NAVY BOOT CAMP

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Comment by Mark on August 22, 2009 at 9:27pm

Thomas,
That's outstanding!

Comment by Mark on August 22, 2009 at 7:39am

Larry thanks for your discription of "Hell Week" it was outstanding.
What a big difference 25 years makes.

Comment by MikeU on August 21, 2009 at 11:32pm

Larry, Thanks for the info on Hell Week. It sounds very exhausting and stressful. We've only rec'd one phone call from m;y son so far (other than the initial "i'm' here" phone call. He sounded like he was already very tired and stressed. Looking forward to PIR on 9/11.

Comment by NavyDCparent on August 21, 2009 at 8:58pm

I have to say that I am soooo impressed by the quality of support from the parents here...and, I am also extremely proud of your sons and daughters. Congratulations!

Comment by Greg Yee on August 21, 2009 at 6:30pm

Thanks to all for your comments and help, I'm looking forward to going back and see my son graduate, i know things are alot different than when I went to boot camp back in 1981, i know what hes going thru and I know he will doo well.
again thanks for the help

Comment by Sissi Blantz on August 21, 2009 at 5:40pm

As a member of Navy Moms too, I can tell you there are a lot of rumors going around about extra people at PIR. One mom was sure that if you took 15 people in a big van, they could all get into PIR. The fact is, you really can't count on more than 4. You can take extra people and they'll have to wait outside to see if there's enough room. My son's PIR had only 7 divisions and I don't think anybody got turned away. However, some of them have 13 divisions where it's packed full. Hope this helps!

Also, you can ask your sailor if they know anybody that maybe has no one coming and get put on their list.

Comment by Larry Huffman on August 21, 2009 at 5:09pm

David and Greg,

The reason I would still pursue the question of getting another ticket is because a few months ago some people on Navy Moms were saying that their recruits were actually told there were extra tickets if they wanted them. I presuem it has to do with numbers graduating. While I think the answer is going to be 4 per, no exceptions...it is worth trying to find out.

Comment by Larry Huffman on August 21, 2009 at 4:54pm

Mike,

My daughter is in Ship 7, Div 319...PIR 9/11. She is also in Hell Week. What it means in today's boot camp is what is called Battle Stations. That is a very modern and sophisticated simulator that allows the recruits to perform a wide range of performance tests to prove they have been paying attention, essentially. They work them long and hard this week...they get very little sleep and perform all kinds of simulated scenarios in a very realistic environment. The Navy has not allowed many pictures to be taken of this simulator, so I am only going by what my son told me about it when he went through last year.

When they are through with Battlestations (Hell Week)...immediately following...usually late at night...they will have a cap ceremony where they will remove their recruit ballcaps for good and be given their NAVY ballcaps. It may sound corny but after how hard they have worked for it, it has great meaning. They usually get a candy bar and a phone call home right afterwards too. But...for the most part...they are real sailors at that point. The RDCs will yell less...and babysit less. And while they will still be treated like boots...it will not be quite as much. I remember the time between hell week and graduation as being a lot of fun actually...our company commanders liked to show us off and started treating us like we belonged in "their navy".

Traditionally, boot camp has always had a hell week. When I was in...I went to boot camp in Orlando...Hell Week was also called work week. In some respects it had nothing to do with what we had been trained to do...but in others it was fitting. Most of the guys in my company were sent to mess duty where they worked 14 and 16 hour days. Others got different jobs. I was made division yeoman...which sucked because that meant I sat at the receiving desk for the building that housed our boot comapnies...which meant every company commander came through and gave me crap. lol. Somehow, I think what our kids are doing in today's boot camp will have more impact on their Navy futures. :-)

Comment by MikeU on August 21, 2009 at 4:14pm

My son is a 9/11 PIR, Ship 07, Div320. His recent letter home said this is "Hell Week". Anyone know what that means ?

Comment by Larry Huffman on August 21, 2009 at 3:57pm

Congrats E's Dad!! Most excellent. That Cigar will taste good! Well earned. And thank your son for making the choice to serve his country and persevering!

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