Christmas without

[Cali's mama]

My daughter left right before xmas which made this year very different along with everything els...I was waiting for a phone call xmas day and was pretty disappointed when I didnt get one...how soon after entering can they make calls...I'm assuming nothing during actual bootcamp? Looking for some advise

[coloradobarbara]

My son went at Thanksgiving 3 years ago. He called us Christmas week. He was able to talk for about 2 minutes and then we heard from him again a few weeks later. Be patient. They definitely call as quickly as they are allowed to. 

[Cali's mama]

Thank u I'm still trying to nav this site itself plus fig out all the navy stuff on top of covid bbn lol appriciate the response

[Shanny]

Amanda:  I am sorry she wasn't able to call for Christmas. Phone calls are never guaranteed. I received 2 calls the entire time my son was gone-the I arrived call and one the Saturday before they graduated. However, many seem to get calls anytime after week 5. Many also received calls during processing (3 weeks after arrival) to get additional information for security clearance. The form letter that will give you her mailing address is mailed at the end of processing so end of week 3 to beginning of week 4. If they are still following the same schedule on that as they did this summer. 

The time of silence is so hard. If you drop down just a little you will see where conversations and posts are happening all day long. You will get more info from more people down there. They tend to go straight there and miss the discussions sometimes!  

Our motto around here is NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!  We have learned to live by it. Especially in bootcamp!  

[Northwoodsmom]

Amanda, hello and welcome to our group. I couldn't imagine what it is to say goodbye to them right before the holidays. I am pretty sure you won't get any kind of a phone call before the end of January unless she ends up in ROM or she needs information she needs you to require for her.  You should be getting the form letter after about 4-5 weeks. That will have her address so you can mail the letters that you have been writing. They are learning to build trust and friendship with others in her division which helps them to learn to work together. If they could lean on us through letters and phone calls they would not be creating these tight bonding experiences that will help them make it through BC. I know this is so hard for you but it is a very necessary part of Boot Camp. Our emotions are all over the place during this time and we learn to lean on each other as well. Just remember You also are going through Boot Camp so give yourself a little grace, cry when you need to, yell beat up the stuff animals on her bed or whatever you need to relieve the stress you are under. We are here for you as well, like belovedbyHim said we haven't lost a Mom to Boot Camp yet! God Bless your aching heart.

[DoriBry]

Amanda-Welcome.  My son is about halfway through bootcamp so I thought I would share what we have experienced so far.  He arrived at Ft. McCoy on 11/11. The first phone call I received from him was about 10 days into his ROM.  He was not feeling well so they tested him for covid and they allowed him to call home to let us know.  And that was about a 2 minute call. I had no idea how much longer he was going to be in ROM and when he would be finally going to RTC.   I received his form letter with his mailing address in the mail on 12/15.  The first casual call was on 12/20 when his division was granted calls home because a fellow recruit answered a question correctly.  The next call was on Christmas and honestly was surprised since we just heard from him.  But it was a great surprise.  I can say that mail has been slow and that is happening everywhere.  I just received his first letter last week and he said he sent it soon after the form letter.  I hope this gives you some idea on timing.  You will hear that no news is good news alot and its true.  I have learned that and so many other things with this wonderful group. Again, welcome!

[partyofseven]

Amanda,

Welcome to our group. We are so glad you are here. I am going to post some links for you that are good for you to read and know. We all help each other out on here and some moms there Sailor's just got done with boot camp, so they are a big help during our COVID period. Mine was in before all this happened so us Veteran moms had to learn all the new changes too.  :)

Boot Camp First Weeks Timeline

First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition

Informed Delivery®

This link the one above if you sign up you can see what mail is coming to you every day. It really is a great thing to sign up for.

Oh and speaking of letters start writing now, number your letters so your SR knows what order you wrote them in. It helps you as well as you feel like you are still talking to her when she's not there.  When you do get the form letter you will be able to send those letters off right away!!  :)

I am sorry you didn't get a call. The calls are earned and if she had just left there is no guarantee that she would have been able to call.

I always tell the new moms to keep your phone on you at all times and to answer every call as you just never know if you will get a call or not. Also, keep the ringer on high so you can hear it!!!

No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you!!  :)

Welcome again!!!!

[belovedbyHim]

Amanda-- Welcome!! Breathe!!! Deep breath in.... and out..... in.... and out!!! I know you are getting a lot of information fast and furious.  We have all been in that scary, lost feeling place and so we tend to circle the wagons to try and keep you afloat and it can feel like a LOT all at once. 
Please read my blog to give you an idea of what the first few weeks may look like.. First Things First-- The Quarantine Edition Up and to the Left is a link to all the Navy Lingo! It is titled Navy Speak and you can find it here. We are here to get you through the “Great Silence” of the next 4 weeks (ish) and the 10 weeks of BC (ish). You will come to learn that No News Is GOOD News and everything is Needs of the Navy. You life will be Hurry Up and Wait and it’s ok to make plans but they are subject to change until after they have happened so it’s best to embrace the Motto: Semper Gumby!! (Always Flexible!!)

The Expected timeline will look like this
Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call
Day 1-14 -- ROM (Restriction of Movement/ Quarantine-- Lots of studying and waiting)
Day 15-21 Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)
Day 21-- Complete P days. (Initial PFT & Run)
Day 22-- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later)
All of this is assuming no exposure to COVID with additional ROM
Training typically occurs Monday - Friday but we have heard rumors that Saturday’s are now training days as well.
Normal PIR will be 10 Fridays after departure from Home but it can be less by 1 but it can be extended by ???? (lots!!) It just depends on how many times they get caught in the “Ring of Fire” but do not get COVID. IF they get COVID, Once they are recovered they will not be removed from training again even if they are in the “Ring of Fire”. (so there is that small silver lining if kids get sick)
I Hope you’ll come and join us on the Main Boot Camp Moms page: https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/bootcampmoms You may have to scroll down a ways to reach the comments but we’d love to get to know you and answer any questions or concerns you may have or just be a support from others who “get it”.

[comehereyoung]

Oh! and I was complaining.  Thank you for sharing.  My son just left on 01/14/21.  comehereyoung.

[belovedbyHim]

comehereyoung -- I hope you got a chance to read my blog posted above.  I also hope you will come join us on the main bootcamp page (also above).  We are here for each other and to help get you through this time!