My only son is leaving July 10th 2013...

[Seby's Mom USS Ingraham FFG 61]

and I'm half way thinking it's not going to happen and the other half is beaming with pride, what's up with that? Any how if we know the date they shipp will we get a date they graduate from "boot camp"? Any info would be grea

[lemonelephant]

It is 500 yards.

[lemonelephant]

After doing more research, the info in http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navy/l/blnavyswim.htm is correct and it's 50 yards--maybe even 25 yards since that's the length of the pool at the RTC. 

The requirements for most Sailors (third class swimmer) would be to jump off a 20 foot ledge into the pool properly (arms crossed over chest and ankles crossed until entering the water) then swim one length of the pool using any stroke to get there, get out and upon command, reenter the pool and prone float for 5 minutes (the recruit can doggie paddle to catch his/her breath if needed, but should avoid that and mostly prone float--staying calm helps the most), get out and put on wet coveralls and upon command return to the water and demonstrate that s/he can make a floatation aid out of the coveralls while wearing them and float using them.

You can do a search in Youtube of Navy Swim Test and several videos of Sailors will come up telling about it.  I found those more helpful than some of the written links I found.

There is a class to teach the basics to those who cannot swim, but it is best to knkow how to swim before going to the RTC.

[Sharla]

PrdNavyMom, my daughter ships out of Houston the same day as your son.  :)  This is my first go-around, and I'm starting to get anxious about all this.  Scary stuff!  But I'm very proud.

[Seby's Mom USS Ingraham FFG 61]

I'm encouraged to know someone else is anxious and it's not me. Scary... scary...

[PrdNavyMom2Sailors]

Sharla, I'm not going lie, it's going to be hard.  It's going to be a roller coaster of emotions, but most of all be proud.  Make the most of the time you have with her.  Stock up on encouraging cards that will make her smile.  When my daughter went to boot camp, 2 years ago, I sent her letters, cards and a lot of pictures of family, pets, vacations we took in the past, when she was growing up.  That way when she gets down, it will help bring a smile to her face.  It will help you too.  My son already said not to embarrass him with crazy cards.  I told him I will just write letters then.   

[lemonelephant]

Seby's Mom, count 9 Fridays to get the most likely PIR date, 09/06/2013, but could be the week before, 08/30/2013, but that is more likely for one arriving on a Monday or Tuesday than for one arriving at the end of the week as your future Sailor will.  The only way to know the date for sure is to receive the form letter.

Also, some will have their ship dates moved for various reasons, so that could change things as well.  Know that the ship date you were given is the MEPS date and your future Sailor will go to the hotel the day before.

[Seby's Mom USS Ingraham FFG 61]

wow so much to take in... How do you plan for the PIR if it can vary if you don't have a money tree? I know we need to make airfare arrangments and hotel stuff. Sorry for all the questions.. my future sailor is in his own little world of prepping right now so I don't want to bombard him with questions

[lemonelephant]

Once you get the form letter with the PIR date, make your plans and believe that your SR will have PIR on that date.  See Saving Money PIR Weekend,  If something happens, then you will have to go to Plan B, but it is best to be encouraging and think positive thoughts.  As it gets closer, be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC. 

Your future Sailor can start planning now by learning the info in his DEP START Guide and preparing for the PFA (http://www.navy-prt.com/malestandard/).  If he does well on both of those he can be advanced one pay grade and be paid for that from the time he enters BC.  (See E-1, E-2, or E-3? How did that happen?)  By training before he gets to BC, he will reduce the likelihood of injury and increase his chances of passing all parts of the PFA and increase the likelihood that he will have PIR on time.

[Sharla]

Whoo! I just hit the mother lode, calling the recruiting station to ask about getting my daughter's scholarship info for the school award ceremony....and the Master Chief Brown was in town and answered the phone.  He told me to ask any questions I possibly had so I grabbed the opportunity.  :)  

1) They have a 60-day meeting with him and then a 30-day meeting with him before leaving. 

2) Shore leave after A school is not just 10 days as I was told, it's anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, depending upon their orders. 

3) Top students in A school get first pick of where they want to go, and then after that the Navy puts them whereever needed. 

4) Sailors leaving the GL area for A school don't automatically fly out Friday night or Sat morning.  I had read that they did.  They could fly out Friday night or Monday and it is all dependent on what flight is cheaper.  And we won't know until 3 weeks or so before graduation...unfortunately....which makes planning a bit difficult, but oh well.  

5)  Holds for A school are because say they need 30 seats filled for a class, and only 10 sailors come in.  They will wait for the class to fill, which could be 2-3 weeks.  During which time they put them to work in whatever capacity is needed around base.  Basically grunt work.  

6) And I asked what the swim requirement is....it isn't 500 or 50.  It is the length of the pool.  They have the jump, the swim of the length of the Olympic size pool...whatever way they can...he said if you can doggie paddle across you're good (lol), and the 5 min dead man float.

[Sharla]

And Chief Brown recommended THIS site to me!  LOL!  I told him I already spend way too much time here, reading.  It gets overwhelming even sometimes.  He said that he spoke once at a N4M regional group in Ohio, and that it was a great source of info.  :)

[lemonelephant]

1) yes, and they also have a 7 day check before leaving.

2) It all depends on the length of the "A" School and how much leave time has been accumulated.  The Sailors cannot go in the hole, so if it's a short "A" School, most will have about 10 days.  Sailors accumulate 2.5 days of leave for each month of service beginning from the time they are sworn in.

3) That is true for most "A" Schools

4) Most will fly out the day after PIR, but some may not due to flight availability issues (See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend)

5) It depends on the school, some will start with a smaller or larger class, but yes, the rest is true.

6) I'm glad he knows from experience because I just have what is in the regs. (See page 13 of http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/physical/Documents/Gu....)

[Tinat (Ship 02 Div 943)]

My oldest son leaves MEPS on July 10th. I did hear that it is common for them to begin bootcamp the following Monday. I'm trying to see if anyone else was told this.