Ship 02 / Division 933

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Anybody else out there with this Ship/Division?

[annev]

Also, do you know how the pictures work? Do they go ahead & order them? Are they a typical studio package of pictures?  I will be surprised if my son ordered any - he much prefers candid shots to "studio" ones.  Do you know if we can order them the day of graduation - or even afterwards?  I have seen where we can get videos ordered after the fact, but wasn't sure how the pictures worked, or what exactly they were.

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

This is from a posting from 12/2010, so the prices may have changed, but the basic info is the same:

Per the NEX Photo Lab at RTC on 7/27/10:

IF a recruit orders Pkg A for $140 while IN boot camp, the Cruisebook (known as the Keel Yearbook) automatically comes with that package. IF a sailor or family member decides AFTER PIR weekend to order Pkg A, it does NOT come with it - and the price is not lowered due to this fact either. Reason: The Keel book is like a bonus feature for those who order early. Those who do not order Pkg A, but want a Cruisebook, can order one at the time photos are taken for $30. Very important: If a recruit orders Pkg A while in boot camp, but does not pay for it by PIR day, the Keel book will NOT be included in their photo order.

There are two exceptions: #1 - IF a parent/sailor walks into the NEX photo lab ON graduation day, they can order a Cruise book that day for $30 and #2 - IF a sailor is still at RTC for those few days after PIR, they have 5 days to walk in and order the book. The lab will NOT accept requests by mail or by phone for this book, even if you call or write within that 5 day period!

The reason for this is because they order the exact number of books that are paid for one week after PIR. Unlike photo re-orders that give you a year to re-order, you can never request a Keel Cruisebook after the fact.

Also, he wanted me to remind everyone that prices do change, so even if you see a post on N4M that states a photo costs "X" amount, that price could change by the time your recruit orders their photos. They can change things (like including the Keel book) at any time, but recruits will always know exactly what they are paying for when they make their order and those orders are safe from any changes that may go into effect later.

DVD's and VHS tapes of PIR are mailed out to the address given by the recruit approximately 5-7 weeks after PIR. The Cruisebook (Keel Yearbook) arrives 8-10 weeks after PIR.

 First, the recruit pays for these, either with a debit/credit card, or a check when they pick them up a few days before PIR. What I could not get confirmed was whether they can deduct it from their wages, but several Moms have posted that "yes", this can be done. Now... the parents/family can go in and pay for them and pick them up on PIR day - but you must be present to do that or have sent your recruit a check.

Pkg A is expensive, but it's your best deal at $140.00: It does NOT come with the DVD of PIR, that is ordered separately for $29 (includes the shipping). However, the large pkg DOES include the Cruisebook, also known as the Keel Yearbook. It comes as a "gift" for ordering and PAYING for Pkg A by PIR date. If a recruit does not order Pkg A, they can order the Keel separately for $30 (includes shipping). Here's the confusion though - IF a recruit decides AFTER graduation that they want a Keel, it is too late, because the Photo Lab submits their order to the printing company that week - and they only order the exact number of books that have been PAID for. So, if you decide to order Pkg A AFTER graduation, you will not get the Keel book as a bonus. Hope that makes sense!

Most recruits pick up their portraits a few days before PIR, then right after the ceremony they run back to barracks to pick them up and hand them to you. The DVD is mailed to the address the recruit writes down and arrives 5-6 weeks after PIR (got mine on time). The Keel is also mailed, but takes about 10 weeks to arrive (should get ours by next week).

So, even though my son spent $174, it breaks down to this: Pkg A $140, DVD $29, and $5 for a 5x7 of the "casual" Division picture. The large 11x17 formal Division picture is included in Pkg A. And remember, Keel book (worth $30) is included if Pkg A is ordered and paid for by graduation day.

My suggestion is to write your recruit now and discuss what you want. My son paid for his, so it was his choice - however I did surprise him by reimbursing him on PIR day, which is something we chose to do. We did not buy him a graduation gift, our thought was "our present is our presence", it cost a small fortune to go to Chicago!

Here are the packages, prices and important things to know about Navy Portraits as of 8/26/10:

Your recruits picture will be taken in their Navy Blue uniform and these are very nice, professional portraits.

No order form is sent to the families, it's up to the recruit to decide to order them or not, and how many.

These are taken around week 4 or 5, they are ready and available for the recruit to pick up the last week of boot camp.

They must be paid for with a debit or credit card, or personal check (cash okay - but they should never have that much cash with them at boot camp!). They cannot have the cost taken out of their pay check. Families can go into the NEX on PIR day to pay, but it's a bit crazy on PIR day, so advise you to let recruit get them earlier that week. If your recruit did not bring a debit/credit card, mail them a check. Call the NEX Photo Lab for more info on that: 847-578-6205

There are only two packages they can order:

Package A - $140.00 (no tax charged)

1 - 11x14 photo, 2 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7, 24 wallets, 1 - 11x14 formal Division photo. IMPORTANT: If they order and PAY for Package A no later than PIR day, it includes a free bonus - the Cruisebook (aka Keel Yearbook).

 

Package B - $120.00 (no tax charged)

1 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7, 16 wallets, 1 - 11x14 formal Division photo. There is no free bonus book in this package.

Things you can order separately:

Note: Your recruit cannot just buy a few photos, they must order a package to receive any photos at all. However they can just order a DVD or a Cruisebook without ordering photos.

DVD or Video of PIR ceremony $29.00, includes shipping. It will be mailed to the address given by recruit 5-6 weeks after PIR

Cruisebook (aka Keel Yearbook) $30.00, includes shipping. It will be mailed to the address given by recruit 12-13 weeks after PIR. NOTE: This book is printed just one time, so if it is NOT ordered and paid for by PIR day, you can never get one later. The photo lab orders the exact number of books ordered and paid for the day after PIR, so there are never any left over. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Reorders: You can order more photos in various sizes for up to one year from PIR date. There will be a form in the portrait package to do this. Reorders can only be ordered if your recruit ordered a package.

Frames: The above packages come with thick construction paper frames - it does keep them safe when traveling. The NEX also sells very nice frames in a variety of sizes and styles. Prices are on the order form that comes with the portraits.

This information was confirmed with two different employees at the NEX Photo Lab!

 If anyone wants to contact the "picture people," here is an email address where you can ask any questions:

[e-mail]

[annev]

Thanks - that really helps!  I am getting a letter ready to send with all the last minute questions for him - figured we are running short of time for them to respond to things we are asking - especially if we don't get another call until "I'm a sailor!" 

[Coach]

Thanks for the picture info!

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

You all are very welcome.

 

Here's something else you might want to consider sending to your SR:

 

Dear ________________, 

Once you have your plane ticket, complete the answers below and then take it with you to PIR and hand it to us after the ceremony (do not mail it): 

Airport_______________________________ 

Airline________________________________ 

Flight #___________________________ 

Flight time_________________________ 

First destination (if more than one flight) _______________________________

Time the bus leaves RTC_______________ 

Are you on a special "chartered flight"? ____  if not, we will meet you at the airport and stay with you as long as possible!

**********************************

They will get their boarding pass (usually before PIR) and will be able to do this.

They have to get to airport early for security reasons. Their flights could be early in the AM or late afternoon.  Just don't miss their flight if you don't want to get there as early as them.

You will also need your sailor to go to the airline ticket counter with you so you can get a military family gate pass.  This will get you through security so you can wait at the gate with your sailor.  So, its probably best to get to the airport when your sailor does.

 

USO is before security at O’Hare and after security at Midway.

[IndyMom02/933 PIR7/1]

Hi Group- just checking in.  i received a letter on Monday, that was a surprise.  looks like he wrote last Thurday.  He said just finished hell week.  They did well on their inspections.  Very tired though. 

 

No call since 2 weeks ago Tuesday.  I was hoping last night, we would get one, but no call.  Perhaps this week. 

 

I noticed no PIR on 6/24, so i suspect our group will be performing this Friday 6/17 graduation. 

 

Capricorna- you mailed plasctic bag for letters.  Did you mail a large, gallon zip loc bag? 

15 days!!!!!

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Hi IndyMom and Group - I mailed a gallon size zip lock back and he asked me to maila second one!

I got a letter last night.  It was dated June 9th.  He indicated that "they" were making them write.  He said:  The Division is really messing up.  The RDC's hate us.  A lot of people continue to mess up the easiest stuff.  We get graded on our inspections and tests, which reflects upon the RDCs, so they're not happy.  That rolls down to us, even if individually we do well.

So things are not all rosie in Div. 933, but he did say he feels better physically & mentally after this short of time.

I hope you all get letters and calls soon!

[annev]

No letters again today - but we have been getting them Thur or Friday, so hopefully tomorrow! And I was just sure we would get a call last night, maybe tonight!  I am hoping your SR wrote on a bad day and that it is better now. I know mine said in his last letter that they had done so well, but then would mess up on the really small stuff!  I hope they have their Battle Station early - not sure if there is an advantage to that, but it will be nice to know earlier rather than later!

[cjesm]

I got a letter from my SR dated Thursday June 9.  He was pretty upset and feeling like he was being singled out for extra IT even though he had not "messed up" in the first place.  He had a 500 word essay to write on a night he was on watch so only got 2 hours of sleep.  Then was told he "wasn't getting it" so had a 5,000 word essay assigned and 20 "8-counts" (an exercise like football up-downs) for every misspelled word!  I imagine he will be pretty tired and sore as spelling is not his forte!  I sent off a letter of encouragement and tried to explain that he is being tested and that it may not seem fair but, the Navy needs to know that he will not crack under "unfair" pressure.  It was easy to send the words of wisdom but hard not to be able to give him a hug!  No calls since he arrived at Boot.  :(

[Paula (was Capricorna)]

Oh man, cjesm, I am SO sorry to read what was in your son's letter.  My son sounded down about people messing up and everyone getting PT, but this sounds like they're really coming down hard on your son.  What doesn't kill 'em is gonna make 'em stronger - right?  You are going to be extra, extra proud when you see him at PIR knowing what he has gone through and overcome. 

You did good to encourage him - keep that up.  And vent here when you need to - that's what we're here for.

(((hugs))) to you and soothing vibes to your son that he "gets it" soon!

[annev]

Cjesm, I'm sorry about your son's letter as well!  And it is hard because you have no idea if things are a lot better since he wrote or not. I hope it was just a really bad time and that it has gotten better. Only 2 weeks to go!

[annev]

Yeah! Got a letter written on June 12. Sounded good again - said things are finally starting to feel like they were coming together. Said they had gotten all their flags but one, which he thought they would get on Monday if they did well on their drill inspection.  Said they were performing at their first graduation tomorrow. 

He said that they had been told if they got 2 more perfect scores on Test 2 (yesterday), they would get the hour phone call.  If not, he said he thought the next call would be the Monday after battle stations! :( 

He said the live fire instructors were impressed with how well the division did.

Wishing for a call - he answered some of our questions, but still have some that he hasn't!