This site is for mothers of kids in the U.S. Navy and for Moms who have questions about Navy life for their kids.
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FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GET STARTED:
Choose your Username. For the privacy and safety of you and/or your sailor, NO LAST NAMES ARE ALLOWED, even if your last name differs from that of your sailor (please make sure your URL address does not include your last name either). Also, please do not include your email address in your user name. Go to "Settings" above to set your Username. While there, complete your Profile so you can post and share photos and videos of your Sailor and share stories with other moms!
Make sure to read our Community Guidelines and this Navy Operations Security (OPSEC) checklist - loose lips sink ships!
Join groups! Browse for groups for your PIR date, your sailor's occupational specialty, "A" school, assigned ship, homeport city, your own city or state, and a myriad of other interests. Jump in and introduce yourself! Start making friends that can last a lifetime.
Link to Navy Speak - Navy Terms & Acronyms: Navy Speak
All Hands Magazine's full length documentary "Making a Sailor": This video follows four recruits through Boot Camp in the spring of 2018 who were assigned to DIV 229, an integrated division, which had PIR on 05/25/2018.
Boot Camp: Making a Sailor (Full Length Documentary - 2018)
Boot Camp: Behind the Scenes at RTC
...and visit Navy.com - America's Navy and Navy.mil also Navy Live - The Official Blog of the Navy to learn more.
OPSEC - Navy Operations Security
Always keep Navy Operations Security in mind. In the Navy, it's essential to remember that "loose lips sink ships." OPSEC is everyone's responsibility.
DON'T post critical information including future destinations or ports of call; future operations, exercises or missions; deployment or homecoming dates.
DO be smart, use your head, always think OPSEC when using texts, email, phone, and social media, and watch this video: "Importance of Navy OPSEC."
Follow this link for OPSEC Guidelines:
Events
**UPDATE 4/26/2022** Effective with the May 6, 2022 PIR 4 guests will be allowed. Still must be fully vaccinated to attend.
**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.
**UPDATE 7/29/2021** You now must be fully vaccinated in order to attend PIR:
In light of observed changes and impact of the Coronavirus Delta Variant and out of an abundance of caution for our recruits, Sailors, staff, and guests, Recruit Training Command is restricting Pass-in-Review (recruit graduation) to ONLY fully immunized guests (14-days post final COVID vaccination dose).
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:
**UPDATE 8/25/2022 - MASK MANDATE IS LIFTED. Vaccinations still required.
**UPDATE 11/10/22 PIR - Vaccinations no longer required.
RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021
Please note! Changes to this guide happened in October 2017. Tickets are now issued for all guests, and all guests must have a ticket to enter base. A separate parking pass is no longer needed to drive on to base for parking.
Please see changes to attending PIR in the PAGES column. The PAGES are located under the member icons on the right side.
Format Downloads:
- Graduation Info
- PDF – 2.7 MB
- PNG – 2.3 MB
- JPG – 3.4 MB
- Printable PDF – 2.0 MB
Navy Speak
Click here to learn common Navy terms and acronyms! (Hint: When you can speak an entire sentence using only acronyms and one verb, you're truly a Navy mom.)
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Navy.com Para Familias
Visite esta página para explorar en su idioma las oportunidades de educación y carreras para sus hijos en el Navy. Navy.com
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Bootcamp
My son left for bootcamp on Wednesday and I've been crying off and on ever since. I feel so lost not beling able to call him, FB him or contact hm in any way. I never thought it would be this difficult. I'm really struggling. I'm not worried about his safety, just feel so disconnected, like he's gone forever. He is my firstborn too, maybe that's it? I don't know, but he reached this milestone that I feel like I wasn't prepared for. Anyone else feel like that?
Views: 11968
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jill on
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Thank you JT's Mama, I appreciated your comment so much, and you're right.
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Permalink Reply by JT's Mama on
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Stephanie,
I am 6 days in to this (son left on the 18th). I know tonight your heart is breaking and full of pride at the same time tonight. My husband and I have cried together everyday for the last 6 days. However, I came to the realization today that when I see the pride on my sons face, the pride he feels at his own accomplishment, at his graduation, it will make everyday of this 9 weeks worth it! Try to think of that I am sure it will help ease your heartache. At the very least, rest assured you are not alone in your feelings and there are a lot of moms out there who understand how you feel.
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Permalink Reply by mjlitte on
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You cant help but tear up when you know its the last hug and goodbye. My son had a very red face, but quickly hugged us all and said goodbye. The day before he was very quiet. For months hes been waiting to leave
He trained 6 days a week and with a great team of guys at a local base. He was so determined. I think knowing he was gonna have to say goodbye was hurting him. Im so proud of him and anxiously await the first letter
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Permalink Reply by marlena on
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UPDATE: I can hardly believe this myself, but my son Jon called me this morning!!! It's only his 3rd day there!! I don't know why or how I got so lucky, but he's doing great, loves it, and was selected to be RPOC. Back to the tears, it still hurts, but what a relief to hear from him already! I never EVER expected such a blessing. Folks, I will keep you and your children in my prayers, and I hope you will do the same for us. I KNOW that today's call was not the 'norm' and that I received a huge blessing, but I'm holding on to it tight because it was the best 2 minute conversation of my life. We love our kids more than anything, don't we? Lastly, thank you for all of your replies and please keep them coming. It has helped tremendously to know that I'm not alone with this feeling. My 'non-military' friends and family have not understood why this has been so hard for me to deal with. I'm not sure I even understand it, but I thank God for each of you who have reached out and said, hey, I know how you feel. May God bless you all and thank you SO much!!!
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Permalink Reply by chris26mom on
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I am extremly happy for you. My son left on January 5th as well, waited all night for the brief 30 second i am here phone call and was relieved after that but still tearful. I can't imagine getting another call so soon. I understand the crying and missing of your son. With mine he is 19 and as a typical 19 yearold he wasn't around much but we are very good friends... its the realization that he is not going to be popping through the door at any minute and also not being able to give advice, discuss daily things, i guess still protect him. I do feel like he is very happy about his choice and this makes it easier for me. I wonder if our sons are together? .
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Wouldn't that be cool if they were? I'm anxious to hear what division and stuff he's in, but I guess I'll find out soon. He didn't say on the phone, nor could he give me an address, but was very happy to have been chosen as RPOC. That was his Basic Training goal and he was thrilled but he did sound tired. However, from what I hear, he'll have to work hard to hold on to that position. He said processing ends Monday. So I guess the training starts right after that. Or maybe they have some training during processing, I don't know. You are right, the realization that they won't pop in, or call, or we can't call or text them, etc. That's what I'm struggling with.
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Permalink Reply by janetthomp on
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My son left that day too...I hope they are together! He left from Tennessee!
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No he flew out of Knoxville but we are from Chattanooga....Did you get your son's box?
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Permalink Reply by Dawson'sChefMom on
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My son also arrived at GL on 1-5-12. We both cried at the gate at the airport. That evening and next morning, I was teary eyed, worthless. Yesterday, I started writing him. Have no address yet, but as soon as I get it, then he will read them. I have found this site very helpful. I didn't look for it prior to him leaving. Denial? Anyway, the videos have helped me and the rest of the family understand BC. Maybe our sons are together too!
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It's been hard. My son is NOT the great communicator. So when I only got the first letter they have to write telling you when graduation was then nothing for two weeks it was lonely. Then, his dad( we don't normally speak to each other) text me to let me know he had received two letters from him well, my feeling were just a little hurt. But the next day I got a very long letter in the mail. Long by his standards anyhow. And he told me he would be able to call on Jan 11. I know he is a grown man now but it's not easy coming to the realization that has a life of his own.
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Marlena,
I have found the best way to describe why it is so hard is to say that we are truly giving our sons/daughters up to someone else to take control of the reigns. We no longer have access to the child we raised, no longer have any control over their well being. Thats what makes it so hard. It's not like when we send them to college and you know they will have fun and you still have access to them and in some ways a little control. However, we also get to reap the reward of a Navy Mom's Pride!
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