Ship 12 Div 183

[Libby(CJs Mom)]

We received the letter today saying our son is in this division.  Anyone else have a loved one here?

[Libby(CJs Mom)]

As I understand it, there isn't much chance of them delaying the entire division's graduation. Individual recruits, yes, but not the whole lot of them.

[barebrass]

I got a phone call yesterday - or rather last night....it was great to get the call but the phone was breaking up so much I could hardly understand - he did laugh a couple of times when I asked how he was doing - how were inspections, folding, ironing, etc he said it was actually kind of fun and very interesting - lots of hard work but they are pulling together as a division....He had the 'crud' but feels much better now and said he didn't get any time off. (He is definitly a baby when he doesn't feel good so that kind of surprised me that he down played it) Even thought he complained about being hungry, he said he thought he had gained weight. He said there are some things he needs to work on - but they were hopeful of winning a flag today (Monday). Didn't quite understand for what. He said they have only lost two recruits and his inspections definitely need some work. He said they start the week with 60 minutes (phone time) and each 'screw up' deducts time until, alas, they end up with no phone time....then he just kind of laughed and said they collectively, as a group, decided they were gonna try harder this week so he said he was sure they would earn phone time. I asked about a change in graduation date and he said they get 'threatened' all the time but so far there have been no real problems or any serious talk about a delay.

In all it was a very positive rather cheerful phone call and he sounded really good so I am encouraged that they are doing well.

Looking forward to May 7th!

[Tracey]

I got a phone call from my son yesterday. He seems to be doing good. He said he is tired, but doing good. It was really good to hear his voice and I can't wait to hear from him again. He asked how many letters I had received from him, I told him only one, so I think there may be more on their way, I just haven't received them yet. He is getting his mail, but he hasn't had time to read all of it. I'm sending him a letter every day. He said he has three he hasn't had time to read yet. I thought that was kind of sad, he has them with him, just no time to read them. But at least he has them.

[Libby(CJs Mom)]

Nice long call from our son yesterday evening. He sounded much more upbeat than he did when he called on Easter. He has been getting our letters and some from his friends. He also asked us to send another phone card since there is a connection fee that gets charged before the minute counter even starts, and he doesn't want the one we sent to run out.

He said the food "looks like food, even tastes like food, but just doesn't feel like food." He ate bacon and eggs every day for breakfast until he got tired of them, so he's varying the diet a bit more now. His sister asked about his hair, and he said its long enough to grab now, but he had another haircut coming soon. She also asked about the sexy glasses, but didn't share the response :)

He told me that all but a handful of the guys in his division have already passed their swim quals. They did their initial fitness assessment, and he got a passing score. This isn't the "real" one yet, just to get a baseline. The first chance to pass one that counts comes in a couple of weeks. The first written test was Tuesday, and their average is .001 short of winning a flag with a couple of guys still to take the test.

It sounds like they are settling in a little and starting to get the hang of it. Of course, they still do plenty of stuff wrong and get yelled at for it, but I suspect that won't ever stop. Being responsible for what some of the other guys do wrong also gets him in the path of some extra yelling.

[All for Spike]

Our son Steven from NYC called last night 4/6 for the first time since he arrived. He said they keep threatening them with holding them back but no official push back on the date. He did mention that 2 recruits were let go early on and a few were transferred out of their division. He also mentioned that their ship"the triton' was named after submarine that had sunk. Told us he got phone time on Easter but got a broken phone. He said their division chief keeps telling them they see alot of potential in them but they really need to start working as a team more. He did ask whose mom's I was chatting with on this site, and I couldn't answer ..which is why I started out by saying my son Steven from NYC - please respond and let me know whose parents are on this discussion, I think in most cases first name and hometown are plenty if info to figure who each other are.
Connie :)

[Libby(CJs Mom)]

And thus the basic conundrum of the N4M website. We aren't supposed to use last names on anything, and the recruits almost NEVER know each others' first names. As I understand it, by the end of boot camp some of them even start thinking their first name is "Recruit." Or "Kuncklehead." Or worse.

I believe last names are OK in private messages, just not on the publicly viewable boards. Can one of the more experienced folks around here confirm or deny that?

[Tracey]

My son's name is Steven also. From colorado. Maybe they know eachother. That would be cool.

[Daphne Ship12 div183 PIR 5/7/10]

We received our phone call on Easter Sunday around 4 pm our time. The first thing my son said was "I only have 5 minutes". Said he was doing well and the gallery food gives everyone flatus (lol)Then he asked me to bring him real sugar because nothing is sweet. He loves sweet iced tea. Said the unit has been having difficulty marching but they are improving and the inspections are getting better. He sounded tired but loves all the mail he gets. Their mail has been delayed but apparently it is going through quicker now.

[barebrass]

In the questionaire I sent my son asking what he wanted me to bring to PIR, his response was
1. Twizzlers
2. Jelly Beans
3. Anything with sugar - and lots of it
4. Boxers
5. A car - to take him away!

He is also missing the sugar - says the only thing that has sugar is desserts and then they are good but really not sweet enough....lol

I sent my son the questionaire (slighty modified) that one of the mom's put on here.....I just laughed out loud reading my son's responses. He really seemed quite upbeat and happy about where he is in the program and keeps telling me how proud of himself he is.

His bunkmate is a 19 year old engaged young man with a baby on the way. And he says he gets along fine with him. Don't know the first name but he is from San Diego/Kentucky - since my son is from San Diego they probably have some things in common. They are in the laundry section together....Sound familiar to anyone?

He says the best meals are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches....lol He says there is no drama - most get along quite well together. RDC's are LOUD - IN YOUR FACE LOUD....lol He says they all love the mailman the very best...Inspections are still needing some improvements - tomorrow he gets IT!

He finally said getting his wisdom teeth out hurt very badly (my interpretation of his response :) But the dentists are outstanding ...

Oh and mom I am out of stamps....guess that means he wants me to send him some! He has been putting 2 stamps on every letter - I asked him why - he said to make sure they really get there....lol

Anyhow, looking forward to May 7th!!

[barebrass]

Hi division 183 families

Has anyone gotten a phone call lately? I thought my son said he would call on Sunday (11th) but no call. Just wanting to make sure everything is going according to plans! I will make my plane reservations today and am unsure about the insurance - hate to spend the extra money but hate to loose it all if......I feel fairly confident but insurance is always good..

In the last letter I received my son asked about Battle Stations - I didn't realize it was something that was not talked about. I sent him the article from Navy Times and some info I got on N4M's - He said the recruits have been talking about it alot (when they get a chance to talk!) and are very curious. I wrote back and told him to focus on what they are doing now and not to worry - it will all be fine. I sure hope so!

Time seems to be flying by (at least most of the time) and we are anxiously awaiting PIR....Terrence (my son) says he wants to go into Chicago, talk while he is eating (lol - gross!), and have lots of snacks - with sugar. I visited Walmart the day after Easter and made up a great Easter basket for him (with 1/2 off candy) to snack on at the hotel - the dentist will not love me! but I added toothpaste and a toothbrush....:)

I hope all of your recruits are doing well and look forward to meeting you at PIR!

[Libby(CJs Mom)]

When our son last called (last Tuesday 4/6), we were under impression that Tuesdays were going to be the phone call day since it was the end of their "week." So we weren't expecting a call Sunday, but certainly had one eye on the phone all day just in case ;) I guess the rule of thumb at boot camp is "no news is good news."

I think the staff at RTC tries to keep Battlestations as much a mystery as possible. I found the following link a while back. Talks alot about the technology of the thing. I think it would very interesting to see it myself.

http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature242.htm

[barebrass]

thanks for the link - very interesting....I also would love to see it...they make things so realistic - and I am sure for the recruits since this is such a big deal, it will be very realistic. After a few hours of having senarios thrown at them, they will have trouble distinguishing between reality and the fact that it is just a 'game' abeit a serious one considering the challenges they will face in Battle Stations could easily become reality.