ALUMNI OF PIR 01/30/2015 TG 12 - 12 Divisions (075-084, 805 and 912)

Does anyone know when the last letter I should mail would be?  Maybe this has already been covered?  I still am not sure how long from when I mail till my SR gets them.  I know it takes 3 days to receive from my SR.  I need to start getting organized to make this trip!!! So excited!

Thanks FTL I will print my pass now!!

Team, my son told me not to send anything past middle of this week. Don't know of that's just his preference or someone at RTC suggested it. I'm sending my last one out tomorrow.

Uh, teaj, not team. Dang auto correct!

If you want to stop sending past this week that is fine. All mail is supposed to be forwarded to their A school. There have been instances in the way past when some have said they have not received it. I have been on here for 3+ years and have not heard that from anyone directly but read it on here.

The mail is a Federal entity and withholding it is breaking the law...so RTC would not do that. Every effort is made to get it to them. BUT as we all know just in our own personal experiences...things go awry and lots of us may have had a few challenges with lost mail. It can happen anywhere.

That being said...my son did receive a letter from me, that I sent late in BC, at his A school. So, I do have a success story :-).

If you still feel the need to write up until the time you actually leave for PIR (and some do as they wish to right down what they are feeling to let their loved one know) then do so and you can:

1. Make a copy of it and then mail it. This way you have the copy if your Sailor does not receive it.

OR

2. Write it and send it to their A school or give it to them at PIR to read when they get to A school.

Some Folks just feel the need to keep writing and I once read of a Sailor that wanted their mom/wife to do that for them :-)

Here is the link for the Recruit Care Package:

MWR Recruit Care Package

However, It doesn't say it on  the Recruit Care Package Page but on the MWR RTC Graduation Family and Friends Page it has this:

Can't Make it to Graduation?
Check Out Our Recruit Care Package!
    

So, the RCP is really designed for those that cannot attend PIR to have delivered to their new Sailor to let them know that they are thinking about them on that day.

MWR is for Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Each branch has a slightly different title for it but MWR is a general one. (to put it simply). It is in place to provide quality of life improvement for sailors and Soldiers. FMWR - Family MWR was adopted as the new term in 2009 and they provide accredited family child care and youth services at many installations. I think that MWR is still the most used term though :-)

Your MWR has all kinds of support for your sailors and their Families. From recreational things to do on base, travel info, discount tickets to local attractions if any, movie times if there is a theatre, etc. and support services listed like the Vet clinic hours and prices :-)

Go ahead and check out the GL one and poke around just to see what it is like. Almost all bases have something like this. The larger ones anyways with housing and such. I think out in fleet there is something as well.

I have had Members contact me about sending one when they could not attend PIR. So if you are in that place it is a nice thing for you and your Sailor. :-)

It's suggested that you mail out your last letter on the Friday or Saturday of the weekend before PIR, so for this group, it would be January 23rd or 24th.  The one mailed on Saturday should be received by your SR on Wednesday the 28th~~

Good Morning!

Hello there!

     "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful

      for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training

      in righteousness, so that the man of God may

      be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

                                                   II Timothy 3:16

Good Morning!

Hello All!

     "Similarly, encourage the young men to be

      self-controlled.  In everything, set them an example

      by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity,

      seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot

      be condemned, so that those who oppose you may

      be ashamed because they have nothing bad to

      say about us."

                                                                 Titus 2:7-8

coachjb, To answer your question, no, unfortunately. Even under "special circumstances" your Sailor would not be granted a deviation chit for that weekend.

Hi PIR Group...

Just wanted to invite you to enjoy us on the Pensacola group if your sailor will be going there for A school....we have members that have been thru the schooling process, visited there and some members just starting the A school journey...we'd love to have you join us....:))

http://navyformoms.com/group/sailorsinpensicolaflforaschool

I know it sucks but it matters because it is the Rules. Breaking them results in punishment.

Here are the Rules for Liberty from the RTC Website:

Liberty is ‘time off’ from the daily work routine. Graduating Sailors will be granted daytime liberty after graduation to spend time off-base with their families and friends.  Sailors are expected to act responsibly and maintain military bearing while interacting in a civilian environment. 

1. Graduating Sailors are prohibited from using tobacco products or consuming alcoholic beverages at any time while on liberty, regardless of age.
2. Graduating Sailors are prohibited from operating any motorized vehicles. 
3. Graduating Sailors must remain in their complete uniform while on liberty.  If they are engaging in physical activity or swimming, they must wear the authorized Navy issued workout gear.
4. Food, tobacco products, video cameras, cell phones, or any other portable electronic shall not be brought back to RTC. 
5. Sailors reporting to A School at Training Support Center, Great Lakes generally detach from Recruit Training Command (RTC) on Friday.  Sailors who will attend A School outside of Great Lakes will depart on Saturday. To get the most accurate information please communicate with your recruit.
6. Graduating Sailors departing RTC for follow-on training the same day as graduation or those who are in a duty status will be granted limited on-base liberty.
7. Graduating Sailors must stay within a 50-mile radius of RTC. 
8. Graduating Sailors receive an in-depth liberty briefing prior to their graduation day.

This is also in your Family Guide.

When a Sailor/Soldier breaks  a rule it affects them, but it can also affect others. That's just the way it works in the military or even civilian life.

Example: A company restricts the use of cell phones. Maybe a designated area and/or time. Some Team members abuse  the privilege so Management takes the privilege away completely for all of the employees.

We have to look at the bigger picture sometimes. :-)

coachjb :  When the Liberty rules are explained to your SR and her shipmates, and the consequences if they violate them and are "found out," I think she will understand.  Is there any way that her family members can come to HER?  I know she would love to see them.  Any chance that they can bring the "beauty shop" to HER so that she could get her hair done?  I'm hoping that you all can work it out so that she can see everyone and get her hair done too! 

coachjb - I ditto diannep! I hope it can be worked out for your Sailor and your family :-)

coachjb, I am sorry that your SRs grandparents are out of the 50 mile range for a visit to them, and hope there is something that can be worked out for all to have an enjoyable weekend together. The rules of the Navy can be daunting, but they are what they are.

Downtown Chicago is a little shy of 40 miles from Great Lakes, so not an issue traveling there. Perhaps they can travel the ten or so miles into Chicago? 

Boot Camp creates Sailors, their family becomes the Navy, and their home the sea.

Big hugs to you!

Had a question.  Haven't talked to my daughter since Christmas, but through a letter she mentioned that she could have to stand watch on the PIR day.  How much notice will she get that she has a watch assignment and will she know the time.  I believe they are 2 hour intervals. Thanks for any help you can give.  Trying to plan the day and that is a big question mark for us ever since she mentioned it.

coachjb:  I agree with ellen....no need to try and "fight" the military.  They have their rules for a reason....the number one thing is compliance....if a sailor cannot comply with the rules of the Navy, they won't be kept.  They don't ask us to agree with them, they just ask the sailors to comply. 

As far as the recruiters telling them everything, I had to chuckle at bit at that one.  Most are notorious for not telling them everything....or for telling them that it is ok to have a medical condition, just don't mention it.  Then we see that poor SR getting discharged because the medical condition was not disclosed and a waiver obtained.  My son happened to have a good recruiter....who came through with all he promised him.  However, when my son told him that he had gone for some career counseling after getting his A.S. degree, he was told:  Don't mention that.  Hmmmm....

Sorry her recruiter misled her....but it is more about what they DON'T tell you rather than what they DO tell you! 

She will be a sailor soon and that is the important part!  Hoping that you all can work something out.....

mlsshp:  She will know by PIR for sure if she has to stand watch and the time.  Not sure how long before that she may know.  Hopefully she won't have to stand watch and you will have more time with her!

..also, it is best not to plan too much....your sailor may be tired and just want to relax for a while in your hotel room, catching up on her phone and laptop----my son wanted to take a long hot shower by himself, without shipmates around!  HAA! .  So maybe have some plans, but be flexible since each sailor is different in what they want to do!

coachjb,  I am sorry you feel that your SR was misled when she enlisted.

I will tell you to please be mindful of your actions and allow your Sailor to do what she thinks is right, this would be her "battle" if she chooses it, not yours.

I agree ellen and I think it is time to move on as it is straying from the original question that has been addressed.

Just an FYI for you all that there is plenty to do and places to go within the 50 mile radius. So no worries...

We went to the Shedd Aquarium (though did not get in as it was crowded. It was a holiday weekend). So we ran over to another museum :-)

Had a real Chicago dog from a street vendor LOL.

Within the Liberty limit is:

Wrigley Field - 33 to 38 miles

Lincoln Park Zoo - 35 to 40 miles

Navy Pier (TONS of stuff) - 37 to 42 miles

Museum of Science and Industry - 44 to 45 miles

Shedd Aquarium - (which has a history museum nearby and possibly more) 38 to 42 miles

Jelly Belly Factory and Tours -16 to 20 miles

Sears Tower - 37 miles

All of the Airports for departure are within the 50 mile range with Milwaukee just coming under at 49 miles.

Closer to RTC is Six Flags (reopens in May), Gurnee mall, Libertyville.

So no worries if your Sailor wants to go sight seeing they have lots of choices. Some are tired like diannep and just want to relax...mine wanted to go, go, go! LOL

He was a holdover as it was a holiday weekend and a Thursday PIR so remained onboard RTC and had three days Liberty. He did have watch on Saturday in the middle of his Liberty which really ended it as far as him leaving base again. BUT we went onboard and met him in Ricky Heaven for chow and the last hour of it.

His watch was for two hours.

I hope your Sailor does not end up with watch misshp3div083! Will pray for it! That is difficult when you only have the one day :-(

We have seen that happen occasionally.

Happy PIR Day!  Enjoy this very special day!

Ooops!  Sorry!  I was a week early!  Thought I was posting on 01/23.  Sorry about that, but know you all are getting excited that this time next week, it WILL be your PIR Day!

Happy Friday!

     "My tongue will speak of Your righteousness

      and of Your praises all day long."

                                                      Psalm 35:28

Here is the link to the RTC FB page with the new Random Photos:

RTC FB Random Photos Jan. 22, 2015

The Males look alike when there are so many and the photo is small...here is a way to possibly judge "where/when" a male Recruit is at in BC.

If they are bald then they are a brand new recruit. If they have hair all over their head that is the same length but still just a fine growth then they have been there for at least a couple of weeks. High and tight - sides are close shaven and there is markedly more hair on top - then they are much further along in BC. If they have headgear on then...well, your hosed as far as figuring it out...just pick one and CLAIM HIM! LOL

You could enlarge the pic too and hopefully not lose clarity :-)

Has anyone with an SR from 03/084 heard if their final PFA was today or Monday?

Lax23, I don't know about 84 but 81 had theirs today. I would think they would be close behind them.

It's the waiting that kills, that's for sure lol