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:

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:

RTC Graduation

**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.

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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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I really think this site is a great resource, but I don't think I'm fitting in well. My son left for BC yesterday and we had know since November he was. I'm not heartbroke, I'm not crying at the slightest thing, not sleeping with his pillow/shirt/stuffed animal, etc.

Not saying it wasn't hard to walk away. I cried. I worry. I'm concerned & hoping things go well, but also knowing he's going to have hard times. This is his journey though, not mine. I'm here to be strong for him & support him.

I guess seeing everyone's post make me wonder if I'm heartless. I would love to comment on posts, but I think my posts won't really feed into the tears & loneliness.....

Any others out there like me just looking for information & friends that are on the same page I am?

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29Junkie~~

I don't think you are heartless, just seeing things from a different perspective...or maybe confident that you raised a well-balanced son who has proven that he can handle what is put in front of him!  Not to say that anyone who is upset like you described above is the opposite of that, but everyone handles emotions differently...even surprising yourself sometimes by reacting differently than you thought you would when the situation arose.

My son shipped out the day after Memorial Day and I have had my moments when emotions got the best of me, but this is my firstborn son....is yours your firstborn?  

29Junkie~~

I don't think you are heartless, just seeing things from a different perspective...or maybe confident that you raised a well-balanced son who has proven that he can handle what is put in front of him!  Not to say that anyone who is upset like you described above is the opposite of that, but everyone handles emotions differently...even surprising yourself sometimes by reacting differently than you thought you would when the situation arose.

My son shipped out the day after Memorial Day and I have had my moments when emotions got the best of me, but this is my firstborn son....is yours your firstborn?  

Thank you for this post.  I feel the same way.  I am a pretty emotional person and was fully expecting to cry at my son's HS graduation this past May - I didn't.  When he left for boot camp a week ago today, I was expecting to cry or worry or something, but again, nothing.  I know deep inside that it was time for him to go and move onto the next step in his life.  I love him very much and do think of him everyday all day, but something inside tells me he is doing great and will do great things in his life.  I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one.  =) 

I was beginning to think I am weird or something.

I thought the exact same thing and wasn't sure if this was helping me or hurting me.  My son left for boot camp 2 weeks ago and we all seem to be getting correspondence from our new recruits at different times, and that hurts, but then I read somewhere that this Sunday will be letter writing day for his group, and that helps to have some light at the end of the tunnel.   

I have learned some things that I was not aware of from the group, but then I wonder how people are getting the information and have to take it with a grain of salt.  

I also cried when my son left, but you are right, this is his journey and all I can do is be his support and know that he will be fine.  I'm sure he misses us too but I'm not expecting him to verbalize that information.  I have not cried as much as my husband and daughter, so I was feeling like what's wrong with me.  I just know that we raised him to be independent and this is a great decision to make for his future.  

Not heartless at all, and I have to admit - I'm a wreck right now. Everyone processes things different, and depending on what's going on in your life at the time. I'm a military brat and my hubby spent some time in the Navy as well. I recently retired from 30 years as a police officer, so I can definitely handle a variety of situations. I have retirement, moving and this going on at the same time. Not the worse situation but a lot of new to process. He also just graduated in June and is a whole whopping 18 years old (and yes, he's the youngest). Our oldest (we only have 2) was supposed to go when he graduated in 2008; and has entertained the idea a few times again since then. He actually qualified for the Nuke program, so we've more than supported him in each consideration. He does have a job in retail with a chance for advancement; but it will be a long slow trip up. I wouldn't be as shell shocked if he went now. Even though he still lives with us, he's his own person (and a pain in my butt). I can relate how it's harder with the younger ones, when you were still actively parenting at the time they left, or they just recently entered into graduated adulthood.
It's almost kismet, I have friends that would mourn and cry because their kids were going away for college, or returning to college; and I'd think "really?" When I move, hubby is moving in with his parents; oldest is moving in with his girlfriend and it will be just me and the animals. Something I loved for, for the last 3 years. No picking up after anyone, not having to feed people a real meal; things put where they are supposed to be. I love my kids and am fond of my husband (long story) but very excited to be, just me! So being a wreck is really really strange.
I know Exactly what you mean!!!
I was prepared emotionally and spiritually for this adventure!
We knew she was going counting the weeks days months.
I know she wanted to go and I am so proud! There is a sadness and a part of me that misses her greatly but the proud! And knowing this is great for her is so much more overpowering!!!!

I am in agreement with you Mom of NavyBaby. we have been so looking forward to this journey. My son has wanted this for ten years and it is finally here. I of course miss him and feel some emptiness when i pass his room but I am not crying much at all. I am just so proud! as we all are!

Wow!  My son just leaves for Great Lakes and will be arriving tonight, and I am a “basket case”.  I broke down at his swearing ceremony, got home and crawl in his bed and just weeping.  I know he will be ok, but the thought of not seeing him or hearing from him regularly, just getting to me.  Maybe, because he is so young, just out of high school and making such big decision.  I must say I am so proud of him.  Someone tell me how I can stop crying.

I am there with you. I get a little teary eyed when I talk about her and that 2 minute call I'm here.  But, not crying or any of the other stuff you mentioned.  We all handle this differently.  Your right this is their journey and I am so proud of my babygirl following in my footsteps sorta I'm retired Air Force.  I know when I would call home having supportive parents that weren't crying really helped me be stronger too.  Its an exciting time in their lives!

My daughter left 9days ago I was prepared for this I did cry when got on that bus I miss her but I'm not like overly sad for the most part I'm very proud of her and that's what keeps me going everyday knowing she's doing something good with her life while serving her country

You're not heartless at all! I'm sure that you love your child just as much as the constant criers. It sounds as though you're able to stay focused on the true reality of his journey while at the same time being thankful that he's brave enough to embrace this challenge.

My daughter left July 9th and I felt exactly the same as you. Sure I cried and knew I was going to miss her, I just didn't know how much until after a couple of weeks had gone by. I had no idea that I would miss her so soon, I didn't know that she was not only my daughter but also my bff. All and all I took it all in stride knowing that this is her journey and no matter what I'll always be here for her. She graduates Sept. 4th and I'm anxious to see her but I'm also loving my empty nest.

So you may start missing your son more as time passes by and if not be thankful that you're able to proudly send him off to become the man that I'm sure you want him to be without the emotional rollercoaster.

This also proves that you've given him all the tools that he needs to face the world alone just as I've given my daughter so therefore it's easier to stay focused and prayerful.

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