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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.

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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

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**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:

RTC Graduation

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
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PNG – 2.3 MB
JPG – 3.4 MB
Printable PDF – 2.0 MB

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Navy Speak

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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!

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Comment by AngiePNMx2 on April 16, 2012 at 8:20pm: My sailor has had his rack curtain for 3 deployments....it also has his last name embroidered on it so if some someone stole it...they would have to explain why some else's last name is on "theirs".

Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on April 14, 2012 at 1:10pm: The link for "rack pack" curtains: Navy Rack Packs

Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on April 14, 2012 at 1:09pm: In re ships - Yep you're right, not much storage space on a ship! This can be a great gift for a sailor afloat and they ship to FPOs. It's a curtain with extra pockets that's fitted for their racks. Check to see that your ship is on the list, or ask Pat the owner. (Don't think about making your own, she went to great lengths to get these approved - the material is nonflammable, for example). AND your sailor's last name is embroidered for free.

Sending cookies & snacks that can be shared can be the most appreciated care package, according to my son & his buddies :) He also asked for individual powdered drink mixes (i.e. Powerade) to add to water, and protein/meal replacement bars. Other than that, sent stuff per his requests for things not available in the ship's store, like refills of Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets.

Comment by sunriseglow on April 14, 2012 at 10:28am: Hello All,

Hope Everyone is having a good weekend, as I am :)! .

Please see N4M group militarydealsfreebies, alot of great ideas, discounts & postings & much more!! Also check our member oldsage on N4M has great gift ideas & much more! :)

Have a Wonderful Weekend! Off for Family Reunions! Yaaah! :) with Family close by! :) Enjoy urs too! :)

Comment by Silvia...proud mom of Gabe's on April 11, 2012 at 9:59pm: Long time I was disconected.....and today just add new pics and found this wonderful group. Gabe's first deployment was last week and like Justin's mom for me is new too and looking for suggestions. Have a great night everybody!!

Blessings!!

Comment by Justin's Mom on April 10, 2012 at 10:09am: I just found this group!! What a great idea! This is Justin's first deployment, so this is all a bit new to me. Today, I am actually sending another package... between my daughter in law and I we are sending a couple of packages a week... but, the ideas, suggestions on here are great! Justin has been gone since early March and is starting to struggle a bit with homesickness... probably not missing mom so much as his new wife... and he still has a long way to go...Again, great ideas!

Comment by duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267 on April 6, 2012 at 3:25pm: oh, and you'd be surprised what all you can buy at the dollar tree. i would send multiples of things to be passed around

Comment by duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267 on April 6, 2012 at 3:24pm: big things that i was sending when middle child was deployed was:

beef jerky, gum, hand sanitizer, chap stick, hard candy, soups that go in microwave in their own containers, drink mixes (individual and bulk), baby wipes (good to cool off when it's hot and quick clean up).

i even sent "fun boxes" sent one for halloween (decorations, masks, trick or treat bags, candy, etc. summer box had bubbles, water balloons, cards, etc. don't forget mardi gras, valentines day, etc. even sent a box with shower curtains, pump soaps, mani/pedi kits, anything to make the bathroom girly as they were tire of "navy decor".

you can have lots of fun with the packages.

Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on April 4, 2012 at 10:26pm: Wow, so many new members here! There is a ton of good stuff in all the Discussions up top, too, be sure to hit "View all" and browse away :)

Comment by chriscwick on April 2, 2012 at 9:13pm: Greetings! Just wanted to let you know that Dollar General seems to have cute military Easter baskets. Got my Bahrain MA a camo jeep basket last year & a camo "bucket" hat one this year. Also had DIY camo eggs!