New to this!

[belly's mom 25]

Hello. I just wanted to say I am so thankful that I have found this group. Our daughter was in the dep program about 7 months and left for Bootcamp on Wednesday. I cried myself to sleep after the arrival phone call. I am still tearful two days in . I am very proud but am also so so emotional right now. This is a lot harder than I thought and I didn’t expect to feel so empty or drained. This site is really helping me with all of the tips and camaraderie. I only found you all today but I already wanted to say thank you because it really has already helping me!

[Proudmom314]

Glad you found the site. My son has been in for almost 3 years and I still have tearful days. These woman have been such a blessing to me with their never ending support and wisdom. Hang in there it does get easier. Give yourself permission to have all the feelings and tears. Hugs!

[belovedbyHim]

Welcome Casey 25!! 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

Week 1&2
Day 1-14 -- ROM (Restriction of Movement/ Quarantine-- Lots of studying and waiting) Unless they are Fully Vaccinated (2 weeks after final shot) in which case they skip straight to Week 3.

Week 3
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)

Week 4- First week of training 
Day 22-- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later

Week 5 -- First inspections and tests (Dental May be this week or next... Not Confirmed)(Form letter/ Personal letters usually arrive this week)

Week 6 -8 -- More training, Drilling (Flags and Marching), Fire Fighting training, Marlinspike (Line handling- How to tie up a Ship to the Pier) and weapons lessons, Confidence chamber( May or may not be happening yet, we don’t know for sure).. Warrior training in here somewhere.

Week 9 & 10 -- Stressful!! They have all their final inspections, PFA, Drills, BS21 and Tests. This is the lead up to the end!!

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”.

[Northwoodsmom]

Casey25, Welcome to N4M'S, so happy you found us here. Most of the post are seen on the Boot Camp Mom's page so be sure to join that page. Some of us our extremely emotional so you are not alone at all. Even simple task like grocery shopping is tough when we put our son/daughters favorite foods in the basket and then burst into tears remembering they are not home any more. It just takes time, I am in my 2nd year and still struggle at times. Prayers for your aching heart, we are here for you.

[belly's mom 25]

I am so glad you said that. I was making my grocery list and felt so sad when I was thinking I didn't need to buy certain things because she isn't home. Then I was embarrassed to be upset. You are def. helping me feel a little more normal this week. 

[belly's mom 25]

Thank you all for the kind comments. Just a note. I changed my name to something that will remind me of my daughter before I got to far in the threads! belly's mom 25. (My kiddo is Isabella or Isabelly)

[belovedbyHim]

Got it!  I just wanted to make sure I tagged the right person.

[DsMom2020]

Hi Belly’s mom. 
This site is a life saver. Especially the boot camp page. We moms are all “in the same boat”!  Not sure how I would have survived my sons boot camp. He’s been in the Navy 11 months now. Best thing that ever happened. He loves it and I’m one proud happy mama. Wishing the same for you. 

[belly's mom 25]

Thank you so much. This site really is a life saver. I appreciate all the tips for those of us that are new to the military in general. Would someone mind explaining what Ninjas and Sharks mean? I want to send my daughter one of the surveys and it mentions Ninjas and Sharks. I tried searching but I can't find it anywhere. 

[Chipmunk]

belly's mom 25 - That is a good question to ask down in the comment area on the BC Mom group page. This is posting in the discussion area and not everyone notices it. But if you post the question about the Ninjas and Sharks in the comment wall area (just below where the discussions are on the group page) then one of the old timers that put those surveys together might reply. I have no idea and I am not able to check with my sailor at the moment about it. 

Welcome Aboard! We are glad you are here!

[partyofseven]

Good belly's mom 25,

Got it!! I changed it.   :)

We are glad that you are here. No question is ever dumb and someone will answer you. Staying busy is key and start writing now so when you get that form letter you can send your letters off right away. The blog below has great information in it and will help you as you go thru this journey.

I always say that boot camp is for us as it is for our loved ones. While they are getting stronger so are they. 

Keep your phone on you at all times and that ringer on loud as you just never know when a call will come thru.

***INFORMED DELIVERY UPDATE***

For those of you who have USPS Informed Delivery,  I received an email today that they are discontinuing the App as of 6/12/2021 and you have to download the USPS Informed Delivery Mobile App to your phone.  I just did it and the process is pretty simple.

 Welcome again.

[Sandy]

Hi I use the sandboxx app is that still ok? Miss my son who left for BC 7/20. Do they call again .so hard

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Sandy - it is ok to use Sandboxx in boot camp ONLY.  Do not use after as it is an OPSEC violation.  Please read the info I have posted here regarding the app:

SANDBOXX App for letters to boot camp

As for phone calls - you could get another after Battle Stations but there is not guarantee on calls.  If their division is working well together you might even get a few extra calls.  Keep your phone handy and answer ALL calls because you just never know when it might be him.

And remember, no news is good news!