Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

patti -- You and TravelinMom will be a HUGE source of information and encouragement for future moms who may experience similar setbacks.  I hope you will both be able to stick around for years to come to help in areas where most of us have No first hand experience.

Lara -- I think it's a bit easier in the fleet since they can call you anytime and you can go to them.  BC-- Not so much!! You KNOW your child is hurt but there is NOTHING you can do and NO ONE you can call to ask!!  If I had to choose, I'd choose Fleet!

G'sNavyMom -- This week or next?  Are you going?  YEAH!!! That final Phone call is such a relief!! You KNOW they are going to make it and you can actually breathe again!!  Now on to the NEXT adventure!!! 
Photos are usually taken around week 4 (Or at least they were Pre-C.) They ordered them later that week or the next and they had the option to have them shipped home or pick up at the NEX after PIR (Have them shipped home!) There is No where for us to view them. There are sooooooo many options.  Unless you have a BIG family who all want to display large format photos, have them get a smaller set! They don't have a place on the ship to display them and really, how many can you display at home? IF they don't order any you can go to the NEX after PIR and order what you want then but it takes way longer and you will be wasting a ton of precious post- PIR time in lines.

Sandra -- The photos cost an obscene amount of money but They are still Amazing to have.  It sounds like he got one of Everything and then some!! I hope you have lots of family who want pictures!

joe-mom-- or they are at your house 10 years on and your sailor looks NOTHING like those BC photos anymore and they are career so they are not setting up a home anywhere yet!

belovedbyHim - PIR for us is next week!! It cannot come fast enough, lol!! Yes, there's 10 of us flying out!! Obviously only 3 can attend PIR, but, we'll value the hours we get to spend with our sailor!

Thank you for the info about the pictures! My son hasn't said anything,  and honestly I didn't think to ask him! I'll write him and ask where we stand with them!

Trey - hey! Another empty nester and past homeschooler! Major life changes for us for sure. Weird selling off all the supplies.

Lara - He stayed in BC (the RCU they call it Recruit Convalescent  Unit) because to go home for recovery is to Separate from the Navy. If you sep, it's like 2 years of getting waivers and more before you can rejoin. He said to me he's either coming home a Sailor or on a stretcher so I guess he's pretty determined!

Patti - I know your story and think of it often - I'm grateful for your contributions here! There is NOTHING to do in RCU and I'm glad they eventually gave him a couple of jobs to do for his 3 month stint, and he's doing modified PT (using 60% pressure on his leg a week ago). I also hope he isn't re-injured. We've only had 2 alls in 2 months and that was hard on him and us - one call was only 6 minutes and they wanted more info before his A school and the other call was a week ago - 35 whole minutes - the longest yet.

Joe-mom - we definitely look forward to PIR and wouldn't miss it!

G's Navy Mom - Congrats to them all: no easy feat!! And thank you for the well wishes.

B'sNukeMom - thank you!

BelovedbyHim - Thank you and yes he did hang around. He said it was hard to make RCU friends as 2/3 choose to Sep and the rest end up leaving to rejoin a Div. He had 3 months of scheduled so was an RCU long timer. We will go to PIR no matter what and I don't consider myself a cryer but will definitely cry at PIR!

Does anyone know, do recruits keep their wallets with them or are they stored in the box until the end of BC? I was just curious given the reference about purchasing pictures. Do recruits have the purchase fees taken from their paycheck? 

After some uncertainty if we would continue on the navy path after my son being medically disqualified (mild color defect we never knew he had) from the nuclear program after having gone through the whole process of meeting with the nuke scouts, passing the extra exam, and being told he was pretty much in then being told that he was color blind even though an eye doctor said it was so mild it doesn't affect him from seeing colors, he has decided he still wants to go and has signed the contract for cryptologic technician. He ships out a week from tomorrow.  We are doing the last of his "must do/eat before I leave" things this week.  He was also stoked to find out a friend he went to school with but moved away will be going to BC a week after him and will be at the same A school, but he will be a different discipline in crypto tech.  He is nervous about boot camp (he was an academic student not an athlete) but excited about A school (which is in our home state, even if it is a 6.5 - 7 hour drive away!)  I'm still a bit in shock he chose this over college as he had asked to apply to MIT (making sure I would cover it if he got in) before making this decision.   I know he missed application deadlines (by a lot) by the time we found out about the color defect, but he could've gone to a state school to knock out some general ed until next fall and then could have transferred to his dream school if he got in.  Fingers crossed this is a good fit for him!  I'm excited he is ready to hit the next stage of his life and with a good plan.

TravelAddictedNavyMom - Our SR is in Bootcamp right now with the rate of CTR!  I have joined the CTR group but it does not appear to be very active.  While I agree this may not have been the path we saw our children on, I have come to the conclusion if they are happy and love what they are doing, they win!   We try not to say too terribly much because we are still ignorant to a degree about OPSEC/PERSEC and do not in anyway want to jeopardize our SR.
Hope everyone in the group is doing well!  This is a fantastic support group!

Lara- My Sailor has his. I don't know if the fee for pictures is taken out of his check. But there was a big charge on his account so I figure that is what is was for. I won't know until I see him on Friday.

My son has been using his debit card at NEX , so I assume he has access to his wallet. I see various charges taken from his checking account,  His Navy pay goes to the credit union. I was confused of this set up. 

TravelAddictedNavyMom - my son is currently in A School for CTR. He also had a color vision deficiency, but his is pretty extreme. He told me that on the first day of class, their instructor asked for a show of hands for CVD - almost everyone in the class raised their hand. haha

They do get to keep their wallet in BC. I'm not sure how the photos get paid for (debit or deduction) but it was a hefty amount. We have a small family, so I don't know what we'll do with all those wallet-sized ones...

Lara -- Yes they can keep their wallets, as long as they are black or dark Navy.

TravelAddictedNavyMom -- Just remind him that's as much a mental game as it is a Physical one.  Keep his head down and his mouth shut and do his best and he'll be fine.  Also NONE of the yelling is personal so don't take it that way. Correct the deficit and move on.  He's got this!!!

@belovedbyHim, he's been told the same thing from one of my best friends who was Navy - she loved her time in the Navy and she gave that EXACT ADVICE!  Unfortunately my dad passed before seeing this.  My dad was Navy and would be so proud of his eldest grandson!

@Diahn - it's what stopped him from Nuke even though he can identify every color, those plates got him...he could see something was there and could give partial answers of what he saw, but he struggled and that was enough, they even had us see a private eye doc to make sure.  I'm kind of relieved, I have read what nukes say about their hours, etc.  I think he'll be much happier in the CT arena.  It's more fluid, engaging work (from what I gather from the job desc) than routine, day in and day out of what the nukes say they do.  

Sending prayers, Travelinmom!

Good Morning Everyone - 

Here is the link to the information page regarding photographs, etc. - Division T-shirts & Photos - 

One of the other things that your SRs may be purchasing is their division t-shirts. My son bought some for all of us as his Christmas presents. 

Here is information on When Will Recruits Be Paid - This one is helpful for both mom and spouses. If your SR sets up their pay to go into Navy Federal Credit Union, there are benefits to them, such as the Early Start CD they can take out, also their pay will show up a day earlier. And several other benefits. 

I do encourage you to keep a local checking account open for your loved one where you can deposit money to if you aren't on their NFCU account. Even if it is just a savings account. They can link their accounts. Because, as great as NFCU is - they are also one of the strictest about freezing a bank account if there is a concern. My son had a couple of friends in A school, who went through this. They had no other bank account and were struggling to pay bills. Having a backup bank account may be useful. - Just a thought. 

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.

Final training groups are listed in the November PIR group.  Remember, 11/22/2023 PIR is WEDNESDAY, due to Thanksgiving.  Also, 11/16 & 11/22 PIR's are open to 4 guests.

TravelAddictedNavyMom, sometimes obstacles are placed in our way to change our direction. My son was also in the Nuclear program and God Bless everyone of them, they work so very hard. My son is AT now and is extremely happy with his rate, alot less stress. It was a very good experience for him and I must say his commanders were great, they really want you to make it but God had different plans for him.

Diahn - My kid's headed to A School for CTN when he finally gets out of BC (healing from injury) and was also thinking Nuke, but in talking to people now he's relieved he went a different path. Had a slight color issue as well and I think it worked out for the best.

belovedbyHim - my kid took a tie dye nylon wallet we use for SCUBA and no one had any issue with it, he said. No one designated any color to him in advance but I can see the advantage of maybe keeping a low key color for BC especially. (Dress whites? haha - probably a good thing I didn't give him our other SCUBA wallet that had pink flamingoes - it would stand out even more!)

patti - thank you! Another week and a half in RCU... I think! I won't know for sure until I get the ASMO call and he gets assigned a new Div. to finish up.

TravelinMom - Yes, hopefully the wallet is not an issue. I know when my son went in, it was specified as Navy Blue or Black. 

Later in A school when he needed an umbrella, I found out at that all accessories had to be black. Thus, the black backpack which they were issued, in BC, but then at the airport the USO man told them that they could only wear their seabag on their back, because that is what is approved for wearing with their dress uniform. The backpack they carried in their arms. His watch was black as well. 

TravelinMom -- HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I LOVE that!!! Yep, I too hope that the Tiedye isn't an issue.  As a general rule, things need to be black, Navy or dark brown at least when they are in Uniform.  In Civilian clothes they can wear whatever they want.

Today's PIR - live:

PIR SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

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.

Moms whose sons have an S.O. Contract headed to BUD/S there is a group for you.

It is called, BUD/S and SQT (Stages of a S.E.A.L.)

Interested:

Send a friend request to NavyMom(J) for more information.

(Click on the highlighted links.)

Good morning mom's! Happy friday! I have a fairly specific question, I received a letter from my sailor (yay!l where he said he failed an academic test (boo). And that he would be taking it again and hopefully pass it so he doesn't get sent back. The letter was dated September 9th. Would I have gotten notification that he was in fact sent back and was now in a different ship/division? Super nervous for him! 

if he got ASMO'ed, moved back you would have gotten a quick call.. I did.. just long enough to be tearful and say his new division and ship number..

Trey, thank you 

Hello everyone! Congratulations to those who had PIR today. How exciting! I do have a question,  after PIR Liberty when we take our SR back to base, what can or can't they bring back with them? Can they bring food? 

Afternoon everyone! I have had my RED on today and trying to get work done, just not very quickly. 

G'sNavyMom - I am honestly not sure about food, I never thought about it, but I do not think so. If you plan to meet them at the airport in the morning, you might be able to take food to them before they go through security. I will say though the USO at O'Hare, usually has their doors open for the new sailors to at least get food, but not enough to share with their family. Once you are through security you can buy food. If you want to give them something for the flight, I would look up what TSA allows. 

Back before they held their phones, we used to take all electronics to them at the airport as they were not allowed to bring anything, including their cell phone back to base after liberty. Those that are flying out of GL, return to sleep (maybe) in their ship that they have had for the duration of BC. Thus they are on that side of the larger Base and do not have the same privileges as those whose sailors have moved over to the A school side of the base, where they may have their phones.

Things could be different now that they are given their phones back but I am not certain when that is. During Covid they did not get phones generally until they were leaving for their flight. 

Chipmunk  - my son has been asking for me to make his favorite cookies that I bake.  A couple of his friends from his division have written asking for them too. But, idk if my son can take them in after Liberty.  

G’sNavyMom- They can’t take anything back to the base that’s not Navy issued. If you bring cookies let him enjoy them on Liberty. Today was the best day, we took my son to eat a good meal and have just been hanging out catching up. He requested a few items but we will hand it off to him at the airport. It’s only underwear and shoes, lol. We also get to spend part of the day with him tomorrow, we thought he was flying out on Saturday morning.  Best day!!

Sandra- I'm so happy for you and your family. I've been thinking about you all day💙⚓️ ENJOY!!

Thank you for the info, too!!

Sandra - Congratulations to you and your family as well as your SR!  Very exciting!!  Enjoy every moment of liberty - you have all earned it!  

Sandra - Have a wonderful time with your sailor!!

Eds Mom Danielle -- Yes if ASMO'd They call ALWAYS!  No News is GOOD News!!

G'sNavyMom -- Themselves!! No Food unless they are on the A side, in which case they'll know what they can and can't bring back.  Generally speaking If they couldn't have it before they can't have it now, until they LEAVE RTC Great Lakes.
You can bring the cookies but they can't bring them to the BC side.  (Sorry...)

Sandra  -- Enjoy every second with your SAILOR!!!

belovedbyhim Thank you!  I was hoping that was the answer.  His letter is dated 9/9 so I figured if he didn't pass the test again I would have heard by now since they have already gone through Another week of training since then.

Sandra - Enjoy!! so happy for you!

Question: What is Towel PO or POI? my son said that is his job...what the heck is that? lol I hope it isn't picking up towels because 24 years of throwing them on MY floor would indicate that he does not IN FACT know how to pick UP a towel LOL

Congratulations to this week's graduates!!

my son's division received calls today.  My son sounded great, passed the re-test with flying colors, crushed fire week (He is a volunteer here at home)  confidence chamber/room is This coming Monday and he is in fact in charge of making sure everyone's towels are properly hanging on  their bunks...someone asked if he was grossed out having to touch other peoples' towels..he laughed and said he was a plumber in NYC before Bootcamp so, no THAT is not what grosses him out LOL

Thank you everyone on here for your support and information, it is incredibly helpful

I joined my Local Bluestar Mothers this week, great group of ladies.

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.

Happy Monday everyone, can anyone tell me is it better to take the shuttle or drive to PIR? 

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 5, 2023: Enjoy LIBERTY (free time off base) with your NEW SAILOR!  

Sailors are allowed to spend time off base (Liberty) with their family following the graduation ceremony. The amount of time spent depends upon where your Sailor is going for follow-on training. The Navy is required to transport Sailors to their next command, so Sailors MAY NOT travel to their next command in your vehicle or with tickets purchased by themselves or by you.
 

• SAILORS REMAINING AT GREAT LAKES FOR SCHOOL: Sailors remaining at Great Lakes for “A” school Will have the following schedule:
  • DAY OF GRADUATION:  You will normally have free time off base (liberty) with your Sailor from the conclusion of graduation until about 8pm.  You will return your Sailor using the RTC main gate and drop your Sailor off at the RTC Chapel.  The Sailor MUST be in his or her barracks by 9 pm, so plan accordingly.
  • DAY AFTER GRADUATION:  The next day, your Sailor must check into his or her school before being granted more free time with you time off base (Liberty). You will pick-up your Sailor OFF BASE at the Great Lakes National Museum of the American Sailor between approximately 10am and noon and the Sailor can normally remain with you off base until Sunday evening.  For more information about liberty procedures, please contact the school house directly:  
  • Culinary Specialists (CS):   Although this “A” school is located in Virginia, these Sailors will remain in Great Lakes for up to one week to complete additional firefighting training.
  • Engineering:  For Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes:

GRLK_SWESC_PAO@navy.mil

• Combat:  For Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes:

scstc-gl_pao@navy.mil

• EOD:  For Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, please call 847-688-6819 (EOD Sailors ONLY!)

• SAILORS TRANSFERRING TO SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF GREAT LAKES:
  • DAY OF GRADUATION:  You will normally have free time off base (liberty) with your Sailor from the conclusion of graduation until about 8pm.  You will return your Sailor using the RTC main gate and drop your Sailor off at the RTC Chapel.  The Sailor MUST be in his or her barracks by 9 pm, so plan accordingly.
  • DAY AFTER GRADUATION:  The next day you may return through the main gate and pick your Sailor up at approximately 8am in the RTC Chapel parking lot.  Once again, the Sailor MUST return to his or her barracks by 9 pm that evening, so plan accordingly.
  • SATURDAY MORNING:  You may meet your departing Sailor at the airport to say good bye and to give the Sailor any small items he or she may want for “A” School (laptop, a few items of civilian clothing, etc.) but remember your Sailor is already carrying a seabag, garment bag, and back pack!

G'sNavyMom - I'm sure there are pros and cons to either way.  Back in 2012 when B PIR'd we used Sarge's taxi service (because we didn't rent a car).  It worked out perfectly as he got us right in and bypassed most of the traffic. He also picked us up after and took us back to the hotel.  If you use the hotel shuttle make sure you reserve your spot early!

B'sNukeMoM - thank you! I appreciate the information. 

G'sNavyMom - The shuttle has benefits, but if you have your own vehicle, I would be prepared to take it and just leave extra early. We signed up for the earliest shuttle, the night before at our motel. But when we went down to breakfast, found out that our name had never actually been added to the list. We ended up driving and using Sarge's directions from what he had told us the night before. We found a spot in the parking garage by the great hall and had no issues. As it turned out, that was the better situation for us, since our sailor was not able to leave with us right away. 

FLEXIBILITY - that is the main thing!!

Chipmunk  - oh jeez! Sorry that happened to you. We will have our own vehicle,  so I think we will drive there and get there early. Gates open at 630 I believe. Thank you for this information 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• 6:30 am: RTC gate opens to guests.
• 7:00 am: Ceremonial drill hall doors open to guests.
• 8:45 am: All guests must be seated. Ceremonial drill hall doors close, no further entry for guests.
• 9:00 am: Pass-In-Review commences.
• 9:20 am: Divisions arrive.
• 10:30 am: Pass-In-Review concludes.

WALKING ON BASE: Pedestrians may walk onto the base using the gate adjacent to the METRA train station (Gate 8). Shuttles, taxis, and shared rides from hotels will drop you off in the parking lot adjacent to Gate 8. Once on base, approximately a quarter mile from the gate to the entrance of Recruit Training Command's Visitor Center (USS YORKTOWN).

DRIVING ON BASE: A driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance or rental car agreement and graduation ticket must be ready to present to security at all access points. Once on base, attendees will be directed to park in the parking structure adjacent to Recruit Training Command's Visitor Center (USS YORKTOWN). Please obey the following while driving on base:

• No cell phone usage while driving on base!
• Seat belts are required for all drivers/passengers at all times
• Motorcycle drivers/riders MUST have proper protective clothing/equipment such helmet, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and over the ankle hard-soled boots.
• Recent graduates are prohibited from operating motor vehicles, including motorcycles, and are NOT allowed to be a passenger on a motorcycle.

MULTIPLE SEARCHES POSSIBLE: All graduation attendees are required to enter through Recruit Training Command's Visitor Center, for security screening, prior to entering the ceremony itself. Every person, bag, and vehicle on the base is subject to search. Metal detectors and other security devices are in use onboard Recruit Training Command.

• ITEMS PERMITTED INTO GRADUATION CEREMONY: Small bag/personal item (purse, satchel, etc…), small diaper bag, small camera bag, and personal wheelchair or walker. Strollers and car seats are allowed but discouraged due to space limitations (you may leave them in your car).
• ITEMS NOT PERMITTED INTO GRADUATION CEREMONY:
  • Large bags, backpacks, luggage, posters, signs/banners, large tripods, gift bags of any size, and flowers.
  • Alcohol, illegal drugs, knives or weapons will be confiscated by security. Any person found with these items will NOT be permitted to enter the ceremony.

NO WEAPONS! Weapons possession on federal installations is highly regulated and those in violation are subject to arrest and prosecution.

Is the walk long if you take your own vehicle?