Gone for 2 weeks :( I want to hear her voice

[proudmom/Desi]

Well my daughter has been gone for 2 weeks..it has gotten easier but songs really send me into tears lol!  I received her box WOW I couldnt beleive every single thing was in there down to undergarments!!! Keeping busy is key so many wonderful people on here have been so nice and supportive! Finally got a graduation date June 22nd It doesnt seem to far away a month in a half :) started making reservations! When can I expect a phone call I so want to hear her voice!  Thanks for the awesome support I am so glad this site was suggested to me!

[lemonelephant]

That first real phone call typically comes in week 3 or 4, but is not guaranteed.  She could call at anytime though so have your phone available all the time (8 to 8ish Central time).  Join the group, PIR 06/22/2012 TG 32 — 9 Divisions (187–194 & 932) (clickable link), to connect with others with loved ones who are training with your SR.  There is a lot of good information and support for you within that group.

[proudmom/Desi]

Thanks I will!

[Mrs.B_Div 302_Ship9]

the call can come at anytime, but normally comes at 3 weeks, or around that time. But calls are never "set in stone" and they are a reward for good behavior, team work, etc. Keep your phone on and volume turned up at all times! The call normally comes in the afternoons.

[proudmom/Desi]

Will do maybe in about a week!!

[tatmom4rc(Ship12, Div. 204)]

Stay strong,.  It will be all fine.

[proudmom/Desi]

Thanks so much :)

[Melissa(Sub Mom)]

proudmom/Desi take it from someone that has been through this.   My son is now in Groton, CT and I come to this site to help the new mom's, girlfriends etc get through and hope I can give some encouraging words or some pointers.   

you will probably receive a call usually in the 3rd week or 4th week,  I know this is hard to take but no news is good news.  (gosh i used to get so mad when they said that)  if you have not heard anything she is progressing through the basics.   

I would suggest if you have not done so to make a FB page with all the mom's, wives etc that you can find that is in your division.   They will be a huge support also and if they receive calls they can notify you asap.   You used to be able to have a link on the GL FB page but they can not do it anymore due to the timeline thing.   I still talk to our group on a daily basis and our boys are 4 weeks into A school etc.   

Keep your head up,  when you get that first call,  have your questions ready.   I put mine next to the phone.

You will have a new sailor soon and when PIR gets here and those doors open and you see her division come through it is the best feeling ever.   It is hard to explain the overwhelming emotions.  

[proudmom/Desi]

Thank you very much :)

[Melissa(Sub Mom)]

LALAribbonqueen gave me this helpful info and thought I would pass it on.

Helpful Info PIR:

If you are planning to drive to the base: don't line up in the far right lane the morning of PIR. That lane ends, so stay to the left of it and it will save you lots of wait time. If time allows check your route the day before PIR.

When you get into the PIR Hall take some practice shots with your digital camera. Change your settings until you get the best pictures possible with the lighting and environment you are in. Your pictures will come out much better and you will be glad you took the time to do it.

If you go to Gurnee Mills Mall keep track of the amount of time you have. That mall is huge and there are no pass through stores or hall ways to work as short cuts. It is Z shaped so if you start at one end you have to go back to where you started the same way you came. And, you don’t want to get your Sailor back to the base late.

            If your Sailor tells you the day of PIR that they will be on a chartered flight you won’t get to meet them at the airport. They go straight from the base to the Jet and don’t come inside. This doesn’t happen very often but it did happen to us and we didn’t really say goodbye on Friday night because we thought we would have several hours with her at the airport. Had we known we wouldn’t see her at the airport our goodbye wood have been different and we wouldn’t have been at the airport searching for her.

About 3 weeks before PIR you can send your recruits regular glasses or contacts and a small bottle of solution to be used for PIR and pictures. Just mark on the outside of the package what it is and what it is for. Many parents send these items and it is perfectly fine.

Sending other items: If your Sailor is a girl and especially if she is in the performing division she make ask you to send some basic make-up and maybe even a small hair dryer and small straightener. If she asks you to send these items then she has most likely been told she can ask for them and it is okay to send them. My daughter did and I marked the outside of the small flat-rate box with a note saying it was make-up and straightener for PIR. She had to open it in front of the RDC and then had to put it away and was only allowed to use it for PIR.

Other items I sent: I also sent stamps, made  and sent  to her, and sent self addressed stamped envelopes, a paper tablet, and a large envelope for her to send the letters she wanted to keep back home. In most cases they will only ask you to send items they know they can have. She did ask for airheads because they are flat and could go undetected but I DID NOT send them lol. I guess she was in bad need of some sugar and was willing to risk having IT if she got caught.

[proudmom/Desi]

Thank you wonderful useful information!!

[tdbridges]

Hi proudmom,

My son has been gone 1 week...like you songs bring tears.  I finally was able to wash his clothes that came in The Box.  I put his picture on my screen saver on my phone so I "say hi" every time I use my phone.  Pretty weird, I know but it helps.  The downside...I see his picture every time I use my phone :)  We were in the middle of playing drawsomething on our phones when he left and I have even left our game on their.  Yesterday at my husbands baseball game (he coaches) I heard the National Anthem for the first time since he left, yep tears streaming down my face.  1 week seems so short but it is also so long.  I am hoping the The Letter this week so I can really start planning.  I don't know why but I feel like it will make me feel a little closer to my son.  I have written one continuous letter but can't decide whether to send it in one envelope or many so he gets more mail!!!!   

I hope you get your phone call soon and hang in there...like you this site has helped me so much and I look forward to "talking" to people every day.

[proudmom/Desi]

Lol.....I have to admit I havent washed the clothes her shirt smells just like her :) I never ever went this long without talking to my kids my husband told me something that helped me very much...we know shes safe shes eating and living her dream....soo...but i must admit to calling her cell phone to hear her voice and I havent erased any text lol I guess everyone has a way of coping lol!! maqde my hotel reservations hopefully times flies!!!!