Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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!

Navydaughternavymom - So happy you got your phone call! It's striking how much they change (in a positive way) during BC. Best of luck to your son in these last couple of weeks.

Navydaughternavymom - I am so glad you had a phone call! 

Navydaughternavymom- SO happy to hear you got to speak to him, its almost over and it will all be worth it.

Hi all - Happy Tuesday.  Sorry I've been MIA - had a lot going on.  We went to Washington last week for my dad's celebration of life - had it on 8/5 which would have been his 85th birthday. It went well and we had a great time.  Got to see B but C and the baby weren't able to make it.  Came home on Monday (8/7) and then my mom had a stroke on 8/9 so I've been dealing with that.  She lives alone (she and my dad divorced when i was like 3 years old).  She was in the hospital and she's doing better but the dr said for 7 days she needs someone with her 24/7 so we brought her to our house. She's getting better - it could have been way worse than what is was but it's still an adjustment figuring everything out.  So I'm trying to get/keep caught up at work and trying to get/keep caught up with my moms appointments so I've neglected N4M.

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.

B'sNukeMom- Sorry to hear about your mother, I hope she recovers quickly.

B'sNukeMom, holding your Mom up in prayer.

B'sNukeMom- Thinking of you and your family and lifting you up in prayer 🙏

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for my mom.  I truly appreciate it.  She's getting stronger each day - most difficult part is dealing with the doctors and insurance :(

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.

So sorry about your mom. We had my dad living with us for 9 months. It's an a adjustment, but with everyone working together it loosens the load. Sending prayers

B'sNukeMom - Yes, Doctors and insurance can be very difficult! I am sorry that you are dealing with all of this. 

Happy Friday everyone! Exciting day for those that have PIR today💙 I know no news is good news, but, it's tough not hearing from my SR💙⚓️I knew it would be difficult, but, this has been hard! I guess this is all part of adjusting to Navy life. 

G'sNavyMom - Yes, the silence can be very deafening at times!! We don't like it, but we do get stronger, and this time helps to prepare us as well for those silent moments out to sea. 

Good Morning Everyone!!

Welcome to our newest members!!

Please come to the comment wall area here and say hello. I have been busy with back-to-school stuff with my kiddos and trying to go through some things in our garage to get ready for donations to our church garage sale. Our hot temperatures don't make that easy, so my usual morning time that I am here has been spent focusing on that instead. 

I am behind on my personal hellos, but we are glad you are here, this is the place to come share your ups and downs, just as G'sNavyMom did. 

It is one thing to know you might not talk to your child for a while, see them or such, but we know we can still text or make a phone call whenever we want to or need to. Not being able to do any of that, can seem like such a shock to our being at times. It is okay to share missing your SR, this is the place to do it. {{{BNMHs}}} - Big Navy Mom Hugs!

Chipmunk - Yes, it sure has been. All within the last few months, my SR just turned 18, graduated HS then proudly left for the Navy! Big changes within a few months. So very proud of him and endless support, encouragement and love, just all difficult.  Thanks for listening!

G'sNavyMom -- {{{{{BNMH}}}}}  This is such a change in most of our lives and the silence is deafening!  I promise you will learn to get through without it hurting this much (It may still hurt but this first time is so rough).  Hang in there.

I know Chipmunk is busy with her stuff , B'sNukeMom is dealing with family issues and I have my Sailor home for a few more days and we are also building my parents deck (They have a walkout basement so it's elevated) and it's also been the hottest it's been all summer THIS week!!  All that to say, New moms... Don't think we don't care or that we won't answer, just know that it may take us a bit to get an answer to you.