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

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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.)

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!

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Comment by Pam on September 23, 2011 at 10:07am: I made and sent the cakes in a jar back in July and my son said they were fine also, although it only took one week for him to get them in Italy. However, I did have one left over that's been sitting in my kitchen and I believe I read they need to be eaten within two to three weeks. I opened the extra last night and it was definately spoiled. So, keep that in mind everyone! I also made Rice Krispy treats, covered them in foil, and placed them in a freezer Ziploc bag and removed as much air out of it as I can. Those arrived very good, but again, my son's in Italy and not in the desert right now.

Comment by AngiePNMx2 on September 16, 2011 at 10:37am: Mommabelle...thanks for the info on the brownies good to know...got to say though that this the first time any one has said the cakes weren't any good...that is too bad...I am wondering if she cooked them long enough....I have not had any complaints...oh well something to keep in mind =]

Comment by mommabelle on September 16, 2011 at 7:34am: Hi Ladies. Just a follow-up on the brownies I sent my son for his Birthday in August... It's been a while, but I ended up making the brownies in the foil pan instead of the jars. I also put the pan in a large ziplock bag to try to keep them as fresh as possible. He got them in about 3 weeks and said they were great. His wife made the cakes in the jar. She was so excited, because they turned out perfectly. Well, when he got them, they weren't any good. They had all turned to mush. He is on a ship somewhere in the middle east. It's hot and a long way away. To sum it all up... the brownies ended up traveling much better than the cakes in the jar. Thank you all for your suggestions. Have a blessed day!

Comment by jacqueline-rn on August 23, 2011 at 2:11pm: I'm getting a little ahead of myself in joining this group. My son is still a DEPPER and doesn't leave for boot camp for another two and a half months. But I deal with anxiety by seeking information. It's also comforting to think about sending my son little comforts from home once he PIRs.

Comment by Trey's Mom on August 1, 2011 at 12:39pm: My son just got back from a deployment and his most requested items were juice boxes, fruit packs & ice pops (make sure they have access to a freezer).

Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on July 28, 2011 at 12:46pm: brbr3, Sandra was responding to my comment (just below hers) :-)

Comment by AngiePNMx2 on July 28, 2011 at 12:18pm: Rack pack is a heavy canvas curtain that hangs inside and attaches on the back of their rack curtain. It helps to darken, it keeps it more quiet and the rack warm. It has pockets to hold pictures and small items like mini alarm clock.

http://www.navyrackpacks.com/. You can call also the # is on the Website. 855 722 5722 Pat is very helpful order 7ft size. They also embroidry their last Name on it for free.

Comment by Brbr3 on July 28, 2011 at 12:15pm: Sandra,

What is a rack pack?

Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on July 28, 2011 at 2:06am: So many new moms! I love this group :)

@missionmarcher, I'm like Sandra! My son wanted meal-replacement bars too. He likes to eat healthy, so I'd send him an assortment of them (Clif bars, Luna, anything that featured protein over carbs in flavors he likes); cans of assorted nuts; powdered drink additives w/electrolytes. He also liked the ease of Purex 3 in 1 sheets for laundry, so would request more of those. A small stick-on light can be handy for rack and locker. More $ but worth it: does he have a small camera? A Kindle or other e-reader?

Not a care package item, but since it's his first ship deployment, have you gotten him a "rack pack"? It's an additional curtain for a sailor's rack with pockets for extra storage, and block out light for better sleep. The business is owned by a gal named Pat and she's very helpful if you email her with questions. They ship directly to your sailor: http://www.navyrackpacks.com

Comment by wismama (CS mom) on July 22, 2011 at 3:52pm: Hi all!
My son just had his PIR and I am new to your group. Nice suggestions; I'm sure I will be using a few of them. I particularly like the cake in the jar thing... genius.
Thanks for being here with all your info and sharing!