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

B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) commented on Melissa Greenfield's group 'Michigan Moms (and Family)'

Wednesday

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

Grey Hair and Ulcers

My son enlisted a few weeks ago(delayed entry program). Has gone through MEPS, took an oath.

He was originally suppose to ship out August 4th, but we have been advised that his ship date will change.

I'm not sure what to think about any of this! He was just 2 years old yesterday. What happened?

We were originally planning on college(which was an hour away).... now this?

I am VERY proud of my son, but my heart is shattered. I won't cry in front of him, but I'm a hot mess.....

Feeling lost and don't know what to expect!

2 members like this

Comment by AmyMatt1214 on March 9, 2015 at 4:01pm: I know exactly how you feel! My oldest ships out to boot camp on July 9th and I feel like this is a 4 month long good-bye! My heart is also shattered. I guess I knew eventually they would all leave but it has now hit me now that I have a date. I find myself crying many times a day...although I try to be strong around him. I have read alot on this website and pass the information on to him...so he can hopfully feel more at ease about what to expect. My son was always the lazy one who just figured he'd stay home forever. And honestly, I probably wouldn't have fought him. Although ultimately I know he needs this. He's really excited and I am so proud of him. He will be a CTT so he will be in intelligence and he couldn't be more excited and proud for himself. But from one hot mess to another...you are not alone! I'm here if you need to talk. :)

Comment by Angie on March 9, 2015 at 4:22pm: I'm right there.... it does feel like a 4 month good bye that is heart wrenching. I cry WAY to much... and keep telling myself to suck it up. I dread "the box"! Although I am glad that I read about it, and can prepare myself. Otherwise, I would have been a hot mess!

Comment by AmyMatt1214 on March 9, 2015 at 6:37pm: Lol...I cry way too much too. I think I need to concentrate on the positives out of all this. The experiences they are going to get...way more than simply going to college. I'm being really selfish, I know. I go on this website several times daily and read as much as I can about other people's experiences. I tell my son that the more of a heads up we have...the more prepared he will be. He seems comforted by that. I think for me it's that I cannot get past the fact that when I take him to boot camp...he will no longer live at home. It's his last time in his bed, the last time I can see him every morning before school. Yep...I'm definately a hot mess! We will get through this, I know. But still not easy!

Comment by proudmomjlo on March 9, 2015 at 8:41pm: OMG the BOX! you will cry for days!! along with everyday of crying anyway :( I pray for my son every day/night asking God to give him the strength to get through. I understand being a hot mess so am I but we have to know they will be alright. It will get better as time passes, the first couple weeks are the worst! I will keep you and you son in my prayers.

Comment by Bobbie on March 10, 2015 at 10:05am: In hindsight, I think waiting for them to leave was almost the worst part of it. The anticipation of the unknown, even though everything you ever wanted to know about the process is right here in this website! Boot camp was kind of like an out of body experience where a lot of my thoughts narrowed down to this one little spot in the Midwest where I was sure all kinds of unimaginable things were happening to my son. LOL On the flip side of boot camp there are so many things you will learn about their time there. Life long friendships and just being able to hear about their take on what they learn in that short time. Be sure to get involved in your PIR group because those friendships will be your take away from your child's boot camp time. Come and vent to all of us when you need to...there is no emotion that you will have that has not been experienced by one of us at one time or another! It is an incredible emotional roller coaster filled with anxiety, pride, sadness, pride, excitement and did I mention, PRIDE.

That box....every one of us has a different reaction to that box. Some people never unpack them, some pull the clothes out and keep the box to fill with letters and momentos of boot camp, and then there's people like me. I washed the clothes and put them away immediately and almost violently destroyed that box. LOL

Write lots of letters because those are like gold to them and they are also good therapy for you. It made me feel like I was able to have a conversation with him. When boot camp is over, it's a whole different world. We regularly text and talk and so it's more like him being away at college right now. The tears are fewer, even though I miss him still every day, but I have contact with him which makes it easier.

You've got this, Navy Mom! I say regular prayers for all of our kids who have chosen this path and for all of the families who get to go along for the ride with them. Your son is joining the greatest group of men and women who are defending their country and you are joining an awesome Navy family!

Comment by Angie on March 10, 2015 at 10:38am: Thank you so much for writing! It is so good to hear from other moms, and their take aways. I'm getting a lot of great ideas, and plan going in my head(which makes me feel so much better)

The box.... Great ideas with the letters and such... and I even like the thought of burning the darn thing! I guess we will have to wait to see my reaction. LOL

Thanks for the posts. together we can all be strong, proud, sad, scared and just a HOT mess!

Comment by Angie on March 10, 2015 at 3:18pm: That's a wonderful idea! Thanks so much for sharing!!

Comment by Steph Proud AG Mom on March 12, 2015 at 2:37pm: Hi, Nope your not alone. Mine leaves in 4 months. This is my second going through. Still not easy as he's my only son, and my youngest. I find myself tearing up just looking at him.. But first Senior Prom, and Grad then his Anchors Aweigh party... Time is flying just a little to fast this time...

Comment by AmyMatt1214 on March 12, 2015 at 8:24pm: John's mom...my son leaves in 4 months as well. Not crying as much but I'm it's because I dried out And just need to regenerate! Lol. This waiting definitely the hardest part. A 4 month long good bye! But worth it...especially for him. Love having this support from all you ladies!

Comment by Angie on March 12, 2015 at 9:13pm: Waiting stinks!! My son has 3-4 months since he is getting a new contract, we just don't know now. We have senior pictures to take, prom, and graduation. :)