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, 2024
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 reneec on June 5, 2012 at 11:56am
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I voted! I will be buying one once my son is on a carrier- but that is not for a year or so- they look very useful!
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Comment by NavyWife2010 on June 4, 2012 at 9:57pm
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Thanks! I just liked the page.. And I didn't know about these!! I'm so excited tO get one for my sailor!
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Comment by AngiePNMx2 on June 4, 2012 at 9:30pm
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Thanks Marcy....just voted for them! My sailor loves his!
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Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on June 4, 2012 at 8:50pm
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Hey moms, I got an email today from Pat, the inventor and owner ofNavyRackPacks and she is asking for help: "Because our business is getting busier, I am seeking a small business grant to help us expand. We have to get 250 votes through a social network to be considered. Would you consider being part of this?" Go here and log in via Facebook to vote: https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/ , enter NavyRackPacks.
For our new members, a NavyRackPack is a curtain that hangs inside your sailor's existing curtain in his/her rack. It has extra pockets for storage (a big help), and is darkening to help sleep. She embroiders the last name free, and ships to FPO and APO addresses if needed. If you're not sure of the size needed, or if your sailor's command allows them, you can call or email her, she's helpful and super-nice. My sailor has used his on the USS Iwo Jima and says the extra storage was great to have. Website: http://www.navyrackpacks.com
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We ♥ care packages!! Sharing this pic from May 25 aboard the USS Iwo Jima via DVIDS ~
Sailors and Marines sort through mail after a replenishment at sea in the hanger bay aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan L. Correa/Released)
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Comment by pjgood2plus2 on May 28, 2012 at 6:02pm
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Thanks, Marcy. I checked my security settings. It is probably not just this site, but I'll keep working on it.
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Do you have 'cookies' enabled on your browser? (Try looking under Preferences -> Security.) On N4M there isn't any other thing to click on like "keep me signed in" or anything...you might try reporting it by clicking at the bottom right of the page on the link "Report an issue" and see what the N4M Admins have to say. Anyone else got an idea?
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Marcy--Thanks. Having trouble w/site...keeps wanting me to login all the time after I've logged in. Any advice?
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@pigood2plus2 - how great for your daughter to take the plunge at 33. Feel free to ask any question at all, heaven knows we were all newbies once :)
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Welcome, all our new members!! Be sure and check out seven pages of great stuff in the Discussion forums up top, too! :)
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