div 291 ship 14

[danielsmom]

im still fairly new to this site and crawling my way around it...i am feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information that is out there and what i need to know...my sons PIR is 9/14/12 and i am noticing lots of discussion regarding battle stations dates etc...the last time i talked with my son he only spoke briefly about it. I am aware its the final test before graduation but dont know of exact date. i also just recently purchased a coin but dont think it was the correct one since i now see discussion of that... if there is a specific one to purchase for his division can someone please advise me..thank you...:)

 

[Jenn (Proud AO Mom)]

Hi danielsmom - if you click the link below it should take you to a forum that is espcially for your son's PIR and will probably have a group that are just moms and loved ones from his division. You're right - there is a ton of information.  You won't get an exact date for Battlestations - it's all classified, but there is usually an idea of when they will happen.  Once you join your PIR group you can be included on an email about the approximate Battlestations dates for your son's division.  For an idea of timing - my son completed Battlestations and I got the "I'm a sailor" call while I was enroute to Great Lakes.  Some get it before that though - it just depends on the timing.  As for your coin - unless I'm wrong (which is possible) - the divisions don't have their own coins.  If they are what I'm thinking you are referring to I know they have them for specific bases and ships but divisions don't.  Good Luck!!  and Congratulations!!

Join PIR 09/14/2012 TG 44-11 Divisions (289-298 & 944)

 

[lemonelephant]

Craig has been working on coins for the Ships at the RTC.  The Ship 9, Ship 7, and Ship 12 coins are completed and the Ship 2 and Ship 14 coins are in the works.  I don't recall if other coins have been completed. (They are sold throuh pirgifts on ebay.)

[Kyle's Mom (Ship 14 Div 291)]

I looked at the coins you have made so far - they are wonderful. This is probably a dumb question, but are these for us to give to our "Sailors" as a memento for a completing Boot Camp? Should we get some of these for our sons to give to other Sailors?

[lemonelephant]

Not a dumb question at all. There has been quite a discussion on the comment wall of this group about these coins and the other one from the RTC. Yes, these are to commemorate the Sailor's time at BC. The RTC is the only command that will not "coin" a Sailor, so some feel it is appropriate for a family member to give them or for the Sailor to buy one on his/her own. I like your idea of buying a few for your Sailor to give to his close shipmates to remember this time together. (Well that wasn't what you said, but that is better.)  You would have to buy the RTC coin since the one for Ship 14 will not be available until after PIR.

The RTC coin is available as part of the Care Package from MWR at http://www.mwrgl.com/gen_info/rtc_graduation/rtccarepkg.htm and at the NEX at the RTC and possibly at the NEX on the main base and at https://store.nwtmint.com/product_details/1981/Recruit_Training_Com... and other places on the web.

My Sailor told me to never buy him any challenge coins when I was going to buy one for him at the NEX following PIR because he wanted that to be reserved for military personnel and I have honored that request.

Craig had the following comment on this subject, http://www.navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms?commentId=1971797%3AC.... Angie has indicated that this should be reserved for military personnel. Some are having a (retired) military family member or close friend give the coin/s. You will need to decide what is best for your family.

[danielsmom]

thank you....that definitely helped to answer my question! i will continue to look at the sight and see if one is made for ship 14. THANK YOU!

[lemonelephant]

You are so welcome,

[danielsmom]

thank you SO MUCH for this information i really appreciate you taking the time to provide me with all of this helpful stuff!

[lemonelephant]

I see you have joined the group, PIR 09/14/2012 TG 44-11 Divisions (289-298 & 944).  Someone (usually diannep) is privately collecting that info and will send out a private message to the group to let everyone know what dates have been confirmed by the recruits.  She usually does that about 10-12 days before PIR.  That information is not permitted to be posted openly.  One to four divisions go through at one time.  Depending on how the divisions are scheduled, loved ones can receive the "I'm a Sailor!" calls on any weekday (F, M-Th) beginning on the day of the previous week's PIR (09/07/2012) and the last calls could be as late as the day before (09/13/2012) the Sailor's PIR date.  Calls begin 2ish and end 8ish pm Central Time.

As for the coin, the one for Ship 14 is still in the making.  Craig posted yesterday that he is not happy with what has been sent to him. (See http://www.navyformoms.com/group/challengecoins?commentId=1971797%3...).

 

[Jenn (Proud AO Mom)]

lemonelephant - that is a way better and much clearer answer than mine.  I had all the battlestation info in my head I just couldn't make it come out to be understandable! :)

I had no idea that Craig was doing BC ship coins - how awesome!  I bought 2 for my son - one for RTC and one for Pensacola.  I think I may have been more excited about them than he was - but he's not a big collector of things.  He'll appreciate them as he progresses through his career. :)

[lemonelephant]

If your Sailor is like mine, the coins that will mean the most to him are the ones that have been given to him by Officers and other Sailors.