Is Bootcamp always 8 weeks?

[oregonmom]

My son leaves for bootcamp in a couple weeks. He was told that bootcamp can be from 6-8 weeks long. I am a teacher and need to make sure I save my two personal days I get to fly out to see his graduation. I would also like to go up and see him off from MEPS. If his bootcamp is only 6 weeks I will not be able to do both, so just wondering if anyone out there has any information for me. Thank you.

[lemonelephant]

Bootcamp can last from 7 to 9 1/2 weeks; typical is 8 1/2 weeks.  It all depends on how quickly the division forms.  How I figure out the PIR date is to count 9 Fridays after the recruit arrives at the RTC and then realize that it could be the week before or after.  You will not know the actual PIR date until you get the Form Letter from your SR.

The 6 weeks is how long training actually is.  The first week or so is Processing Days (P-Days) and the Days of Training (DOT) begin on the next weekday after those are complete.  Battle Stations-21 happens sometime in the last week that the recruit is at the RTC, so some complete training and are Sailors a week before PIR.

[Jana]

I don't think you will know how long until you get the form letter that tells you when his PIR date is.  Mine was in what was called a push division where they went through boot camp in 7 weeks instead of 8.  If you have to choose one, definitely choose PIR.  It is a wonderful experience.  

[Teach]

Definitely choose PIR. We were not even given the option of going to MEPS because of the distance. We said goodbye at the recruiters before he left. He was so busy at MEPS that we would have only had a short time with him. We are two weeks from PIR and can't wait to spend quality time with our new and improved young man.

[jde]

blanesmom2012,  I know how you feel, all these abbreviations, it seems everyone knows them but me:)  I actually can answer this one!   MEPS is the military enlistment(?) processing center in your state where they are initially processed and leave from when they go to Illinois.  PIR is Pass In Review, which is their graduation from bootcamp. 

[WhiteClay Ship 2 Div 913]

I agree that boot camp grad will be the better choice! He'll be excited and nervous before he leaves, which doesn't make for great conversation. Our son was older (had college degree & 25) and asked to be dropped off at the recruiter who took him to MEPS on Sunday afternoon. He said he felt bad for the younger guys whose moms were crying and videotaping and calling out "I love you" as they got on the bus. He felt it was better to say goodbye at home and just get on with the adventure. You'll have to ask your son what he wants because each kid is different. I'd just try to respect his wishes, rather than what you feel like doing. After grad from boot camp you will have LOTS of stories to hear from him, and he'll be proud of what he's accomplished, and will appreciate parents, family & friends more than ever! It's a great thing to experience. Hang in there, and know you'll feel like you're emotionally unstable for the first couple of weeks, but believe it WILL get better. Also, maybe your school will be out by then and you won't have to use those personal days!

[Star (S-11, D-177; PIR 6-15)]

My son is 18 adn leaving on Tuesday and  has requested the same thing.  He does not want us to go to MEP or the airport to see him off.  He doesn't like goodbyes, and just wants us to drop him off at the recruiter office.  He said, he'll be busy finishing some paperwork and getting prepared for the next day and won't have time to think about leaving home.  As a mom, this was a VERY hard thing to agree on, but it was the first indication that my baby is becoming a independent young man, which is what all us mom's want of our sons.  After I've accepted, I'm really okay and proud of his decision.

[KellyM]

My son left for boot camp on April 2nd.  His recruiter told us he will likely graduate on May 31st which happens to be the exact same day as my youngest son's high school graduation.  Go figure.  I am so distraught over this and am praying with all my might that it is not that day.  The recruiter said that because June 4th is Memorial Day, they will probably push his date to Thursday May 31st due to the holiday. This would actually make him there for 9 weeks.  Can someone PLEASE give me some extra reassurance that it will possibly be a different date!!!!  I just want to cry right now.

[Jana]

I always thought Memorial Day was the last Monday in May.  On my calendar it says Memorial Day is May 28, not June 4.  

[Teach]

Memorial day is May 28

[KellyM]

Woohoooo!.  You know, I didn't even look.  The recruiter said it was June the 4th and I have been getting an ulcer since then.  I am such a dork.  This is awesome.  So even if he graduates (in the worst case scenario) on June the 1st, we will still make it.  We will just take a really late flight out after my youngest son's graduation.  Thank you for making my day ladies!!!

[Riverlady ship 13 div 181]

Kelly M, I am in the same boat my youngest graduates high school on June 1st. I believe the PIR will be on June 1st since I am told most graduations are on Friday. I was hoping it would be on Sat or the following week which would be so much better but I think it is going to fall on the same day and that is breaking my heart. My only hope is a flight from Chicago to Las Vegas sometime that afternoon and allow for the 2 hour drive home to be at the high school graduation by 8pm...that means I can only see my new Sailor for maybe an hour. All of this is just speculation until we get the actual notification.