Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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!)

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

PIR SEPTEMBER 2023

 PIR AUGUST 2023

 PIR JULY 2023

Thanks to everyone for all the support, I haven't logged on for the last couple of days. Sorry for the late response, he left yesterday. His flight was delayed and he didn't get to the training facility until 1:10am. Poor kid had a long day, I just pray he was ok. 

Sandra

@Sandra - if it's any consolation, they make sure they arrive between midnight and 2am to RTC generally, so no worries. Everyone else is running on the same amount of sleep, or lack thereof. My boy stayed at the hotel in town the night before, awoke at 3:45, headed to MEPS, did his inprocessing part there, went to the airport, and when he finally arrived at O'Hare, they had him and a bunch of others hanging around the USO for hours, saying they were awaiting late flights but really it was to keep them up so they could do their usual. :-) All part of the training!

Welcome to any new members we might have. I have been out of pocket for a couple of days and headed for a nap, I have not been well, but I am glad you all have joined us. 

Be sure to come here and chime in with your questions. This is the best spot to ask. 

Sandra -- Never worry about getting on here or not... We are not going anywhere and you had a lot going on.  Yes, sleep deprivation is part and parcel of the training.  He still hasn't gotten to sleep. (Maybe I should add that to the DEP suggestions... Sleep on the plane or at the USO while waiting for your flight!) They want to increase their stress to the MAX in the first few days/weeks to see how they handle it.  If they were placed in a battle where lives were on the line they want to know how they would respond.

Good Morning Everyone!! Congratulations to all of our new sailors!!! We are rejoicing with those of you who are at PIR!!

If you have one coming up soon, I highly recommend you either watch the live feed today or one of the recent recorded ones so you have an idea of what to expect. 

Our graduation ceremony will be live streamed Friday at 0900 Central. Use either our Facebook or YouTube link to view.

Today is also RED Friday - Remember Everyone Deployed! Even though my son has completed his service, I still proudly wear my RED shirt for his ship that he was assigned to and most definitely while they are deployed!

Sandra - Your emotions and feelings are all valid as well. To some extent, we moms seem to have "sympathy pains" while our kids are in BC. At least that is the way I was. I did not know anything about this site until a week before graduation. I sort of went through the motions like a lost puppy without its master, even though it was my son. I had lots of things to keep me busy, but I did not know what was going on with my son. My husband found me a schedule of BC. It turns out later, that things were changed around after talking to my son. But it at least gave me something that I knew might be happening or I could ask my son about it letters. I had something to grasp a hold of and relate to what he was going through. Many prayers and nights of just sending him all of my love that was only tangible from spirit to spirit and in motherly bonded love. 

Be gentle on yourself, watch the videos on the upper left here, when you think you are ready for them. Take time to rest and care for yourself as well. 

Please join me in welcoming some new members to our group.

I have been under the weather a bit and behind on personal welcomes - 3rdGenProud and Tinnekke - We are glad you are here and have joined this group. This spot in the Comment Wall area is the best place to come say your hellos, ask questions and start connecting with others. 

Watch today's PIR live - happening now:

LIVE PIR JULY 14.2023

Is anyone able to answer this question that was posted elsewhere - Remedial Swim? - Navy For Moms (ning.com) - She is asking if they have remedial swim classes for those at BC that don't have many skills. 

My son was on the swim team in high school so I never had any concerns. I know some have trouble with the float. 

@Chipmunk - the video from the main page about RTC shows that they do have remedial swim for people who need it!  It was kind of a touching part of the video because the swim instructor was so proud of the recruits he is able to help!

Navydaughternavymom -- that's what I thought too. 

Navydaughternavymom - Thank you!! - I am glad they share that on the video. I have to admit, those videos were posted after my son was in BC and I have never taken the time to watch them to see what is covered. 

Hi All! 

I'm back from this past Friday's PIR. I didn't cry; I got goosebumps! My daughter cried. I honestly didn't recognize him at first! What a positive change in him! We were all overwhelmed! If you would like to ask me any questions, I'd love to answer! 

So, we have us a Sailor now! Thank all of you for your positive thoughts, prayers, vibes...

patti - I am so glad that you had a wonderful time!!  Be sure to share your experience in our discussion, PIR Weekend Experiences - Post Covid as well as reply here. It is easier for me to search for these discussions and pull them back up to share with others later than hunt through the comment wall area. 

We are glad you are sticking around with us in the Beyond BC group and we will definitely be coming to you with RCU questions!!

So glad your PIR trip was great patti.. I know I got those goosebumps too.. I never managed to pick mine out lol

I did hear over this weekend as I was talking with other families that there is a remedial swim. Just to confirm the original question.

patti-- YEA!!!! I'm so glad you got to go and that you got to see him!!! Goosebumps are a given!! Yes they do change a ton and even more so when they have been there for 9 months!!

Patti- congratulations! I know it had to be so wonderful to see your son! I didn't cry at my son's PIR either, although I did during one of the live broadcasts that I watched when he was performing - maybe I got it all in then? :) Where is he headed to next?