Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Welcome all new mom's, I look forward to reading your stories. You will learn a lot from this group, always something or someone you can relate to.

Chipmunk, I don't mind sharing. My son's PIR was 9/22/23, he is in A school in San Antonio to be a corpsman. At the moment his classes have not started, he is in holding until spots free up. He may go on to C school just depending on which direction he chooses when that time comes. Its been very nice to be able to reach him, he's growing up but still my baby boy. 

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

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 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.

Well ladies, I am having a hard couple of days...I have held it together since he left on August 21 (my son, my heart) and look forward to seeing him at PIR at the end of the month, but for some reason the last two days have been hard!!  I am crying and have a heavy heart.  I think the realization that he isn't coming home again to LIVE in my house, where I can see his face everyday, for a long time is setting in and I am heart broken.  I tried to talk to my sister's about this but they do not understand...try as they do.  I am distracted at work and grouchy with my hubby.  Who knew it would be the end of this BC bulls*%t that would do me in LOL

Been there regularly and still go there EdsMomD... lol.. yeah, it's been surprising the things/events that will set me off in tears.. been two years now and better but still happens. We miss him being here in our every day lives so much sometimes, but we know it's for the best that he got out and is living life now on his own, except Navy..  We get it.. my sailor was my only one so really empty around here..

EdsMom- I read your post and could feel your pain, I'm so sorry you are struggling. You are right I don't think people really understand how hard it is unless you go through it. The last 5 wks were the hardest for me, thats when I had a little break down. That night was very tough for me, but I will tell you it gets so much better once you see your son. It is so hard to let go, to let them take care of themselves. We have always been there if and when they need us, now we have to just pray for guidance...for us and them. Its great now my son is in San Antonio, 4 hours by car from me. I can talk to him often, we facetime, and he still calls me for advice. Trust me that day is coming for you, until then tell us how you feel because it helps to get it out.

Eds Mom Danielle, {{{BNMHs}}} - Big Navy Mom Hugs!! I know they are virtual, but we do understand the pain. I don't know if your son had an email account with is picture on it, but I wrote my son emails while he was in BC. Granted, I still kept them positive and upbeat, then I copied and printed them to mail. But my son's smiling face was his profile picture. Just seeing him smile at me, helped me daily more than I probably realized back then. 

I also had other children still around and a wedding we were trying to get ready for, so I stayed busy. But it was really hard when I realized that my son would not be moving back home at all. It is not the same kind of transition that you have with a child that goes off to college. Your sisters love you, but your sea sisters understand you and your struggles! Keep sharing. 

Everyone, please join me in welcoming mtd311 - to our group.

mtd311 - this is the Comment Wall area and the best place to ask you questions. 

I'm with you, EdsMom. I still get a lump in my chest every time I drive by the hotel where we said goodbye to our son the night before he left for BC. That was the last time we saw him here, in his hometown. You'll have down days, but there will be MANY up days, starting with seeing him at PIR. He'll still be your boy, but he'll be changed and matured in ways you could not anticipate. Trey, Chipmunk and Sandra are right - he's chosen this path and (hopefully) living the life he wants to live, so we moms can pat ourselves on the back, knowing we raised these strong-minded, independent young men. Big hugs to you!

Eds mom Danielle- oh my I totally get it. I unfortunately am behind you and won’t have him home for Thanksgiving. I think that will be very difficult.i still have his younger brother but My son is just 18 fresh out of high school he will be in SC for his 19th birthday. I have two older ones but one in college still living at home and I e moved out with kids but I see everyday. It is hard. I am counting down the days. I was a marine wife and when he was deployed it was NEVER this difficult. The connection of a mother and and child is so strong. So glad you get to see him soon. Just think about that and all you want to do before you see him and the time will go by faster. Cause there is never enough time to do those things. 

@Eds mom, that's what bothers me the most.  Not having him here under my roof for more than visits going forward.  I still have his 16 year old brother (B) who pretty much only visits now (his grandparents live 3 miles away and he spends weekends over there helping and hanging out with friends that live in their neighborhood) but C was Always here and was my shadow.  Plus C and I had a lot more in common like music, entertainment, travel, B and I are mostly outdoor sports in common.  I feel you 100% on that realization.  

I got a call from my SR yesterday, very unexpected since it was his first full week of BC.  I tried to sneak questions in but he was only calling to get the list of countries we'd visited the last 7 years and how long in each for his clearance.  I was very happy to hear his voice though!

My son left for the Navy in 2012, we are from CA.  I always just assumed when his time was done he would come back to CA.  Boy was I wrong lol!  When he finished up he was in VA, he stayed there for a short time but he had met his now wife while in the Navy (both were nukes but different ships) and she got out right after him.  Home for her is MI so that's where she went.  They did the long distance thing for a minute and then finally he moved to Michigan.  So he never came back to CA!  Now don't get me wrong - he met his beautiful wife (whom we love!), they bought a brand new house in MI (thank you Navy/GI bill), got their college degrees (again thank you Navy/GI bill) and gave us our first grandbaby almost 5 months ago.  Life is good - and we've been to MI multiple times now - even bought a condo and plan on retiring there so we can spend more time with them and watch our grandson grow up.   But yeah, it's weird knowing he'll never be back home because now home is somewhere else! Crazy how life changes! Semper Gumby for sure ;-D

Eds Mom - I get it. My boy is in BC and the last of my 2 kids so now we're empty nesters. As homeschoolers and frequent travelers (followed hubs on a lot of work trips, home exchanged etc.), he was always my seatmate, my dive buddy, and my car conversationalist (just finished up all his driving lessons together as well!) It's not easy. You do get more used to it but the key is you now need to find interests that maybe you hadn't considered before. I took grantwriting courses online so I could help a local non profit. I run a home business also. And hubs and I found some new things to do together, too, when he's in town. So that all helps. Doesn't mean I don't miss my kid but it's key to recognize this new phase. And don't expect others to empathize outside of this group because unfortunately, that's rare and they'll say a lot of really unhelpful things, even if they were the ones who asked how you're doing! A lot of them can't understand your unique situation or relationship and it doesn't make your feelings any less valid.

TravelAddicted - yes I got that same call and I tried to sneak in all the questions/comments I could. I had already given all of this info prior to him shipping to RTC but should have consolidated that info - also for clearance. I knew since it was a US Govt desk phone that the call would be brief. We got a few of those for various questions, all brief. Anyway, probably will never need it again but I have it all written out  and rady, in case they ever ask again so I don't have to figure out the last 7 years. We travel a lot and passports rarely get stamped so I mostly had to rely upon old, slow Google Calendar, probably much to the chagrin of whomever's desk phone he was using! hehe Also hubs was born on US soil in another country due to his father's service so we got a call about that - even though we filled all that out in advance AND hubs was also in the Navy with clearances. I guess they are just required to do their due diligence no matter the situation.

Trey, Sandra, Chipmuck, Joe-mom, Lisa, TravelAddictedNavyMom, B'sNukeMoM, TravelinMom and everyone else out there THANK YOU!!!  Even though your messages made me cry again LOL I really appreciate you taking time to comfort me this week.  One of my sisters (I have 6) said "you sound like you are in the 7's of grief".  I didn't know that was a thing, apparently 7 days, 7 weeks and 7 years after a loss there are stronger grieving periods.  He is in week 6 so I was close...I was always an over achiever HAHA I Do Not mean to liken BC to a death by any means, just a loss.   A loss of time, loss of seeing his goofy face everyday. Loss of the priviledge of hearing his voice whenever I wanted, even the loss of the aggravation they can cause ;)  My dad was FDNY, my husband NYPD, I thought I was a little more ready than the general public for this and am finding out how wrong I was! LOL My family helps in their way but you lot get it on a deeper more profound way and I am so thankful to have you!  Happy Saturday everyone.  Hooya Navy!

B'sNukeMoM I had to look up Semper Gumby and now that I get it I Love It!!!

that is interesting about the 7s of grief.. going to look more into it, as I'm getting older grief is coming more often and harder to deal with.. 

glad we helped.. BNMHs.. to all of us doing this..

TravlinMom - It is a good thing that you have all of your records together, you never know! I would never have been able to recreate all of that, even with a filled out calendar!

Eds Mom Danielle, Trey - Over the years on this site, there have been many times when someone has commented on grieving the loss of their SR and likening it to death. Something that I have realized is that each season in our life seems to have its own kind of grief or mourning that goes along with it, even as we are in the midst of embracing the new season. 

Edsmom-It's tough when they go off to boot camp, A School...whaerever...I'm dealing with my sailor deciding on where he wants to be stationed. *sigh* He wants to go to another country and I have to accept his decison for now. Hang in there...we are here for you!

Good Evening everyone!  Please join me in welcoming Xzmum to our group!

Xzmum - this is the comment wall and the best place to ask your questions or say hello. 

Patti thank you. I know he joined to see the world and I as and am so excited for him... I just hadn't thought it through enough to really realize he would be doing it all e without me lol 

Good morning Navy Family!  I spoke to Ed Saturday,in the rain, while on crossing guard duty!  So everyone going to Temple Saturday got a little clip of my conversation because there was NO way on God's green earth I was Not taking his call!  Between this group and that call I know he is going to be fine and so will I haha. He sounded....different, some of you know what I mean.  His questions were more specific, his responses more ... I don't know...I guess Adult is the word. It was a change I have seen happen before with him. Ed worked in NYC as a Welder for years, he is 24, right out of high school and that made him grown-up quickly..  taking the subway at 4:30 a.m. with just the rats , other blue collar people and the subway dwellers makes you grow up. ...but This, This was different 💙 It was so comforting to hear it.  He has grown and I now cannot wait to meet the new version of my baby in a few weeks!

Thank you all for helping over the hump!

Edsmom, When Sailor came home last Thursday and left last friday evening, I suddenly got so very sad at the realization that he is now 21 and his own man. Our kids joined to see the world, have security, etc., but it still doesn't make it easier when they visit and have to go back to their own lives. *sigh* They still love us, all the same.

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

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 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.

EdsMomDanielle - Hugs!! I am so glad that you had a phone call which lifted your spirits. Our children chart their own course, but that doesn't mean we stop being Momma. The hugs don't change, but the conversations do. They we no longer converse with them as children but adults who still need our wisdom and listening ear. 

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

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 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.

NO PIR DECEMBER 21ST OR DECEMBER 28TH, 2023.

Because we can all use a bit of fun... Enjoy this "Sea Shanty" from one of my favorite musicians... https://www.facebook.com/reel/2064660287200442

Chipmunk Thankyou

belovedbyHim LOL

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

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 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.

Hi!  My son's PIR is coming up fast and I have a (probably silly ) question:  immediately after PIR when they go back to their ship for their belongings....what are they getting?  what do they need from back at their barracks?  I understand he is going to want to Eat, take a shower by himself LOL and Nap.  We booked a hotel specifically with a hottub for a soak LOL, so I know he will need his navy issued swimsuit and shirt.  

I know THIS is most likely a pipe dream but will they get their phones back on PIR day?

Thank you for all your information!

I know there are links with more updated info somewhere around here. but I do remember that no matter if they stay and GL or leave, they do return to their ships after PIR to change/get their stuff, including phone, paperwork signed, etc. it can take a few hours but you will get contacted by them and can go from there.. We just hung around at the Sailor museum because we didn't want to miss out anything and being near the base..

Eds Mom - My son's PIR was last November, and he was able to have his phone right after. Had to go back to his ship to get phone and pictures, but he remained in uniform the entire time he was with us on liberty. Phone had to be turned in when we dropped him off on base that evening. Not sure how much has changed in the past year.

Trey and joe-mom Thank you!!

Eds Mom Danielle--  You are going to have to tell us!!!  I KNOW that 10 years ago only those sailors staying at GL had to go back to their Barracks (Or those who had the duty that day.... Ours had watch so it was a lot of back and forth), Yes, if they want to swim or Hot Tub, they need to go back to get their gear.  This was back in the Days of KIB (Kid-in-a-box) when they mailed their stuff home and you had to bring it with you!! So many kids who didn't have their Cell phones would be waiting to use the payphones!!! Now...???? It was surprising to hear that they could take stuff back with them to pack in their bags when that came up a couple of weeks ago.  SO, It sounds like YES they are getting their box back sooner!! Please keep in mind that this policy can change at any time if they are caught abusing it (along with all the trouble they get in.) so have them follow the rules laid out by their RDC's!!! If they say "no" it's a No, no matter what we may have said on here!!! We know a lot but things change and your Sailor knows best!!

Today's PIR live:

LIVE PIR 10.12.23

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

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 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 248th birthday Navy!

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

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

PIR OCTOBER 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.

Thinking of all our troops this evening and especially those in the fleet and all the recruits working so hard in BC right now. Thank you so much to all the Navy moms for your support and wisdom and willingness to help those of us new to Navy life. Thank you ~

Welcome to all of our new members who joined this past week!!  

This is the best place to come post your questions, say Hi, and just share your ups and downs regarding Pre-BC (DEP) or BC. We are here to encourage and support you. If you are viewing this site on a mobile device, I recommend you put your screen into desktop mode. You can better see the computer layout and scroll around the screen to find more information easily. 

I am still mostly out-of-pocket, but I wanted to say hi, especially since I know we have some new members that I have not had a chance to personally welcome. 

Lara - Thank you!!