Ship 13 (USS Marvin Shields) Divisions 313 & 314 (brother divisions)

[ellen0502]

Welcome to the discussion group for divisions 313 & 314. These two divisions will be training together from the start to BS21, their final test.

[ellen0502]

[Dreamer1118 SHIP 13 DIV 314!!!]

I got my second letter.. hubby said they all got dropped for
Exercise till they dropped over people not listening and them talking.. anyone
Get a second letter?

[Stephensmomship13DIV314]

Dreamer 1118 I have had one letter and that is it. What did your husband mean? Did they get in trouble or what? I dont understand. Need to know if this might mess us up so we dont get a phone call or letter.

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

"Dropped "-  Made to do push-ups

[Stephensmomship13DIV314]

Thank goodness! I thought the worst when I saw this. LOL thanls FTLW. It could still make us loose any phone call we had coming. I will still have the phone taped to my hand.

[Stephanie (S-PACT/Yokosuka,JP)]

I got my first letter(s) Monday. There were 3 in one envelope. My son is 18 and from what he wrote is having difficulty adjusting. He's in 313, brother division to 314 so I understand they train together. He said that the RDC's yell constantly for every little thing. He said there are 90 members in their division and 3 RDC's. The RDC's are constantly pointing out other divisions with 40 or 50 in them and they tell them that those divisions started out as big as they are and for one reason or another, almost half of the people were discharged. So he feels like half of their division will be sent home for one reason or another. They must have yelled at him for not stenciling his name perfectly straight on his clothes and also he mentioned the folding and ironing. If it isn't perfect they yell and they get extra PT. He sounded miserable. He talked about two guys choosing to go home and another one on the 12th left "bawling his eyes out." He said sometimes he thinks he just wants to come home, but he knows if he did it would be a dishonorable discharge so he knows he can't. I know they have reasons for the folding needing to be perfect, etc. due to the very small amount of storage space they will have on a ship. Of course my letter Monday night explained all that to him and that the yelling weeds out the weak ones to just hang in there, I hear when the division begins to work as a team and everyone begins to get it together they don't yell nearly as much. Even though he probably can't see it, I know this is really good for him. He needs to mature and this will help him get there much more quickly. Oh, I hope he doesn't crack! :(  With that said, the 3rd letter was dated Aug. 12, and I didn't get it until the 20th so eight days later. Maybe things are going better by now. No phone call yet, although I'm thinking this weekend could be about the time they are allowed a call home. Not sure. But at this point no news is good news and I almost don't want a call. When that 847 area code comes up on my phone I'm going to be scared to answer it, not knowing if he's being sent home for something or if it's just a good phone call letting me know he's still alive. I'll be glad when this is all over. It's almost as miserable (not quite, I'm sure lol!) for the family members back home as it is for them. 

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Most of the Divisions are just entering Week 3 of Training...so they are in the thick of it! It is very hard for many right now...

You describe everything to a "T" Stephanie...The "scene" is the same...just the name changes. This is very common at this time...and every recruit has a different "response" to it. My own son was a "young" 23 as he had never done anything like this before...and had the same reactions...I worried too...he pressed on...your will too!

The yelling...attention to detail...I relate it all to job duties and shipboard/base life. When the "doody" hits the fan...there will be yelling as orders are given...detail is vital in the running of a Ship. It is amazing to me to think that this HUGE "thing" is "floating" on the water...loaded with people, ordinance., planes, food, paperwork, etc...and the people in/on it keep it running smoothly...all because they know their job and do it well.

Here is an excerpt from the Day-to-Day from NavyDEP:

Week 2:
I thought this week was so important...and then I realized
that RDC's live up everything as if it were working on a million dollar piece of
equipment. This week had 3 inspections and the academic test that I stated
before.

Your attitude is great and so is your response to him...I keep all of your Recruits in my prayers ladies and gents!

[Dreamer1118 SHIP 13 DIV 314!!!]

I keep waiting for a phone call... its really bugging me that i havent
Heard from him phone wise. Anyone else feeling that way?

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

It is possible that some in this whole TG have been able to call home...security info calls, maybe they earned one...but generally...that first call (if it is granted) does not come until after Training Week 3. Hang in there!

[Steven'smom]

I got the second letter today.  My son is div 314.  He also said they had to drop and something about their first beat down because someone did something wrong.  He also said, much to the RDC's dismay--they all made it through!  He said he thinks the worst is standing watch because you have to stand at attention for so long.  He said he misses home but is not going to let it get to him.  They also had their first inspection last Thursday.  He said he passed which I find hard to believe, especially when I look in his room!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

"BEATINGS" aka; BEING CYCLED - It is physical fitness activities used as punishment - not physical "beatings"

[Dreamer1118 SHIP 13 DIV 314!!!]

Matt called it ITE but didnt say beatings. Dont worry no one gets hurt in
Boot camp from the rdc's. They got punished 2 times in 2 days because there were
At least 2 that were talking and not paying attention. Sounds in both
Cases like the same two but not positive. It sounds to me like it wont
affect graduation.