Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Chipmunk- I received 2 letters last wk, and we have more coming today. No phone call this wkend but maybe Sunday we will get one, hopefully. I love my sons letters, but they are short with very few details. I have always said he is a man of few words, but it is so good to hear from him. His letter on Friday said he was doing well, and passing his tests. He mentioned something about having an insanely great brisket, he said it was like it was made in Texas. That made me smile. he got a little taste of home. I miss him so much, but at the same time grateful he is doing well.

Sandra

We received two letters last week and another is coming today. We also, received a phone call yesterday!! My family was all together for a birthday celebration,  so my son was on speaker able to talk to the whole family. What a gift it worked out the way it did!! He told us some very heartfelt things of how grateful,  thankful and blessed he is for having us as his family and thankful for the love and support we're showing him. He misses us very much, as we do him too.  He told us he's passed all of his tests, he's enjoying the food, made a few buddies, he says he has awesome RTC's and is motivated and focused on doing his best and getting to PIR. Best phone call ever. We all needed that💙⚓️

Does anyone know when the division artwork is available?

G'sNavyMom- That sounds like an amazing phone call, good to hear he is doing so well.

Sandr

Sandra - thank you so much. And, the same for you. It's so nice to hear positive feedback from our SR's. My son mentioned the brisket too. He loves brisket and enjoyed it! I'm glad your son is doing well too. Fingers crossed you receive a phone call soon💙

G'sNavyMom - What a perfect phone call - music to a mom's ears. Sounds like you've raised a wonderful young man. I didn't know anything about the division artwork until my son mentioned it in his final letter from BC. At PIR he surprised me with a sweatshirt with his division's flag on it. Pretty cool!

joe-mom - thank you so much! I'm super proud of him💙That is wonderful you received a sweatshirt with your sons division flag! I keep looking on the site for my son's division, but it's not available yet. I wasn't sure when they are posted. Congrats to your son and your family. That's so wonderful.  I can't wait for our PIR!! 

Where would we look for the division artwork, I feel like I saw that information somewhere but can't remember now?

G’sNavyMom - I didn’t know anything about the division artwork until my sailor presented the family with t-shirts that had it on the backs. I had no idea they did anything! He may have mentioned that they were designing their division flag, but it never occurred to me that it would be an entirely unique thing!

Diahn - that's so cool! Each division is so unique.  Do you know who designs them?

Sandra - My son sent home a postcard his first week that had the information on it. I believe the website is: myffr.navyaims.com. click on the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. Then click on division apparel. Search for his/her division 

G’sNavyMom - I’m not sure exactly - I know the entire division had a hand in it as far as what to include. I assume either someone in the division had some drawing ability or they had a bank of images to choose from and once they were happy with it they turned it in to their RDC who sent it to get turned into a file that could be used to create the flag and then was available to order on t-shirts and hoodies.

Diahn - that's so cool! 

Sandra & G'sNavyMom - Wow!!! Two letters in a week, that is wonderful!!  Phone calls are the best but when they don't come just know that they are working hard. My son's letters were also short, He always said he only had 10 minutes to write. 

I am glad they are enjoying the food, that is good!

G'sNavyMom - That birthday phone call is priceless!!

G'sNavyMom - This information is from the pages in the upper right which Lemonelephant put together. I don't know if the link that you shared is more up to date than what is in this information or not. Division T-shirts

My son bought shirts for all of us for Christmas (well not quite all of us) and then later, I was still able to order a couple for his oldest sisters.  My understanding is that they all work on ideas for their division flag, but 1 maybe 2 people do the actual artwork. Because of my son's job in his division, he did not get to spend much time with the division when they were designing the flag. 

Here is the link to the website again - Welcome (navyaims.com)

And the T-shirts or hoodies are not available for ordering from outside sources, I don't think until after PIR, but I believe my son had actually purchased ours while he was at BC, because he had packed them into his seabag and then could not get to them at the airport. So, he had to pack them and fly home with them at Christmas time for us!!! 

I took a look at my SR's account and I noticed he has a transfer coming out that says Certificate, does anyone know what this is?

Sandra - If your son has a NFCU account, it is possible that he is putting money into their Early Start CD (sorry if I am remembering the name incorrectly.)  NFCU has a special CD that earns a fairly good interest rate for up to $3000.00 which your SR can start putting money into as soon as they have their direct deposit from DOD going into their bank account. 

Chipmunk- That is kind of what I was thinking but when I think of Certificate's I am under the impression that they are opened for a certain amount and can't be added to until maturity. I will have to read about how this one works.

Sandra - I have the same understanding that a Certificate of Deposit usually has one deposit date and then you earn interest until the maturity date. However, I know our local credit union has a different sort of deposit option for a similar type of starting savings certificate. I don't recall how NFCU's is set up, I just know about it because my son was able to set one up before he left for BC.  

I was sweating though because they have to have their initial DOD deposit into their checking account to show that their account is active, within 30 days of opening the CD, for them to earn that special rate. We opened my son's CD up before he left for BC, and it took longer for his first direct deposit to occur in NFCU than I thought it would!

I looked into it and yes its a little different with the Navy CU, deposits are allowed. That's a great option

Sandra - Yes it is!

Does anyone know if all the recruits have to stand watch in BC, my son mentioned he missed class time because he had to stand watch but it was ok he still did well on the test

Sandra, yes they do have to stand watch at BC. Sometimes they miss calls home because they are on watch duty.

That's sad, but maybe it doesn't happen too often if they rotate out

Sandra - You learn early in BC that life is not fair! While other SRs were SIQ (Sick in Quarters) because they had their wisdom teeth pulled, my son and others were having to pull extra watch duty. He said the middle shift one was the hardest, because you just went to sleep, then had to get up to stand watch, then go back to sleep or try to before you had to be up for the next morning. To this day he still claims that he was able to march in his sleep at BC!!

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

PIR OCTOBER 2023

PIR SEPTEMBER 2023

 PIR AUGUST 2023

**REMINDER** BEGINNING OCTOBER 5, 2023, RECRUIT GRADUATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED EVERY THURSDAY (NO LONGER ON FRIDAY), EXCEPT FOR THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING, WHEN GRADUATION IS ON WEDNESDAY.

Good Morning Everyone!!

Reminder - For new members, this is the best place to come ask questions about BC or share your ups and downs. 

Good morning, everyone.  16 days away from our SR’s ship date and I’m questioning the airport time when leaving from MEPS.

Wondering how many parents go to the airport.  We want to go but also don’t want to “helicopter” too much.

Thoughts or suggestions from those who have already traveled this road?

As always, thank you in advance!

Hi babysharkmom... I don't think they encourage it, after BC is different.. They get on a bus super early that morning, head to MEPS I think, then to the airport and they are being shuttled. We were in such shock that I don't think we would have been able to deal seeing him get on the plane. leaving him at the hotel was bad enough. Did'nt want to make him cry in front of his fellow recruits either. There was a group of them from Dallas going so he wasn't alone and they could support each other.

You could ask his recruiter though, probably get the most correct yes/no answer for your information..

Big Hugs.. it sucks,, but we get through it. with support..

BabySharkMom -- I did go to the Airport. I was a hot mess and probably should not have gone Only because of that reason but we did. We met up at the USO where the Nice folks there let us in (NOT Typical) and we left after about 2 hours. (He had another 3 to go) They usually fly out late, The Navy doesn't want them hanging in Chicago too long but they want this day to be a VERY long day, and they usually are flying with a couple of other SR's but they are Not bonding, They will likely never see the other SR again. (Smart SR's will find the USO and Nap until their Flight and then sleep on the plane as well!! They are going to be awake for the next 48 hours upon arrival at GL)
The recruiter will not tell you yes or no (I found ours to be less than helpful once he tricked us into letting our son go to MEPS)
Just remember it's completely up to the airlines if they want to give you a Gate Pass.  Not all of them will.
Either way... Have your SR call your phone and leave you a voice mail that you don't listen to till you NEED it (That may be Meps day or it may be sometime in the next 3-4 weeks... You will know) Tuck a note to them in their BLACK wallet (They can keep this)  and tell them to wait to read it till they NEED it.  Remind them to Opt-IN to Sandboxx so you can get the address right away even if you don't use it to actually send any mail. 
Then you can come here and tell us all about it!

Hi Trey.  Thank you for that.  Good advice I think we will follow.  True enough, we will get through it.

Make it a great Saturday!  Thanks again!

belovedbyHim…..thank you so much.  You are always very helpful and I love the voicemail tip.  Will definitely bridge the gap on what I am sure will be some tough days coming up.

Grateful for this group!  Thank you!

BabySharkMom, in Green Bay Wisconsin they did my son's swear in on the ice of a hockey game. It was awesome to see all those young military bound young people shuffle across the ice and do their pledge. I am so happy we got to see it.

No phone call today for us. :(. Does anyone know if they ever get to make calls Sunday?  I don’t know whether to keep hoping he’ll call tomorrow, or just set my sights on next Saturday…

Navydaughternavymom - my son called last Sunday! I'm hoping for a phone call for you tomorrow 🤞😊Don’t lose hope!!

Thank you G’sNavyMom!  It’s been three weeks since a call. Two weeks ago he called his BFF instead of us because we were camping and he didn’t think we had service…. Then no call last week. :(.  Just missing him… ❤️

Navydaughternavymom - Hoping you get a call tomorrow.  (Glad to hear G'sNavyMom got a Sunday call - that gives us hope!)  Big hugs to you as you miss your son!  <3

Navydaughternavymom -- There can be a call on any day of the week.  It is Less common for the call to come on Sunday Morning because they try not to make SR's choose between Religious services and calling home.  Try and answer ALL calls even if they may be spam.( You can just hang up on those).  Hoping you get a call soon!

Good morning all💙⚓️Question regarding phone calls, my understanding is our SR will make 3 calls while at BC. The I'm here call, week 3 call and "I'm a Sailor" call. Are there calls in between I'm not aware of? Thank you😊

G’sNavyMom - I don’t think they are *guaranteed* any number of calls - they’re always a privilege. My sailor called more than I expected. The “I’m here” call, a call because he needed a photo of his passport for a security clearance (on a Monday), two Saturday calls, the I’m a sailor call on a Friday and a Thursday call to let me know he’d passed his OPFA. Other than the passport call, he had 45 minutes to an hour to talk.

I answered so many spam calls during his time at BC. 😂 

G'sNavyMom -- Yes, those are the 3 For sure calls (Although they may miss everything except the "I'm Here" call for various reasons that are not a cause for concern!)
They can then EARN additional calls either individually or as a Div.  There are also "Business" Calls that tend to come early on if they need clarification or more info or "Change of Status" Calls if there is a problem. 

April-- Yes 10 weeks from Departure to PIR is the Standard. 

Navydaughternavymom- I got a 20 minute phone call 2 Sundays ago and was very surprised to get a call from my son on Saturday around 9:58 am. I didn't expect it, which was even more amazing to get. I feel like I wait for any little bit of communication, I can't wait till bc is over. He says he is still doing well, he is sick with a cold and cough. I hope he gets over it soon, it seems like a lot of the division is sick. Hang in there, he originally told me he would only get 3 calls but I don't think anything is ever guaranteed. 

Sandra

Sandra -- The "Ricky Crud" is very common!! They are getting exposed to germs from all over and then they are slammed with a bajillion shots and short on sleep and stressed to the max... It's no wonder their immune systems get a little overwhelmed.  They just need to keep an eye on it and don't be a stubborn fool like my sailor and let it progress into Pneumonia!! (He was cleared the morning of the final PFA to participate but he was really still quite ill and it took over 2 years to fully recover and he has permanent lung damage as a result. Not bad enough to keep him from SCUBA but enough that he has to pay attention when he catches colds.)

Thank you @Sandra! ❤️

no call today, but I’m in a better head space about it than I was yesterday. It will be 8 weeks on Tuesday since we said good bye and although I knew communication would be sparse, I did not account for it being this sparse. He wrote us a long letter because he had to have some dental work done, but said in that letter that they don’t get any time to write, but he was taking advantage of the wait at the dentist. In my last Sandboxx letter this him (on Friday), I tried to relieve him of any burden that the letters be long, even just a quick “hey, I’m okay and miss you” would work.  Ug. I’m on final countdown to PIR …

Navydaughternavymom -- {{{{{BNMH}}}}} I'm so sorry that you have had such little communications. IF this is week 8, you should be getting the "I'm a Sailor" call soon.  Again except for the I'm here call, all other calls are optional. (They have to contact SOMEONE that knows them and let them know they are Boot Camp, as opposed to kidnapped or run away or otherwise missing....)
I really hope you get a call soon!! Are you going to PIR?

Navydaughternavymom - I see that belovedbyHim has replied to you, but I was going to say the same thing when I saw your note. Your SR should be getting close to Battle Stations and hopefully, you will receive a call after that!

Navydaughternavymom -- YEAH!!!!(btw... don't post the date till after... "He is heading to BS this week" = OK to say.  "He is heading to BS on Tuesday"... Not ok to post. (unless it's the Wed after...) You are not in trouble or anything.  This is how you learn OPSEC and PERSEC.)

Got it!  I deleted the comment. So sorry!  We’re so glad for a call!