Calls from your SR

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Comment by JessicaB-Sailor Mom on May 27, 2011 at 6:02am

As far as the first call...they are NOT guaranteed to call. Most get 3 calls: the "I'm here" call, the "I'm still alive" call (3 weeks) and the "I'm a Sailor" call (after Battlestations)...some only get the last one, some get all, some get more....depends on the division, RDC and the rct. Watch for the 847 area code and the id is usually payphone...occ it is withheld or restricted. Sometimes they get a quick info call the first week or two...the id is US Government then. They all need calling cards...it eats up 30 minutes to just make a call from a payphone....so they need a bunch of minutes. They can buy calling cards at the NEX. If you send them one ...make sure it is activated first (saves time) When you get your first call DO YOUR BEST NOT TO CRY…your rct will be emotional and most likely will be tearful and if they’re not, they will be if you are and then you’ll waste valuable talking time crying. Let them talk…they don’t get to talk much at boot camp, have questions and a pen and paper by the phone to jot down what they say. When they call and you hear their sweet voice…everything you wanted to ask will go out of your mind. If they are upset..just reassure them, let them know that it will get better, it is only a few weeks and after boot camp it is MUCH better. Tell them you love them, yes you do miss them but are looking SO forward to seeing them march through those doors at PIR. Then, hang up and come on here and cry and shout and be happy that you heard from your rct !!! In the Navy, "no news is good news." They are allowed to contact you almost immediately if something goes wrong, and if they cannot, the Navy does. It was just over five weeks from the time my son left home and his first call, four weeks is typical.

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One thing to add to this is that occasionally the rcts get a quick "information" call during the first few weeks. The id is "US Government" then and area code still "847". If your rct is in the 800 divisions, IT, CTT, CTI (any job that handles confidential info) have phone numbers, addresses of references, scout masters, teachers, employers, friends, etc. by the phone.

Usually this call is short and sweet but sometimes the RDC will let them chat a for a few minutes. Have questions by the phone that you need to ask....have these ready for the 3 week call as well.

[SailorMom92 (DIV 244)]

great info. especially having some questions ready when we get the 3 week phone call.  When they do make the phone calls, are they anytime during the week or do these calls always come on sundays?

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

It can be anytime during the week. My first one was on a Sunday...but it was a special circumstance...he did not get to make "the call" from RTC and was granted another...Bless his RDC's!

[SailorMom92 (DIV 244)]

When my son made "the 24 second 'I'm here' call" he said he would be able to call again about 3 weeks.  Does that mean from the time they got to GL or when they started their training days for bootcamp and how long are they allowed to talk when they are allowed to make that call?

[lorelle&marleesmom/Ship02DIV939]

My son told me the same think but we still haven't received a phone or a letter.

[mona13 (Ship 07 Div 243)]

I received a very quick call from my SR.....something about banking....and it was a 402 area code, which I figured was meaning he was using a phone card.  Guess I will be answering every call with a strange area code.  He was talking fast and to the point.....and gave me a message for his gf.  No time for questions.

[Karen2065 (Ship 14, Div 244)]

I am really upset that we did not send any phone cards with our son. He left June 12, should have finished 3rd wk & starting 4th wk. I thought the "I'm ok call" was at end of 4th wk! but now I am reading it's the 3rd week. Since I haven't got a call yet & he doesn't have phone card is this an indication he will not be able to call or am I just panicking too early? Is he allowed to receive calling/phone cards in the mail & would it be too late at this point?

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Actually he is probably finishing his 2nd week of actual training. All recruits have at least 5 days of "P" days or Processing days that take up the first actual week they are at RTC then 6 weeks of Training days and the final week of Boot Camp which ends in PIR.

That first call can come as early as at the end of Week 2 of training or Week 3. Sometimes the recruits are allowed to go over to the NEX when the Division is taken for that first call and purchase a Phone card...sometimes not. Other recruits have been known to share their cards with their teammates. So, lets hope for that!

He is allowed to receive it...I would still send one as he will need it for when he makes that "I'm a Sailor" call! Also, they can earn extra calls individually and as a Division for doing well.

[Maelene72]

Thank you for the information on being able to send a calling card. I know my son took a few with him, but I haven't heard from him yet and his wife didn't say anything about talking to him. Hopefully it will be soon. I am used to hearing his voice everyday and it's pretty tough!

[lorelle&marleesmom/Ship02DIV939]

I'm the same boat. My son left June 12th and I only received the I'm here call. I haven't received 1 single letter or phone call. :(

[lorelle&marleesmom/Ship02DIV939]

Got a call from my SR today. He sounded good. I could tell he was tearing up in the beginning of the call and the first he said was that he missed me. I was good about not crying on the phone. The call went well and I could tell he was a bit tired, but he said he couldn't wait to be able to sit on a couch again and have his cell phone lol Told me to write every day and he wrote a letter to me and said there was a message for me to post on his Facebook page. Can't wait to get it! Made my day. I hear some others got calls from their SR's too today :)