Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

B'sNukeMom - What a wonderful, exciting time for your family. All of our best wishes to your son and his soon to be bride!

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

PIR MAY 2024

PIR APRIL 2024

PIR MARCH 2024

AxolotlMom - It has been almost 7 years since my son graduated from BC, but at that time, they did have challenge coins available for purchase that had at least the ship on the coin. I don't recall if there was one for his division as well or not. 

Some things were available for sale, prior to the start of PIR and others we stopped by the Photo NEX and purchased there. I would make sure you have both cash and debit card (some places are charging fees for credit cards), & credit cards for your trip. If they do have specific division challenge coins, those will go fast. Something you might want to look into instead for the division is the division picture where they have the division flag, or possibly the T-shirts. Things may be a little different for your daughter since she is in RCU as to when she might be participating in these group photos or creating the division flag, so I suggest checking with her first, if possible, before buying. 

Division T-shirts & Photos - That is the link to the information page in the upper right of this group page. I think it may have something about challenge coins. 

The following I copied out of this page - Navy abbreviations & terminology

Challenge Coin: a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. In addition, they are also collected by service members. In practice, challenge coins are normally presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement by a member of the unit. They are also exchanged in recognition of visits to an organization. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenge_coin and http://mentalfloss.com/article/12630/brief-history-challenge-coins.) The challenge coin from RTC is available at the NEX and online and those for the Ship the recruit is on at BC (Craig designed them) are available on eBay through pirgifts and there are also different ones for the ships at RTC that are available PIR weekend.) https://store.nwtmint.com/Navy/ has challenge coins for various ratings (although they mistakenly include them in "Rate"), some Navy vessels, and some bases and installations. There are other sites on the web as well. Do not give your Sailor a coin for his/her rating until after graduation from “A” School for that rating.

Chipmunk - Thank you for all that info!  I don't think my kid is in RCU. I mean, I haven't heard from her in a week so maybe so??? I know she's in division 921, so I didn't know if there was a specific coin for that division. I'll look online and I'll also send her a letter asking if this is something she's even interested in. Like you said, maybe a t-shirt will suit her better :)  Thanks again for the info :)

AxolotlMom - You are welcome! And my apologies, I was confusing you and Londack86. 

B'sNukeMoM -- Congratulations and Enjoy the wedding!!!

Happy 1st Day of Spring!

AxolotlMom - our son graduated 3 years ago and he purchased their ship challenge coin when he ordered photos 

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

PIR MAY 2024

PIR APRIL 2024

PIR MARCH 2024

S.O. Contract:

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.)

Happy Wednesday!  Technically this is my Friday - I'll be off the next couple of days - rehearsal dinner tomorrow and then youngest sons wedding on Friday....Excited it's finally here!

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

PIR MAY 2024

PIR APRIL 2024

PIR MARCH 2024

The June PIR group is posted.  Here's the link:

PIR JUNE 2024

Happy Wedding-ing B's.  May the new couple be blessed and may their marriage be long and happy!!

Happy Day-before PIR for any of our BC Moms who are going!!
If that's you... Be sure to come let us know!

Thanks belovedbyHim!  Just so excited it's finally here!

Thinking of all our troops and especially our Sailors and SRecuits this evening. 

Congratulations to PIR Sailors and families today! 

Axolotmom - my Sailor purchased some challenge coins when he finished Boot camp late last year and I believe he made the purchase in conjunction with his pictures. My husband also had bought some online too. We also had gotten a nice holder (like a wooden tray with grooves) that the coins rest on and I really think it is neat and a nice display with room for other coins. I imagined my Sailor over the years would like a collection like that from his time in the Navy, however long he chooses. 
Something I also did — I took pictures beginning with the start of PIR day (literally pictures of the early morning traffic to get on the base for PIR) and pictures throughout that day and the entire weekend and then afterward I used Shutterfly and made up a scrapbook of the weekend. My Sailor didn’t purchase the video of the ceremony but I had lots of pictures in the scrapbook of the ceremony too. So, just another idea. 

something I have thought I would like as a mom and maybe daughter Sailors might like is a charm bracelet, starting with a charm or two to start with PIR weekend, thrn she can wear the piece of jewelry when she is able. 

Congratulations to all our New Navy Sailors and their families!!! I hope you all have a wonderful time together!!

Lara the photobook is a great idea! 

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

PIR JUNE 2024

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Happy Tuesday!  I'm back from the wedding and we had a fabulous time!

B'sNukeMom -  beautiful pix!!! 

B'sNukeMom - I am so happy for your entire family!! All of my best wishes and prayers for the newlyweds. 

B'sNukeMoM -- Congratulations!!! May their worst days be behind them and may fair winds and following seas be with them!!

Thank you ladies - it was beautiful! 

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

PIR JUNE 2024

PIR MAY 2024

PIR APRIL 2024

PIR MARCH 2024

Happy PIR Day!  Watch it live here:

LIVE PIR 3.28.2024

Happy PIR Day!!!

That's awesome Darlene.. BZs to him..

Darlene - Congratulations to your son!! I am so happy that you were able to be at PIR. I apologize, my week has been interrupted with various appointments for a family member and I still can't get used to PIR being on Thursday. 

Darlene - I am so glad that you were able to spend most of the day with your after PIR. If you are able to go to the airport and meet him there, that is also a wonderful part of this Navy journey. When my son left BC they had to wear their dress uniforms. I am not sure if all the rates still do that or not, but it was amazing to see all of these young men and women flying off to their various schools. Not to mention that for us, we had more time at the airport with our son on that very early Saturday morning, than we did after his PIR on Friday, due to some logistical issues he had to deal with to get his orders finalized. 

Happy Friday!

Darlene - BZ to your son!  What a nice surprise for you ;-D

Darlene -- Make the most of this time and congratulations to your Sailor!!! Yes, BC feels so long for so much of it but then when you are at the other end it really is fast!

Love this B's!!!

B'sNukeMom - That is such a cute meme!

The Navy has updated their Cell Phone Usage.

Read the article here on personal cell phones for call homes:

Personal Cell Phone Use for Calls Home

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

PIR JUNE 2024

PIR MAY 2024

PIR APRIL 2024

S.O. Contract:

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.)