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 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
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!

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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 Linda (Seth's mom) on March 23, 2012 at 5:00pm: the last time I sent a package I forgot and the post office forgot the custom forms, Funny, it got there to japan in less time than ever.....whew!

Comment by AngiePNMx2 on March 13, 2012 at 8:18pm: Hobby lobby has the navy looking easter eggs....I sent them in a care package when they were deployed....everyone got a kick out of them

Comment by Susan mom to Niko on March 13, 2012 at 7:44pm: Hey Kym... thought you were a pro at those customs forms after our packing parties!! I have a corner in my dining room for my sailor stash... a big bin that I just toss things as I think of them or come across them... just finished filling plastic easter eggs with candy and messages... the instructions on the inside of the box tell my sailor to share and have an egg hunt with his squadron!

Comment by AngiePNMx2 on February 14, 2012 at 10:38am: Hey all...I have to share the "care package" I got from one of my sailors!!! It is even more beautiful in person! Marcy .....that is a cute graphic!

Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on February 14, 2012 at 9:30am: Happy Valentine's Day to all our sailors!

Comment by CountryFlower on February 6, 2012 at 9:48pm: Hey everyone, I'm new to care packages, I just finished making up 2 Valentine's Day packages for my boyfriend. :) Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who put up tips for what to put in it, and especially how to fill out the customs form! Now just to pray he gets it and it isn't too embarrassing for him. lol

Comment by TropikalParadize on January 27, 2012 at 12:42am: OMG I LOVE the Olive Pit!! In Corning, right? I drive through there all the time heading home to Oregon from California....also love Granzellas in Williams!

Comment by mommabelle on December 11, 2011 at 9:56am: Thank you ladies for all of your wonderful ideas and suggestions. My son returned home to Norfolk yesterday after a 7-month deployment. Until next time... Blessings to all of you and your families. Merry Christmas!

Comment by Alysia-Redsmom (VQ-4/ATO) on November 23, 2011 at 12:33pm: Postal process going up; among the increases set for Jan. 22:
—Priority mail, small box, $5.35.
—Priority mail, medium box, $11.35.
—Priority mail, large box, $15.45.
—Priority mail, regular envelope, $5.15.
—Priority mail, legal-size and padded envelope, $5.30.