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.)
N4M Merchandise
Shirts, caps, mugs and more can be found at CafePress.
Please note: Profits generated in the production of this merchandise are not being awarded to the Navy or any of its suppliers. Any profit made is retained by CafePress.
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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Blue Candles
You can light a blue candle on special days and holidays or significant days for your recruit/Sailor or just because you thought of him/her. During BC, it is common to light a blue candle when your recruit is going through Battle Station-21 (BST) to send your warm wishes, thoughts, and prayers to him/her and the others in the division. Some light one when the recruit leaves for RTC and keep it lit until receiving "the box" and/or the form letter. After BC, it is common to light a blue candle when your Sailor is going through training, is taking an advancement exam and/or awaiting the results, or is deployed or in harm's way.
Some use warmers instead of candles since they are safer or post a "blue candle" on their computer. Some change their N4M, fB, or other social network profile picture to a blue candle. You can use any blue candle of your choice. There are candles available at many retailers and at http://www.navyoutfitters.com and other places on the web. Some have used a Navy blue colored candle jar or votive glass so they are able use a candle of another color (perhaps the recruit's/Sailor's favorite color) inside or use a favorite scented candle without it having to be blue. There are anchor candles available at https://www.zazzle.com/navy+anchor+candles.
I used tapers, pillars, and jar candles at times. I left mine unadorned, except maybe adding a ribbon at the base, but many add embellishments such as US Navy candle decals and/or charms.
Scentsy has a US Navy warmer (available in the Patriot collection), shown below. I considered purchasing one, but at $35 I haven't gotten one even though a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each warmer benefits the military and its programs, but it may prove to be cost effective in the long run for some. I liked the idea of keeping the home fires burning for my loved one who is far away and a warmer just didn't fulfill that for me. I never got one, but if I had it would have been to show my support of the Navy, but probably not for when I wanted to light a blue candle for my Sailor.There are scented candles and unscented candles available from a variety of sources. Some blue candles really don't smell that nice, but there are some with great scents as well. My favorite has been a blueberry pie scented jar candle for its mild berry scent and deep navy color. There are warmers and electric or battery operated "candles" (from http://www.batteryoperatedcandles.net and other sources) to eliminate the hazard of an open flame.
Blue Candle Poem
I will burn my blue candle, and hold my head high.
I will burn my blue candle, and try my best not to cry.
I will burn my blue candle, because he wasn't afraid to take on the world.
I will burn my blue candle, in honor of all those who fight.
I will burn my blue candle, for all those who may or may not be there at dawns early light.
I will burn my blue candle, for every holiday, birthday and anniversary.
I will burn my blue candle, and pray for our Soldiers and Sailors that God has mercy.
I will burn my blue candle, until he comes home.
I will burn my blue candle, so he knows he is never alone.
Author Unknown
(The author may be CharlotteT (Sailor Tori's Mom)--see the entire poem at https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/novemberbootcampfamily?commentId=1971797%3AComment%3A3157647 and https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/pir29jan10?commentId=1971797%3AComment%3A3355537.)
The above is printed on the lid of the candle jar available at http://www.navyoutfitters.com and http://www.cherishedaromas.com.
A NAVY PRAYER
May the Lord shine His love on our Navy Sons and Daughters and bless them and guide them each day and may the Lord bless each of us as we burn this candle in our home and in our hearts. If we can entrust them to the One who created them, we can be at peace because we know that He loves each of those Sailors, and we know how much we love and miss them.
Author Unknown
Comment
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Comment by lemonelephant on January 27, 2019 at 9:03pm
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Nic-ole', that is great.
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Comment by Nic-ole' on January 27, 2019 at 8:56pm
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My son last week at BC and grabbed a big Blue candle at Michaels, we will read the poem as a family and have him in all our thoughts as he heads into the last few days as a recruit. Love this idea as we cant be there with him but he is on our hearts
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I didn't mean to overwhelm you.
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Comment by tammy8 on March 16, 2015 at 10:43pm
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Gosh, this is so overwhelming. I have tears just reading this stuff and it is not even time yet..
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A mom asked me if there were Navy Unity candles. This is a site I had saved. I know it doesn't really go here, but I wanted to make sure I could find the link if someone asks again. http://www.unitycandles.com/Order/order_taper_military.aspx
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Comment by DaniGirl (Mikes Wife) on December 14, 2013 at 6:48pm
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I am gonna do this too....
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Comment by jessiesmom2013 on December 6, 2013 at 8:58pm
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I have seen decals at meijer and walmart
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Car window decals also work great on candle jars and glass chimneys that go around pillar candles. You need to be certain that the glass doesn't get hot though.
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If you want a decal for your car window or house window, try http://www.cafepress.com/+navy-mom+bumper-stickers, http://www.4armedforces.com/product/0100_D95N/My-Son-is-in-the-Navy... and http://www.4armedforces.com/product/3003_18577/My-Son-Is-In-The-Nav....
I found Navy candle decals and charms at Hobby Lobby a while back, but I haven't looked lately.
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Comment by AHawk76 (Div 920) on September 5, 2013 at 3:11pm
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Anyone know where I can buy a navy candle decal for my window? I have searched all over and cannot find one.
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:o)
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Comment by Pilarcita30 on August 26, 2013 at 2:09pm
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I am going to get my blue candle.
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jappyj, I'm glad to help.
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Comment by Jappj on August 9, 2013 at 7:54pm
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I Love this!!! I'm going out tomorrow to get a blue candle and light it. I am also going to tell my family to light one in support of my sont!!!! thanks for the tip
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ChristinaMarie, thanks for the tip on the "Americana Candles."
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Comment by ChristinaMarie (Ship 14/Div 298) on July 31, 2013 at 10:06am
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This is awesome and something that I know will help me a lot... Thank you for the info! I love candles and this is a very special way to feel closer to our Sailors. I will be going to Yankee Candle to get one tonight... they have the "Americana Candles" right now and one of them is a Navy Blue with a picture of the American Flag on the jar. :)
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Comment by Lauriebelle on March 11, 2013 at 2:47pm
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Wow love this! I have a blue star I put in the window already for our Army son and will now be purchasing pretty green candles for his wife, me and his Mom and sisters. I will be sending a blue candle for my SR along with his address info to all his aunts and grandmothers when he gets to BC in July. I am so happy to know of the traditions. I am big into that kind of stuff and it is so reassuring to have it. Thanks!
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Comment by CatMom509 on February 28, 2013 at 11:35pm
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I have a dear friend who sells Gold Canyon candles, which are jar candles. Will see what she has available!! Thanks for another Navy tradition to add for our Sailors!!
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Glad to help.
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Comment by Sunshine66 on January 17, 2013 at 12:53am
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I learn something new here everyday!!!! Going to buy blue candles this week :)
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