Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

TravelAddictedMom - That is wonderful news!!! Yes, do come share and we will be praying for all to go well with the PFT!!

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

PIR NOVEMBER 2023

USPS Informed Delivery - Sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).  

Informed Delivery®

click on the link

Here is my discussion on the Sandboxx App - click on the link:

Sandboxx app while in BC

**Only to be used while in boot camp.

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.)

PICK UP YOUR TICKETS FOR THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
(THIS IS OFF-BASE)

TICKETING: Everyone who is planning on attending a graduation ceremony MUST personally obtain a ticket, which will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center the week of your recruit's graduation. Tickets are free of charge, but you must have valid photo ID to obtain your ticket (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport, or, for minors, a student ID, driver's permit, SSN card, birth certificate,). Once you receive your ticket do NOT lose it, as this will be the only ticket you will receive. These tickets are not transferable and are the only means to access the base for attendees.
 

RECRUIT FAMILY WELCOME CENTER HOURS:

Day before Graduation: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Day of Graduation: 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM
 

Plan accordingly so each person can check-in to receive a ticket for the graduation ceremony. If you don't have a ticket you will NOT be allowed entry to the base. Tickets will only be issued to guests who the graduating recruit has verified will be attending. Please ensure those who check-in to receive their graduation tickets are the same as those who were listed on the security form.

**DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE BASE WITHOUT FIRST PICKING UP YOUR TICKET**

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.

HEY Boot camp Moms!!! I have good news.... This is from RTC

Happy Wednesday!

And just to clarify on the new cell phone usage - division 033 and 034 are February PIR's.

I have the February PIR group started.  Here's the link:

PIR FEBRUARY 2024

Today's PIR happening live:

LIVE PIR 11.30.2023

Good Morning and Happy PIR day everyone!

I want to welcome all of our new members to the BC Mom and Loved Ones group. We are glad you are here, but we also want to get to know you. The best way to do that is to come to the group page here, and in the Comment Wall area, come say hello. 

If you are using a mobile device this site is easier to view if you put it into desktop mode. Otherwise, I use my computer and I have no issues navigating around the site. There is a lot of information here and there are many of us around, but if you don't post a question, come say hi, or just share your ups and downs, we may not always pop on to chat. 

My son is now a veteran, but I stick around in this group and several others on the site. My son ended up getting married while enlisted and she is still in the Navy, so I am still an active-duty Navy Mom (MIL) who misses my kids also. 

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2024

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

Congratulations to all the new sailors and their families!! Enjoy the wonderful weekend together! 

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2024

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

Looks like Sarge has updated his site and now there IS A MEET N GREET FOR the 12/14/23 PIR GROUP.  Meet N Greet is on 12/13/23.  Be sure to RSVP for it.

@cali navy mom

most of my phone calls have been on the weekend. The one that wasn’t was last week on a Thursday but he graduates this Week so j think that was why. They needed to tell us they passed. 

Cali Navy Mom - Oh my - Time zone differences!!. That can be hard to deal with and your sailor probably did not even realize it. I am so sorry that you missed the early morning call. 

Moving forward - and this is for everyone - Keep your phones close by you and your ringers on loud, charge your phones by your bed, leave a specific voice message for your SR - I know, you only have one option, but it is only for a few weeks. Let them know that if you missed their call you are so sorry. And tell them to be sure to call someone else on their list. 

My SR had the numbers of myself, his dad, his older siblings and his grandmother, all in the event that someone might not be able to answer the call. My son's calls came on Saturday afternoon, but if your SR needs extra information, they can call during the weekday hours. Also, they will call after they pass Battle Stations and that is going to likely be during the week as well. 

Even after my son was out of BC and at A school, my personal cell phone stayed in my pocket with ringer on loud. Even during church service, since sometimes that was the best time for him to call. And we had time zone issues as well. When they are out in the fleet you never know when a call will come in. So, if you can't answer your phone, you want to change your ringer tone to a specific one for when their cell phone rings. Also, communicate to them in a letter that if you can't answer, who they should call to talk to, just so they can say hi to someone. 

And Cali Navy Mom - you are not the only mom who has missed a phone call. Moms share often that they missed a call, and it is so hard on our momma's hearts, but say a prayer and write a letter or two and send them off. 

@Cali Navy Mom my son had a "needs encouragement" moment and called his dad. I'm in OH, and his dad is in WA state, so he called dad because I was teaching at the time, and his dad works from home most of the week instead of having to go into the office. His "I am in boot camp" call came at 10:15 est and I missed it too. It sucks! I'm so sorry! I have a specific song on my phone for his number and it's listed as part of my "always ring!" to circumvent that. Hopefully you get to talk to your sailor soon!

Cali Mom I am so sorry you missed the call. I received a call as well around 615 on Saturday morning. I almost missed it because I hit the ignore button. luckily he called back. Very much hoping they get to call again soon. hang in there

Cali Navy Mom - Unfortunately, yes, even though your son knew it was early morning for you, they get to go to the phone bank when they are allowed to go. 

I forgot to mention taking your phone off of Do Not Disturb, because yes, the calls will come from a pay phone where they are using their calling cards. 

As for this site, it is old school, and is not as compatible with mobile devices. So, if you can view the site on a computer, it is easier to see the full screen and scroll around to the various groups and pages. If you are on a mobile device, it may be helpful to put it into desktop mode. 

Both my son and my DIL are Veteran's and they had our first grandchild in May, well DIL got a call from the VA office (she delivered through the VA and delivery/hospital was covered 100%) and they were inviting her to a baby shower for everyone who delivered in 2023!  Turns out it was a "drive-thru" shower and they asked if she would rather have a stroller or a pack n play and what size clothes/diapers they want.  They went on Saturday and they literally loaded up the back of their car with all kinds of goodies.  Everything is donated to the VA and they did this for everyone in their Michigan area VA that delivered in 2023!  That is just the sweetest thing ever!  I'll post a picture from my phone so you can see what they got.  And they even got some gift cards, games, a quilt, Boppee pillow, some outfits, bath tub....just so much stuff.

Cali Navy Mom - Depending on your son's A school, you should be able to get an idea of his schedule once he starts classes. Your son will be the one to inform you of all of that information, so he may need a little encouragement, but communication is definitely better once they have their cell phones again. It may still be sparse, but at least you can leave a text message for him. 

I am glad you were able to get on your laptop and maneuver around the site better. I do not do any posting on my phone, and I generally just check my messages through my email feed and then I log in on my computer to reply. 

B'sNukeMom - What a wonderful blessing!

Cali Navy mom - my son finished Boot camp in November and I noticed that the call after 4 weeks was the longest and after that they were more frequent. I noticed he called a few times at the end based on the division having achieved a goal or point of success too, outside of battle station. His calls came on weekends too. I had perhaps 2 at work during the day and I tried to let clients know I was expecting a call that required answering and that they would see me check my phone each time I saw a call come through. At work I kept mine on vibrate or silent but within view so I could look quickly and answer. I also tried to answer every spam call just about just in case because of the pay phone component but that was probably unnecessary in retrospect. I did watch for the area code though, 847 I think. 

I did have to add time to his phone card to make sure he had enough time to get all the way through BC. I noticed that. 

I recall too my Sailor stating that his Chief allowed him to call too, when on watch or missed the opportunity bc of an unexpected task. 

I will say a prayer that he can call again soon! 

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2024

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

We dropped our son off last night and he is on his way to Great Lakes today. When he checked into the hotel last night he spoke with someone at MEPS on the phone and was told that because he is in the Warrior Challenge he may complete boot camp in 8 weeks instead of 10 weeks. Has anyone encountered this?  We are wondering when we would get this confirmed so that we can make hotel reservations for graduation.

Goatmama - when my son was at BC (6+ years now) we were always told to wait for our "Form" letter with their PIR (graduation date). Now they are sending a lot of that information out via the  Sandboxx App, - but the advice still stands. Wait until you are given a PIR date from your SR (seaman recruit) whether that is via the "form" letter or a written letter from him. 

And then - Book flights, hotel reservations with Changeable, Cancelable, and/or refundable tickets!!!  Lots of scenarios can happen in BC and you don't know if your SR will be set back or other issues that might arise, so stay flexible.  

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.)

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2024

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

I've been swamped with life and away for a couple of days so just now getting caught up.

Cali Navy Mom -- {{{{BNMH}}}}} I am so sorry you missed his call.  It's for this very reason that I charge my cell phone in our room even though DH hates it.  I just know there's no way I'd get to it elsewhere!  I also missed a during BC and it just about killed me!!  His dad was home and got the call but they are guys... It was very short... Even now... 10 years on, I get a pit in my stomach if I see I've missed a call or chat with him!  BC is hard because they don't let them use their Cell phones (YET)  That is changing but it has not changed for your SR.  Just let your clients know what is going on and that you may need to check incoming calls, just in case.  MOST calls are on the weekend but not ALL calls.  Someone, once posted the logistics with the actual numbers but it was something like 1000 kids come in each week, there are less than 100 working payphones.  It would be hard to give them all enough time on a single day. 
Don't overfill the phone card.  Mine never ended up using all his time.


B'sNukeMoM -- WOW!!! That is SOOOOOOO Cool!!! I hope this is all stuff they needed and that they are blessed for having it!

Goatmama -- Welcome.   I left some information on your page when you joined back in Sept.  You may want to go back and re-read that.  As Chipmunk stated you won't know till he gets there and gets going on his P-days.  Now with Sandboxx they are able to send you the PIR date as well as DIV number and address via text.  you DO NOT have to use Sandboxx to get this information, Your SR Simply has to Opt IN to have them send it.  This seems to happen anywhere from Processing Day 1 through P5.  We don't have a better grasp on when folks are getting that notification because they aren't sharing it here. 

It's PIR day!  Watch it live here:

LIVE PIR 12.07.23

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2024

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023

You might also want to check the settings on your cellphone.  I know when Verizon/iPhone does updates there's a feature where it will automatically send any "unrecognized" number to spam without ringing first.  You can go in and change that setting so it will ring and you have the option to answer!  Better safe than sorry!

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

PIR FEBRUARY 2024

PIR JANUARY 2024

PIR DECEMBER 2023