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
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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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Brand New Navy Mom
Hi,
I am probably very ahead of myself but want to be very much involved in my son's future life as a Sailor. Stephen just enlisted with the Navy and my husband and I are meeting with the recruiter tomorrow night to discuss he's next steps as far as when boot camp will begin, etc. We are so very happy for Stephen and stand by him-not because he is our son but because we believe he has made a wise choice for his future.
Does anyone have any advise or direction for a new Navy Mom?
Cathy
Views: 21
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ChrisAmo on
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Hi Cathy,
Advice? Yes. Don't panic, remember to breathe, be supportive but don't turn into a "helicopter mom"..........that's a mom who hovers over her kid. Once he gets to boot camp he's totally out of your hands and into the Navy's hands. You have to sit back and let the whole thing work itself out.
The Navy is overmanned right now so he may not get his ship-out date for months, so be patient. To allay your fears somewhat, I'm re-posting some info on what happens when he's at boot camp, from your point of view, not his.
I wrote this a while back but thought it might be good to repeat it for moms new to this whole Navy Boot Camp Experience..
(Substitute "she" for "he" where appropriate)
You'll hopefully get a 30 sec. phone call to say he's arrived, (but not always, if the lines are too long and the phones are all busy), a few days later comes the infamous "box" containing his former life...known to many of us "kid-in-a-box" (that's when most of us lose it), the next week you'll get an official letter giving you his address (but his recruiter should be able to tell you before that), with 3 lines at the bottom that he'll write to say he's fine (or whatever). Then comes the hard part, you won't hear anything else for the next 2-3 weeks. A phone call at week 3 if you're lucky (phone calls home are a reward for good work by the division) and letters once a week thereafter.
Advice? write, write write, every day. He won't get mail for the first week or so, but keep writing anyway. Send letters or cards (no musical ones though until you find out if his RDC (Recruit Division Commander) approves, some do and some don't), no newspaper clippings about anything other than sports or funny stuff, no care packages (they'll confiscate everything like that). Stamps are always appreciated. Also a activated phone card so they can call home when they're given the chance. Keep checking in on this page, you'll find so many moms in the same boat you'll be able to relate to.
When you write, send news of home, family and friends, (they love every little detail), and always, always be positive. Tell him you love him, tell him you miss him but you can't wait to see him at his PIR (that's graduation). Don't be negative about anything, these kids have enough to contend with without worrying about what's going on at home. And welcome to the crew!
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Permalink Reply by Cat(Mom of an AO) on
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Chris A,
LOL!! Do I sound like a helicopter mom? My husband always tells me to stop hovering!! I will definately take your advise.Your comments are very helpful. From what Stephen (my son) stated, I believe his boot camp will probably be sometime in November so I have time to absorb as much for this site as I can.
Once agian, thank you so much. This site is amazing. It gives me much comfort in knowing that I have communication with others in the same boat. LOL!
Take Care
Cathy
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Judy makes a very good point. Get everything in writing. If it isn't written down and signed for, it didn't happen. Remember, he's signing a contract with the Navy, and the Navy is signing a contract with him. Also, keep his recruiter informed of any changes (health etc) and DO NOT LIE about anything. If you're absolutely honest about everything then there's nothing to hide. If you lie about something and the Navy finds out (and they will) they can discharge you for "fraudulent enlistment." My son was on a disapproved medication several years before he joined which meant he had to get a medical waiver. Took extra time but it meant he had a clean slate. He got a speeding ticket right before he went in, reported it to his recruiter, showed proof he'd paid it and everything was OK. All this is very scary but you need to be aware.
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Judy, Chris,
Thank you so much. There seems to be so much I have to learn. I will definatley check out the site you recommended and take your advise on getting everything in writing. You have both been so very helpful.
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