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
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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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DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in December
Information
This group is for N4M members that have a loved one leaving for bootcamp in Dec..I will leave the year open so that even future Deppers leaving in the month of Dec of any year can join...Lets share stories, information, concerns, and questions
Website: http://www.navyformoms.com/group/deppersinbutnotyet
Members: 521
Latest Activity: Oct 2, 2022
Hello everyone and welcome to the Navy!!! This Group was started for the loved one of DEPPERS leaving in the month of December (although everyone is welcome).......What year you say? Well ......any year!
If you have December ship out issues/questions etc., need specific information, (or have some to share) or just want to talk to someone that is where you are, with a Recruit leaving for and arriving in BC in December, ...then this is the place to be. :-)
Remember, don't "miss 'em while you're with them!" :) Make the most of every precious moment together before they leave. This will be a big transition for both of you! We'll be here for you every step of the way...
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Things to do in the last month before your future sailor leaves (Click on the link.)
Once your recruit has arrived at RTC, the next stop here is to join the group Boot Camp for Moms (and loved ones) Hangout and ask questions in this group until your form letter arrives.
***New news just out today (9/25/19) from the US Navy Recruit Training Command FaceBook page:
Attention families and friends of RTC: Previously, upon arrival to boot camp, recruits would box up their civilian belongings and ship it to their choice of destination. Our new procedure now has those boxes being stored locally and will be returned to the recruits the day before graduation. The new procedure went into effect this week beginning with Div. 409 in Training Group 52.
Approx two to three weeks after your recruit arrives you will receive the "Form Letter". The form letter will include their Ship# , DIV #, their mailing address, PIR date, and the Security Access Form. The Security Access form needs to be completed and sent back to your recruit ASAP. Keep this letter in a safe place, it has the information you will need.
The date that is on the form letter is the official date for your Recruit's Training Groups PIR (graduation), Things can always change for an individual Recruit (due to illness, injury, failure to pass a final test etc.)! So, we always recommend that you plan, if possible, to purchase Refundable or Exchangeable plane tickets.
After you have received the form letter, join the group for your recruits PIR. There you can ask questions about PIR, training, hotels etc.Those groups will be posted in the Boot Camp for Mom's group.
Thanks for joining us. We hope you will realize you are not alone, and will soon make new friends, plus feel supported and encouraged! :)
**It is very important that your future Sailor be physically fit prior to shipping to the RTC (these are new standards beginning 1/1/2018) and that he be able to pass an initial run test. See Navy Sets New Physical Fitness Standard to Start Boot Camp. "The initial run standard is evaluated on the 1.5 mile run of the first Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) at boot camp. The initial run standard for male recruits will be 16 minutes 10 seconds and 18 minutes seven seconds for female recruits."
Discussion Forum
What makes December boot camp different?
Started by Arwen. Last reply by Velvetenor Nov 10, 2019. 89 Replies 20 Likes
12/10/18
Started by pilots17. Last reply by rebecca Dec 20, 2018. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Son Left 12/13/17
Started by Janice. Last reply by Danita Dec 28, 2017. 13 Replies 1 Like
Comment Wall
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Comment by mamawalrus on November 16, 2010 at 1:49am
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Purplemom@wow you are really getting challenged there! I will for sure say a prayer for you and your son through all this. What was his leave date again for BC?
Does anyone know about them taking shot records with them to BC? I read somewhere if they dont they end up getting tons of them at BC>
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Comment by Purplemom (Ship 3 Div 084) on November 15, 2010 at 4:31pm
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Okay so I found the deal with my son being sent to Naples. His recruiter is moving the week before my son ships out. When the recruiter leaves they are closing down the recruiting station here in Germany at least for now. All recruits will have to go through Italy. He will actually have to report to Italy 3 days before his actual report date.
On top of that news my son realized today that he has lost his Social Security card sometime in the last year. The recruiter called him today to tell him he will have to have that when he reports. We have looked everywhere and can not find it. He is going tomorrow to the Embassy to request a new one, but there is a real good chance it may not arrive before he has to fly to Naples. Not sure what will happen if it doesn't show, but is really wishing something would go right. He already showed the recruiter the card and he made a copy of the card back in January. Not sure why they can't use that copy.
We really need to catch a break here!
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Comment by Lynne on November 15, 2010 at 2:35pm
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I think perhaps Grayson that different places have different rules because like you when my son went he was out and about and had quite a time until 8:00PM so I think it just depends on the city, the recruiters etc....it is kind of like boot camp...how many phone calls you get, how much PT you get, etc depends on your RDCs so it is all relative...
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Comment by bbus (FC) on November 15, 2010 at 1:30pm
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They don't let them leave? That's weird; the last two times I was at the hotel (both times had roommates that were shipping out) they let everyone leave (had to sign out) just had to be back by 8:00,
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Comment by Arwen on November 15, 2010 at 10:36am
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Okay, here's what's going to happen at MEPS and after.
The day before they are scheduled to ship out, your future sailors will meet their recruiter at the recruiting office one last time. There, they will take a drug test, sign one last paper, then they will be taken to a hotel near MEPS to spend the night.
The rules for the hotel are strict. They cannot leave the hotel, they cannot have ANYONE in their rooms, and they have an early curfew and bed check.
Recruiters pick up their recruits at the hotel at about 5am, and take them to MEPS, where they review all paperwork, take another drug test, and one last medical check.
Then, at about 10 am (it could be earlier or later, depending on how smoothly things go that morning), they go through a swearing-in ceremony. They sometimes do two ceremonies, one for those who want to swear-in religiously (so help me God) and one for those who prefer to affirm.
Yes, parents can be there. Usually there is one or two sets of parents and/or spouses. There is no viewing area, it's a crowded little room. Some MEPS people will do the big ceremony, then "stage" another for parents who want to get a decent picture of their recruit swearing-in.
Once they are sworn in, recruits are given their orders in a large packet, a plane ticket and a meal voucher (to buy food at the airport). Then they either take a bus or train to the airport. You will not be able to travel with them if they take a chartered bus (large groups). If they take public transportation, you can join them.
If you want, you can meet them at the airport, get a gate pass (if your airport allows it), and hang out while they wait for their flight. Some recruits won't want their parents to do this, they will be traveling as a group, and will begin bonding with people who are likely to be in their division for the next nine weeks.
Once they get to Chicago they usually eat, then report to the USO where they wait for a bus that will take them to boot camp.
They MAY have their cell phones, and use them to talk and text, until they get on that bus. My son called me at both airports, and texted me a lot too. Once they are on the bus they have to turn their cell phones off until that one last "I'm here" call.
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@ Pawsmom, I'm assuming from what you said he's already sworn in and signed his contract. He should have a copy of his contract with the leave date on it. It may work different at different recruiting districts, but typically they stay in a hotel the day before their leave date, then go to meps that morning for another short medical check and other things before catching their flight.
And to the other moms, did you all not meet with the recruiters after they join? Here they meet with your family (parents or spouse depending upon age) usually within 72 hours or within the first week of signing the contract.
About my mom, maybe I can get my sister to get her on here, she's computer savvy and can help her around when I leave, I've had no luck though.
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Oh and Grayson.....sit down with your mom and show her our site and tell her we are waiting for her! :)
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No home visit for us either but I did go with my son to the recruitors office when he first wanted to join so we could bring all our research paperwork and ask 100 questions. My son did say that the recruitor wanted to meet with my husband and I on Dec 1st. Which is a week before D day. So I am sure it will be about what to expect at MEPS and all that good stuff. It is UNREAL that time has gone by this fast!!!!! STOP STOP STOP please :) UGHHHHHHHHH WAHHHHHHHHHHH Ok I feel better....! I really am greateful I get to spend at least THanksgiving with him and all the family is able to get together to celebrate with him. His best friend was just here on leave from the Marines and is leaving to Spain for 8 months. His mom and I are also good friends and it was so sad this morning as they left to take him to the airport. It only made me realize that will be me in 3 weeks. OMG what is this site going to be like when all our kids leave???????? Can computers have tears? Thanks all for listening to me tonight.....Have a great Monday!
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We will help her Grayson...we will!!
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I've been on here for a few months. No the only person who could get on here is my mom; I've tried to get her on but she says she doesn't know enough about computers.
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