Welcome to
Navy For Moms

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:

OPSEC GUIDELINES

Events

Add an Event

**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.

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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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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Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Information

To everyone with a loved one at RTC or soon to be there, we say, "Welcome!" To those who are sticking around after PIR to help those who are just beginning this awesome journey, we say, "Thank you!"

**BEGINNING OCTOBER 5, 2023, RECRUIT GRADUATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED EVERY THURSDAY (NO LONGER ON FRIDAY), EXCEPT FOR THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING, WHEN GRADUATION IS ON WEDNESDAY.

This is a place to talk, ask questions, and share stories. It is our desire that this Group will provide the information, encouragement, and support you need while your loved one is at RTC in Great Lakes. Enjoy your time here and feel free to Comment and join in the Discussions. Be sure to check out the "Pages" to the right, located under the pictures of the Members, especially OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile), (Click "View All" to see all of them.)

Please, if you no longer want to be a part of N4M's consider NOT deleting your profile as everything you have ever posted will disappear when you delete it . You can leave a group but don't permanently delete your profile!

Members: 13246
Latest Activity: yesterday

Answers to Common Questions

The Navy has updated their Cell Phone Usage (4/2024).

Read the article here on personal cell phones for call homes:

Personal Cell Phone Use for Calls Home

This link gives you a breakdown of the training schedule at boot camp.

BASIC MILITARY TRAINING SCHEDULE

New in 2022: Navy to lengthen Basic Military Training

Navy to lengthen Boot Camp - Navy Times

Are there any official RTC sites?

Yes, check out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/. They will have lots of information for you. https://www.facebook.com/NavalServiceTraining also has items at times.

https://www.facebook.com/ASBPGreatLakes has pics of some of the recruits who give blood while at RTC. Those donations occur about 2 weeks (10 to 16 days depending on the division) before PIR.

You may also find pics in https://www.navy.mil/viewGallery.asp.

RTC will stream PIR live at http://navylive.dodlive.mil/ beginning at 8:45 am CST on the day of PIR for those who are unable to attend in person. (Once PIR has passed, you will be able to see the video at https://navylive.dodlive.mil/. If the one you want is not there, then click on a PIR video and then change the date in the URL to the date you want. You will have to change both the numerical date and the written out date in the URL. For example, if you want the video for the March 3, 2017 PIR date, then change https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2019/08/23/navy-recruit-graduation-august-23-2019/ to https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2017/03/03/navy-recruit-graduation-march-3-2017/.)

Can recruits take anything to BC with them?

Recruits should go with what they have on their backs, their cell phones, and not much else. Effective August 2022 Recruits can bring their own (approved) running shoes. (See Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for RTC.)

What will the first day be like at BC?

See Arrival and What Happens at RTC and Ship/Division--How it Works.

How long is the "I'm here!" call and when will s/he be able to call again?

See Phone Cards and Phone Calls.

I got my recruit's address from the recruiter. Can I trust it?

Double-check the address the recruiter gave you against those at

RTC Division Addresses, but we strongly encourage you to wait on the form letter before sending mail to your recruit since the address provided by the recruiter prior to that can be wrong up to 11 business days or more after the recruit's arrival if the recruit failed the first attempt at the run and then passed (or failed) the second attempt and was ASMO'd to a different division (or to SEPS) or if RTC needed to move recruits for some reason. Sometimes a form letter is not mailed by accident and if it has been at least 3 calendar weeks since your recruit arrived at RTC and you do not have a form letter, then you can call the recruiter and get the address and mail letters to your recruit since the address in the system should be the correct one at that point, but be sure to double-check the address here Ship/Division--How it Works.

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**NOTE: There is a virtual graduation for your Sailor that you can watch on the RTC FaceBook page. It is posted the FRIDAY after PIR.

RTC Facebook Page - Graduation

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When will the Form Letter come and what is in it?

The form letter will arrive in your regular mail around nine to fourteen business days after the recruit's arrival at RTC since it is not mailed until a division’s 1-1 Day of Training, which takes place after your recruit has taken and passed the run portion of the Baseline PFA, which is on or about the fifth business day after arrival (later if the division that your recruit was tentatively placed in upon arrival did not fill until a later date). See Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and Fitness Improvement Training (FIT). The brochure that is included from MWRGL about hotels and other things is at Travel Guide . The form letter includes your recruit's address, so now you can mail out all the letters you have been writing. There is more on this in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

The form letter will also tell you the date of PIR, so you can start making plans for your trip. There are many hotels in the area and there is information in the grad pack and on this site about them. If you fly in, renting a car will make your life easier. Also, if you are flying, some airlines, such as Southwest, will allow you to change your flight without a charge if something happens, so you do not have to book refundable tickets. ** EDITED - LIVE PIR's RESUME 8/13/2021**

UPDATED TRAINING SCHEDULE (6/2022 - Thanks to belovedbyHim)

The Expected timeline will look like this:

Day 0 -- Travel, Arrival and "I'm Here" scripted phone call

Week 1 Day 1-7 -- Arrive Onboard RTC and begin P-days (P-days- Initial Processing Days) including 2 days of P-hold (Weekend)

Day 8 -- Begin training and mail form letter out. Look for it to arrive around 1-2 weeks later
Week 2 -- First week of Training including PT and Swim Qualifications
Week 3 -- Marlin Spike - (Line handling- How to tie up a Ship to the Pier) , First inspections and tests (Dental May be this week or next... Not Confirmed)(Form letter/ Personal letters usually arrive this week)

Week 4 -- Confidence Chamber & Fire Fighting training
Week 5 -- Fire Arms Training

Week 6 -7 -- More training, Drilling (Flags and Marching).

Week 8 – Battle Stations (done prior to final PFA). Your SR will call home to say they are a Sailor but they still have to pass final PFA in order to graduate.

Week 9 & 10– Warrior Training (Life skills) and Final PFA

Approx 10 Fridays from Departure they will have PIR!! If you can go you will be amazed at the change that happened in just 10 short weeks. For the time being they are also still Live Streaming the PIR ceremony.

Once you know your recruit's PIR date, be sure to join the group for that date. PIR groups are posted on the Comment Wall below once they are created.

USPS Informed Delivery - Sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).

Informed Delivery®

How long should I plan to stay in the Great Lakes area?

Arrive at least the day before PIR so you can pick up your ticket/s for PIR and also attend Sarge's Meet and Greet if you wish to do so.

If your Sailor's "A" School or training is in GL, then plan to leave late Sunday or on Monday. If your Sailor will be flying out, then plan to leave late Saturday or on Sunday to have the most time with your Sailor. (This may need to be adjusted if PIR is not on Friday.) See Saving Money PIR Weekend and PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend.

**UPDATED LIBERTY RULES - GL - AUGUST 2022**

Here is a link from Great Lakes regarding their Updated Liberty Rules during PIR weekend, effective August, 2022. (Thank you Amy for sharing this with me.) I'll post it in a few different places.

Updated Liberty Rules for GL - August 2022

SARGE'S MEET & GREET - BACK AS OF 3/18/2022

Plan to arrive the day before PIR so you won't risk missing PIR and go to Sarge's Meet and Greet from 4pm to 8pm the evening before PIR at the Lakehurst Event Center (go to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP). Sarge has a taxi service and he is a wealth of information. His cell number is 847-212-0246. His Meet and Greet and services have been getting great reviews. Find Sarge on N4M as OldSarge.

Who can attend PIR?

RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021

Your recruit will indicate the names of up to FOUR guests who will be permitted to receive tickets and attend PIR. RTC may change that to three guests if there is a large TG. Children ages 2 and under do not need a ticket to attend PIR, but a copy of the child's birth certificate may be presented in order for the child to attend PIR. The names of the guests will be listed on the Security Access Form. Your recruit will send the Security Access Form with the form letter and it will need to be completed fully and returned to your recruit. if you do not receive the form letter, then you can download the Security Access Form and complete it and send it to your recruit, but your recruit has the final say on who will attend PIR.

ALL GUESTS 3 YEARS OLD AND OLDER MUST HAVE A TICKET TO ATTEND PIR, INCLUDING MILITARY GUESTS (ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, RETIRED, VET). No extra guests allowed, no exceptions.

GUESTS SECURITY ACCESS FORM: If you are going to be attending the graduation ceremony, you will need to fill out the security access form, which is included with your form letter. Return the form to your recruit according to the instructions.

ONLY YOUR RECRUIT CAN CHANGE THE GRADUATION CEREMONY ACCESS LIST: Your recruit will be able to make changes to the access list throughout training. The last opportunity to make changes will be the week before graduation. If there is a change to be made to the access list (such as a name spelled incorrectly, name-swap, etc…) please communicate any changes to your recruit by mail. Recruit Training Command staff cannot change these names or release the names of those on the list. Please do not call for additional seats!

The form can also be downloaded by anyone from the website, but only the recruit has final say-so as to who will be invited. Those names are submitted and those names will be printed on tickets. All of those guests attending must be present with ID to pick up the ticket in person. No exceptions, no swapping of tickets, no changing of names during final week of graduation.

If you are attending a graduation ceremony, you MUST personally obtain your ticket, you cannot pick up tickets for others. Tickets will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center, located inside the Navy Exchange Burkey Mall, Bldg. 3452, 2650 Green Bay Road Great Lakes, IL 60088

Additional information on ticketing is also available at www.bootcamp.navy.mil. (See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq.html#grad_ceremony.)

Once you receive your ticket, please DO NOT lose it, as this will be the only ticket you will receive. These tickets are not transferable and are serialized to each graduation attendee. If you do not have a ticket, then you will not be permitted access to the base.

The Recruit Family Welcome Center will be open on the following days and times: Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM], and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:00 AM]. ***Certain federal holidays may require adjusting days and times. Please refer to the command website for those specific updates***

Please plan accordingly so each person listed can check in to receive a ticket for the graduation ceremony. Again, if you don’t have a ticket you will NOT be allowed entry to the base. Tickets will only be issued to those guests who the graduating recruit has verified will be attending.

Driving on to base.

Driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance or rental car agreement and graduation ticket must be ready to present to security at access points. Everyone in the car ages three and over must show their ticket to graduation. If someone in the car over the age of two does not have a ticket, they are not allowed through the gate, no exceptions.

NO cell phone usage while driving on base!
Seat belts are required for all drivers/passengers at all times
Motorcycle drivers/riders MUST have proper protective clothing/equipment such helmet, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and over the ankle hard-soled boots.
Recent graduates are prohibited from operating motor vehicles, including motorcycles, and are NOT allowed to be a passenger on a motorcycle.

See Bootcamp.Navy.Mil for the Frequently Asked Questions.

What will happen PIR weekend?

See PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/graduation.html and http://www.navyformoms.ning.com/custom/media/downloads/N4M_PIR_infographic_web.pdf.

S.O. Contract:

Moms whose sons have an S.O. Contract headed to BUD/S there is a group for you.

It is called, BUD/S and SQT (Stages of a S.E.A.L.)

Interested:

Send a friend request to NavyMom(J) for more information.

(Click on the highlighted links.)

Be sure to check out the Pages to the right (under the pictures of the Members) for additional information. (You will need to click "View All" to see all of them.)

Donna is no longer active on the site. Several others who have begun this journey before you are here to help. (Donna, we are forever thankful that you started this group that continues to help so many.)

Discussion Forum

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Comment by navymommike(Ship6 Div927) on April 7, 2010 at 12:12am: I have started a group for Ship 6 Div 927 if anyone has loved ones here and would like to join since we are family in this,we can share our info from phone calls and letters we recieve for our recruits and become as well informed as we can would love to have you

Comment by fishmom on April 6, 2010 at 11:19pm: Sundays are considered "holidays", but they still go all day. They do usually have time to write and it's the only day of the week that they are technically allowed to write. They have rack inspections on Sundays too so they spend alot of time ironing and folding and cleaning. To all of you moms just starting this, we are 17 days from PIR (graduation) with our son and while it has been tough, remember...they are safe. The Navy wants our boys/girls to succeed as much as we do and they will do what it takes to help them. Yes, they are rough on them, but they do take good care of them. They sort of burn off all of the unnecessary stuff and leave really strong, confident men and women. You will be proud. Be proactive, learn as much as you can (this websight is invaluable) and do your best to support and encourage your Recruit and things will go well. I've learned that the Recruits that have someone on this sight do well, they have someone involved and investing themselves into seeing them succeed. Good for you guys!! One more thing...follow the rules and encourage your Recruit to do the same!! It will make things so much easier for everyone.

Comment by diannep on April 6, 2010 at 11:06pm: Lori: No, I won't go to this graduation :-( Very few parents do...they have them all of the time in A school. I told him to get someone to take a pik of him. He told me I was ridiculous! HA!
So, you just got the scripted "I'm here" call. YEAH! Mine fell on voicemail in the middle of the night...and I listened to it a million times. So, Lori, now the really tough part begins...and this site will help you so much being with the other moms. I was fortunate to hear from my son again 3 days later because it was Thanksgiving week (he called for 5 minutes Thanksgiving Day). But that is unusual. The "kid in a box" will come in the next 10 days or so. Prepare...it's hard. Everyone handles it differently. I felt the need to open it, wash all, and put away (very matter-of-factly). Like he would be home any minute! HA! Others don't wash...and like their child's "smell" on their clothes. Some can't even open it right away. Do whatever moves you...there is no protocal. The form letter will come about this time too. It will give you PIR date, ship/div #. AND...the best part...it will contain YOUR SON'S HANDWRITING! Just a few lines....but he addresses it too...and my son (the creator of messy handwriting) wrote SO NEATLY on it. They must have been lectured that it would not be mailed if not NEAT! HA! Yes, you probably won't hear from him by phone for 2-3 weeks. Calls are random...depending on RDC's in their division. Since my son was in 2 different divisions (because of his week delay), he found that the phone calls were handled very differently between the 2. The first division, he called me about 3 times just in the first 3 weeks. But once in the 2nd, I think he only called me twice and he was in there for about 5 weeks. So it just depends. GLUE that cell phone to your body...even in the bathroom! They usually can't call back if they miss you. But you know what? NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS in boot camp. That is because they have to call you if there are any changes (like being ASMOED, which means delayed). I had a missed call during my gym class from the 847 area code the 1st week. I looked for a message...none. I panicked. What did that MEAN? Why didn't he leave a message? So I googled the number...it was the boot camp medical facility. NOW I was really freaked out. What???? Nothing I could do. When he FINALLY called a couple of weeks later, he said that they just had a question when he was in medical for his entrance checkup/shots...but when I didn't answer, they resolved "it" whatever that was. By the way, this one is "my baby" too. But I have to say...he had moved back home with me for the 10 months prior to boot camp (had lived 2 hours north for 1.5 years while in school and working). It was NOT a happy time for us all of the time. He couldn't find a job, and had always been one who worked while in college. He had now finished his A.S. degree...so he sat around here for 10 LONG months. We were at each other's throats at times! Too much idle time. I was almost glad to see him walk from my car at the hotel where he stayed the night with his group before shipping to Great Lakes the next morning...until he walked away from me after hugging me goodbye. I had my parents with me and wanted to maintain a good front...but dropped them off and cried like a baby all the way home! And longer! I would jump and down when I would see the 847 pay phone in the caller id. I had to hide this excitement when I answered...he would have thought I had lost my marbles...but we had the best talks of our lives then. We needed this distance, he needed to grow up, I needed to let go. It has been "all good" as they say! Sorry to be so lengthy...but this has all been such a great thing in our family. I'm so proud of T and all he has accomplished. He struggled in A School at one part, wanted to quit, give up, get a new teacher, etc...all of the tactics he had tried when younger in school. None worked for him in the Navy. YEAH! He graduated A School with an 88 average after all of that...and actually thanked his teacher (she a 20+ yr veteran of this class) for MAKING him do what he didn't think he could do. He told me he had never felt so proud of what he accomplished on his own (this is self-paced and the teachers act as moderators, not teachers...the students have to do all research, etc themselves). I had to look at the phone and make sure that was really my son saying this! So....just to say...this is an amazing journey, no matter how wonderful your child was before he left. It only gets better....so as they say "enjoy the ride!" "Friend" me if you ever need to talk, vent, or ask questions. I would be glad to help!
AND, Mikesproudmom...you are very welcome! Can't say that my info is always correct, but I try! Please make sure to report after PIR...I LOVE those stories....they are priceless. Goodnight ladies!

Comment by lori on April 6, 2010 at 10:36pm: Your post made me cry diannep. I just got my "i'm here" call about an hour ago.
Like you Laurie I froze- I even said "is this my 20 sec call" before he could say a word and then didn't know what to say! I told him I loved him and would write him my phone number. He sounded tired [ or maybe I'm imagining it].
Thank you diannep- I smiled as I read the 'he'll be just fine' as I try to think how will it go for him these next few days. It sounds awfully grueling. But for all the ones who've gone before us leading the way- it's reassuring that yes they really will come through this.
And congrats to your son on graduating A school tomorrow- do you go to that ceremony? My last born son- I don't know, it's hard to think that this is what is meant to be- this is what God has for him. We've hopefully done enough to help get them through this season in their life. That's the last phone call for a while right? And when do we get the box? I don't know what I would do with out you wonderful ladies holding us up through this. Bless you all.

Comment by diannep on April 6, 2010 at 10:10pm: blakesmom: Bless you for calling me an angel...so sweet. I, like Jessica and so many others on here, just want to reach out to you all as I was reached out to. Guess who reached out to me first? JESSICA! Her son was in my son's PIR group. Then my son hit one of those "bumps in the road" and was delayed (would join a new PIR group now). I was crushed...at the time, didn't know how long he would be delayed (turned out to be a week). Jessica's e-mail to me asking how my son and I were doing just touched my heart. I vowed then to give back what I can to others as she had done for me. As you can see from Jessica on here...she continues to be such a blessing to so many. And, as you can see by his pik, my son graduated boot camp! And he graduates A School tomorrow...so, ladies, don't ever get discouraged (like I did!). BELIEVE IN THEM! :-)

ALL NEWBIE MOMS! I was reading back through many of these posts...felt the emotion, the fear, the desperateness of you all wanting to make sure your children were ok (especially with the being up 40 hours and not eating)...and I was able to smile. You know why? Because they are going to be JUST FINE! And BOND? That is what they are doing...right from the start. My son started off saying he didn't really feel connected with many there (after 3 days there...he called me on Thanksgiving). Well, guess what? Jump forward 4.5 months, he is now waiting for orders for his first duty station, and told me he is very sad now because he knows "everyone on base", considers them all friends, and hates that they are separating now. THAT'S why I can smile while reading about your worries...been there, was one of you, and HE IS FINE. Your son or daughter will be too...actually, he/she will be MORE than fine. He/She will be terrific, fantastic, mature, and amazing. Just you wait and check them out at PIR...and then I can say: I TOLD YOU SO. Remember....BELIEVE! :-)

Comment by grumsmom on April 6, 2010 at 8:07pm: ok, here's how you find the good one: video/featured videos/view all and it is Navy Racks Boot camp. I have watched this one three times.

Comment by grumsmom on April 6, 2010 at 8:02pm: lori, I actually didn't watch this one all the way through but it was the link that is on this group. When I find the really good one, I will let you know what where it is. I'm terrible about finding things on the internet and then not remembering how I found them. I guess that's part of being over 40 and having four teenage kids (ha-ha)

Comment by lori on April 6, 2010 at 7:57pm: grumsmom- thanks for the video link. Didn't care much for the comments at the bottom- did you seem them?
Thanks jessica for the area code info- I'm putting that by my phone. I just realized I didn't write down my cell number for him- when his phone gets packed not sure if he remembers it. All the numbers are on his phone!!!

Comment by pamdiv928(ship 06) on April 6, 2010 at 7:40pm: Thank you JessicaB-sailor mom. I still haven't heard when his graduation date is yet. I guess I will just have to be patient! I thought maybe everyone that was in the same division and on the same ship would be graduating on the same day. ???

Comment by blaykesmom(Ship 06 DIV 924) on April 6, 2010 at 5:46pm: Rebecca go get a stamp pad and stamp the rots paw and write woof above it, he will love it. It was funny when blayke told me the other guys were upset that he got mail until they realized it was from his dog.