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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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
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 Bandmom on September 20, 2018 at 11:59am
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I finally received my "Military Pack" in the mail. I really doubt that I will save the $2.00 per package that they said I would receive since the box says nothing about Military. Oh well, it saves me some time I guess.
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Comment by Phoenixmom on September 11, 2018 at 6:05pm
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Really Proud Mama, I have always paid a different amount each time, they charge me by the weight everytime. That is so strange...... Thank You for sharing.
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Comment by Proud mama on September 11, 2018 at 5:53pm
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I have used the 1-800-610-8734 several times and ordered boxes. Sometimes it does take up to 3 weeks to receive them. Each time I mail them, no matter how much I put in them it has been a flat rate of 17.40 each time.
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You are so right I have paid up to 40 bucks to ship packages to my Son. they are not a flate rate at all.
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Comment by 9699mom on September 11, 2018 at 2:08pm
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Regarding the post office packages of mailing boxes, tape and labels- I live in Liberty County, Texas. My mom and I both ordered two packages a piece and we received them all as scheduled. However I passed the 1-800 # on to a fellow military mom who lives 30 miles away and she never received them and had nothing but confusion with post office. I have not had to mail anything over seas just yet, but I will tell you i saw no price break using the priority military boxes and had the same experience using my own put together boxes wrapped in brown craft paper. I saw no advantage to using them at all!
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Good Morning Bandmom, I had the same problem, I ordered twice and then when I called the Post office they said they never received anything so I went down, very inconvienence but I had them give me a Bunch plus tags.
Even though My Son isnt deployed I still have to ship everything to the Carrier. It is a Hassle because he doesnt get the stuff right away it takes like 2 weeks or more.
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Has anyone else had problems receiving the Military Packs from the Post Office? I have order two times now, (the first time August 23) and have not received and boxes yet. It is very discouraging. I have checked the tracking numbers, and Status is not available. I am beginning to think that this is a scam.
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Comment by tangled skeins on August 20, 2018 at 10:06am
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Our son was deployed. The first week he was there, he sent us his address for care packages. Immediately, we mailed one to him. Into his second week of deployment, he informed us his address had changed! Ugh! Does anyone know what happens to a package that is mailed to an incorrect address? Do they forward it? Or is it returned to sender? (His last deployment the packages reached him within 3-4 weeks. He said with this deployment it might take 4-6 weeks??!)
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PocornFan those are actually the biggest boxes they have, when I sent my Sons civilian clothes I sent two boxes. it was a little pricey but I folded then so tight so I did get shoes jeans and shirts.
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Comment by PopcornFan on July 4, 2018 at 9:52pm
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I know about the USPS large Priority boxes but was wondering if that is the best way to send larger items to A school? My daughter has asked me to send her pillow and a favorite blanket. Would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!!
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