it to his new endeavors to be the BEST version of himself. Give him BNMH from all of us.

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

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

 PIR JUNE 2023

Join us in watching 573 of the Navy's newest sailors at PIR today.  Here's the link:

LIVE PIR JUNE 9, 2023

Thanks for providing the link for the live PIR. My son's will be in a month! Exciting! For those family members that can't be there does the link stay live for a while afterwords or is there a way to access the link after the graduation? and if so for how long?? Thanks for all the sharing of info back and forth!

norcalmaven - PIR ceremonies should be available to view on YouTube and Facebook indefinitely. You can also buy a DVD at the NEX photo shop when you're at PIR, but it apparently takes ages for them to get it to you. Still waiting for ours, and it's been 7 months! I called about it after a few months' wait, and they just said they were extremely backed up.

norcalmaven - You should be able to locate the link in an archived version afterwards. It may take a bit to get it online, so if someone can watch it live that is great. After my son's PIR, I came home and watched through the archived video and marked all the locations that I could see my sailor and then I sent the link with my notes to my family and friends. That way they could ffwd through what might not be of interest to them. 

We did the same, Chipmunk! Made it so much easier for family and friends.

Awesome! Thank you!!

joe-mom - It definitely made it easier to watch!!

Everyone, please join me in welcoming Berenis to our group. We are glad to have her. 

Berenis - Hi!  Welcome to the moms group!  Can you let us know if your recruit is already at BC, or waiting to go, or just exploring options?  This group will help answer lots of questions for you!

For me, my son has been in for almost 2 years.  This group was a lifesaver when he was at BC and I was losing my mind because of missing him!  

Berenis - welcome! My son finished BC May 5 and is in A school in Florida - this has been a great group to help you navigate all of it!

Berenis - Welcome to the group! You've found the right place for any questions you have/information you need. These ladies are a wealth of knowledge and are always so helpful. My son had PIR last November and is currently in Nuclear Power School in SC. We're heading down there to visit him this Friday. Haven't seen him in 7 months, so I am READY for this trip! All the best to your son.

Berenis - Hi and welcome to this group of helpful, insightful, knowledgeable, funny Moms! Lots of good listeners here, and moms who have been through what you'll go through, and whose kids, (Sailors now), have gone through what yours will go though. No question is silly or stupid, we've all been new Navy Moms, too. Good to have you!

Does anyone know if (and how) you can send the guest form through sandbox?

I received my daughters letter from 6/6 today and she's said she needs the guest form by this Thursday 6/15, I sent it the first week of June, about a week and half ago. She said she doesn't get my letters till 2 weeks later. I'm worried the form will not make it on time. She said I can send it throned sandbox, I just don't know how. 

Hi all! My 17-year-old son Jeremy ships out for BootCamp on July 5th. He has 3 weeks left at home. I am trying to enjoy his remaining time and not worry over the what-ifs. It's very difficult not to let the sadness take over. We have always been so close. I have done everything I know to do in preparation. I've read all the feedback from moms on what to do while they are in BootCamp and still none of this is easy. Thanks for letting me vent here. 

Mom2Boss - I reached out to some of the other moms who may have used Sandboxx - we did not have this option when my son was there and we mailed ours in as far as I recall. I would print off from RTC website and fill in again. Maybe you can take a picture and send an attachment? I do not know if that is how Sandboxx works. I would also send another paper copy as well, and then also send her a note telling her who all is coming. If they ask for SSN, I would NOT send those through any sort of email app. 

DiannaB - I posted a note on your profile page. Hang in there, and know we are here for you. 

Okay - I am off to finish last minute preparations for my family time. Be sure to holler if you need anything and the others will pop on when they can to reply. 

Chipmunk - Have a great time!

Mom2Boss - As I recall, I printed the form from Sandboxx, filled it out and mailed it to my son. It seems that, like you, we had a small window of time to return the form, but everything worked out. If you've already mailed it, I'm sure it will get there in time - especially if your sailor is aware that it's coming and to be on the lookout for it.

DiannaB - Your feelings are perfectly normal! It's a scary but very exciting time for your son and his family. He's made a huge decision to join the Navy - congratulations on raising this self-aware young man. I'm sure he will make you very proud. Enjoy your time with him before he leaves, and know that we are always here for you on this site. Welcome!

DiannaB - I hope you and your son get to make special memories during his last few weeks at home.  I remember those days - trying hard not to cry when he was around, and trying to treasure every moment.  Please feel free to come here to share, vent, whatever.  We are here for you!

 DiannaB  I so feel you.. teared up reading because you are where I was two years ago. Soak up those hugs. My sailor was 21 though. Don't know if getting those extra years made it easier or worse lol..  Welcome.. 

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

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

 PIR JUNE 2023

Mom2Boss – I’d Sandboxx the Names and DOB’s for those who would be attending but Snail Mail another copy of the form.  Just remember Sandboxx letters cost more than regular letters and they are NOT OPSEC or PERSEC and NEVER Ever use them in the Fleet for ANY reason!!  SandBoxx was NOT a thing when my Sailor went through BC 10 years ago.

DiannaB – Just keep breathing.  There will be plenty of time to be sad after he’s shipped out, so make all the memories and have all the Fun NOW.  We are here for you and happy to answer any and all questions, to celebrate the highs and commiserate with you on the lows!  Easier said than done I know but you have raised an amazing human and you are not alone!

DiannaB - Your son is a very self aware guy! My son told my husband a few months ago that he is disappointed in himself that he didn't join up sooner! My son needs the regiment instead of free form.  He needs structure and this has been sooooo good for him!

Sending prayers to you, your family and son.

DiannaB- Why don't you take pictures of him while you and he are sharing a time together. For example, take a picture of him eating his icecream, or better yet, have someone take a picture of both of you! Make meories that way. Print out the pictures and then laminate them. Then when you send him a letter, you can pop a picture of you two sharing a moment!

Good Morning Everyone!! - I am still spending time with grandbabies and my family but I wanted us to welcome our newest member - Olivia -- She is here in support of her significant other that has left for BC. Please join me in welcoming her. 

How do we find out that the form our recruit has been submitted for the graduation guest has been approved?

Bernenis, I am pretty sure it's like everything else, "No News is God News". They never sent a message saying it was approved.

Northwoodsmom  thank you

Berenis - I would have to agree with Northwoodsmom. I do not recall any "approval" being given to my son. Our PIR was before the "tickets" but we still had to provide names and such and they compared and checked them off the list with our IDs when we went in for PIR. So, make sure your IDs match all information given to your SR. 

Olivia - This is the best place to post your questions about BC!

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

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

 PIR JUNE 2023

Okay, so I have a possibly "dumb" series of questions, with a tiny back story: my son leaves today for BC. He does well with running and the plank, and is decent at swimming, but push-ups are his downfall. At last check, he was only able to get 40 in 2 minutes, and that's been after two months of work... I've read the standards they have to meet at the end, but what standards do they have to meet in the beginning? When is the first PFA? Has anyone's SR been held back because of push-ups? I've heard of not passing the run, but I haven't seen anyone not pass the push-ups and just wondered if mine will be the first, and trying to prepare myself. 

I believe the standards are lower for the first go around. I too have heard about runs (which actually they do a pacer run instead of a full go) but not pushups.. I think pushups are a favorite of PT and RDCs so they will get him up to speed.. do you have his age or what he needs.. I bet that info is lurking around somewhere

PHYSICAL TRAINING

Your physical training will be both rigorous and challenging and includes one-hour daily workouts, six days a week. Training alternates between strength and conditioning exercises that focus on building your body's major muscle groups and cardiovascular endurance. B.A.S.E.S (or Balance Agility Strength Explosion and Stamina) is a weekly exercise routine which incorporates shipboard required skills with aerobic and strength training.

In order to graduate from RTC, you must pass a Navy Physical Fitness Assessment. The minimum requirements are in the table below. You also must be within approved body composition measurements for your height and weight.

Before new recruits are allowed to commence basic training, they must participate in a PFA, and meet the following standards, in the table below. You also must be within approved body composition measurements for your height and weight.

Recruits who fail to meet this standard will be afforded additional opportunities to pass, however, there will be a delayed start to training, and continuous failures will be processed for separation.

The demanding exercise program will continue rain or shine, in extreme heat or bone-chilling cold. Freedom Hall is your gateway to physical fitness in the U.S. Navy. It provides a clean, climate-controlled environment for strength and cardio training and physical fitness assessment testing for all recruits and staff members every day of the year, no matter what the conditions are like outside.

While you will receive ample physical training at RTC, to maximize success, you should start preparing yourself physically NOW!

The standards listed are for passing to graduate boot camp. But in the initial assessment and subsequent mock PFAs, they are giving you a score in each category, so one category could bring up your others. My son isn't doing as well as yours at pushups but he has the other categories. It's a work in progress. It explains it a bit better here: https://www.military.com/military-fitness/navy-fitness-requirements...

My son graduated in May this year. He passed his initial assessment on pushups and plank, but missed the run time by 6 seconds. By the end of BC, he surpassed the pushups by almost 50% more, surpassed the plank long enough that he just stopped at about 90 seconds and made his run time by taking almost 30 seconds off his initial pace. If your recruit is close to the standards, I don't think they'll have any trouble meeting them by the end of BC.

My son said they did Sooooooooooooo many pushups... 

Thank you for the info about the physical training! He is 18. His most recent run was about 11:07 for 1.5 miles, held a single plank for 2 minutes, and did the 40 push-ups in 2 minutes. Mind you, none of that was done in quick succession from one activity to another, so there's no telling how he'll perform when it counts, but I'm hoping the adrenaline kicks in when it comes to the push-ups. Guess I'm just a worried mom wondering if this will hold him back. Not that I can do anything except hope and pray. 

Happy 1st day of Summer!

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

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

 PIR JUNE 2023

I'm in Texas, been under excessive heat .. bah summer sucks

Trey - my godson lives in League City, TX.  Husband told me yesterday the temp was 114!  That's crazy - I hope you are able to stay cool....be safe!

• Rebecca, no worries, my son struggled with meeting his pushup requirements and they assigned someone to work with him. Just tweaking a few little things here and there did the trick and he finished doing more than he needed. Remember their commanders do not want them to fail and will do everything possible to help them succeed. Attitude is everything, if they are willing to put everything they got into it the Navy will stick with them. I've met Mom's whose sons and daughters were in Boot camp for over 6 months because of their character and sheer will to succeed. Prayers for your son's success.

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

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

 PIR JUNE 2023

The August 25th TG group is listed.  Please note that due to the size of the group only 3 guests allowed.

Here's the link for the security access form for 3 guests:

SECURITY ACCESS FORM - 3 guests

Good Afternoon everyone!! We have a couple new members that I haven't had a chance to welcome individually yet. Please be sure to come to this Comment Wall area and say hello. Also, this is the best place to post your questions or share your ups / downs, more of our members will see your comments here than above in the Discussion area. 

Trey -- Stay cool!!
Our first day of summer ended with a Boom!! Massive Thunderstorms with Twin tornadoes, Injuring hail storm at Red Rocks (About 15 minutes away from me) and a sky that was more strobe than anything and was a constant low growl from the thunder that was rumbling for over 5 hours last night!! it was wild!!

Rebecca -- I know you have heard from so many of our wonderful moms but I wanted to add one more voice of reassurance.  As long as your SR doesn't give up then the RDC's won't give up!  Your SR will be fine!  It mostly a head game.  We will be here to cheer for him and to encourage you!

Good Morning!! I had a new member ask me some questions about communicating with their SR (seaman recruit) , so I am going to share what information we have here. Several things have changed since my son left for BC six years ago, and the main one with communication is the Sandboxx App and notifications of SR mailing addresses. 

The form letter used to take about 2 weeks or more to arrive as I recall which had our SRs addresses in it. With Sandboxx App for BC - my understanding is that if your SR signs up for you to be notified via Sanboxx of their mailing address then you will not receive a paper copy of the form letter. I assume they still send that information out with the mailing address via Sandboxx. - B'sNukeMom posted the link for the Security Access form below. You may print that out and have ready to mail to your SR when you get their address. 

Also, read this information - Letter writing and fun stuff/questionnaire - You may start writing letters now to your SRs, and then when you have their address you may mail them. If you choose to pay for the Sandboxx App, keep in mind that what you write is going to be read by several people, as it is being transferred to your SR. DO NOT use Sandboxx after BC!! It is my understanding that regardless of whether you use postal mail or Sandboxx to send letters, it still takes time for them to train a recruit petty officer mailroom person for each division and so especially initial mail will take the same amount of time to be delivered to your SR. 

Be sure to read the information in the above hyperlinks that I shared as well. Also, read FAQ from BC - U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command > FAQ - be sure to scroll down, open each tab and then scroll through that information - I missed some one day because I did not see the slide bar on the side!

Anyone with thoughts to share on your recent experiences with BC & Sandboxx App, Form letter, or the security form is appreciated. 

The great silence used to be even longer, before the changes with the mailing address notifications. Our mantra around here is "No News is Good News!" and "Semper Gumby" - Always Flexible.  

As loved ones of SRs, we are all in training as well, Navy life is not easy, both for our sailors and for us. Even with new technology that allows faster communication from the ships and port visits, this is still the "silent" service. This is where we learn to grow stronger, find encouragement and understanding from among our fellow Navy Loved Ones. 

I wrote emails to my SR every night from the time he left. Once I had his mailing address then I printed those out and mailed them to him. It helped me to see his smiling face on his little avatar as I emailed him, and I mostly shared things we had done as a family. Be sure to keep your writing positive. If you are having major difficulties with your SR being gone, please don't hesitate to share. You are not the first person to be a "hot mess", and we have our own stories to share as well. 

Others of us are planners and learning to be flexible and bend to the Navy way - can be a challenge.  Ask questions, and share.