leaving for boot camp....

[andie]

Hi, my daughter is leaving for boot camp on Tuesday August 16 and I have no idea what to expect.... Can someone please help me understand the prosess a little better? Meaning, does she pack a suitcase, does she take her own personal belongings? She said she thinks she does then she says shes not sure.... I also heard we should send her with a lot of prepaid phone cards.... Will I be able to talk to her during the 8 weeks of boot camp? I hope these aren't too silly of questions but I just have no idea what's going on....  

[andie]

thank you so much "lemonelephant" the info you give is a big help as well as the links.... i'm sure i'll be having more questions soon.... thanks agan... =)

[Craig]

andie - It's a two way street.  You need to be here at N4M learning, however, your daughter needs to be a NavyDEP.com learning.  

Your daughter still has enough time left to get pumped up on what is about to happen at boot camp.  She really needs to join a deppers forum (just like you joining N4M) because she will know exactly what will happen while in boot camp.  The recruits that have problems are those that don't understand the process....

Since she's a gal, she may want to read up on these three important threads: 

(all three were written by female Navy sailors who graduated from boot camp.

http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401

http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433

http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1647

 

and you need to read this link:

~ Boot camp for Dummies (with Pictures) ~

 

[andie]

thank you so much Craig.... i will get on those threads ASAP.... and i will pass on the info to my daughter as well.... thanks again, any advice and info is greatly needed and appreciated....

[MidwestMom]

Make sure your daughter has a plain black or brown billfold. In it, put a list of addresses and phone numbers, $25-50 in cash, a deposit slip (if she's keeping her same bank) and a blank check, an activated phone card, SS card, photo D/L or ID, a few photos and slip in a note for her to find later that says you are proud of her, you believe in her and you can't wait to see her at PIR (graduation).  She can also take a bible.  Some send address books, but many of those are returned in the chaos of processing.  She won't have a lot of free time to write, so you can write a few names, addresses and your phone numbers (include cell phones) on a small piece of paper and stick it in the billfold.  Calls come at any time of day during BC so make sure you carry your cell phone or she has your work number!  The first weeks are hardest, but soon you'll get into the grove of things and be getting ready to see your Sailor.  Best of luck!

[MidwestMom]

You will receive a call late on the 16th or in the wee hours of the 17th to let you know she's arrived.  You'll get the Box with her clothes and cell phone (check the shoes for her phone) in 5-7 days.  Three-7 days after that, you should get the form letter with her address and PIR date -- don't lose this letter because you'll need it in October to print your parking pass.  You can then mail all the letters you've been writing since the day she left.  Remember, letters are upbeat.  Tell her you are proud of her.  Tell her what the family pets have been up to.  Try to think of funny things to write or stories to pass on that will lift her spirits.  Usually she isn't allowed to write until her second Sunday, so your first real letter would arrive around Sept. 1.  If her first letter arrives on a Thursday, you can pretty much plan on getting letters every Thursday.  You will LOVE letter day!  :)  Sometime between week 3 and 4 you should get a phone call.  Calls are very sporadic so don't plan on them...just enjoy them when they come!  The first two weeks drag by, but you can spend them here on this site learning about what she's doing and it will get better!

[andie]

Thank you so-o much for all the info.... I'll definitely keep it all in mind.... She saw her recruiter yesterday for some last minute info, a weigh in and measurement.... However something still wasn't clear, she thinks she was told at the very begining that the Navy pays for our plane tickets for PIR.... Now she thinks she must have misunderstood them.... Do you happen to know what the right info is on this?

[Craig]

Andie - You're on your own to go to her PIR.  The Navy won't pay for it.  

(unless you some type of celebrity which then they'll use you to promote the Navy).

 

[andie]

Thanks Craig for clearing it all up for me.... How about the thickets for PIR? Do we purchase them or does the Navy just send us a certain amount? My daughter thinks we get 2? Sorry for all the silly or ignorant questions I just have no idea what to expect and it's driving me a bit crazy...

But once again, thank you so much for your time and patience.... :)

[andie]

Thank you so much!!  I had no idea.... Wow I'm overwhelmed by all the help and support i've been getting... We're doing the count down, she leaves for MEPS in 5 day, the 16th then to Great Lakes in 6 days the 16th.... Again, thank you!!!!

[BunkerQB]

MidwestMom,

I want thank you for jumping in and answering questions. Great details. The people involved with this site are all volunteers (except a few). Contributions from members are very much appreciated.  Please feel free to join the PIR groups and put your good advice to work in those groups too. We are very lucky to have good contributors like craig and lemonelephant. Here is a list of groups associated with upcoming groups.

PIR: Sept 30, 2011           TG 46

            PIR: Sept 23, 2011           TG 45 -  Divisions (315-320 & 945)

            PIR: Sept 16, 2011           TG 44 - 13 Divisions (303–314 & 944)

            PIR: Sept 9, 2011             TG 43 - 13 Divisions (291-302 & 943)

            PIR: Sept 1, 2011             TG 42 - 13 Divisions (281–290, 818, 819 & 942)        

            PIR: August 26, 2011       TG 41 - 13 Divisions (269-280, 941) 

                Division 270 PIR: August 26, 2011

            PIR: August 19, 2011       TG 40 - 7 Divisions (263–268 & 940)      

Thank you and thank your son/daughter for his/her service.

[Craig]

andie - What would really help you is go to this Great Lakes FAQ page.  Open and read everyone of the FAQ's.  It will answer alot of questions...

http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/faq_family.asp

 

 

Here is an example of one of them:

Q.  How many guests per recruit are allowed to attend Pass-In-Review?

A.Four seats are guaranteed per recruit; however, children 12 years old and younger do not count against the four-guest maximum. The graduating recruit is responsible for identifying those individuals to be placed on the access list. Please coordinate with your recruit via letters regarding who will be on the access list. No additions, deletions or changes will be made to the access list the week of graduation. The four guests on the access list will be admitted into the ceremonial drill hall first. Additional guests not on the access list will have to wait inside the Visitor Center until after the start of the ceremony at which time they will be allowed into the ceremonial hall if additional seating is available as space permits. No additional seating can be guaranteed.  PLEASE DO NOT CALL FOR ADDITIONAL SEATS.  All visitors must have valid photo identification. This requirement includes children (school ID, Social Security card or copy of birth certificate). Please be aware that security may deny base admission to guests NOT on the access list if they are not accompanied by a guest who is on the access list.

 

[andie]

Thank you Craig, I'll get on that right away....