Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

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

PIR: MARCH 2025

PIR: FEBRUARY 2025

PIR: JANUARY 2025

Just wanted to thank you to all the moms for all the support the last two months. Looks like my son will be separating for now; hopefully he decides to pursue the Navy in the future, but it just didn't work out for him this time. 

I hope things go well for him and you jase's ,,mom.. bnmh.. he is a great guy for stepping up and trying

jase's.mom - Things happen for a reason, hopefully he does decide to try again, or maybe there is something better out there for him.  Either way, thank him please for trying!

Jase's.mom - I too think everything happens for a reason.  He is courageous and look toward the future and the new path ahead!  

Jase's mom, I am so sorry but parrot thr other comments that things happen for a reason and changing paths can sometimes be the better route. That said it is hard. Our daughter had to try twice and grew immensely stronger and more confident in the process.  All will be ok.  

Jase's mom - I am so sorry to hear this!! It has been good to have you posting here and I am sorry that things did not work out for your son. Bravo Zulu to him for giving it his all!! Expectations and then changes have always been difficult for me, and then I started looking at my life in different seasons and that has helped but it still is not easy. And it may not be easy for your son to immediately turn and around and be able to figure out his next step in life. When our kids find bumps along the road and it takes them time to bounce back, as adults, we find ourselves having to parent differently - and whatever that may look like for you, it is probably different from the next parent who is going through something similar. 

Please know you do not have to leave this site just because your son has separated. I have been really busy with some of my own things, but you are still welcome to join the Beyond BC - Navy For Moms - group if you would like to stay connected to other Navy Moms for support. Your "beyond" time or reason, may be a little different, but we are still here to support you, if you would like. {{{BNMHs}}}

Jase's mom - I'm sorry for how difficult this is for him and you. I know how much your heart is hurting. Our older son had been so sure of his path and when it wasn't it was so hard. Hard on him to find his way. Hard on us to know how to support him. I'm not proud of how much of a family crisis it felt at the time. It took time and some trial and error for him to find his feet and the path they needed to be on.  He's exactly where he needs to be and has a huge heart for what he's now doing. Your son will too, one step at a time. BNMH to you both!

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

PIR: MARCH 2025

PIR: FEBRUARY 2025

PIR: JANUARY 2025

thank you everyone for all your kind words. It is a very odd feeling to navigate; but we're resilient we'll get through whatever life throws at us :) seriously all the words and knowing some of you have been here are really helpful. I'll check in from time to time and love communicating with everyone. If y'all are on instagram feel free to find me the.amanda.faith :) {hugssss}

jase's.mom -- Thank you to your son for being willing to serve.  The Military/Navy lifestyle is a tough one and not the best choice for everyone.  The fact that he was willing to even try is more than most.  I hope he's able to find his path and has success in his future.

Happy Thursday and Happy PIR Day!

Watch today's PIR live:

LIVE PIR JANUARY 30, 2025

• Weeks 1 and 2 are “Indoctrination” with military basics familiar to anyone who has been through a boot camp: customs and courtesies, uniform issue and wear, watchstanding and learning basic service-related information like ranks, ships and planes, the basics of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and Naval history. Recruits take a basic swim test during Week 1 and get a phone call at the end of week 2.
• Weeks 3-5 are “Militarization” with basic Navy skills aboard a large-scale simulator known as the USS Marlinespike. Recruits learn basic seamanship and what the Navy terms the five warfighting fundamentals: firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding and basic weapons training.
• Weeks 6-7 are “Evaluation” in which recruits are tested on the training in the first 5 weeks
• Weeks 8-9 include a final challenge known as Battle Stations 21, a 12-hour simulated combat event on the USS Trayor, a destroyer-simulator. Recruits also learn small team leadership, final inspections and administrative tasks. The final weeks also incorporated the “Sailor for Life” program, which the Navy said, is “aimed at fostering resilience, mental toughness, and leadership throughout a sailor’s career.”

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

PIR: MARCH 2025

PIR: FEBRUARY 2025

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

PIR: MARCH 2025

PIR: FEBRUARY 2025

Happy Tuesday!

Good morning. My daughter arrived at training camp late last night and called but she got cut off. We heard something about a QR but then it dropped. Is there any way to get more info about that QR code? Really appreciate it. 

Sincerely,

Worried mom

hi katielev  I hope one of the newer moms can answer this, mine was almost 4 years ago.  it may have something to do with Sandboxx app or the security form for graduation.. we'll search around.. BNMHs..

Good morning katielev!! What she was trying to tell you is you'll be receiving a post card with a QR code with details for graduation. You should receive it be week three. I feel for you as we just embarked on this journey starting in November. Lots of love and postivity being sent your way!! This group is a God send for information feel free to lean on us as you navigate this new journey!! <3

katielev - also be sure to read the discussion on the Sandboxx App.  You'll find helpful info there and also the link to the app:

Sandboxx app

And remember, it is recommended that Sandboxx be used ONLY during Boot Camp.

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it and plan to utilize all the resources available. This is wonderful.

glad you found us katielev.. ask away, vent. etc whatever we're here to get you through this.. my sailor is in Philippines at the moment. you get better at handling it but still burns sometimes inside..

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

PIR: MARCH 2025

PIR: FEBRUARY 2025

Dumb question, but how do I know which PIR group? She arrived at BC yesterday.

no dumb questions.. once she is through the P days, paperwork, medical etc she will be placed in a division on a 'ship'. you will get this info from her or from Sandboxx I believe can do it now. with that info. we post PIR dates..but always keep everything refundable and flexible, we had to. because things happen.

Hi all and congrats katielev on your new recruit. Hang onto that post card when it comes. This group, Sandboxx and Sarge and the FB PIR group (will take a few weeks before you know which PIR group for sure) are God sends for us newbies. 

My daughter graduated BC in Nov and is slogging it out in A school right now.if i could give one tip, keep your phone on at all times and once they get their Div # send lots of letters and encouragement. Word of warning the call schedule is not always reliable.

The first couple calls are short and hard but it is astonishing how much they grow and mature in just a few weeks. Congrats to you and yours and all our amazing sailors and families behind them.  

katielev - she'll most likely be in an April PIR group.  I don't have the April group posted yet.  Keep an eye our here for when I do have the dates and you can request to join.  I also left the link to the Moms of Daughters2 group on your page.

Hello Moms! I can’t hold out any longer, had to write :-)

My son landed at RTC on Jan 21st (officially 15 days in). during the “I’m Safe” phone call he told us we’d get a letter in a week and a phone call in 3 weeks…at least that’s what I remember hearing.  We haven’t received the letter with division info yet. I recall reading that it’s not uncommon to take as long as 14 days to receive the letter/postcard with division info, but my mama mind is already thinking something is wrong because we haven’t received it.

Any advice for staying sane? I keep telling myself we’ll get a call from him this weekend and will know more at that time. I would also assume if he was physically hurt and in an infirmary somewhere we’d also get a call. Now I’m left thinking he failed either the PFA or swim test, although I was pretty sure he’d pass especially with all of the adrenaline and people pushing for (aka yelling at) him along the way.

Super proud of and excited for him, and I know this is good practice for when he’s deployed but ugh, this is so hard!!

Thanks for listening to the rant. 🥰

Hi Staci,

My sailor graduated in July and we still haven't received the post card :-(. It is hard not getting news and of course, as moms, we start thinking something is wrong.  One of the best things the ladies on this site gave to me was 'no news is good news' as a mantra.  If something 'bad' happened, you would get a call.  Hang in there.  You will get a first call and they'll be able to give you the div then, if you haven't gotten the postcard. In fact, we got our first letter from him on a Friday and he called the next day.  You can do this!

Thank you so much for the mantra Masaleza, I will chant it regularly! My mom used to say the same thing back before cell phones and to this day she is one of the most calm, collected, worry-free person I know. :-)

Hi katieliev - Some comments regarding the QR code your daughter mentioned when she reached bootcamp. Our son called us from the airport in Chicago after landing and connecting w/staff of RTC. He was given a QR code that took him to a welcome letter with a schedule on it. The call was super brief and a little chaotic because staff was talking to the recruits. I think he thought this would be his final call so it was rushed. He called us again about an hour later when he arrived on base and we got the scripted “I’m safe, you’ll get a letter in a week and a phone call in 3 weeks”. I don’t think you need to worry about the QR code at this point if your daughter just arrived. Good luck! :-)

Happy Thursday and Happy PIR Day!

Watch today's PIR live:

LIVE PIR FEBRUARY 6, 2025

as your own sailor's PIR/graduation date gets closer, might want to watch one of the events to get a feel for everything. it's really cool.. you will no doubt do the Where's Waldo.. Sailor version.. I never did figure it out lol

Hi, Staci!  So glad Masaleza wrote and shared the No news is Good news mantra.  It helps in BC and in the fleet!!!  I'm not sure if someone shared this with you already, but someone told me that when our recruit is at BC, we are in Mom's Bootcamp.  We are learning to "not worry" (LOL - maybe "worry less" is a better phrase) and we are learning to operate with no news.

You've got this!  Just continue to reach out to vent, seek encouragement, etc.  And don't forget to signup for USPS Informed Delivery.  I wrote my son every day, and when I saw his letter was coming in the mail, I got the return address off the USPS image.  When the postman dropped off Joseph's first letter, he picked up 10+ letters addressed to Joseph.

The Informed Delivery is a lifesaver!  Here's the link:

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®

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

PIR: MARCH 2025

PIR: FEBRUARY 2025

Thank you so much MomofJoseph, “Bootcamp for Moms” is the best description!

I knew I wrote on this wall for a reason…I received a notice from USPS this morning that my son’s first letter was coming today! It was an actual hand written letter too! No idea what happened to the form letter…lost in the mail I suppose. But the return address was for a standard ship/division and was postmarked ~12 days after arrival so I’m going to assume he passed the initial tests/phases and now it’s a matter of maintaining his will and fortitude. Thanks all for the words of encouragement! Good luck to all of the new BC moms, hang in there!!