Ship 09 (John F Kennedy) Divisions 185 and 186 (Brother Divisions)

[ellen0502]

Welcome to the Division Discussion for Divisions 185 and 186

These two divisions are brother divisions and will be training together from the beginning through BS21 their final test. Your SRs, soon to be SAILORS, are becoming friends, and some of them may be heading to A School together.

Get to know each other, your SRs are!

Please still use the Main Wall of the PIR Group to post questions, and concerns, we “veteran” moms don’t always get to into the discussion area as often as we would like.

Every single question that is asked is important Every single concern is genuine Every single member is important to us We don't want to accidentally overlook any of them or you.

Hang in there!!!

[Momma Jo]

Thanks to all of you who keep this 'ship' up and running <3 This site has been a lifeline since my SR left. Nice to be apart of such a caring and helpful community. Looking forward to sharing and making some new friends. My son is in Ship 11/Division 185 :)

[AmyIN]

My son is in this group, too, Momma Jo.  Left from Indianapolis on March 14.  Just got his form letter on Saturday! Really wondering how they are doing by now. :) 

[Momma Jo]

We got our letter yesterday...so happy to finally get it :) My SR left from Sunny So. Florida...so I'm sure the weather has been quite a change for him. I was actually born in Valpariso, IN. Haven't been in that neck of the woods in a long time though. Looking forward to getting to know everyone here. Nice to have someone to chat with that is in the same "boat"... :)

[Don]

Our son is also in Ship 11 Div 185.  This is our second navy child, following in his big sister's footsteps.  Nice to meet you all!

[ProudMama-S09-DIV186]

Hey everyone, my son is also on Ship 11 Div 185/186... can't wait to meet you all at meet and greet or at grad on May 10th... Come on and hurry up May!!!!

 

[Momma Jo]

Hi Don, nice to meet you, too...wow two kids in the military. that's great :) My SR is our oldest of four...one in is enough for me, at least until I can get through my first Boot Camp experience...any tips?

[Don]

Hi Mamma Jo,

We have always encouraged our kids to be risk-takers in life.  Our oldest spent her junior year of college in Bejing, China and our new sailor actually rebuilt an airplane and flew it for his senior honors project in high school (see pictures).  Doing those kinds of things gave them the confidence to face anything.  As for boot camp tips:

1. Know that it goes by faster than you think, and they are in good hands.  The leadership wants them to succeed and does everything they can to ensure that.

2.Write lots of letters.  Keep them light and humorous.  This is so important! Don't fill him in on any of the problems or stressors that may be going on at home.  Just give encouragement and tell him how proud you are.

3. Give him queues on what to write to you.  Ask lots of questions because his head will be so full of stuff and he will be so tired it will help with what to write about (especially since he's a boy).

4. Follow along with the news from the parents on this page.  It will make you feel a part of the experience.

[ProudMama-S09-DIV186]

Thanks Don!!! Such wonderful advise. Our only child, our son is 20 and left for BC on the 14th, just got the form letter the other day but have been writing him since the day he left. I've tried to keep them light and encouraging. He pretty much told me right before he left when I packed his wallet with phone card, list of phone #'s, and stamps that for me not to get to excited about him writing me...that's just the kind of kid he's always been. A really good kid, honor roll, polite and obediant but he's just never been a big "sharer", you have to pull personal info from him like pulling teeth, it's just the way he's always been. I saw the examples of "questionaires" and sent to him along with a self addressed stamped envelope..any other advise you may have in order to try to get him to write and tell me something since I don't expect the "good" phone call that lasts longer than 42 seconds for at least another week at least and dying to just hear something from him.. I'm sticking to the "no news is good news", since I just got the form letter perhaps he can't even write me yet... just advise for the next few weeks when he can write on what questions to ask to pull something out of him would be very helpful. Thanks again for your post and reply to Momma Jo, I know it helped me out alot and I'm sure alot of others as well. Best of luck to you and yours!

[HoosierGirl (Ship 09/Div 185)]

ProudMama, where did you find the questionaires?

[ProudMama-S09-DIV186]

Hey Hoosier Girl, I found it in the info beginning of the group Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)... here is the link

Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

[Momma Jo]

Hi Don,

Thanks for all the great advise and encouragement. I continue to be amazed at the support available to me and other newbies through this incredible site. Even though I haven't heard from my SR except for the form letter I feel a connection to him through all those who have posted their info about their communications with their SRs and the veterans who have "been there and done that"

Blessings to you! and all those who selflessly give to this site..   :)

[Proud Navy Mom]

My son is also ship 11  Div 185.  He is from Miami Fla. Is your son also from Miami?   Weather has been a bit rough but he says he is ok.  Got my PHONE CALL Sat. night. Talked for 20 minutes!!! It was an Easter miracle because I like the rest of the moms worry sooooo much. He said they moved the recruits fromm ship 11 to ship 9 due to repairs or remodeling. Something like that.  My son is friends with the Miami group he left with.  Let us keep all these fine young recruits in our prayers daily.    God Bless      Proud Navy Mom