Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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.

Good morning Ladies! Sorry I don't know all your names but just want you to know we are here for you and you don't have to feel your drowning in your own emotions. I loved Saturdays because that was the day that if I was going to get a call it would happen. Of course not the same for everyone but for me that was my day of hope. If I got that call my head was in the clouds for days, how I longed for those two simple precious words " Hi Mom". On the other hand if I didn't receive that call I really had a rough time keeping myself from spiraling down. After the first couple weeks I became very crafty making my Blue light lantern and the door anchors to keep myself busy. I started to make PIR Ribbons to hand out to other moms and dad's at the PIR. So the very best advice I can give to each of you is to stay busy, very very busy. Don't give your mind a chance to dwell on worry, self pity or how much you miss your recruit, night time is time enough for that. Remember every Navy Mom trail blazed this journey before you, we all ached, we all mourned, we all worried and we all survived . Today we still have our struggles but we are overflowing with pride knowing we raised these amazing Sailors. Prayers and hugs to each of you and your families. Please let us know how we can help you and answer your questions. We all depended so much on those seasoned Moms who helped us.

Good Morning, or even afternoon - Oh my goodness! 

I do not know where I am it in my hellos and welcomes here, but I would like to have you join me in welcoming Shelli and Evie0333, both new members to our group. 

Shelli & Evie0333 - This is the comment wall, the best place to come say hello and share your ups, downs, questions and get answers to the best of our ability. 

Northwoodsmom - Thank you for sharing!! For those of you that don't know Northwoodsmom - she is a gem and loves to cook and bake! She is also very crafty - Blue Candle  

She can also really relate to those of you that are missing your sailors - I don't know how long it was before she got to see her sailor due to all of the COVID restrictions, but she got the Blue Ribbon!

G'sNavyMom - I hear you!! My son graduated the end of May, we had family estate stuff that he helped us deal with for a couple of weeks, we had a family wedding, he went to a camp he had attended for several years, and then he left for BC! That was in 2017. He is out of the Navy but found his wife and is still halfway across the country from me. Thankfully, he is not across the world!!  Some of the stuff that has kept me busy and away from this site is trying to help them deal with some family things they have going on and it is no fun. I want to just jump on a plane and go see them, but it is not practical at the moment. 

I am thankful for the Navy family though, for people who I have met here, for connections that I have made and some who are able to reach out to my kids when I can't. Finding our resources, sharing our feelings, our ups and our downs, connecting with those in our PIR groups, in Beyond BC, with your SRs rating, whether on this site or others, and even locally if you have a Blue Star Mother group continues to be helpful. You are not alone. 

G'sNavyMom - I forgot to go back and highlight your name, sorry!!

Do we have anyone getting close to PIR?  Remember not to share BS dates with us, but most definitely give a shout out after your "I'm a sailor" call - and no they probably won't even tell you that, so you have to pull it out of them. Things are a little different with the final PFT. 

There are lots of other discussions than fit in the section above, so if someone is close to PIR, or know their sailor is flying out of GL for their A school please share and I will do my best to bump those discussions back up into the queue. 

If you are viewing this site on a mobile device, we recommend that you put it into desktop mode so that you can see the screen better. I only use my computer and I navigate fairly well, although I do open multiple tabs as well!! 

Eds Mom Danielle -- And so it Begins!!! You are in the best place!! We haven't lost a mom to bootcamp yet, we won't start with you!!  Let us know if you need anything!

Welcome Shellie and Evie0333, so happy you joined us here. Please come and introduce yourselves and share where your at on this journey.  This is such a compassionate informative group.

Eds Mom Danielle, that's a tough call and then the silence and not knowing exactly how they are managing is nerve wracking and causes a lot of anxiety for us Mom's. If you need any kind of support we are only a post away. So it begins!

Good morning,  All⚓️💙Thank you all for the words of encouragement and sharing your personal stories and experiences.  If definitely helps knowing I can come here for support. This definitely is a journey unlike anything I have ever experienced, so thank you! We did receive an unexpected call last Saturday from my SR! It was so wonderful hearing my son's voice and hearing how he is doing.

Welcome to all new Mom's. Glad you're here with us🫂⚓️💙

Ed's Mom Danielle - everything will be ok! My best advice to you is, stay busy and write to your SR as much as you can. It's good for both of you🫂⚓️💙

Hey all.. welcome..

Ed's mom.. that call is tough, we just shouted love you the whole 20 seconds..  we are here for advice/vents/hugs..

Hi all - Happy Wednesday!  I'm still here, just have a lot going on with my mom....she's getting better though!

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.