Missing her so much...

[Leese/K's OS Mom]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this website, I have a SR 17day's into RTC.

I am not new to the Navy Family, I have a son that joined just after 911 also.

But having my Daughter in training is killing me...

Maybe because with my son I know he can handle himself, and if he was to get yelled at, I don't know it's just different when it's your "little Girl" it's been the longest 17 day's without hearing from her.

Then today I got my first letter and I cried!

She is doing well, and much to my surprise she is handling it very well...I'm glad 1 of us is.

her PIR is 1/13/2012 and it seems like a life time away. My son laughs at me and tells me Mom she's not a Baby anymore! And I told him oh you are so wrong you all will always be my Baby's  no matter how old you get.

If any moms in here got daughters in Ship-11 Div037 I would love to chat and maybe support each other.

[Lisa (Olivia Div 09-Ship 331)]

My daughter (youngest of 3 daughters) just had her PIR Oct. 7.  She made it through and told me that she did not understand why she was so worried because it wasn't as bad as she had expected.  I know its your daughter and I had the same feelings when I received "the box" and of course her first letter was read with tears.  Your son is correct, she is not longer a baby -- just hard for mom's to accept.  You hang in their your beautiful daughter will emerge a strong young female Sailor! Bravo Zulu mom!

[Leese/K's OS Mom]

Thank-you for the Kind words Lisa,

Oh yes "The Kid in the Box" Minus the kid! Yea a very bad day for me there!

She is also my youngest of 3 so maybe that is the reason this is so hard too the dreaded "Empty nest syndrome"

I know she will do great, and as always make us Proud.

[Lisa (Olivia Div 09-Ship 331)]

On a happy note, I am flying out at 6:20 am tomorrow to spend the weekend with my daughter.  I have not been with her since Oct. 8th.  So this will be a cherished weekend.  That's what you look forward to.

[Diana(PO3/IT3)]

Aw Leese...I feel you.  My daughter just PIR'd...she is now in Florida awaiting A School. Those first days/weeks were tough. To get ME through it, I wrote her everyday and burned my blue candle with prayers that she was safe and doing well.....which DID happen. Having your daughter gone over the holidays is a tough one but I can tell you, she is in GREAT hands. RTC took care of all the recruits during Thanksgiving who did not have family around. In fact, the families who were there for their sailor's PIR were able to adopt them. Those not adopted were taken in by numerous organizations.

When I saw my daughter at PIR the day before Thanksgiving, I was so happy to see my girl was still my girl :-)  Poor baby was sick as a dog though - and a division flag carrier no less - her 2 day liberty ended up being a lot of sleep, hot baths, and tea but now she's on her next journey, all healed and doing great!  This time WILL pass - growing pains for both of you.  What a wonderful journey to partake with your daughter!  My daughter and I were close before, even closer now - so rest assured, while there are changes, and bittersweet ones, the sweet out weighs the bitter......

Once bootcamp passes, you will have more regular contact and things will feel MUCH better - more connected... Until then, write, write, write and make those plans for these short weeks to pass and you'll get to celebrate with her :-)  And what a GREAT date for her PIR....it's my birthday so it HAS to be wonderful!

Hang in there......relish this phase of many journeys......

~Diana

[Leese/K's OS Mom]

Thank-you Diana,

Yes I have been writing to her every day...

I want to book my flight but other mom's on this site are saying don't book to early because things could change.

when I got my sons PIR date I booked right away with no problems but there have been so many changes sine he went in, So I don't know how often the dates change.

did you hold off on booking?

[Diana(PO3/IT3)]

Leese, they seem to stick with pretty much what was shared early on as to the PIR date. The main thing that may change is if your daughter doesn't pass a requirement for graduation. Out of our 269 recruits, I think only 2 ended up not graduating. One was discharged early on for breaking a major no-no. The other was due to an injury or not passing the PT portion, I think. The rest were right on target.

I booked about a month away from our PIR date. Are you able to use Southwest? They do not charge a fee should you need to change the fly out date. They were wonderful to fly with. Southwest flies to Midway - which is a bit further from Great Lakes than OHare but not too much so. They also fly into Milwaukee which is a very easy, no toll road, less than an hour's drive from Great Lakes. They do not fly into OHare.

As far as accommodations go, we used the Navy Lodge. Only $65/no tax and literally right around the corner from your SR. It was clean and super friendly. Being your PIR is the dead of winter, I would suggest staying there as you won't have to drive far in potentially gnarly winter circumstances.

You are probably safe waiting a bit to book your flight. I don't know how many are graduating during your time. We had a super, super small group - only a 1/3 of the size of normal graduations. You might want to book your room(s) now. Those can be easily changed, should something come up, with no fees. If it's a large group, the Navy Lodge may fill up fast...

It sounds like your PIR encompasses MLK, Jr weekend which might mean an extra day of liberty. Stay in touch with your SR for what kind of time off she may have. I also communicated with the RTC facebook page. They were very helpful there and pretty much told me exactly what I expected and what did happen for our PIR. My daughter had PIR day liberty and Thanksgiving (the day after). She flew out early Friday morning to her next station. Your daughter may most likely leave the Saturday after unless she is staying at GL for her school.....

[Leese/K's OS Mom]

Diana, Yes I booked my rooms at the Navy Lodge the night I got her Info because I knew rooms would go quick. I have been going back and forth about flying into OHR or Milwaukee, I flew into OHR for my sons PIR and the drive was not bad, But I heard Southwest was the way to go no bag fees and the fact they were good about the dates. she is not a grad and go she is staying in GL for A school, so we will get to spend more time with her :) I figured the same to wait about a week or so more before booking just so she can get a feel to whether or not she is going to pass the pt or not.

She is a very strong swimmer, so I am not worried about that part it's the push up's and running times that worry me, and her! well all we can do is cross our fingers and keep saying our prayers.

[Anna]

Leese,

My husband and I just flew to WA out of Milwaukee and it is not a bad airport.  The drive from Waukegan to the airport was less than an hour and it's not a bad drive at all.  If you take 94 you can go a little quicker but that is a toll road in IL (one toll).  If you take 41, there's no toll but it is a little bit slower.  A couple traffic lights.

[Leese/K's OS Mom]

Awww Lisa that is so awesome have a great time with her, and Tell her I said Thank-you for serving!

[Lisa (Olivia Div 09-Ship 331)]

Olivia says "you're welcome".  What is her running time now?  Olivia improved greatly and passed her running time.  Push ups is 19 for women.  Olivia just told me that its not a lot and your daughter will be fine.  Olivia also said that  the girls that did not pass the base line PFA passed the final PFA.  They run every other day and do in house PT (strength training) on the days that they do not run.  Also, tell your daughter to eat healthy in BC and avoid unhealthy options.  A healthier diet will help her PFA.

What is her A-school at GL? 

[Leese/K's OS Mom]

Yes Lisa her A school is at GL, I got a letter from her she missed her first PFA test she got SIQ for 4 days so now I am not sure what's going to happen. She wrote the letter on Monday so by now I am hoping she is better and back on track with her Div. (Fingers and toes crossed) She has not told me what her running time is yet, nor has she responded to my question of how many push ups she's up too. Tell Olivia I said thank-you for the reassurance I think I need it more than she does lol.

[Lisa (Olivia Div 09-Ship 331)]

No problem.  Keep us posted.  Was she in SIQ due to getting her wisdom teeth pulled?