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 Pooh'sMom on February 19, 2016 at 7:40am
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MaeJay,
That's a great idea for a care package!
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Comment by Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom on February 15, 2016 at 12:27pm
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Welcome new members! Thinking that it would be great to see some pictures of care packages being sent nowadays, cool ideas you come across on Pinterest, whatever!
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Comment by Anne on December 4, 2015 at 10:35am
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Yes, he's on the Truman. I will definitely contact them! Great idea. I didnt even think of that. Thank you. :)
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Comment by Disappointed Navy Mom on December 3, 2015 at 7:02pm
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Anne,
Is your son on a ship? If so you can try contacting the ombudsman, they are super helpful.
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If my son still has not given me his box # and I send a package with just his name and the section he's in, do you think he will get it? I really can't just not send it. It's his birthday and Christmas! Anybody have any experience with this?
I have yet to get a call or email from him either or I would be pestering him about it.
Any help or ideas will be Greatly appreciated.
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It's time to start planning! Suggested 2015 holiday overseas military mail deadlines from USPS via Military Times.
If you plan to mail holiday packages to troops deployed overseas, now is the time to prepare.
The U.S. Postal Service’s first suggested deadline for mailing packages — by way of Standard Post — is Nov. 7.
The deadlines are the same for all methods of mailing, for all overseas APO, FPO and DPO ZIP codes, with notable exceptions for some mail going to and from the AE ZIP 093, which covers overseas contingency areas.
The following are suggested deadlines to mail your items so they arrive in time for Christmas. To get them there in time for Hanukkah, which starts Dec. 6, subtract 19 days from each deadline.
Standard Post: Nov. 7
Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 25
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 3
Priority Mail: Dec. 10, except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec. 3
First-class letters and cards: Dec. 10, except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec. 3
Priority Mail Express Military Service: Dec. 17. This service is not available to AE ZIP 093; check with your local post office to find out if it’s available to another specific APO/FPO/DPO address.
Standard Post generally takes longer than other mailings. Compare the costs; the USPS notes that in some cases, the costs of Priority Mail and Standard Post are similar, while Priority Mail travels faster.
Also, remember that the USPS offers a postage discount of $2 per box on its largest priority mail flat rate box, at $15.90, for mail being sent to APO/FPO/DPO addresses worldwide. There is no cost for the boxes themselves; the cost is for the postage to send the boxes. You can get them at local post offices or online at shop.usps.com.
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Welcome new members!!
If deployment is coming up for your sailor, here are two great checklists - Single Sailor Deployment Checklist and Pre-Deployment Checklist for Family Members, prepared by JAG.
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Regarding A school care packages, you may want to check with your sailor first. Those who have gone through the Hospital Corps A school say that the hassle of going to the post office outweighs the benefits and most are adamant about NOT wanting care packages while there. Also, keep in mind that after A school, sailors have to carry everything to their next duty station in their sea bags or ship extras home. A good gift during A school can be a Visa gift card that can be delivered via email and used at the NEX or wherever.
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Comment by AngiePNMx2 on June 14, 2015 at 10:41am
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Yes you can send them care packages in A-school
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Comment by Alex's_Mom (Robin) on June 14, 2015 at 7:47am
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Can you send them care packages once they get into A School or do you have to wait til later on?
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