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
Latest Activity
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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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
Comment
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Comment by CoCoBeansMom on April 30, 2012 at 6:58pm
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Hello All!
I'm new to the group. I have a 20 yr old daughter currently on board the USS George Washington which is getting ready to deploy. I'm so glad I found this group.
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Comment by Carol in fla on April 29, 2012 at 8:30am
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Hello all! I am new to your group--I have a son on the Enterprise, currently on deployment. I send a box every week to him and am always looking for new ideas. I got him a rackpack last deployment, which he is able to use and loves it! The lady at the company is very nice and very helpful when you call to place an order. I didn't realize he might not be able to use it when i ordered it, but luckily there was no problem with him having it.
One of the things I sent that my son loves is a water bottle that has a carbon filter built into the spout. The brand I got is Bobble, but Brita has them too. The filter lasts 3 months, so i will mail him a replacement filter later. He also likes the Mio drink mixes.
Anyway, I am glad I found this group and I look forward to talking with you all.
Have a blessed Sunday!
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Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on April 28, 2012 at 12:32pm
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@kanga, the USS Cole is getting NavyRackPacks for the ship, so it does happen :)
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Hi Susan! Yep, such a cool thing to make their lives better. Feels good to be able to buy them something that really makes a difference!
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Carla, I just spent a delightful and informative 20 minutes chatting with Pat, the founder/owner of NavyRackPacks. They have been doing this full-time since 2004 and are happy to talk with prospective buyers. I added a Discussion up top with the information :)
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Comment by Susan mom to Niko on April 25, 2012 at 4:31pm
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My sailor enjoys his rack pack curtain...he has been able to use it on two of the four ships he has been on (he has been on multiple ships as he is attached to an air squadron not a ship)... mostly uses it to store the paperback book he is reading and an extra pair of ear plugs... and his wet shower shoes... he likes it because it really does help to darken the rack space. Even if it is not the length of the rack it is just like a second lining inside the rack curtain that is provided.
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You can order packs of Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate large boxes to be sent to you for FREE - here's the USPS website link - APO/FPO Priority Flat Rate Boxes Click "Select Format" to choose quantity per pack - 10 or 25.
And you save $2 over the regular box shipping cost.
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Comment by Sarah's mom. Ship 07 DIV 077 on April 20, 2012 at 12:38pm
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I did email Pat. Thank you. Great ideas out here! Wow, I am sure my daughter would love to have one of these curtains!
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Is it better to order the 4ft or 7ft curtain rack? My daughter is on a destroyer.
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Comment by Silvia...proud mom of Gabe's on April 16, 2012 at 9:00pm
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I love this site and thank you for all the great ideas.....
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