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 as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:
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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Care Package Ideas!
Information
Themes, recipes, all kinds of ideas plus mailing tips and tricks. It's fun to have them here in one place, so come get ideas and share yours!
Members: 1295
Latest Activity: Oct 28
Carla: I am a moderator for Navy moms on Yahoo, but also through the years have done troop support for all branches. I also have started and maintained hometown troop support, and send from our little community in Spirit Lake, Idaho - that has been very very cool. So, if you have ideas you want to share, bring it on and read and enjoy and use! My email is crlstrt5@msn.com if you have any questions or comments. Feel free to share these in other groups or with friends.
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom: I'm co-admin and been sending care packages since 2008! The best method is using the flat-rate priority boxes from USPS. There's a two-dollar discount when sending to an APO/FPO address and you can send up to 70 lbs - that's 7.7 bricks! You can order a free carton of 10 or 25 of the large-size boxes to be delivered to you at USPS APO/FPO flat-rate boxes; or call them at 800-610-8734 and request the "military pack" of six assorted boxes, customs forms, tape and address labels. It can take two weeks or more for mail to arrive, and much longer if your sailor is deployed.
Tips: To save space, remove things from original packaging and put them in Ziplock bags. Don't pack fragrant items such as soap or fabric softener sheets with food as the odors get absorbed. Use clear tape or USPS priority tape to seal. Put a copy of the address IN the box. Storage space is limited so send accordingly. Notes from friends, children, anyone saying Thank You for serving on deployment are passed around and treasured. Per a Navy survey on Facebook, the top two items that Sailors ask for are cookies and beef jerky. Send enough to share! More info at USPS military mail FAQ.
For your sailor, two great checklists for deployment planning are the Single Sailor Deployment Readiness Checklist and Pre-Deployment Checklist for Family Members, prepared by JAG.
Just how does your care package reach the ship? Watch! Video: Underway replenishment
And if you've got the bug and would like to do more, please consider joining "Molly's Adopt a Sailor" (MAS) here on Navyformoms.com. Every month they adopt a deployed ship or unit and send the service members themed packages. It's a super-fun and friendly group and you'll make great friends while sending much-needed and appreciated love and support from home. I learned how to send care packages by joining the MAS group before my corpsman was first deployed!
Discussion Forum
Submarine
Started by Proud Mom. Last reply by Bandmom Mar 2, 2020. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Submarine
Started by Proud Mom. Last reply by Proud Mom Feb 25, 2020. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Care Package theme ideas
Started by AngiePNMx2. Last reply by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom Mar 8, 2017. 16 Replies 17 Likes
Comment Wall
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Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on September 8, 2017 at 12:52am
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Hi Kraftnkat! You can mail personal hygiene items, games, snacks - it just depends on your sailor's needs and likes. You cannot send alcohol. If you are sending snacks, then don't include something like soap or fabric sheets in the same box, as the scent will wreck the taste. I've sent everything from brownies and cookies to shower shoes and towels! The 12"x12"x6" priority boxes from the USPS are preferred; get rid of extra packaging and put stuff in ziplock bags. Remember that space on a ship is extremely limited. I'm assuming your Sailor is on a ship? If at " A" School, keep in mind that Sailors have to find time to pick up mail and later carry their stuff to their duty station, or figure out how to ship it home; either is a pain. I know that most corpsman say they'd rather not get mail at "A" School for those reasons. Where is your Sailor?
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Comment by TessaNator⚓️ on September 7, 2017 at 11:48pm
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There is a group you can join called 'care package ideas'
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Comment by Kraftinkat on September 7, 2017 at 9:18pm
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Hello all, just wondering what type of things we can send in a care package
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Comment by mom2stg on June 27, 2017 at 6:54pm
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Wendy, I haven't sent a private message before, but I think I have requested you as a friend and sent a message. (I apologize to everyone else for this message!)
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Each year, my church's Vacation Bible School chooses an organization or cause to support. They have decided that they would like to do something for the sailors of the USS Fitzgerald. Any suggestions? Would it even be possible, since I don't have a direct connection with a Fitzgerald sailor? Any thoughts or direction would be appreciated.
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Sjumom, every Sailor's situation is different at any given time - they may be at "A" or "C" School, in some training program, or at their duty station or deployed, for example - so it just depends. If your son says No right now, that that's who you should listen to.
I know that with corpsmen at their "A" School, they mostly prefer not to get care packages because it's a hassle to get them on their day off, and also once they graduate they have to figure out how to get whatever's been sent to them to their first duty station (crammed in a seabag or shipped). Later is a different story. So you just have to pay attention to your own Sailor's situation and see what they say.
Since you can't send a care package at the moment, consider sending an e-gift card via email that can be used immediately. That way, your Sailor can choose what he really needs right now! http://www.giftcards.com/gcgf/send-electronic-visa-giftcards
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Comment by Sjumom on March 25, 2017 at 7:07pm
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I'm confused. I've been told on another site, and by my son that I shouldn't send a package. They are discouraging packages since mid February.
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To Jessie, who sent a message about a group for moms of Sailors at Dam Neck - this is an active group that covers the bases in the area - Norfolk Sailors - Family and Friends. My son was stationed in the area for four years, so I may be able to answer a question or two as well :)
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This is pretty cool - you can order a PERSONALIZED mystery, classic, or romance book at Bookbyyou.com. Try a free personalized demo using Phantom of the Opera at http://www.bookbyyou.com/classic/phantom/demo.asp
Cost: $19.95 for immediate ebook download; $29.95 for paperback; $49.95 for hardcover. They have teen and kids books too :)
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Good idea, Sherri! Another way to to spice up their meals is to gather up and include single-serving packets of your Sailor's favorite condiments -I for one would appreciate Taco Bell hot sauce! lol I've also poured hard candies into a care package box to fill in the air pockets to take advantage of every available space.
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