NAVY BOOT CAMP

Comment

Comment by Jim G. on February 17, 2009 at 7:03pm

Bob, I think at least one of the drill halls will look familiar to a couple of us "old salts..."

: )

Comment by Bob on February 17, 2009 at 5:20pm

Hang in there all you new Navy parents. The days drag but the weeks go fast it will be PIR time for all of you very soon.

Comment by Bob on February 17, 2009 at 5:18pm

Waterfront duty in Charlston Will have to tell my son about that if he gets delayed when he gets down ther on march 4th. I went through GL 30 years ago and from what I have seen I will not know one building on the grounds there.

Comment by Paige on February 17, 2009 at 11:46am

Geobots2, they do still have the 900 divisions at bootcamp. If a recruit has experience in band or choir, they are selected on those basis. For the drill team, honor guard, and state flag holders, it's my understanding they are selected for different reasons. I've read on N4M's that some of the recruits were selected because they had high ASVAB scores, while others were selected because of their attitude and appearance. I believe your son can request to be assigned to a 900 division, but whether or not he gets in may depend on space availability also. I know that the 900 division recruits perform in more than one PIR. It is considered on honor to be in one of these divisions.
Good luck to your son if he trys!!

Comment by Geobots2 on February 17, 2009 at 8:50am

Do they still have a 900 division... plays instruments ... sings.... carries flags.... just curious as to what he should do to try to get in if it still exists.

Comment by Geobots2 on February 17, 2009 at 8:48am

I took a moment or 2 and watched all the videos that are online irt Boot Camp. I turned to my son and said kid you are on your own, when it comes to the day to day operations at boot camp. I can help him with the psychological side but in the last 26 years everything has changed. I can't wait to hear about his time when he is done. I only hopes he gets as much out of it as I did 26 years ago.

Comment by Paige on February 17, 2009 at 8:29am

Jim, thank you for the comment and sharing your Navy experience with us. I will share this perspective with Billy and I'm sure it will give him a new outlook on his own situation.
We appreciate it and thanks again!!

Comment by Gary T. on February 17, 2009 at 8:17am

Jim G. thank you for your response to the delay discussion. You have given a completely different outlook for this issue. Thanks again, Gary F..

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on February 16, 2009 at 9:36pm

Bravo Jim--- I had to laugh reading that post! And I'm reminded about the weeks Eric spent in S-2 "cranking" before he was relieved from that purgatory and was back in the shop! Kat too spent her time in S-5 and was most pleased to get back to Media and a computer! It all is part of the Navy journey!

Comment by Jim G. on February 16, 2009 at 9:21pm

Paige and Gary, I have followed the delay discussion in the Nukes forum, and I would like to reiterate here what I shared with the other parents.

Having served 8 years, with over 5 of active sea time, I would encourage our sons and daughters to enjoy each and every minute of shore duty they can get. While it is normal to be eager and to want to get to "the fleet" I can assure you that life aboard ship is very demanding. I have gone days upon days without sleep while in tactical situations, gone weeks without a shower during water rationing, stood fifteen minute watches in the engine room because the AC was down and it was over 140F, eaten more powdered eggs than real ones while underway, and slept in a rack that was shared by two others ("hot-racking").

Mind you, I am not complaining. I would do it all again in a minute! But, any time spent ashore, in an actual barracks, with minimal duties and the ability to sleep in on the weekends, hit the gym on a regular basis and see a movie that is not on a small TV 40 feet away is time well spent.

The Navy has always had training delays, and I am not surprised to hear that they still do...I spent 2 1/2 months working as a Galley Master-at-arms in Orlando while waiting for Nuke School, and over three months working as Waterfront Security in Charleston while waiting for my advanced training. BTW, the duty in Charleston, while "on delay" was the best duty I ever had in the Navy.

So, I would encourage you to be patient, encourage your kids to enjoy the time ashore and make the most of it, and understand that there are three ways to do things: the wrong way, the right way and te Navy way! : )

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