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Cheffiona - Seriously no mail for some of them? That breaks my heart. I know my son and no matter how tough he is, he will love having mail. I wonder if there isn't something we could do to figure out a way to get some mail to SR's that aren't getting mail - maybe families that have SR's in BC could find out who's not getting mail? Not sure if it's even enough time, but I know I would be willing to send an extra letter a day - especially some of the surveys and such - even with a sase for a return answer. Sometimes, it's helpful to know that somebody out in the world is thinking about you. Is that even reasonable to attempt to organize?

2boys1girl09 - my son hasn't decided when to take his PST yet, so no contract yet - he want's to get his running competitive first and he has until Aug 9, 2011 before he goes to BC. If not SpecOps, he will be SECF, which I think would be fantastic for him, but it's not for me to decide - those days are over (sigh). Do you have a date for your son? Maybe they will be in the same bunch. The ice cream always comes home mostly melted, and now I have to switch to something hot because it's snowing here, tomato soup I think. LOL. He wants to be SWCC or EOD. Neither are my fav, but really, I can't really look at any of the SpecOps and say 'YEAH - my son should be THAT'. There is a video on youtube for swcc where they throw a boat out of a plane and then all they guys dive out after it. Really? Insanity could have that picture next to it in the dictionary! I told him best not to show me any of that stuff any more. Better for me to be ignorant!

MistyDawn - how did it go today????

I still don't know. He was to be in town at 3. Not sure what time they would start everything. Tried texting and calling, but no answer yet. He was going to go to the college and watch the wrestling scrimmage....so I'm getting ansy

All you need to do is when your recruit calls ask if they know anyone who is not getting mail and you can just write a general letter and then your recruit can hand them to whoever needs one my daughter said that there was a couple of girls in her division back then that were not getting letters and cos i sent so many when they game out mail to her she would get at least half a dozen (from family and friends aswell as mine) and by the time we got to the last week of bc no point sending mail from a week before pir cos they will be so busy they will not have time to read even if they got them.

Well he didn't pass and I don't know details. I am betting money it was the swimming. He hasn't done NOTHING for over a week since football has been over. Lesson one from the US Navy...get in better shape....lol

MistyDawn - don't worry, he can take it again, and again. haha. Remind him of the motto - 'I can, I will', and send him out again. Also, make sure he knows that he didn't fail, he just learned where he needs to improve. Hopefully he won't be too discouraged.

That is my philosophy too!!

2boys1girl09 SECF = Submarine Electronics Computer Field, so he would be working with the electronics and computer systems on a sub. I hear you about reading/researching and I typically do that too, but it's hard for me to think of my 'baby' as SpecOps and when I watch those videos, it scares me a bit. Frankly, I have no doubt in my mind that my son will succeed and LOVE it, but it's still hard to think of him in those situations when I'm used to being the momma bear. When we were arguing about him signing up, the words that finally cinched it for me was when I was crying and having my fit and I said to him "If something happens, I won't know where you are and won't be able to come and get you!!!" He just laughed and gave me a big stong hug and said "Mom, if something happens, I'll come and get YOU!"

BTW - the soup was cold. Thank goodness for microwaves and under armor.

What area of SpecOps is your son looking at?

Okay fellow moms, he was the only one to complete the swim...12 minutes. Was soooo wiped out after that he only did 46 push ups, 56 sit ups, can't remember pull ups, and ran the 1.5 mile in 11 minutes. Retake the 22nd!! He sounded super motivated... ready to beat it. SEAL mentor spend a lot of time with him and one other young man. So there is promise on the horizon!! Thanks you guys!!!

I think I must have listed something wrong. Pull ups, he didn't make it. SEAL mentor worked with him on the stroke and said he will knock two minutes off the time that way. He just needs to swim swim swim so that he can not be so tired after!!

Wishing all our veterans a Happy Veteran's Day.

Yes StarChild (Ship9 Div007) - Land of the free BECAUSE of the brave! Still miss my navy hero dad and wish he could have known his amazing grandson.

Kathy-your Navy hero dad definitely knows his grandson. Who do you think is helping him at boot camp?

Thanks StarChild - you are so right!

Hi. My daughter leaves for BC on Nov.30th. I want to pick up a phone card for her. Any suggestions...never purchased one before. Is there ones that are better than others? And suggestions for minute amount to purchase? Thanks in advance for your help.

OKAY LADIES!!! I got the lowdown on the SEALS PST.....Passed all but the pull ups. Was so wiped out, he could only do the three...SEAL Motivater wants him to get 11, shave 2 minutes off his swim. He is retaking it the 22nd. So there we are. Motivater spent a long time with him after working on the combat side stroke. My head is swimming...He did the swim in 12, run in 11, 46 pushups, 56 sit ups.

Thanks JessicaB-Sailor Mom.

Thanks Janet R. My daughter's rate is CM. I like the idea of the more minutes so that if she would like to share it she can. December will be a tough month for her with her birthday and Christmas being away from home. Her recruiter has reminded me twice to call him 3 days after she leaves for her address. We have all told her we will be writing her daily. I want to make sure she gets all the encouragement she needs.

Don't worry gittimom...we will remind you to write everyday when you get to bootcamp moms and PIR groups...lol....we'll tell you what kind of cards to send and what not to send and all kinds of stuff...and I even have a few extra commandments for you...didn;t you know...you will be going through bootcamp for moms...oops...sorry no contract for you, no sign-on bonus...but it is mandaatory...lol...but you will do fine...and you will earn your navy stripes....proud and strong....

Thanks for the encouraging words Lynne. I look forward to being part of the groups.

Okay !!!! Got Corey's address today from recruiter. Ship 12 Div 042.Anyone else have a son/daughter in that group? Many many mnay thanks to my son's recruiter...he has been great !

Well when did Corey go in Yvette

Lynn:
Corey joined as a depper in MAy 2010. Was shipped out to bc on Nov. 9th.

Well I haven't seen your division crop up yet in a PIR group...but I hope you have also joined the Boot Camp Moms group...there you will find moms and others who had recruits that left at about the same time. Your PIR group will probably be forming in a bout a week or so and then let the fun begin...lol!! You are in for a ride...but its okay...we will be right there with you! As soon as your recruit leaves for boot camp make sure you also join the Boot Camp Moms group....see you there Yvette....I'll be the one with the roses...hehehehe

Thanks ladies!! Just wanted to share a bit about my daughter's volleyball team, (she doesn't play varsity yet..) but they won their 3rd consecutive state title last night in Denver!! My son has 7 class mates on that team so it was special to see them win the big the one their last year.

Yvette, I have a nephew from Oklahoma who left for boot camp on 11/9. So they should have the same PIR. I think. My son won't leave for BC until March, so I'm no expert on these things, HAHA! I agree with JessicaB though, I think their PIR will be 1/7.

Agape mom you should also feel free to join the 1/7 group...along with your sister/brother. they are a great group led by beckie and lydia and are gearing up to have a great deal of fun. This is their address: http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir10711
In fact Lydia is there to support her son's best friend...so just jump in and join in and then maybe YOU can start the PIR group for your son's group...no pressure...lol

Thanks 2boys1girl...Well.....When the bus get right outside town, the fire department and police go escort them like rock stars...sirens blaring all the way to the school, down main..wakes up the whole town and a tradition forever. Our school has brought home 13 state champ volleyball titles in all. There will be an assemblly. They do like the varsity only dinners. Pretty nice.
agapemommajill...thanks to your nephew and your son also! I hate this hurry up and wait stuff, lol.
janetr...thanks for the encouragement. Why do we get so darned nervous for our kids?

Younger son finished his very last high school requirement today (he finished his classes weeks ago). So, now the only things in his way are his weight (he needs to lose about 30 lbs) and getting that waiver for his knee. Males lose weight so easily (they disgust me) so I'm not worried about that. But the knee.. they don't consider stellar ASVAB scores when deciding if the knee is okay. His doctor (a former military doctor) says it's stronger than ever and fine even for Marine Corps service, but you never know what the Navy doctors will decide.

Congrats Arwen and I know you know how to stay on those docs to get that waiver...lol and yeah it is so unfair about guys and their weight loss....I worked and worked at losing weight while my son was gone...and lost 13 measly pounds....he dropped 40...and wasn't overweight to start with...he is six foot and weights 149 lbs....what is wrong with this picture I say...lol

I agree...MEN!! lol. Personally I don't think I could live without my hubby and baby boy!!! Lol

well first off hello everyone i am new to this group, but i am full of questions haha. my bf soon to be fiance is leavin jan 25 fot BC and then going to texas for A school. He is going into the master at arms job. and honestly i know very little of anything beyond that.
We are wanting to get married while he is in A school, but i am not to sure how to go about doing this? We want me to be on his first orders but when do they recieve their first orders? how long before that do we need to be married?
As for bootcamp when and how do we find out about his graduation date? when do you find out if he is a grad and go?
I am sorry i am asking so many questions i am just confused, if any one has any advice on the above questions or just general advise id appreciate it!

Hope all is well with all your loved ones!

There are two possible ways of learning your recruit's PIR date.

Sometimes their recruiter will have their division number and PIR date within 2-3 days of their arrival in Great Lakes. Occasionally the address is wrong, but the division number and PIR date is usually correct.

Other times the information does not show up on their computer, and you have to wait for the form letter. The form letter will arrive about 10 days after they arrive in Great Lakes, usually a day or two after the box. The letter will have their division number, address, PIR date and a short, handwritten note from your recruit.

If you want to get married while he is in A school, you will have to travel to Texas, where the school is. It is very, very difficult for Navy students to get leave, even for long weekends and holidays.

You need to be married at least 30 days before he receives his orders if you want to be on them. They can get their orders as early as 2 weeks before they graduate their school.

There are a LOT of problems with getting married in A school. First, they won't give students get time off to go to the courthouse to get the marriage license, and second, if you want to be married by a Navy chaplain, you need to be there for a couple of weeks for their official pre-marital counseling classes. They won't conduct a wedding unless you've been through it.

The Navy doesn't encourage new sailors to marry. In fact, they rather discourage it and will toss many roadblocks in your way.

I strongly recommend that you marry before he leaves for boot camp, even if you just do a justice of the peace wedding at the local courthouse (you don't need to tell anyone but the Navy), and plan the big wedding for his post A-school leave. No one needs to know you're already legally married. But even then, there is often no date set in stone. Like boot camp, sailor students can be set back in their training for injury or illness with little or no warning. Whatever plans you make, be sure they are flexible.

Unfortunate news came a few days ago....Correy is being sent home due to a broken toe that needs at least 30 days for healing. He has been in separation ( with a boot on his foot) since Friday and it will take an additional 5-10 days to process him out. He has to wait 6 months then re-enlist again. This is frustrating.He is being put to work while waiting for processing home. By the time they do this, he will have been in separation almost 3 weeks. Seems like (and it would be cheaper) they would park him for 1-2 more weeks and just put him back in training????

Yvette - Poor Corey. Very hard on him I'm sure. Sorry to hear about this. Will keep you and Corey in our thoughts and prayers.

Deaanna~Maybe the Drug Test just has to be within the last 30 days? I'm sure the recruiter wouldn't risk his recruit not going on time. I can imagine how your son must be feeling. Hurry up and wait, keeps popping into my head.

I don't remember the aircraft/ships being on the test. Just the chain of command, ranks/rates, 11 General Orders to the Sentry, military time, Sailor's Creed, and the physical stuff.

I think this link might help some. It has flash cards that others have made up over the years for all sorts of Navy things... When the webpage comes up, search on Navy Dep to bring up flash cards for Deppers.......You also have the ability to make your own...
http://www.flashcardexchange.com/ .

My son did the flashcard thing and learned his stuff in no time. He is currently trying to learn the aircraft/ships and is having trouble. I hope they aren't on there. Great idea Deanna!

Hello Ladies, Wanted to come back to see how everyone is doing. Nine weeks ago I was in your shoes and now I will see my son in two days. I have been packing and one thing that helped me a lot is that my son packed a box before he left for me to bring to graduation. Believe me it is one thing off of my mind. He told his older brother some other things during one of his calls so now all I have to do is pick the box up and place it in the car. What he does not keep I will bring back. So tell your recruit to pack a box. Even if you fly to GL you can put them in a suitcase.

Battlestation21 tonight. I am sooo nervous. My husband prepared a wonderful supper and I can't eat. I know I will not be able to sleep tonight. I feel like a school girl getting ready for her first date. Awwwww!

Just received word that 4 of the divisions are going through BS21 NOW! 005-008 It would have started about 2 pm local time and will finish at a staggard time between 12 - 2 local time.

Thanks Maggie. I will keep everyone posted.

Now you better keep us posted starchild!!! Lol...so excited for you.

My son tried to call me but I was still at work and the phone reception is terrible. He called his brother and said that he is so tired. And that he is a US NAVY SAILOR!!!!! HOO YAH! Congrats to all of our new US Navy Sailors. I am very proud to be an American and proud of our Sailors.

Keep that candle burning for div 902 tonight. Packing my car now to leave for GL but I will burn it until I leave.

whoo hoooo StarChild!!! Congrats!

Congrats starchild!

Congratulations, Starchild

Keep my son in your thoughts...didn't take his SEALS PST yesterday, the college changed the hours for the break and no one knew so they didn't take it as scheduled. It is now going to happen on Wednesday. I want him to make it so much. My uncle (retired Navy) will be here Friday and I want him to be able to give him the good news. My uncle has liver cancer and is not in the best health. It is the only family that has gone military since him so he is super excited!!

Awesome news, Starchild!
Mistydawn, sending good thoughts and prayers to your son!