Ship 14 (USS Arizona) Divisions 103 and 104 (Brother Divisions)

[ellen0502]

Welcome to the Division Discussion for Divisions 103 and 104

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!!!

[Carrie (sh 14 Div 104 PIR 3/14)]

Momof5 Thanks for sharing.  I cried today when I did not get a letter. It helps so much to here from others that they are doing okay.  I am holding on to the no news is good news theory.  

[Carrie (sh 14 Div 104 PIR 3/14)]

The phone calls are coming!  The phone calls are coming!  I did not get a letter today but I did get to hear his voice so I will take it.  

He know why they are called the windy city.  His job is something to do with damage control...did not understand that.  Division 104 is a little rough still but they are working on it.  Was warned the division may not graduate on time (I think that maybe to motivate them)   

[MrsB]

My son is ship 14 div 104. He told me the thing in that phone call lol. I worried about it so much that I called my brother whos in the Navy (13 years and counting) He said its nothing to worry about, all divisions struggle with several guys that don't seem to be carrying their weight, but he said it all works out. That made me feel much better hearing that from him :)

[tzmom]

So I got a call from my son today div104. He is relly sick and sounded horrible... he is a little worried about the division graduating...now he is an over thinker by nature and worries about things alot ...but I was wondering if any of your recruits feels the same way. He says they have failed a few inspections..I know they are putting alot of pressure on these kids, so any feedback from you on how they are feeling would be great ....thanks!!!!

[BigShooter]

No letter but just got a call from my Div 103 SR. Woot woot! His girlfriend was with me at dinner, so we ran out of noisy restaurant to put him on speaker. Freaked out the waiter! LOL He thought we dined and dashed. Needless to say, we tipped him well after we came back in. He said mostly the same things as previous moms have already posted but added that he could not deal with the toothpaste they issued. When they got to buy some refill stuff using his NEX card, he quickly opted for a better brand! I asked what he missed the most (besides us) and he said SLEEP because the most he has gotten at one time is 4 hrs. Also, a LONG shower! His job is weapons PO, which fits him well since he has experience with that. He shared that it is more stressful than he expected. He had a cold but was in good spirits, was very talkative and sounded like he is making fast friends. Im a very happy mom right now!

[shw92 (Ship 14, Div 103)]

My SR is a weapons PO in DIV 103 also. Maybe they are working together!  :)

[NewBeginnings2014]

My month started off awesome!!! I got a phone call today. I really hope their graduation isn't delayed (Div 104). I'm pushing it to come the weekend of the 14th bc I'll be 35 weeks 6 days when he graduates, & he probably won't make it for the birth bc of A School. So fingers crossed we're healthy & they're still on schedule. He didn't tell me it could be delayed, but maybe that's so I won't worry. He told me they couldn't watch the Super Bowl Sunday, but they can eat pizza!! He said they keep a healthy diet, so they're looking forward to it. It's not as bad as he thought it was going to be. They're mainly doing classwork, and his 1st test is next week. Everything else is pretty much the same as everyone else stated, he's had up days/down days, but his up days outweigh the bad. I hope your letters come on Monday, and more later this week!!!

[Laurablue]

I missed my SR's phone call today. I had just walked in to church & turned my phone on silent & then he calls. Fortunately, he got to call his big brother & talked for about 10 minutes! I'm happy they got to catch up & he got the latest sports updates on his favorite teams. My oldest son said his little bro was bummed that they couldn't watch the Superbowl...this will be the first time he has ever missed it. We usually have a Superbowl party with family & friends & my son looked forward to it every year.
He still has a bad cold, not getting more than 5 hours of sleep a night, but said he's enjoying Navy boot camp. He's making new friends, which I'm glad to hear.

[shw92 (Ship 14, Div 103)]

(Div 103) I was so disappointed to miss my SR's call today! Silly me, I actually cried right there in Costco when the text came that he'd called while I was grocery shopping. Oh brother!  :P  At least someone was home when he called and he got to talk to his dad and brother.  My husband said he is still sounding really good and that he actually said he's starting to have fun at BC. He got to train some other recruits as part of his weapons PO job, and he really enjoyed that.  Not so much IT now either; sounds like they are working together really well lately. He told his dad that this is their last scheduled phone call and that they had to earn the rest. Hope they earn lots! Thanks again for sharing your details ladies! I'll be praying for your SRs in 104 ladies, that things start going more smoothly really soon! 

[Momof5 (Ship 14 DIV 103)]

I also got a call today AFTER my letters!  (DIV 103)  My son seemed so upbeat and said things were going great.  They're all getting along well and had just had bases whatever that is.  He described it as academics and some PT and they were competing with 104.  Has been to the dentist and was SIQ for a couple of days and LLD after that but is up and at it and loving it.  They seem to be getting all of their medical stuff squared away pretty quickly.  I think it's sinking in now and they know what to expect and what to do and in turn they're not so rough on them as they were at first.  Hoping for the best for you DIV 104 moms. 

[popeyesgirl]

What a difference a phone call and three letters make! Happy Mom! : )

The first letter talked about them not getting any sleep for 48 hours. He said it's really not bad there once you get through that. He said he saw people leave from the Moment of Truth -- he said, "no joke, they are gone." He signed it with love and "Future Sailor" - that part made me feel so very proud! : )

His second letter was made out to "Momma/Birth Giver" with an "LOL" - that made me laugh - and he never calls me "Momma" just "Mom" -- so I think he's a little homesick - but isn't admitting it! He said writing makes him relax (good - I'd better get a TON of letters - ha ha). Said they should be in their ships by the time I get this letter. He said they are studying a lot, folding, wrtiing, eating, sleeping and that's about it - oh and he mentioned some are working out at lights out so they can keep up. He said days are going faster and they were issued their uniforms the other day. Said he got blood drawn and he was taking it like a man.

Third letter was dated Jan. 21 - he said he got through medical but is going to have to have his wisdom teeth removed. Said that they lost some people due to medical issues. Said he saw one of his friends from one of the 800 Divisions and they all looked "jacked." Said they be doing the PSA this week. Says we really have no idea how things are going - it's all over the place. Working out at night with about 30 people - he said it's hard because they have to stay so quiet and some people don't get that yet, but they will soon.

I got my phone call before I saw the letters so I didn't get to ask any follow-up questions!

Here's what he said during the phone call... (and I might add I bolted out of the pottery painting place where I was with my girlfriends - it was funny!) One a  scale from 1-10 - he said BC is a 10 - and can't wait to move on to school after PIR. Said he is having his wisdom teeth pulled next week and that he got in trouble with the nurses - he told me he wrote me a letter about it - that's all he would say (great - he was probably flirting with them)! He said he got athlete's foot so bad it was coming up his ankle (hello - shower shoes!!!). Had to get a shot for it. Said he's no longer the Starboard Watch Section Leader - said he's getting more sleep now! (Ugh!) Said his rack mate is great and helping him with his folding! Said he really enjoyed weapons training. (shw92 - he knows your SR! : )) Said he's received a bunch of letters and he was getting teased - but not in a bad way. Mentioned that 60% of the Division failed the PSA - so it sounds like they've got a lot of work to do in this area. He again mentioned some SRs leaving - really seems to have made an impresssion on him! Said he teared up when he read the letter I wrote about his little brother saying he would do well in the Navy because he's strong. That made me tear up - he NEVER says ANYTHING nice about his brother! Oh - and it's mutual - so that was nice - they do love each other! LOL

Hope this isn't TMI!  

[shw92 (Ship 14, Div 103)]

Definitely not TMI! So glad you got your calls and letters and that he's doing so well! Now I'm hoping we get to hear about his run in with the nurses!  LOL