Div 908??

[Mary]

My son is in Div 908, that number seems so high compared to all the others I am seeing posted. Is there a link here that explains the divisions?

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Yes. Your son is in a "900" Division. The below explains the different kinds of divisions. 900 Divisions are always housed on Ship 02.

Real quick...this will be your PIR GROUP on this site:

 

PIR 01/04/2013

(The above is a clickable link)

 

SHIP/DIVISIONS

The SHIP number is the number of the Barracks the Recruits are housed in. The Ships at RTC are all named after real Naval Vessels. 14 is the USS Arizona. I hear that they have artifacts of the one from Pearl Harbor on the Quarterdeck (explains the term).

There are 14 different SHIPS on RTC. Each one can hold about 12 Divisions.

DIV is Division. The Division Number is the number for the Division your SR (Seaman Recruit) is in. Divisions have about 88+ recruits to start with (higher during the Summer Surge months). They may lose some along the way due to illness or injury or other setbacks and gain some who are being recycled back into a Division. Most graduate with at least 75 + recruits.

Regular numbered Divisions go in Consecutive order starting with 001 at the beginning of the Military Fiscal Year (Oct 1). Regular Divisions are paired up in "Brother" divisions. They will train together and go through Battlestations together.

800's start with 801 at the beginning of the Fiscal Year and continue on consecutively when they have them. They do not have an 800 Division every PIR. 800 Divisions are for those with SPECOP (SPECial OPerations) contracts. If there is more than one then they will be Brother Divisions.

900's start with 901 at the beginning of the Fiscal Year and continue consecutively each TG/PIR (Training Group/Pass-in-Review=Graduation).900's are the "performance" division.

There are 3 types of 900 divisions. There are the Band/Bluejacket Choir/Drill team, otherwise known as Triple Threat (the musicians, singers, and drill team), the Sticks (those who carry the state flags), and the Ship Staff/Honor Guard (the body snatchers, those who guard various things...). Three 900 divisions perform their duties at each PIR, the 900 division(s) from that TG and if needed one to three 900 divisions from the next one or two TG's. Each 900 Division performs in their own PIR and in the PIR for one or two TGs ahead of their own. They may also have performances in the community--that happens mainly for the Triple Threat though. I believe that Division 949 is a Triple Threat Division.

Triple Threat is comprised of those who are on that weeks' Jr. Rifle Drill team and all those who were chosen for their musical abilities. The Blue Jacket Choir performs the National Anthem, Anchors Aweigh, and anything else they've been tasked with. The band plays at various times throughout the ceremony. The Drum Corps also marches and helps everyone else stay in step and keep time.

There is almost always a 900 Division every PIR. Last year they did not have one for the April 1, 2011 PIR. (Was that an April Fools?!) Sometimes there can be two or even three if RTC skips a week of PIR. One of them will reflect the TG number. If there is more than one then they will be Brother Divisions

[Mary]

Thank you for the info, however now I am more confused...My son has never played an instrument nor has he ever been in choir.

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Then he may be Ship Staff or a Stick (flag carrier). Here is a better PAGE by lemonelephant about 900's:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms/page/900-divisions

Here is a short excerpt:

Ship Staff is in charge on PIR day. They greet and welcome the Officers and their distinguished guests as Sideboys; they play the role of "Body Snatcher" walking up and down the rows of Sailors, watching for and sometimes catching any Sailor about to or going down. (They lock their knees sometimes and pass out.) They help the Navy Corpsmen in the back room, they guard doors and perform a myriad of tasks behind the scenes and in front. It is their job to help make sure all goes smoothly. The Honor Guard Drill Team (they're the ones with the yellow ascots) also does a rifle performance at the beginning of the ceremony.
Sticks (Flags) does an incredible march perfectly timed and executed to the drum corps cadence. It is their job to present the flags for every state in the union. They are lined up by height, so the flow looks better, so your recruit will probably not get to carry his/her home state flag. They also honor those who have gone before by presenting the POW and MIA flags, as well as the US flag.
Triple Threat is comprised of those who are on that weeks' Jr. Rifle Drill team and all those who were chosen for their musical abilities. The Blue Jacket Choir performs the National Anthem, Anchors Aweigh and anything else they've been tasked with. The band plays at various time throughout the ceremony. The Drum Corps also marches and helps everyone else stay in step and keep time.

[lemonelephant]

The page referenced above will help explain more.  Some volumteer and some are hand picked.