Ship 03 (USS Hopper) Divisions 095 and 096 (Brother/Sister Divisions)

[ellen0502]

Welcome to the Division Discussion for Divisions 095 and 096

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!!!

[MRSMom]

So the mystery of no phone call has been solved. I have never been so relieved and yet so sad at the same time as I was today when our first letter arrived from our son. Turns out he was allowed to make a phone call with the rest of the division on Saturday but realized when the time came to go that he had lost the card he wrote down all of our numbers on.  He used it on the bus and when he finished with it, put it in his coat pocket, which got mailed home in "the box". He had to go with the rest of his division to the call center, but just sat there without any way to make a call home. We use cell phones and none of us know the other's numbers without looking it up on the cell. Lesson learned there.  The hardest of ways...

I got his letter today however, in which he sounds so upbeat and positive and proud. He even took time to say "the food rocks!" and that he enjoyed Sunday Chapel where he was able to hear a good message and have some time to recharge and relax. 

I was both elated and heart broken to read his letter, but as soon as I finished it, I went to the post office with today's letter to him and added our phone numbers on a note inside, then I overnighted it to Great Lakes. Best $20.85 I ever spent.  I figure he will have it tomorrow so on the chance they have earned another phone call home this weekend, he won't have to endure that experience again. But at least now I know, it isn't because he is being punished, or because of his teeth, or any of the other bazillion things this mom was dreaming up as her cheese slowly slid off her cracker...

Lord, I miss my SR.  I think I will sleep with his letter under my pillow tonight. <3

[Stace]

So glad you heard from him.  Now you can put your mind at ease.  Hoping to receive a letter today from my son.  He is not much of a writer though.  Hopefully that will change.  So let this day go quickly so I can get home and check the mailbox.

[lovemynavygirl]

Aw, you broke my heart at first, thinking about your SR sitting while everyone talks. So happy you were able to catch overnight mail to get him the information he needs. You must be super proud that he has maintained his positive attitude! Now let's hope they get another call this weekend. Mama needs some love!

[disneygirl64]

Sorry to hear that he couldn't call. My son left his paper in his wallet, but luckily he remembered by number. He also said the food was good. I hope you get to hear from him soon, because it is so good to hear their voices.

[kkjetz]

Got a wonderful letter from my daughter yesterday. Looks like it'll take 3 days for mail to go back and forth for us. Too bad cause after yesterday's updates I want MORE!!! I say updates because the envelope I received was fat with daily letters starting with their arrival - almost like a journal. You can bet I'll be saving these! Some were longer than others but they all were pretty upbeat. She says she passed her swim test, the dentist put in a request that she be put to sleep to remove her wisdom teeth (thank God!), the permanent barracks are much more comfortable than temporary housing, the whole group failed a PFT because of talking - now I understand your daughter's dilemma WahineMom, and she said being part of an all girls division was pretty cool - despite the talking" ;-) She also said about 80 recruits stood up during the Moment of Truth and that the first night they were up about 33 hrs! At one point the person on watch came up to her and asked if she was alright - apparently she fell asleep face first in the letter she was writing. Ha! She said nights were hard and Sundays were great. Let's hope these Push divisions stay on track and we'll all be seeing our proud sailors in 5 more Fridays!!!

[disneygirl64]

I got another call from my SR last night and it was so great to hear is voice. He sounds a lot better this time. He is still homesick but that is to be expected, since he is the youngest in the division. He was also able to call everyone in the family, although he could only talk for a few minutes. I hope everyone else was able to hear from their SR as well. 

[Dede04]

What exam are they taking exactly before BS?!

[kkjetz]

Dede04, I believe the exams consist of the general orders, ranks and insignias.  I believe if they've passed their physical and academic exams they can get promoted to an E-2 while in boot camp.  ;-))

[Dede04]

What if they started BC at E-3? :)

[Stace]

I was curious about that also; my son is E3.

[lovemynavygirl]

I asked about this since my SR is also an E3 (nuke after bc). They can not be any higher at this point, my SR was told not to volunteer for any positions in BC either since she can't raise her rating but someone else who came in as an E1 could really use that opportunity. My only concern would be if she didn't make it through the nuke program (not that I have any doubt, more a just in case) because it's my understanding that she would be put back to an E1. Does anyone know if this is true?

[kkjetz]

That does not seem fair unless she is in an accelerated program because of her rate.  If she fails to meet the requirements to get into the program I guess the acceleration is off the table.  My daughter is also in an accelerated program but she starts as E-1, can promote to E-2 while in BC, and I believe will be promoted to E-4 if all goes well after "A" school.  I don't know where E-3 comes in.  I'm still having trouble with the fact that she's listed as Reserve because of the "pay bucket" for Aircrew.  Kinda thankful this is more on her shoulders than mine. Maybe she understands it.  ;-))