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
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
Badge
DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in May
Information
This group is for N4M members that have a loved one leaving for bootcamp in May...I will leave the year open so that even future Deppers leaving in the month of May of any year can join...Lets share stories, information, concerns, and questions
Website: http://www.navyformoms.com/group/deppersinbutnotyet
Members: 413
Latest Activity: May 29
Hello everyone and welcome to the Navy!!! This Group was started for the loved one of DEPPERS leaving in the month of May (although everyone is welcome).......What year you say? Well ......any year!
If you have May 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 May, ...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...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Fitness Standards"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 37 seconds for female recruits."
Discussion Forum
RIMom
Started by RIMom. Last reply by Phoenixmom May 21, 2018. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Hello
Started by Trish. Last reply by lemonelephant May 20, 2018. 11 Replies 1 Like
The box
Started by kuuipo. Last reply by kuuipo May 30, 2018. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Proud and worried
Started by Dr. Von. Last reply by lemonelephant May 15, 2018. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Boyfriend Leaving May 30th, 2018
Started by sailorgirlfriend. Last reply by lemonelephant Jun 14, 2018. 23 Replies 2 Likes
Comment Wall
Comment
-
Comment by CW_Mom shp 9 div 228 on May 2, 2010 at 4:45pm
-
Well, I'm back.. and he is gone. On his way to begin his awesome new life. I'm so proud of the courage it takes for these young men to walk away from everything they have and everyone they know to start their new journey. And I'm actually not doing to bad... well, right now anyway! My 16 year old nephew stopped over here this morning to tell Colton goodbye and then left. About 20 minutes before Colt was to leave Alex came back. He just had to see Colton one more time and say goodbye. My nephew is huge for his age, about 6'4", 300 lbs.. and he tried to keep it in saying goodbye, but after they pulled out the driveway he just sobbed. Actually, we both did, but it was good he came over. We were here for each other and it helped me to not be alone. We sat and talked and told each other it would be ok. :-) And it will be. Just hard, but things will be ok.
I had the hardest time just grocery shopping, before Colt was leaving because I would see something that Colton would eat at our house, and my first thought, 'I wonder if we're out of that' had to be followed by the second thought, 'Oh, he's not going to be here anymore', followed by sadness. I could hardly make it through the store! You don't realize how many things at the GROCERY store can remind you and make you sad! So I know exactly what you are talking about msleahmom. And your so sweet to want to give me a hug. You're all so sweet and wonderful to me. Right at the moment, I'm doing ok... but later tonight, you might hear me back on here. But I cannot thank you enough for how great you guys are encouraging me, 'hugging' me, and your hearts... it DOES help a lot to have you, especially as I sit here along. I feel like I have 'someone' now. And I am so grateful.
-
Comment by diannep on May 2, 2010 at 1:47pm
-
CW Mom: We will look for you back on here tonight...because you need to be! The aloneness after they leave that first day is s hard. And get on Boot Camp group with those moms...because they will help you too. There is a Christian Chat group on here that you may want to join. We pray for alot of things...and you can ask for special prayers for your son right now. And...your post wasn't too long...it helps others to read your feelings...that is how we help each other. So....come back on later, ok? Hang in there....we'll get you through it!
-
-
No, Jessica, you weren't channeling me because your post was alot better than mine would have been! You are the source for MUCH info! Don't ever leave!!!!
-
-
Wow, I didn't realize how much I had written either! You can only see a little bit when you type! lol
-
-
Thanks again everyone for your support. Only like an hour till he will be gone. And yes, he has spent most all of his time with his friends, but often they are here so I still get to be around, although I am not in the 'mix'. But I understand. I think back to when I was his age.. if I was leaving, would I want to hang out with my Mom or my friends? Exactly, so I let him go and do what he needs to, because even though it is hard on me, I know that even though he rarely talks about leaving, he is nervous and it has to be one of the hardest days of his life leaving everything and everyone he has known for the unknown, and all the stories of how rough it is in boot camp. But he knows the reason he enlisted, and the goal. I just hope and pray that when he gets discouraged and they tell him he is no good, that he keeps the end goal in sight and doesn't let himself get too discouraged. I wrote some words of encouragement this morning on the edge of a few pages of his bible. Now if he ever opens the bible..! At least he is taking it with him. I know he believes in God, but the same I was at his age, I didn't really 'get' it like I do now. Oh if I could impart what I know now on him! :-) But we all learn and grow in the right timing I guess. Hopefully I have put a 'bug' in his ear and planted a seed.
No one is here right now except me. His sister (she is 16) and a few friends have went somewhere while I was writing in his bible. I don't try to 'hang' on to him because I know that being with his friends is making him much happier than I could at this point. For heaven sakes, I'm 'just' the Mom.. lol. But they will do a much better job at keeping him 'up' than I could. JessicaB, thanks for all your information and time you took to write it. It is not too long. You're sweet to take all that time to write and offer encouragement and knowledge to all us newbies here.
My son's Dad, sister and his best friend are taking him to the recruiters office and his recruiter (who has been wonderful) will take him to MEPS. My son doesn't want me to go. I was a little hurt at first by this, but I know it is not personal.. it is not about me, it is about him. I know he loves me, but he knows that it will make leaving harder for him if he says goodbye to leave and I cry. So he is telling me goodbye here at home when his Dad comes to pick them up. And that is fine. I think it would also be harder for me to say goodbye to him at the recruiters office, so it's all good. Only thing I hate is that I will be alone here after he leaves. So watch out, I may be back on here before long! :-) Thanks again all! 40 minutes and counting.
-
-
CW Mom: You may find when you are driviing him to MEPS that he is more open for last minute advice.....and you can just quickly say: "From what I learned from the other moms whose children have been through this, there will come a time when you all think you can do nothing right. Know that this is part of it, don't get discouraged, and know it gets better."
I think the post-it in the Bible was good too. Write your first letter to him after you drop him off! It's never too soon. You can hold the letters until you get his address. Make it just full of encouragement...he will be more open to that once in bc. They usually hang on to every word from home then! Our children need to know that we KNOW they will make it through....we believe in them and know they can do it, because there are some points where many if not all of them wonder that. SUPPORT...that's our purpose! Post on here later if you feel like it, ok? Let us know how you are feeling! Get on Boot Camp Moms too. By the way, your response below was so sweet...no need to feel you have to respond individually to us. Hope you are resting and continue to let us help you get through this time!
-
-
You are all so awesome. Thank you for your support so much. My son has some friends over, and he doesn't want to talk about anything Navy he told me when I wanted to tell him what diannep said about the yelling 'you can't do anything right.' So I wrote it on a post-it note and I'm putting it in the bible I got for him to take, like one other mom suggested. I hate this. I know very much it will be a very good thing for him, it's just so hard. I know you all know this too, and I'm sorry for 'whining' on here. I just don't have anyone else to talk to right now. I thank God that there are people here who understand. You are so right it is not like them going to college or moving. I want to respond to each of you who have written such kind things and support to me, but I think right now I just need to go to bed and try to sleep. Tomorrow is the day, and probably the more sleep I can get the better off I will be. Thank you all. :-)
-
Comment by Jennifer on May 2, 2010 at 1:02am
-
My Bf is leaving May 4th from me and flying out May 5th...This Past week has been the busiest week I have had in a long time...We moved out of our apartment and in with his mom..This is where I'll be staying while he is gone....Tomorrow is his going away party...There is supposed to be over 30 people there...Monday will be my day to spend with him...This has all happened so fast...He has only been a DEP for a month...Most of you ladies seem like your sons have been in DEP forever...
I feel like in about to break...I don't know what to do with myself....I don't want him to leave...Its just killing me..I swear it is...I've been with him for so long I dont know how to live without him here with me...Maybe My bf will be in the same group as your sons...I just needed to vent and I thought you ladies would understand what Im going through right now...Thanks for reading
Jenn
-
-
CW Mom: Unless you talk to people with children in the military (such as on this site), you will find people don't understand. This is NOT like sending a child off to college, not like having a child move away from home (out of town). I had that...it was very different. We understand on here....so feel free to vent on this site any time, ok? Join Boot Camp Moms if you haven't already. That is where you will get the most help during the first 2-3 really tough weeks. Once you join your PIR group, even more help comes. I have no spouse (deceased)either...and my older son moved out the same month my Navy son left for bootcamp! SHOCK! I understand your feelings....I truly do. So do many women on this site. These are great ladies on here...the best. They will help with any questions, any feelings, anything. God Bless your friend who is taking you out tonight! YAH! That is exactly what you need. I hope you have a good time, and maybe when you get home, your son will be there and you can have some specail time together...just talking! Hang in there...this is the hard time...your heart feels ripped in half, I know. But we will help you on boot camp so get on there whenever you want, ok? Your son has signed up for a GREAT thing. You know that, he knows that. Talk to him about the yelling, the "can't do anything right" stage that they all go through (by the 2nd week), how all of this is working for that goal of becoming a sailor. It is not like that through all of bc...remind him that it does get better! We're here for ya!
-
-
My son leaves tomorrow to go to MEPS. He will ship out on Monday. I have been doing good not thinking of it and acting as if nothing will change, but tonight it seems to be hitting me. My heart feels like it is breaking. My daugther is off at prom, my family acts like it is no big deal so I don't really mention it to them. I do not have a spouse or such so I am kind of alone. I have friends, but they all have their own lives, and honestly, I don't think you can really grasp the way this feels unless you go through it. Luckily I have one friend who has decided that I should not sit home alone tonight and is taking me out. Although I don't really want to as I don't really feel like trying to have fun, I'm sure some of you know what I mean. My son is home right now but going out with a couple friends tonight. Unfortunately for him, tonight is prom and most of his friends are a year younger than him and all going to be at prom and after prom at the school till 4am, so he is bummed out cause he won't get to see most of his friends again before he leaves. Ok, so thanks for listening to me.. just needed to write I guess. Thanks.
© 2024 Created by Navy for Moms Admin.
Powered by
You need to be a member of DEP-Leavin' for bootcamp in May to add comments!