Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Congratulations, Patti! We've been rooting for you and your son over here and am glad to hear this good news!

Good Morning Everyone - Please join me in welcoming Yvette to our group. 

Yvette, we are glad you are here. I know you have posted in the general discussion area, but this comment wall area on the BC Mom group is where more of the members will see your posts. Be sure to come say hello and share. 

Patti - Congratulations!!!  So happy for you and your son!

Welcome Yvette - we look forward to getting to know you!!!

Patti - I am crying happy tears for you and your Sailor!  Congrats to both of you!  I can't wait to hear how your experience is at PIR!  

MomofJoseph-

Thank you so much! I was lightheaded with joy when he told me! His PIR wil be next week, so we are very excited to be going and to see him for the first time in 9 months! I told him that we can take him anywhere he would like to eat and his response was, "It'll probably be quite a few places!" :)

Again, thanks for all your prayers and positive support.

Thanks, Northwoodsmom! 

His 2 choices were: stay and "hang on" OR go home and start from the very beginning!

Since being in the Navy has learned how to make more decisions on his own, rather thatn having mom & dad to fall back on if his decision wasn't very good.

He also sounds like he's grown up since being away.

Everyone - please join me in welcoming   Navydaughternavymom to our group. 

Navydaughternavymom - We are glad you have joined us. Be sure to come say hello!

patti - If you haven't already be sure to read all the various discussions above and pages to the right on PIR. Every experience is different, but a lot of things are similar. I also recommend that you watch a video of a previous PIR, that way you can ffwd through it, but it will give you a sense of what to expect for your son's PIR, and an idea of where they stand and such in the Great Hall. 

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2023

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

Thank you so much Travelinmom! 

Happy 4th of July - 

As I recall, today was treated like a Sunday at BC for my SR. There were no fireworks, and they were still busy taking care of things they needed to be learning. Some down time but not much. 

Everyone - please join me in welcoming pw1406 to our group. 

pw1406 - This is the best place to post your questions or say hello as more of our members will see your comments here. 

Thank you for the warm welcome!  We're completely new to military life as our son is the first one in our family to go down this path.  He arrived at boot camp this past Saturday...hoping we get an address for him soon!

pw1406 - Welcome Aboard - Things are quiet today with everyone celebrating the 4th of July. Be sure to look at this information - Sandboxx App for BC - This explains a little bit about the Sandboxx App and they are now being utilized to send out the form letter if your SR (seaman recruit) ops to have you notified that way. Please be sure to read the information, (click on the link). We DO NOT recommend using the Sandboxx App after BC, and there is a fee to send letters. However, you will be sent their mailing address a little sooner, as well as the form letter. - 

Once you have a Ship and Division # we can help you with any address information that you need. Feel free to start writing letters now and then when you receive the address you may mail them off.

You might also be interested in Informed Delivery - USPS

In my area, it works fairly efficiently, in some areas it is not as accurate or efficient. 

pw1406 - this discussion will help you learn a little bit about navigating around this site and making friends. 

 How to send PMs (Private Messages) to friends on N4M & some OPS...

we sent that link to our sailor and he flipped out.. I'll skip the language.. thought it was very unfair.. he was there in boot over 9/11 and he said all they got was a blue card and yelled at about how they let America down.. he was thinking.. heck I was one year old at the time.. this is some BS..

and they wonder about retention.. which should be their focus..

Hello all!  My son is in week two(?) at boot camp with a 9/1/23 PIR. Feeling totally overwhelmed, but have found SO much useful information here; THANK YOU!

We got the form letter in Sandboxx and and writing letters like crazy, but still have not heard from our boy; hoping a letter or call comes soon!

My son did not have anything special on July 4th during BC either. 

Navydaughternavymom - I am trying to recall how long it took for my son's first letter to arrive. It was at least 3 weeks if not almost 4 weeks before I heard from him with a personal letter. I had the form letter first (snail mail), so then I wrote him a letter and it was still almost a week or so before I heard from him. When I did, I whooped and hollered, I thought I would bring all the neighbors out of their houses to see what all the commotion was about.  My letters all came on Thursday and then one week I had nothing. Thankfully, that Saturday was a day when he could call for his division and he said that he had gone to medical for a cough, because he knew I was expecting him to graduate on his PIR date!  At that time, they were only allowed to write on Sunday and almost all of his letters would start with, I only have 10 minutes to write!. 

Happy Independence Day Ladies! I know how tough these first few weeks are but we are honestly truthful when we say No News Is Good News. 

Remember that first letter or phone call might be a little heart wrenching. They knock them down before they built them up and being a Mama Bear like most of you we don't take it very well knowing someone is messing with our cubs. That's probably one of the reasons we have to wait 3 -4 weeks before any communication, could you imagine a mass migration of angry Mama bears heading to Great Lakes to defend their babies?  Try to stay positive and patient, you will also preserver through this journey. Your in my thoughts and prayers, hang in there.

Northwoodsmom, one of the first letters we received from him said, 'I know I'm not a hugger, but when I get out, I'm going to want a hug from all ot you." Yes, it's tough the first month or so, but it definitely gets better!

Navydaughternavymom -

You will get a letter eventually.  They need to get settled and then the letters come, almost weekly! I believe Sunday and holidays are their downtime. THey get their letters and phone calls then. Hang in there!

pw1406-

He will get settled and then the letters will be arriving almost weekly! Our Sailor was very good about that.

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2023

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

Today's PIR happening now:

LIVE PIR 7.07.23

Navydaughternavymom -  I feel your pain.  It is almost 2 years since my son left for BC, and that Great Silence between the I'm Here phone call and the first letter almost did me in!  I didn't see anyone mention this, so if you haven't signed up for USPS Informed Delivery, I highly recommend it! 

In our experience, the form letter came on Day 12 and the first real letter came on Day 16.  The calls came at 3 weeks, 5 weeks, and 7.5 weeks (to say "I'm a Sailor") - but this was when BC was 8 weeks.

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2023

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

Good Morning Everyone!!!! - Be sure to keep your ringers on loud and your phones nearby!!! Answer all calls! 

It seems to me the first time my SR called on his calling card, it showed up with a weird ID like it was from the origin of the calling card and not the IL area code. 

Here's to hoping for some phone calls today!

@Chipmunk it may depend upon the calling card? Just a guess because when my boy calls, it says PAY PHONE as the Caller ID but then in my "Recent Calls" on my phone it shows Waukegan, IL. But when he called the first week for more info needed for his P-Days, it said US GOV'T because he was using an office phone for that. In any case, it's a good idea to answer all calls and keep that ringer up! And to not lay the phone down somewhere - my biggest problem.

TravelinMom - So true!!!  My family fusses at me for not getting rid of my flip phone, but it fits in all pockets and my bra, so I usually have it on me. Even my smartphone is older and smaller than most so it will fit my pockets and purse better. 

I even would leave my ringer on during church and doctor appointments. 

Thanks - day 17, no letters or calls yet. 

I did get a form letter in Sandboxx, but it’s just a letter from the commanding officer, it’s not the one with their address or info about PIR, but I got his address from the Sandboxx app and his division number to find his PIR date online. 

we also got a weird postcard - it was an advertisement or something and he wrote us a quick not on it. It was postmarked 6/27 (day 6). 

I'm so ready to hear from him. 

@Navydaughternavymom - that's normal. I know it's killing you to wait! Just write to him and if you have his Ship and Division from Sandboxx, you can write to that address. Just use the proper format (posted at this site but if you need it, let me know.) The postcard was your graduation QR code so you can get the details you need for PIR.

TravelinMom - Thanks for replying. I a lot has changed since the Sandboxx App has taken over with the form letter notification. 

Navydaughternavymom - some of this information has changed a bit, but this page from the upper right is still very helpful - Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recru...

U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command > FAQ - Go to this page online. Click on the Contacting Recruits and be sure to scroll all the way down in that drop down, because it will give you the exact address for each ship 

And with his division # you can figure out his probably PIR date - U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command > Graduation > Training Gr...

I have not been sending the mail addressed right - I’ve been putting just his first and last name! :( (for example, John Smith instead of SR SMITH, JOHN.). Do you think he’s still getting it?!?

He'll still get it, but it gets delayed because it's set aside to sort through later, I'm told. I'm not sure how accurate that is though.

Navydaughternavymom - Are you using any of the street addresses for the ships?  

The letters will probably be put to the side, it is hard to tell. But I think in the link I shared below, Lemonelephant explains about how they have to train a recruit mail petty officer that will be in charge of collecting all the mail and distributing it to the division. That is a lot of mail and they all are addressed by their last names, which is why you address it like you do. 

If you just send his name and GL, it will likely get buried in a pile!  Sorry. 

We recommend numbering your letters so a SR knows if they are missing something. And also making copies of your letters. 

I wrote emails to my son. That way, after BC he still had those messages and it is just a format that I am used to writing letters and mail to my family on. Once I had his actual mailing address (I was back when the form letter and address were mailed out), then I copied those emails and sent them to him. 

Even with Sandboxx App, it is my understanding that they still are held for distribution until a Recruit Mail PO is assigned to the division. 

So, just keep writing - eventually they will get through!!

@chipmunk - I did have the specific ship address, just the format for the first line/name was wrong. I hope they get there eventually. We’re doing real letters and the app, so hopefully he’s getting the ones in Sandboxx!  Thanks all!

Navydaughternavymom - If you had the Ship and Division # then hopefully the Recruit Mail PO will be able to figure it out!!  I did not know about Sandboxx when my son was in BC, and so I just mailed letters via USPS. I am sure that your son will appreciate any and all letters that he receives from you!! Happy Writing!!

Navydaughternavymom -- As long as the rest of the Address information is correct just putting the Name wrong... Davy Jones instead of SR JONES, Davy... will not cause a delay in delivery.  Now if you are not including the DIV and SHIP address then that WOULD cause a delay. 

Yes TONS of stuff has changed with the addition of Sandboxx.  The Postcard is New!!
Bootcamp Moms.... If you see something different than the information that is posted here, please mention it so we can 1) confirm the change and 2) make sure that we update our information so that other new moms who come after you will get the best information we can provide.  Thanks!!

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2023

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

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).

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

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.

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