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

Trey replied to Darlene's discussion 'Boot camp' in the group Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

9 hours ago

MamaKatie replied to Darlene's discussion 'Boot camp' in the group Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

10 hours ago

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

Badge

Loading…

Get Badge

Grad & Go Info

Information

A place to ask questions or give answers to those who have recruits that are a G&G or who may be a G&G

Members: 144
Latest Activity: Aug 16, 2023

When I heard my son may be a Grad & Go, I had a ton of questions. The first one was: What the heck is a Grad & Go?? Now that I've experienced it, I wanted a place for N4M users to come and post questions and hopefully get some answers. Every recruits experience will be slightly different, but there are lots of "norms" that we can share with you that will answer a lot of questions. Remember, there are no stupid questions!

So, what is a G&G? It's a recruit that leaves boot camp before PIR weekend is over to travel to their A-School. They usually fly out on a Saturday, but occasionally on a Friday. This means a limited time to visit with them when you come out for their graduation. Some G&G's are just moving across the street because their A-School will be at GL (Great Lakes). If they are required to move over before PIR weekend ends, they are called a G&G. These two types of G&G's can be quite different, each with it's Pro's and Con's. If they have A-School in GL, but don't move over until after Sunday, they are not considered a G&G.

How do we plan our travel if we don't know? I can only share what others have shared with me. Most everyone made plans as if their recruit was not a G&G. That's what my family did too, and we loved our decision. We flew out Thursday, flew back late Sunday. We enjoyed our Sailor until he flew out Saturday afternoon, then we went and checked out the Chicago area on our own. If you are driving, it's a little easier to change hotel plans a few days before, but flight changes cost $$.

Can we meet them at the airport? YES! The Navy uses all three local airports (O'Hare, Midway and Milwaukee) to transport new sailors to their A-School city. You are allowed to meet your new sailor at the airport and visit with them there. You can even request a special pass from the ticket counter so you can go through security with your sailor and sit with them at the gate! "Most" airlines allow this and they do this free of charge for military families/friends, as long as you have an ID and if your sailor is there with you. You can have a lot of fun at an airport (great food too)!

What if they tell us they are on a Chartered Flight? The charter flights are cheaper for the Navy to use than commercial airlines, so they may be using them more and more. The cost of the flight is pre-determined by the exact weight of everyone and everything onboard. This includes the recruits' seabags. If the parents were to meet the recruits to hand off laptops and other items, now the weight of everything aboard has changed and that may not allowed. Because it's a chartered flight, obviously no one is allowed to go out to the plane to meet their recruits as the plane is not at a regular gate. I know it sucks for the families, but the transportation is all about cost efficiency and isn't concerned about families unable to meet the recruits. This made sound harsh, but the Navy is like other departments in the goverment and needs to keep costs down. New Sailors are not allowed leave and do not have to be granted liberty after bootcamp. Yes, it is customary to receive Liberty after bc, but just know that it's not a right, it's earned.

SEND YOUR RECRUIT THE G&G QUESTIONS POSTED IN THE DISCUSSION AREA TO THEM NOW SO YOU WILL KNOW THE INFORMATION BY PIR DAY!

Can we give them their cell phones? That depends. If you are meeting them at the airport (whether you pass security gate or stay in front lobby), then YES, you can give them cell phone, ipod and even their laptops (don't forget to pack all the chargers/cords!). As long as they can carry it onboard the plane, they can take and keep these items with them at A-School. They "check" their big 55lbs sea bags in with the airlines, so they have no carry on except their manilla envelope (their orders). If you had too much fun shopping at Gurnee Mills Mall that weekend, they are allowed to have a small backpack or gym style bag - but be sure it's a solid dark color (Black or Navy Blue), free from adornment if possible. If they are a G&G over to Great Lakes for A-School, they can have these items AFTER they are processed into that base. In other words, once they call you to pick them up after moving over, then you can give them their "toys". I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but it has been noted by many recent N4M members that those who are a G&G to Great Lakes ONLY, and that move over to A-School on that Friday right after PIR, only those families they are allowed to keep their new sailor with them all weekend. Once they have actually completed the move on Friday (takes 5-7 hrs), you can pick them up and have them overnight for the entire weekend!!! They may have to muster (roll call/check in) over the weekend, but otherwise they have liberty. There is NO OTHER situation that I am aware of that allows a new sailor to stay away overnight after PIR. Those who are G&G's that are flying out that weekend are NOT allowed to stay overnight with their family, they must go back to RTC (boot camp) that Friday night.

The HARD FAST RULE IS: Your new Sailors can't bring anything back with them to boot camp. They are considered to be in bc while they remain on the RTC (Recruit Training Command) side, even if they have already graduated. Handing them money or a debit/credit card is okay, because they are allowed to have their wallets at boot camp, but you can't give them their cell phones or anything else if they have to report back to boot camp that night. Wait until you see them at the airport!

Discussion Forum

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Grad & Go Info to add comments!

Comment by Michimom (MM Nuke Mom) on July 18, 2010 at 11:07am: Does anyone know if the rule is once a Grad & Go, always a Grad & Go? My son had PIR scheduled for this Friday, 7/23, but due to a ruptured appendix a week ago, he will be recuperating and then finishing up with a new division. We don't know anything further than that and we know it depends on how quickly he gets back to where he was before physically.

Sure, we will wait to find out from him but, meanwhile, I'm wondering if he's more likely to be G&G later once he was scheduled for that in the first place. Of course, we're hoping to get the whole weekend, but I'm not holding my breath.

Comment by TheRightThing on July 18, 2010 at 10:12am: Sobe: Hope all is well!

Comment by SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy on July 17, 2010 at 11:51pm: Mississippi - thanks, me too. He had the largest Kidney Stones this doctor had seen in a long time, so they had to insert a stint and go through his bladder to blast the stones up (yes, stones - 5 of them). He feels 100% better, but is still very sore!

Hopeful in PC: If your son is truly a G&G to GL on PIR day, you are going to LOVE the perks from that! Please remember though, the Navy can change their mind any time - about him being a G&G AND about allowing them to stay gone overnight. So.... you'll hug him for about 15 minutes, then wait for his call about 6 hrs later - then he's yours til Sunday evening - very sweet!

Comment by Mississippimom on July 17, 2010 at 7:27pm: Sobe, so glad your hubby is ok.

Comment by SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy on July 17, 2010 at 12:28pm: Wolf - that's awesome! So sounds like she is not a G&G, so you get the whole weekend with her. She may have a few hours of duty, so be prepared to do some last minute "winging it" on any plans you guys have.

Comment by SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy on July 16, 2010 at 12:49pm: Hi ladies, sorry I've been offline for a few days - my husband had emergency surgery, but all is better now.

Jacqueline - thanks for the info about no laptops for Aircrew in Pensacola. In the intro on the top of this page, I try and remind everyone that each experience is different, but I really like hearing tips from seasoned moms. Worse case is that you end up taking it back home with you.

Stephanie: Your son graduates on 8/20? Sweet, only 5 weeks from today! Odds are they will get him plane tickets, I've not heard of anyone not leaving bootcamp because of that reason - but you never know! The more common reason is that there is no room for them at the base (A-school) they are going to, but that's not that common either! My son did not get his tickets until 2 days before PIR - this is all pretty standard. If you look above in the discussion area, you will see "G&G questions to send your recruit". Copy and paste the questions listed, print them out (or just write them down) and mail it to your recruit. Don't have him mail it back - tell him to write the info down the night before PIR and then hand it to you at PIR - that way you'll know exactly which airline he is flying out of and all the other details too. If he completes it too early, things can change (and usually do!).

jessica: Your husband will earn the different phases of liberty (there are 3). My son is also in Pensacola, but at Corry Station (smaller base a few miles away). Those at Corry Station tend to phase up to III faster than at other bases. I suggest reading the "Phases of Liberty at A-school" in the discussion above, then post any questions you have and we will help you out. Please remember, the answers above are the "norms", each base and each new sailors experience can be different.

Comment by jessica on July 16, 2010 at 10:10am: My husband is a GNG and his family has been asking me alot of questions because im the only one that has gotten to talk to him since he left but I don't want to ask him because he is always talking about our son who I had while he was away and with limited talk time on the phone I didn't want to bombard him with all the questions so im glad I found this group. well one of the questions is He will be going to A school in Pensacola well we live four in a half hours away and would love to be able to drive down there on the weekend to see him since we will only have one day to spend with him? does anyone know the rules when they reach A school? Can they leave base on the weekends i know if 'they have watch they cant..

Comment by Mississippimom on July 16, 2010 at 1:44am: Thanks Ladies for all the great tips and feedback on your experiences. This info is very helpful.

Comment by SOBE,PIR 6/4/10 IT Mom, Italy on July 11, 2010 at 10:02pm: Thanks gigi65! I just cut and pasted your very quick, to the point questions to send to your recruit in a discussion above!

Comment by jdmom65(ship13 div 245) on July 11, 2010 at 9:49pm: Gigi 65 your the best. I will mail questions tomorrow. Mn Navy mom thanks for info. That was a big help. Gotta make sure car has a gps system