Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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

Be sure to read belovedbyHim's blog post.  Here's the link:

Welcome to the Navy, everything will be ok!

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

So excited for everyone. It was so awesome to be at PIR.. and waiting for letters and phone calls.. I can recall almost every minute of that time even after two years. Hugs to all..

Hello, I am a little confused on the PFA requirements. What is the initial baseline run time? And what is the final, are they different? 

Thanks

Hope this helps. Initial assessment isn't as rigorous as the final test. And, the PFAssessments are based upon an overall score.

https://www.navycs.com/navy-fitness-assessment.html

Thanks TravelinMom, just a little nervous because we drop my son off tomorrow afternoon. We just found out we will be able to go to MEPS to watch him be sworn in. I guess I am nervous because it's finally time. 

Sandra

Absolutely, and take pictures! No worries, my son wasn't in the best shape and he did OK on the PFA. They will get him up to speed for the PFT. So lucky you got to be there for the swearing in. They took him with a group of other recruits and didn't tell us until later that we could have signed a form to SEE him be sworn in at MEPS (he's under 18). So, that was a bummer. And the first few weeks were hard. Now we only have a few weeks left and I know I'm going to be a mess at PIR (graduation)when they come marching in!! I don't consider myself an emotional person but that one's going to get me.

Oh, the "seeing" was that they video it so you can watch it. Our MEPS here is across town through a lot of traffic and they headed over there are 4am.

How exciting for you TravelinMom, I am sure it must be a very special moment to see them after so many weeks. Knowing all the hard work they put in, can't wait!

Sandra -- The Nerves are normal!! (so are tears but try and hold off on those till he's gone)  Take plenty of pictures, enjoy the last moments. Go out to eat after he's checked in at the Hotel... Be sure he calls you and leaves a message you DO NOT listen to till you NEED it!!! Have him call when he's at the airports... (They are NOT bonding with their battle buddies... Odds are that they won't see that person again till PIR or the fleet if ever.) Don't forget to tuck a note of encouragement in his wallet!  But above all, Remember YOU (both) GOT THIS!!!! You Sandra , are not alone and we are here for you!!  I Promise you can get through this!

Thanks belovedbyHim, that is awesome advice. This group has definitely been a big help so far. 

Sandra

TravelinMom -- your eyes may leak a little bit but that's ok.... Sometimes the pride just fills you up so much that it has no where else to go!!

Sandra - All the best tomorrow for your SR and for yourself as you say "see you later"!

Sandra - enjoy today!  We went to MEPS with our son back in 2012 and it was quite the memory.  We were able to go out to dinner with him that night and we stayed in the same hotel.  Followed them to the airport the next morning and we were able to get in one last goodbye before they went through security.  

This was us at MEPS - San Diego - 2012.

Love it, B'sNukeMom! We weren't able to go to MEPS (at least we didn't know that was an option), but we did meet our son for dinner at his hotel and said our goodbyes there. Hard.

Sandra - I just saw your message and I am feeling lots of emotions for you!  We didn't get to be there for signing at MEPS (because covid was still an issue) but we did get to take him out to dinner.  We *could* have gone to the airport, but once we said our goodbyes at the hotel, he didn't want us to come to the airport to say goodbye again.  If it's not too late, make sure he has a charger with him.  The "I'm here" call will come from his phone if he has any battery left.  Otherwise, they have to try to borrow someone's phone.   We are grateful that our son thought to take his charger (and use it in the airport!)