Stephen; We also have not had any letters yet other that the form letter and it's been three weeks since he started. We got a call for our SR on Sunday evening. He explained that they assign one recruit to handle the mail and they only process out going mail once a week, on Sunday. The  recruit in his Division that is assigned the mail made a mistake on the second Sunday so no mail went out then. When we talked to him last Sunday, the 3rd Sunday he's been there, he was hopeful that they individual responsible for the "out processing" would get it right and get mail sent out. He says that he's written a lot and we should get a lot of letters soon. This is Wednesday and no sign of anything yet, but I'm not expecting anything until Friday at the soonest. Hang in there.

It's my understanding that each ship at RTC carries an actual name of a ship in the fleet. My son is on Ship 11...can anyone tell me which ship this one is named for?

here ya go!

Ship 1 USS Pearl Harbor
Ship 2 USS Reuben James
Ship 3 USS Hopper
Ship 4 USS Arleigh Burke
Ship 5 USS Theodore Roosevelt
Ship 6 USS Constitution
Ship 7 USS Chicago
Ship 9 USS John F Kennedy
Ship 10 USS Enterprise
Ship 11 USS Kearsarge
Ship 12 USS Triton
Ship 13 USS Marvin Shields
Ship 14 USS Arizona
Ship 17 USS Mason

Thanks for the quick reply! Much appreciated.

Just talked to my sons and found out he had been assigned to Ship 2 the Reuben James.  He shipped out last week on Oct 2nd and we have received his box, but not the form letter yet, so it is good to get some information on his assignment.

believe Ship 2 houses the 900-series divisions

Clarification - Talked to my sons recruiter, not my son.  He is assigned to Div 903 which I guess is an Honor Guard Division.

900-series divisions are performing divisions- drill, choir, flags, colors, etc.

Thanks, that is what I am finding out, his recruiter said Honor Guard, but I see this is not the same as true military Honor Guard, doing funerals and such, just a performance division.  Primarily for the PIR, yes?

My son is in the group that shipped out 10.2.13. The PIR is scheduled for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. He will be staying in Great Lakes for his A-School. Anyone know if there is a chance he will have extended leave on Thanksgiving Day? Not expected but would be nice. Thanks

Looks like my sons PIR will also be 11/27, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I have read on the NavyforMoms site that typically the new sailors will not ship out to A school until Friday after a Wednesday (Thanksgiving PIR) and I am sure hoping that is the case.

We heard that phone calls were being made today as well and were really excited at the prospect of hearing from our son but no such luck. Glad to hear that others got calls though.

Looking to connect with any dads who have recruits on Ship 11 Division 026 (PIR of 27Nove13).

Just received our letter, our son is on Ship 13 Div 029, PIR 11/27/13. He arrived at BC on 10/7/13 from Charlotte, NC. I assume this means he is in a Push Division.

Looking to cnnnect with anyone who has a sailor in div 902 shp 02.

can I get a shirt with my sons div and or ship logo? div952 ship 02

brandon maynard:  We got shirts by asking our (then) recruit to inquire.  I believe she actually ordered at the time.  Each division has individually created ones for their time there.

thanks Chris

brandon maynard:  I still wear my Division 148 shirt once in a while, and that was more than three years ago.  Part of the history, you know.

im going to ask in my next letter for him to order me one! thanks Chris

Division 401

October 15, 2013

There is a correction for the information sent home regarding the PIRs on November 1st and November 27th. Due to the large amount of divisions graduating on those days, we can only allow three guests for graduation.- U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command

Looking to connect with anyone who has an SR on Ship 14, Div 020.

Wow, thats my son in the Division 401 Pic!!!!!!!!

Here is Division 025, as requested by the winner of the week's Trivia Tuesday. Many of the recruits in Division 025 were at dental call.

I got letter from my son today! he said his pir job is to hold door for admirals and important guests. I don't know anything about that. he also told me he got a job in his div its starboard watch section leader. if anyone could help me understand more about this or how he got his div job. like is it good or bad lol.. im lost. Thanks so much!

there are no "bad" jobs....everything is important and is patterned after the jobs they will be doing in the fleet.....watch leader is in charge of setting watches and maintaining the watch. Ships have two sides...port and starboard....how that translates to RTC I'm not sure....he'll be dealing with command and brass his entire career in the Navy...it takes presence and military bearing to it correctly....kudos!!!

Any idea when our SR's will be allowed to have their cell phones after RTC and PIR?  I understand that we are not to give them to them after PIR, but are they allowed to take them to their A school, or do they have to wait and have the phones shipped to them?  

My SR is going to S. Car for his A school as he is a nuke.  He is also counting on being able to come home for some Christmas leave and get his car.  His PIR is Nov 15th, so I expect he will spend Thanksgiving at A school.  I also expect that initially A School life is still rather restricted.  It was for me after AF Basic and Army Basic.

He is also the RCPO for 14/006; still has the job since the beginning.  I received a letter from him today that was written on the 13th.  He really wants to keep the job the whole time.  He said that they have started practicing the graduation routine, and he sure wants to be able to perform his role at the end.

he can be given the phone at the airport....you can spend time with him there.  When he checks in at the ticket counter ask for a security pass and you can wait with him at the gate.

it's a position of responsibility.....so yep!!! While everyone has to know the general orders, he is on-duty and responsible for them as watch leader:

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.

6. To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch only.

7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.

10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.

11. To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

My SR is with Ship 12 Div 027, PIR 11/27/13. He leaves for A school in San Antonio afterwards. Anyone have any idea as to when he will be required to leave and will he have any free time prior to leaving?

odds are he will leave on Friday, the 29th

Thanks Paul. If that is correct then will he probably be free all day on the 28th or will they assign him to something?

probably so Jeffrey, but he may need to stand watch so be flexible with your plans.....

this is the recruit command structure at RTC: http://www.navydads.com/forum/topics/recruit-division-command

Brandon, I've pleasantly discovered that the bursting sensation you feel in your chest, somewhere in the vicinity of your pounding heart, is thankfully not a heart attack, but full on, bright, shining pride - pride in your son AND in this country; pride for the traditions and character developed and maintained with trust and faith in a system that goes beyond mere politics - a system that throughout the years, has and will continue to represent the best of us.  Blessings to you and your son for his service.

Mike Fatigati (proud dad of brand new E3)

thanks Mike, that's it!

I learned my sons div won the petty officer challenge and got a flag. what is that and whats the flag mean? thanks

RTC considers Battle Stations schedules are classified and cannot be discussed in an open forum

Brandon:  look above

Thomas sweeney:  Normally, the "I'm a Sailor" call follows when they've passed.  Sometimes not for a few hours because they may have been up all night, or would rather eat first.  The call is short, no details furnished, because they're too excited.  Wait for it to come to you.

great news Cody....know it has been tough on both you and Siera but perseverance pays off....she may not get a PIR but she'll always remember her boot camp days!!!!  My daughter suffered stress fractures and was out of training for almost 6 weeks during boot camp, but ended up serving 5 years on the USS Abraham Lincoln and is now going to school on her GI benefits.