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 4/26/2022** Effective with the May 6, 2022 PIR 4 guests will be allowed. Still must be fully vaccinated to attend.
**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.
**UPDATE 7/29/2021** You now must be fully vaccinated in order to attend PIR:
In light of observed changes and impact of the Coronavirus Delta Variant and out of an abundance of caution for our recruits, Sailors, staff, and guests, Recruit Training Command is restricting Pass-in-Review (recruit graduation) to ONLY fully immunized guests (14-days post final COVID vaccination dose).
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:
**UPDATE 8/25/2022 - MASK MANDATE IS LIFTED. Vaccinations still required.
**UPDATE 11/10/22 PIR - Vaccinations no longer required.
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: 1291
Latest Activity: Dec 16, 2023
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
No Packages During Basic?
Started by Cali Navy Mom. Last reply by Cali Navy Mom Nov 30, 2023. 4 Replies 0 Likes
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
Comment Wall
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Comment by Chanel on September 18, 2017 at 12:15pm
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Hello All,
Does anyone know how the medical works. Say my Sailor needs to go to the DR. for Tooth ache or Sinus infection while he is home. He says he has no medical cards from the Navy can he still us my insurance?
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Comment by Phoenixmom on September 12, 2017 at 5:55pm
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Hi all, I am new to this site and am wondering Thanksgivng is coming up, that was my sons favorite time. What exactly can be sent. I would like to surprise him with a little something from home from all of us. what are the restrictions and what is allowed? how can I find info on this. and as far as shipping it what is the best way? I am still waiting on a address from him, he is attending Great Lakes A School. Thanks Ladies.
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Good Morning All,
Very excited, will have Boots in the house tonight.
Thank you for all the info and have a Blessed Day
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Comment by TessaNator⚓️ on September 8, 2017 at 4:32pm
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I think its safer just to deposit money in their bank account. With a bank card they will ask for ID, if not then the bank is liable.
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Comment by Proud mama on September 8, 2017 at 3:41pm
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My son has had each gift card I try to send him stolen. I know it's the easiest but for us it was a waste of money. I just stick with his favorite treats and non perishable items.
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Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on September 8, 2017 at 12:07pm
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When they first get to A School or first duty station, there are things that they will need that they can only get at the NEX; or even just want money for eating out with friends. My son didn't want any of his old clothes either - he looked at enlisting as a new beginning, and I agreed!
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Careful w/gift cards. Last month a kid got his $200 gift card stolen and the mom called bank...someone spent all but .75 cents at nex
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To be honest, the best thing you can start them off with right out of boot camp is a Visa gift card :)
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Comment by Kraftinkat on September 8, 2017 at 8:25am
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Marcy- my son just got to bc yesterday
I'm just already thinking ahead on what he may want and what we can send. Thanks!
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Hi Kraftnkat! You can mail personal hygiene items, games, snacks - it just depends on your sailor's needs and likes. You cannot send alcohol. If you are sending snacks, then don't include something like soap or fabric sheets in the same box, as the scent will wreck the taste. I've sent everything from brownies and cookies to shower shoes and towels! The 12"x12"x6" priority boxes from the USPS are preferred; get rid of extra packaging and put stuff in ziplock bags. Remember that space on a ship is extremely limited. I'm assuming your Sailor is on a ship? If at " A" School, keep in mind that Sailors have to find time to pick up mail and later carry their stuff to their duty station, or figure out how to ship it home; either is a pain. I know that most corpsman say they'd rather not get mail at "A" School for those reasons. Where is your Sailor?
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