Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Good Morning Everyone!!

B'sNukeMom - I am glad to hear that your mother is doing much better!

Ed's Mom Danielle  - I was used to writing emails to my kids and my family. So, I wrote my son emails almost every night until I had his mailing address. His smiling face was always there looking at me as I emailed him. Once I had his address, I copied and pasted his emails to a word document. Why I didn't think to just print them, I don't know - that must have been my new Navy Mom brain not thinking straight. Anyway, I guess I copied them and put them all in one word document so I could print it and send that one. I continued to follow that practice throughout his BC time. 

Evie0333 - I think your loved one is not far behind  - make sure you keep your phone close by and ringer on loud. Make sure your SR (seaman recruit) knows to keep their phone charged and try to call you once their plane lands before they load on the bus in GL (Great Lakes). 

Shelli - Has your loved one left for BC yet? 

Please join me in welcoming Lara to our group - 

Lara - This is the happening place and where we do our chatting. Feel free to ask any questions here, even if your loved one has not left for BC yet. More of our members will see your comment when you post it here and be able to reply. 

Welcome all new members!

B'sNukeMom - Glad your mom is doing better, and congrats on the condo! That's exciting news.

G'sNavyMom - Yea on receiving a call! Now you can breathe a huge sigh of relief, knowing that your son - and you - can do this.

Ed's mom Danielle - The "I'm here" call is a difficult one, but I was so eager to get that call and hear my son's voice one more time. Just think - in a few weeks you'll get another, longer call!

B'sNukeMoM -- I'm glad your mom is doing better. 

Ed’s mom Danielle - That was definitely the hardest call - my son sounded so scared and shaky and I didn’t sleep the rest of the night. Hang in there and just keep telling yourself it’s a short sprint in a long race—you’ll both get there and be so proud when you reach the finish line!

G’sNavyMom - How wonderful to get a call! I still remember that first one and how excited I was to get to talk to my boy!

Welcome to all the new moms! This is such an encouraging and supportive place to be!

NucMomTami our son leaves next week as well!  We can do this - stay strong!

NucMomTami - Welcome Aboard!! I am glad that you found your way to the Comment Wall area and said hello!! We are glad to have you. 

BabySharkMom - thank you for welcoming NucMomTami  - the two of you may end up in the same PIR group together!

For our newer members, I am posting the link here to a discussion that is currently in the queue above. It is one that I wrote to help members navigate some of the things on this site and how to set up "friends" on this site as well. 

Private Messages - Creating & Sending + OPSEC

There is a lot of information on this group page. It is easiest viewed on a computer in my opinion. If you are on a mobile device, you may need to put it into desktop mode. 

The BC videos on the left maybe be helpful to watch with your loved one before they leave. There is also a lot of information in our PAGES to the right, be sure to click on view all. Take things little by little by little. 

Also, be sure to check out the RTC Bootcamp website - This was my go-to when my son left for BC. This weekend coming up is actually his PIR anniversary! A lot has happened in 6+ years since he left for the Navy. 

Good morning everyone!! 

I wish I could be more transparent and give more details but this group is public, so I will just share this - Those moments and days that you are going through not hearing things, and us telling you - "No News is Good News" - those are not just words that we say to try and make you feel better. 

They are real - it is training for our momma heart, along with any other spiritual exercise or meditation that you might do in your life. No matter how long your sailor is in the Navy, or even after they are out, there will be days and times when your struggles and training here in BC will help carry you through other days. Sometimes, you will find yourself needing to admit that you are struggling again. It may not be in this group, but in another you are a part of here, and the friends you make along this journey, some even that you may have mentored, will be there to keep walking alongside you, bearing you up, when the burden of no communication weighs heavily on your heart, in any circumstance. 

This morning was one of those days for me, and I appreciate my sea sisters who continue to walk with me, encouraging me even after all of the years that I have been here. 

Lara - Be sure to check with your son's recruiter. Some families are able to go to dinner with their loved one the night before MEPS, they just generally have to be back at the motel by a certain time. We were able to go to MEPS the next day and wait until our son's swearing in. Some places are still closed since COVID so check on that. If you want, you may be able to follow your son to the airport and get a gate pass from the airlines to sit with your son until his flight leaves. (we did not do that, but we have many times when he was home on leave and flew back.) 

Remind him to keep his phone charged, to call you when he gets to the airport in GL before they board the bus. Also, if he has a long flight or a layover, make sure he uses his food voucher on something that is enough food to sustain him. They can only use the voucher one time. 

Keep your phone ringer on loud, and be prepared for a very late night phone call - that is scripted. I thought it was a recording. 

Ladies - Please chime in with your advice to Lara and some of our other new members getting ready to send their kids off as well. 

We did this two years ago. PIR had just been opened back up to only two family members who were vaccinated and masked.. We took ours to his hotel.. he checked in and then we took him out to eat and get last minute hugs/photos. He had to be back by a certain time and they do check them in/out. We chose not to go to airport, didn't even ask actually.. It was awful enough that if we had been there not sure I could have made it or let him go lol.. 

Yes to phone charge and have a nice big meal with the voucher. The call was close to midnight or so. it probably varies but it is late and scripted.  we just talked over him saying we love him and he has this..

I started writing and saving waiting for his address. And mine was ASMO'ed two weeks so if it happens let me know.. When something like that happens you do get a phone call from therm. so keep that phone handy.  847 is the area code for Waukegan which is where GL base is.. but it has showed up as all kinds of weird for others.

Lara-

When my son went to to BC, I told him: Do not voluteer, Don't ask questions and don't make eye contact (unless he's told to).

When he goes through the "Moment of Truth" - DO NOT volunteer anything! It could get him disqualified.

Just keep on keeping on...

Good Morning Everyone!!

Here is the PIR Live Streaming information - 

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

- I also highly recommend that you watch at least one PIR graduation a week or so before yours. You can find the saved recorded ones on YouTube and that way you can ffwd through parts. But it helps to give you a sense of what PIR will be like and how things look. 

Wow. There is so much to learn and I am SO thankful for those who have created this site and provided so much learning opportunity. First time military mom here. My son signed to become an AW but has asked to take a PST to become AIRR, so still waiting on ship date for BC, after the PST and job change request.

He may be the youngest recruit at BC. That's really my concern. I am retired LE and understand the basics of what he will be challenged by. I will be empathizing for sure.

I'm a teacher now. Any teacher moms in the group? Looking for input on how to handle "excuse me for a minute, I have to take this call" during class time. 

Thanks again to all of you!

Cocacola451 - Welcome Aboard!!  I saw you had joined the group, but I have had a busy day. I am glad you found our chatting area here and posted a hello!!

I don't know about answering calls while working - I was blessed to not be in that situation, although I have gotten up in the middle of church and excused myself. 

cocacola451-

Hi & welcome! 

I am a Substitute Teacher. I tell the Secretary & Principal that I have a son in the Military and if I see he's calling, may I take the call just outside my classroom door?

See if that works for you.

Most of the "just to chat" phone calls were on the weekends for us. It's hard for me to talk during the workday, but had permission to answer a call as it was probably going to be short and to the point anyway as those were to get information for the Navy. 

Our bootcamp experience was during COVID so not much can offer to what is normal, but we were able to take our son to dinner. I was determined not to eat take out in a dark parking lot. Found out the casino did not have to follow the mandates of our state so were able to have a sit-down meal there! 

We had 3 days from when we found out our son was leaving to when we had to drop him off at the hotel. It was a whirlwind of getting him moved out of his apartment, etc. My son kept saying "the Navy will provide me with what I need". He took his ID, $20, a backpack with a book, toothbrush, razor and an extra pair of socks and underwear. His recruiter said he could take a small notebook so stayed up one night putting pertinent addresses and phone #'s in it for him. They will be able to buy a phone card and stamps when they get there. I encourage anyone who has to make a choice on how to spend the time before they leave to just make some memories and not to sweat the small details. 

cocacola451 - Welcome!! I left some information on your page.
As for the Phone... I told my boss that my son was in Bootcamp and if He called I would need to step into a quiet space to take it.  I have also seen where others who were teachers, told their class they might get a call from their Sailor and they had a plan for the kids if this happened.  They also spoke with their Principals so they knew what was up. 

patti -- Your comment made me LOL!!! My Son has said that Navy stands for Never Again Volunteer Yourself!!

@cocacola451 My kid headed to BC in May and he's 17 - it's not that uncommon. He's still there since he is in the RCU (like the hospital division) due to an injury he's recovering from, and will be turning 18 in the RCU unfortunately. He's absolutely determined to see it through though and is just biding his time, healing, and doing his PT to build himself back up so he can get to PIR (graduation.)

Lara - There is a lot of information to take in, just do what you can and take a break as needed also. We keep learning and growing, no matter how long they have been in, and even when they are out and moved on. 

We are still waiting on a ship date.  My son signed a contract to be a spook (CTR) while we wait on word if he is officially approved for the nuke program (he's passed all tests with flying colors and met with the nuke scouts,) which we are supposed to find out between today and Wednesday - he's hoping for ETN over EMN.  New contract will have to be signed.  Ship date is pending that decision, but we know it may be quick, like less than a month.  I'm more nervous for him at boot camp than I am for him in the learning portion.  I know it will be a huge shift from his life here and we've been trying to prepare him without scaring him (my SO is former Army - 17 years.)  I'm trying to do my research to make his transition less shocking since we know Navy is not quite the same as the Army bootcamp over 20 years ago!

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 2023

PIR SEPTEMBER 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.

Lara - Thinking about you today and tomorrow. I think we had a couple of posts in the last few days about things to be mindful of and remind your loved one when they leave. Be sure to check back through the messages. 

TravelAddictedNavyMom - Welcome to the BC Mom and Loved ones group. We are glad you are here.  - FYI - unless they have changed things, your son will not be assigned a Nuke rating until he is part way through BC. And it is all "needs of the Navy". There is no guarantee that he will get ETN over EMN or even MMN. 

@chipmunk Thank you!  We are both trying to navigate this and there isn't a lot of information any my son doesn't always want to ask his recruiter.  

Ask that recruiter lol.. it's their job to answer or do their best to find out.. they have higher ups to ask as well..

Good Luck to all the new ones heading out..  we are here for whatever  you need.. info, hugs, non judgmental venting..

TravelAddictedNavyMom - what Chipmunk said!  Nuke rates are assigned during bootcamp and they don't really get much of a say in it lol.  Needs of the Navy will be his new mantra!

I got the November PIR group up now too.

Lara -- {{{{{BNMH}}}}}}

TravelAddictedNavyMom -- I second (third?) Ask the recruiter!!! It's their job and he doesn't have to go if he's not happy with the answers!! Better for EVERYONE if he gets those answers NOW instead of later and then he's unhappy or worse miserable with his job!

Lara, make sure your son has his phone charged up and his charger. Ask him to please call you when he lands at the airport in GL before he loads on the bus. Then keep your phone close by and ringer on loud. Their "I'm here" call comes very late at night or early the next morning.  - More hugs!!

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

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 2023

PIR SEPTEMBER 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.

TravelAddictedNavyMom - whole heartedly agree with the with other moms. ASK THE RECRUITER. Their job is to sell dreams but that doesn't mean they don't have access to the information your son requires. He might not want to ask but he is destined to be less happy if he does not. I have boys, so I get it. Hard to get them to do that. Being the squeaky wheel now is good practice for if he joins. Good luck. 

Trey - you could not have been more spot on with your advice to not go to the airport with our SR.  We went to the swearing in and left after that so our SR could finish contract signing and preparing to go.  As strong as I tried to be, my husband had to put up with me crying most of the 2 hour drive home.

Now waiting for the “I arrived” phone call much later this evening.  So much respect to those of you who have already navigated these waters.  This is harder than I anticipated and such a bittersweet day.

Incredibly thankful for this group!

I'm glad you got to see his swearing in,, we had to watch it on youtube..  yea, the strength just wasn't there to handle it.. I know. we can all say how hard it was but until you are the one feeling/dealing with it, it just doesn't set in for real..  that call will be super late/super early.. once they get on the bus, they keep them awake and stressed.. hope he naps on the plane and had a good meal..  let us know when you get it.. hugs to you

Lara and BabySharkMom - {{{BNMHs}}} - All of your feelings are very understandable!!  

Lara - I know you and I are quite possibly staring at our phones, waiting for the call.  100% with you that it will be good to get them past this first really long day and get them some rest.  You have to be very proud of the example your oldest is setting for their younger siblings.  Navy Moms rock!  😉

Lara - we just got the call!!  Our SR sounded calm (and scripted).  I was able to ask him if he was doing ok and he said yes.  I took the advice of others and talked over him just a bit and told him we loved him and are very proud of him.  He said I love you, I have to go.

This group fully prepared me for that call.  I knew exactly what to expect.

NucMomTami - incredibly excited for you.  Please post how your call goes.  Our son gave us the standard script of course but sounded positive and coherent!  

Glad to hear you are all getting phone calls. Remember, every recruit, every situation while the same, is still different, so don't try to compare, just know that things may or may not be similar but hopefully close to what others share. 

NucMomTami - please feel free to share the link to the BC video you found. We have a couple posted in the upper left side of this page as well. 

BabySharkMom, Lara & NucMomTami  -- And so it begins!! At least you can compare notes and with any luck you will get a chance to meet up in person in about 10 weeks!!