Annemarie,

I don't know the answer to that completely.  I know some Moms have said they got a caller ID of Illinois call.  I know they have a bank of pay phones that they call from, but with calling cards and such, I really don't know what would show up.  To be safe, I'd answer any strange area code number!!!!!!

Annemarie,

I just noticed you haven't joined my group Moms of Daughters 2 yet so I want to invite you to check us out.  We are a friendly caring group of moms and are always willing to listen, share and help each other whenever or wherever we can.  We have Moms who have daughters in all phases of their Naval careers and we understand the concerns and anxieties new moms experience.  Please feel free to join our chats on our group page, we love talking about everything from work, family, weather - whatever. Plus the joyful and anxiety filled journey of being a Navy Mom!!!  Let us support you when you're missing her, lend an ear when you need to vent, and celebrate with you when you want to brag!!  There is usually someone on every day, so we are a  pretty active group!!  Here is a link to our group:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/momsofdaughters2

Annemarie,

I got your message on my profile page and I want to suggest you copy it and post it on the group page.  You will get some more ideas from the group Moms. As far as graduation gifts, I know some Moms have given new watches to their sailors.  But for the life of me, I can't remember what they are called.  Also, consider a gift card from VISA that she can use when she gets to her A school.  She might not want to take too much with her to school because they won't have that much room for things, and she has to pack and carry all her stuff through the airport and such when she's ready to leave for her next duty station.  What to wear is anything comfy and nice without being too dressy.  You will see everything from blue jeans to nice dresses but you will be sitting on bleachers in a drill hall and walking a lot, so plan accordingly.  As for where to stay, there are plenty of hotels in Waukegan near the base.  We stayed at  a Sleep Inn which was nice and provided a shuttle to the gate and back to the hotel so we didn't have to drive, go through security with a car, and then find a place to park!!!  WORTH IT!!!!  I lived in Waukegan for a year, there isn't a whole lot there to do except 6 Flags, a nice mall in Gurnee, and a fantastic Chicago Deep Dish pizza place called Giordano's, also in Gurnee.  You can search for bus or train schedules to take you to Chicago if you have enough time and want to take on that kind of touristing!!!!  There's the Navy Pier which is like a mini amusement park, and various boat trips.

Sorry this is so long, once I get started I don't know how to shut up!!!!!  But let me know if there is any other info I can give you!!!!  

Make at least change 3 at the bottom of OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile) (clickable link). There may be other changes you need to make as well, so read and consider each of the changes.

Since you have a recruit at the RTC, you can change "Waiting to leave for Boot Camp" above to “Enlisted” or “At Boot Camp now.” Either is appropriate, but if you make the change to “Enlisted” now, then you will not have to change it again.

If you would like information on your recruit’s rating (job/occupational specialty) or field, then let me know the rating or field. There are groups for most specialties and/or "A" Schools and knowing that will help you to better plan for PIR weekend.

I invite you to join Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and to check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) there. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

You may want to check out Mom's of Daughters 2.

No problem at all.  We are all newbies at one time or another!!!!!