Whooohooooooo NAVYForMoms.com Welcomes its 25,000th Member

[Steve's Mom]

MILLINGTON, Tenn., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, NAVYForMoms.com celebrates the arrival of its 25,000th member. NAVYForMoms.com continues to grow quickly, with an average of 517 new people joining each week, and continues to be a valuable resource for folks who support Sailors or have children or friends considering joining the United States Navy. The social networking Web site contains discussion forums, blogs, and chat capabilities and even enables Navy families to meet face to face at organized events. There is so much information on the site that even those thinking about enlisting, themselves, are logging on.


In March 2008, the U.S. Navy Recruiting Command launched NAVYForMoms.com in response to research that found many parents have questions about what life in the Navy is really like, and are searching for candid answers from families who have experienced it firsthand. Members contribute to more than six thousand discussion forums, lending advice and support to each other in times of uncertainty. Many also show their pride in their Sailors by posting pictures of them at graduation and during visits home as well as videos of their Sailors reaching milestones like pass in review (PIR, graduation from boot camp). Members have posted more than 90,000 photos and nearly 700 videos in the past year and a half.


NAVYForMoms.com puts potential Navy parents in touch with parents of young men and women who are already serving. The online community gives prospective Navy moms a place to gather accurate information, share stories and gain support from their peers. Six percent of new NAVYForMoms.com members have a friend or family member who is thinking about joining the Navy, but has not yet enlisted.


Brenda Sue Bourque of Nederland, Texas, joined NAVYForMoms.com in honor of her son, Derek, who is serving as a Master at Arms.


"NAVYForMoms.com has grown into an incredible family filled with pride for our Sailors," Bourque said. "I found the site shortly after my son graduated from boot camp and it's been such a treat to connect with moms across the country who are going through the same experiences as I am. I've even traveled to see my NAVYForMoms.com friends and take part in events they've held to support our Sailors including a Memorial Day barbeque during New York's Fleet Week."


Members like Bourque have formed nearly 900 groups on the site where they can connect with others who share common interests like their Sailor's rates, where they're from, and even hobbies like scrapbooking. "Boot Camp Moms" and "Great Lakes A School Q&A" are among the most popular groups. Both tackle the tough questions some members have toward the beginning of their Sailors' careers. Many members of the various PIR and state related groups organize their own events to meet each other in person and strengthen their bonds.


"NAVYForMoms.com has brought the NAVY family closer together while providing the support and information potential Navy parents and current Navy families need," said Rear Admiral Robin Braun, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. "The Web site's evolution from a source of knowledge to a sisterhood is a testament to the value and strength of the community and we are thrilled to announce that we have connected more than 25,000 members."


In addition to providing a place for folks to discuss the Navy, NAVYForMoms.com has also been instrumental in bringing Navy families together in person. The Web site has held "Paint the Town Blue" events in places like Boston, New York, Dallas, and Oklahoma City giving members a chance to meet each other face to face and express their Navy pride. NAVYForMoms.com also arranged for surprise reunions between Sailors and their mothers at New York sporting events and members even had the opportunity to attend tapings of Live! With Regis and Kelly and The Late Show with David Letterman.

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[JGM]

I am overwhelmed by how much this website has meant to me. It carried me through boot camp, helped me with PIR, gave me a ride down 5th Ave during the Columbus Day Parade and most importantly, stood in my shoes when my son was seriously hurt last March in FL. He was hit by a car and sustained multiple fractures, including his back. I went on the site and put out an SOS for Moms to be with him until I could get there from CT. The response was unbelievable! I am forever grateful to the Moms and Dads who rushed to his side. He is still mending and still in the Navy and we both could not have gotten through it without the support of the Navy Moms on this web site.

Thank you.

Janet

[diane {Shawns mom}]

AT Ground Zero!!!

[Chris A.]

I joined shortly after my son left for boot camp back in May 2008. There weren't too many of us then, the word hadn't got out, but then the commercials began showing up on the TV and suddenly moms all over the country knew where to turn for help and support. Another thing that's really helped is that the recruiters are now telling the moms of recruits about us. We are a fabulous bunch of women who love our sailors, our Navy and our country......Bravo Zulu N4M!

[♥Rene'(RJ's girl 4 life)♥]

Go Navy4Moms!! I love this site!! it has helped me out so much!! Thanks

[Heloisa/N's mom]

Absolutely Amazing!!!!!

[maggiedaniel (Mary's mom)]

I joined NavyforMoms this past June right after my daughter left for her first summer Naval cruise upon finishing her first year of college. She is currently a sophomore in the NROTC program. When she was home this summer, she attended a couple of meet and greets with me, and it felt like getting together with family. The support from others is incredible, and I have met so many great people. I even connected with someone I knew 40 years ago when we were children; her family lived around a mile from mine. What a small world! Additionally, I've learned how to create a profile page with pictures and music, something I probably would have never done had I not connected with this site. Thanks for such an awesome opportunity!