PIR 07/22/11

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Comment by sharon c on June 5, 2011 at 7:11pm

this may sound really stupid, but the letters we send to our kids don't have to be typed, do they? If so, my son will be doing push-ups till Christmas! Can someone please let me know? thanks

Comment by ♥FireTeamLeaderWife♥ aka FTLW on June 5, 2011 at 5:41pm

Hello PIR 07/22

fireteamleaderwife here! I know...it's long. You can abbreviate me, I don't mind!

My Sailor (son) PIR'd 05/26/2011 so I am a "new" veteran. Ask me anything! I'll try to answer to the best of my ability or I will "take a run" through the site for you!

Every one of us veterans has had the same experience as you...but experienced it in a different way. So combined we hope to be able to help you out.

Since we're at the beginning and talking about mail here is what I did based on advice given to me!

I typed my letters in 14 font. Typing and the larger font made it easier to read. The reason is that ( and surely NO SR would do this (wink, wink), their "ship" has red lights (simulates a real ship) on at night and some like to read their mail then. Though my Sailor told me that sometimes they were allowed to study then, so maybe some mail reading was allowed then too!

On the back I would photocopy word searches, jokes, pictures and cartoons. I found some off the internet and I also purchased a word search book, scanned them in and printed. I went to B & N and found some black and white Far Side's and did the same with those. Ironically they both had Naval items in them!

I did do some color ones and there was no problem as far as his RDC's went. My letters were usually about two to three pages and I just creased them REALLY good!

Eventually I spent a block of time and pre-printed the backs so they were ready to go for the letters. I did always hand sign them and I did hand write the cards I sent.

Give me a couple of hours and I will put everything I have together and post it.

Akso we have several questionnaires that the moms have made up and sent to GET INFO! I looked at several of them and customized my own for my SR. Someone will post those or I will get 'em up too.

I'll be back in a couple.

Welcome!

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on June 5, 2011 at 4:50pm

Also, in case no one has mentioned it don't send musical cards :-)

It does take 2 or 3 weeks for you to start getting letters and for them to get yours. The first letter may ask why you are not writing but your mail will catch up with them once the are a week or two into actual training. Mail call has been said to be very much like Christmas and even those who told their family not to worry about writing change their minds pretty quickly. Right now I am sure it seems like PIR will never get here but once it does you will be shocked at how fast the time has passed. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend :-)

Comment by tdbaugh on June 5, 2011 at 3:52pm

Hi all, I love this site. It has helped me learn a lot about the process my son is going through. He left May 23rd. I have received his box and form letter and waiting to get a letter or call from him. I want to thank everyone for the post if not for them I would be lost. He is in Ship 12 Div 231.

Comment by diannep on June 5, 2011 at 1:05pm

Sherblond:  Believe me, they LIVE for those letters....so scan piks on a piece of paper, collage-style, and send those (funny ones are greatly appreciated!), send jokes, funny stories, anything to give their minds a rest from the training they are in.  We ask that no one passes along any "negative" info.  They need lots of encouragement, especially in these early weeks when they are in the "breaking down" process at bc, before the "build back up" process. 

So....write LOTS of letters!  We don't recommend colored envelopes, stickers on the outside of the envelopes, etc.  Plain white envelopes and not-too-thick envelopes will keep them from having to open mail in front of the RDCs.  Anything that looks a little out of the norm must be opened in front of the RDCs.

Comment by diannep on June 5, 2011 at 1:00pm

UF:  Yes, you are right!  However, this site is really to provide info to the ladies on here and to provide support/comfort.  It was never intended for those working at RTC.....ahemmmmm.....to read!  HA!  But I can see where they are curious to find out what the families of their "charges" are like.  So we just like to keep things as separate as possible. 

The internet surely has made contact easier for the military families, but also exposes more risk for sure.  I read last week where one of the Navy ship's FB pages was shut down because the ladies got too "loose lipped' on there, jeopardizing the security of that ship.  Very sad, but very necessary for the security of our troops. 

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on June 5, 2011 at 11:35am

HI everyone, I am a veteran mom like Diannep. I am here to help you with whatever you need. I am so excited to get to know all of you and for you to get to know me :-) I have a feeling this group is going to be very special to me. My daughter left for bootcamp May 25th 1 year ago and had PIR last July 23rd so you are completing this journey exactly one year after I did. If you have any questions at all please let me know. Welcome to your PIR group and to N4M's I have lots of info and pics on my page and you are welcome to check it out. If you ever have trouble reaching me my email is: uniquememorymakers@yahoo.com   Thanks, Lora (AKA Lala the PIR ribbon Queen)

Comment by UFQ202- Ship 12, Div 231 on June 5, 2011 at 11:13am

I have gone through my posts and removed any with my son's name. In some ways I think bootcamp in 79 was easier because we didn't have to worry about the internet and adding to the stress our kids go through. Bootcamp is hard enough. Oh well times have changed. Time to start writing.

Comment by Betsy, mom of Stennis sailor on June 5, 2011 at 11:11am

Good Morning, ladies.  I'm Betsy and also one of the veteran moms that diannep mentioned.   I will be checking in to help you go through your bootcamp journey helping to provide some answers and support as well.

Comment by Sherblond on June 5, 2011 at 8:59am

Thanks for the info Diannep! Morning all, Hope you have a great Sunday. Sad I can't mail a letter today, will send 2 tomorrow. Always hated to write anything before this, now all I think about is how I need to write and get it in the mail as soon as possible every day. Hope he enjoys them!

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