This site is for mothers of kids in the U.S. Navy and for Moms who have questions about Navy life for their kids.
FIRST TIME HERE?
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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NONCHALANT SON
Hi I'm new to the site my son leaves for BC on Tuesday 9-25-12 out of Columbus, OH. I'm very excited that he made the decision to join the NAVY. However he's very nonchalant when I ask the question. Are you ready to go? Are you excited? Are you nervous? I just pray that BC will change him and he becomes more of a talker. It hurts my feelings that our days are numbered and he stays to himself. Any advice I would welcome.
Thanks Concerned Navy Mom!
Views: 336
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rita on
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Try not to be hurt. He does need you even if he does not act like it. My bet is that he is trying to wrap his own mind around it and not ready to talk..
He may not be ready to comment much before he leaves. But in BC he will need your letters---even if he is still "too cool" to act like it. You will preserve his dignity if you just let him know you are there without pushing him. He wants to grow up and to him that might mean he should't lean on mom too much. Even though as a mom myself I know he will always be your baby!
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Permalink Reply by BunkerQB on
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In all honesty, I think a man who keeps his lips zipped will probably do just find in the Navy. You should be encouraged that he is getting ready take on a more professional persona. He is getting ready to embarked on a new adventure. Give him the the space to grow up a little and act more "adult like" - my son hated teary goodbyes. He was not one to talk endlessly either. He is not trying to hurt your feelings - he is just getting prepared mentally and emotionally. Try to remember this is about HIM. We all know this separation is hard (for some of us). Moms tend to be more emotional. That is why we have this site!!! So you can vent, chat, talk 24/7.
Here is a suggestion - instead of trying to talk to him, writ him a letter and let him know how proud of him you are, how much he means to you (and family of course). Let him know that it's natural for a mother (or father) to get awfully sentimental when their "baby boy" leaves the nest, it doesn't mean they don't want him to grow up. Let him know that you are letting go of his "childhood" but you are looking forward to seeing the man he will become. Let him know that you know he will try his best. Let him know that his family is behind him 100%. He could read this letter in the privacy of his room.
Feel free to copy any/all my wording. We happily share here.
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Permalink Reply by spookmom (ship 14 div 367) on
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My son left from Columbus on 9/12. I thought I would go crazy because all he talked about was Navy Navy for months. But at MEPS on the day he left, he was very quiet, and distant. Just dealing with it his way, I guess and being tough. He even sat with the other recruits at lunch instead of us. But the 3 times he has called from BC, he has said "I Love You" first which he never did before. They are just growing up, Mom. :)
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Permalink Reply by Tjmax513 on
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Growing up I will accept! Him saying he loves you is awesome. I will continue patience and give him his space. Thanks for your kind words.
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Tell him to leave little notes in his room and his clothes he ships back to you. Leave you a message on your cell phone for a reminder.
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Thanks Granger Tx. I will encourage him to write me a small note. I have notes he has written me in the past. Please tell me about your son or daughter. What type of personality do they have.
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Thank you so much your words they're very comforting. You are correct it's not about me anymore. Just yest I thot I will start writing him a letter. I am very proud of him and the young men and women that have decided to join the Navy. Thanks again for responding your post was very helpful. I will do my best not show my true emotions like tears around him.
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There will be times when the tears will come no matter how hard you try. Accept it. Just wipe them away quietly. Stay busy. Start a scrap book (memory book). You could also start a journal/diary about your feelings (to be read by yourself only). Start doing internet research on getting the cheapest air flights for PIR - hahaha - you could practically make a career out of it - it's so complicated. Oh, have you talked to him about the four people he wants to designate in the form letter as guests for PIR?
Here is a check off list for things to do the last 30 days. See if you are missing anything.
http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/things-to-do-in-the-last-mo...
Good luck and hang in there.
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Permalink Reply by TN Navy Mom (Stennis Nuke Mom) on
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My son was kind of cranky and a little "distant" in the days leading up to his departure. Then at MEPS, he headed to the restroom and told me to leave while he was in there, he did NOT want to see me when he came out. I was a little hurt that he didn't want his last hug from mama, but then I realized that this was his break-off point. He HAD to remove himself from my presence. That bathroom door was our final separation and kept him from seeing the pain in my face and kept me from seeing any fear in his.
I made him a "Wish List" in the days leading up to his leaving. It was mama's wishes for her boy and included things like
"giggle uncontrollably" "help a mom at the store, load her groceries" "smile at someone who looks tired" "toss a frisbee with a child" "read to elderly person who can no longer see" a lot of little things that a young man may not realize will bring as much joy to them as to someone else. He kept the list and tries to do some of those things. He's had it for almost 3 years and though he may have thought it silly at the tiime, he hung on to it. It was my way of offering my suggestions for his life, but in a non-bossy mama way.He still gets the pissy-grumpies when he's home on leave. I think it's his way of coping with leaving again. IIt still hurts my feelings BUT I try not to take it personally (easier said than done)
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Permalink Reply by LindaGirl on
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My son is more or less the same, not much of a talker, so I know how you are feeling. You are not alone. He may be a little afraid himself & not want to show it. Don't take it personally, deep down, know that he loves you, he just doesn't know how to express himself to you & maybe is afraid that you'll break down in front of him if the subject of his leaving comes up. My son said to me today, "Mom, when I go, I don't want you to cry in front of me." I had to smile because he knows me all too well, & so I told him I would try not to.
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