Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Can anyone give me more details about the day recruits leave for GL? We were given a Nov 16 ship out date. Now my son just told me that means he needs to be at the hotel near MEPS on Nov 15. I don't have a clear idea about what happens and if we parents can be at MEPS to see any of the swearing in.  

  I'm trying really hard to let my son as his recruiter all of the questions, so in the mean time I'm hoping someone here might be able to give a bit more information.  He will be leaving from Ft. Dix in NJ in case that matters.

Yes.. hi Goatmama.. they spend the night before MEPS swearing in at a hotel so they are all bused around together. after meps they will go to the airport. You can have him ask the recruiter if you can see the swearing in.. there was covid for us so we couldn't but I think it is an option now, some MEPS also record it and put it out on youtube.. feel free to read back up and check out all our links.. and please feel free to keep asking.. we have newer moms around who have recently go/gone through this.. It's been a little over two years for me..

You can go to the swearing in.  Quite a few parents did when my son shipped last month.  I stayed at the same hotel as my son, but he wasn't allowed in my room and vice versa the night before.  We just hung out and had dinner, I had to get him back by their curfew, then we hung out in the lobby and watched instagram reels together.  The next morning he left early, I left when I was told by the recruiter that I should to get to MEPS and get parking as Jax MEPS has very little.  I then hung out in my car until time.  I got to sit with him before, then they went back and then they called the families and friends in.  We watched them swear in, they gave us time to say our goodbyes then they went into a room connected to sign their final contracts.  

When my son left several weeks ago, no one reference to me at any time, the ability to participate and observe the swearing in ceremony. I had seen it referenced on the Internet, but his recruiter never made any comment about it. We did take our son up to the hotel and had dinner that evening and said goodbye. There were other boys there as well that I could see we’re also going to be going to MEPS the next day. I didn’t see other parents with them. I know my son referenced that the next morning they went to MEPS and did the swearing in before going to the airport. 

if you are aware of it being an option, I think it would be great to participate!

Hi, when my son left  in Aug.Myself and one more person was able to go back as his guest at Meps.After, I was able to follow them to airport and stay with him,until he got on his plane.

When my son left we dropped him off at the local recruiters and said our goodbyes there. We went in with him but nothing was ever said about going to the swearing in with him. They drive him down to Indy. Put him in a hotel and the next morning was up early for MEPS and then airport for GL. 

Goatmama, Lisa, and others - being able to attend swearing in a MEPS has been a continual iffy option since Covid. I think it was fairly common beforehand, but since, not all of the recruiters know exactly what is going on and each MEPS has had a different scenario. If you live near your MEPS, then I recommend that you go early that morning, we got there about 8 - 8:30 AM, and at least find out if you are able to attend the swearing in or not. They should have a lounge area for you to wait. If possible, go to the recruiting office with your loved one (YES, I know, we are trying to let them adult -but as far as I was concerned - I was still Momma bear that needed all of the answers - until he swore in and was headed to GL.) and ask for specific information about the night before at the motel, at MEPS and at the airport. 

I was told by the recruiter that we could go to the airport and then the man driving the recruits to the airport said we could not go. (I think he was just thinking we were being sissy mommas.) As it turned out, we had other things to deal with that day and so the airport was out of the question. But every trip home, we took advantage of gate passes and sat with our sailor until he flew back to his school or duty station after leave time. 

As the other ladies have shared, they each had their own experience. So, if you can, just ask, or butt in like you know what you are doing and show up. The worse they can say, is NO, and then you must be willing to listen and turn away. Be mindful, they will have armed security there & screening, at least they did at our MEPS. 

I think the best thing to do is join your local MEPS Facebook page, it will give you updates on the upcoming swearing in, and also post the video in case you cannot make it. Our local MEPS posted updates often, with all the instructions you need. We got lucky because they started allowing parents to attend the wk our son was sworn in July of this year. 

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**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.

Thank you to everyone who answered my MEPS questions! My son is going to ask more questions today and I will follow up if he doesn't get the specifics. :) 

I would like to say our recruiter was awesome with my son. The weekend before BC he did not head the recruiters advice and “live in a bubble” but went to Purdue for a weekend visit with friends. He come home Monday after sitting in lectures with a friend and rethought the whole military thing. He wanted to go to college and then go into the military. But we called the chief and he walked him through his decision with his dad on the line too. He told him the pros and cons. He would not get offered nuke program again. He prayed about it and left the next week. Point being you are right @belovedbyHim they are not here for us but the recruiters. He was not just worried about numbers but was honest telling him he could still back out and took the time to talk with him and reassure him. 

Congratulations to all of our newest sailors!!

Today's live PIR:

LIVE PIR 10.26.23

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PIR JANUARY 2024

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**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.

Hey congratulations 🍾🎉🎊🎈 to all new sailors.

Congratulations to new sailors today!!! Very exciting!! ❤️🤍💙

I have a silly question perhaps, but can anyone comment on how in A school, sailors interact or have limits on their phones? 
I have wondered if they carry them on person or they are not allowed to have them in specific areas or during different tasks. 
I know too, perhaps there are different rules for different A schools. 

Sending out restful thoughts for everyone’s evening.

Lara- they can have cell phones and use them when they are not in class. They are not allowed to have phones, not even Apple Watches in class. 

mine had his for A and C school but couldn't use/have them out during class.. and it seemed the wifi signal was blocked for certain areas.. but otherwise.. no problems as long as they are looking at their phone while walking around base..

Congratulations to all new sailors and their families!!

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**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.

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

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**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.

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Sarge's Meet N Greet

Hubby ran across this neat site.. not applicable for BC but wanted to share for after..  https://asymca.org/

Happy Halloween everyone! A snowy start to our trick or treat day but hopefully clear skies this afternoon! 

Thank you to everyone for the info regarding phone use at A school and in the fleet. I liked that comment about if the Navy wanted it to happen! I will need to remember that! 

Babyshark mom - Yes! Same group!! I can’t be at Sarge’s that evening as I think we will get there too late but I will sing a Baby shark tune or two at graduation!! Us mommy sharks will be so proud!! 

Lara, BabySharkMom and others have a wonderful time at your PIR!!  - When you get back home be sure to share your expriences and come join us in the Beyond BC group!

Re: Phones at A school - my son was not allowed to have most outside electronics in his classrooms, so his phone stayed in his BEQ most of the time and not on his person. He wore a plain black, inexpensive water-resistant Casio watch (not the fancy kind) so he knew what time it was. He would come back to his BEQ to change for PT and sometimes dinner. I knew about what time he would be done, so I could call or text him to call me back if I needed something. Otherwise, it was often just me sending him an I Love you text, and we waited for him to call or Skype with his younger brother on Saturday mornings. Most of the time he was either studying, eating, doing PT or riding his bicycle otherwise. But he did know that if Mom did not know he was okay, then I would start calling and he did not want any superiors yelling at him for not keeping in touch with his Momma!! He knew to let me know all was okay, so there were nights when he would text me Goodnight and I knew it had been a long day, but okay.

My son was a Nuke. 

Chipmunk - Can you believe PIR is only a week away?  I cannot believe how quickly (and slowly) time has gone.  Our ST should be taking the final PFA today-ish.  Prayers that all recruits do their absolute best.  Happy Halloween, everyone!

Lara - just saw your message.  Yes!!!  We must meet up if possible.  We are also not going to Meet n Greet as we are waiting on our oldest to arrive from Wisconsin to retrieve our tickets.  Staying at Navy Lodge so hopefully can get over to the base early.  Would love to meet if time allows!

BabySharkMom - All the best to our SR as they finish strong!!

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

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 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.

Today's PIR happening live:

LIVE PIR 11.02.23

Blessings to all of you at PIR today and your weekend with your sailor!! I am still having to adjust to the new PIR day!

Happy PIR-ing to our new Sailors, their families and loved ones and those back home.  My you all be blessed on your Navy journey. 

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

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 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.