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

**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:

RTC Graduation

**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:

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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My son went to boot camp on 10/4/2011.  I did great.  We took him out to eat the night before; had a great time as a family - at a really good meal (because we knew he wouldn't be eating much after that day!).  Then when we got back to the hotel, we sat in the lobby and visited, took pictures - just mulled around.  It was finally time to say "goodnight" and I told myself not to cry.  He hugged Dad and brother, then turned around and hugged me.  It wasn't an extraordinary hug -- just a normal hug.  We didn't look at each other, though.  He turned around, started walking toward the elevator and didn't turn around.  I watched him until he got on the elevator - he never turned around.  I cried a little bit but my other son put his arm around me and led me to our room.  The comfort of his arms helped me stay under control. 

The next morning, we got to MEPS and he was sitting on the front row in a room with a lot of other guys, watching a movie.  We sat on the third row behind him - he didn't get up to come sit with us; he stayed in his seat.  It kind of upset me but Dad said, "He's doing what he thinks is right.  Just stay cool."  So, I stayed calm.  I was great watching him swear in, we were smiling and so proud.  Then the guys were called into the cafeteria to eat lunch.  It was then that our SR said, "Well, you might as well head on back home.  It's just going to be a lot of waiting from here on out."  We wanted to eat and come back; but he insisted we not come back.  Again, I wasn't happy about it - but did what he wanted.

We did our last hug; I didn't cry a lot at all - I was very proud of myself.  The drive home I was fine.  We pulled into the driveway, my chest started feeling heavy.  When we walked in the door, I broke down.  Sobbing, heaving -- my husband held me -- he cried alittle, too.  He said, "I know.  I know.  We'll get through this." 

So, our lives have gotten back to normal.  I've been surprised at how little I have worried about him.  But then we got the formal letter and he wrote on the back of it.  He wasn't happy AT ALL.  He's been placed in a 900 division and we're so proud of him.  I don't think he knows yet just what an honor it is to be in the division. Everyone reminded me it was only his 2nd week in; and things are still very hard at this time.  But I started worrying -- wondering if he is sleeping enough; wondering if he's gotten sick; wondering if he has time to eat; wondering... wondering... 

Now, I'm finding myself that I'm missing my SR desperately!!  We made our flight reservations, hotel, car, etc.  We're ready!  And I'm counting down the days!  I'm thinking I'lm only going to get to see him for two days and then we have to come home.  We won't see him at Thanksgiving - but he'll come home for Christmas.  How will I get through Thanksgiving?  How is HE going to get through Thanksgiving?  That is is favorite holiday.  I'm hoping, so hoping that he will have a good Thanksgiving dinner and be able to relax a little bit.  (?)

My son... now my SR... soon to be our Sailor!!  I'm really proud of him.  But oh, how I miss him!

Views: 131

Comment by Moskate on October 17, 2011 at 10:50pm
We are all hanging in there.  Each day brings a new thought, a new feeling (strong or worried....you never know). How do you know he's coming home for Christmas?  Do you live nearby? I realize that Christmas is a Sunday, so if you're nearby his A School, he probably can get weekend liberty.  What is the 900 Division?  Sounds like it's a special division?
Comment by wranglermom on October 18, 2011 at 1:42am

Thanks so much, Denise, for your information.  That really comforts me and, again, I am so amazed at how well our SR's are treated!!  I'm loving this site -- it really comforts me; it informs me; it's just wonderful! 

 

Comment by McJane on October 18, 2011 at 9:26am

Wrangler Mom,

You left that day saying goodbye to your boy, you soon will be saying hello to the young man you have raised. Today my youngest is going through the enlistment process. I just went through this experience with my daughter in law. She is currently going through her Schooling in Pensacola. I found this site just prior to her PIR date so I didn't get to benefit from all that is on here during her bootcamp experience.

The PIR weekend goes by very quickly. Once he is at his school location he will be able to contact you pretty much daily if he wants. Just enjoy the time and don't worry they take very good care of our kids. They help turn them in to adults that you can be truely proud of.

As for Christmas after bootcamp no one knows until they find out about their school. My DIL was not able to take any time off after bootcamp as her school started. I would not count on Christmas. You can open presents anyday. My best advice is to support him even if he can't make it to see you for the holidays. That is part of the career he has chosen. Best of luck to you! Stay strong!

 

Comment by wranglermom on October 18, 2011 at 9:54pm
McJane, thanks for your words of encouragement.  You are right - he will be a man when we see him again!  He will do his A school at Great Lakes after he graduates.  His recruit told us that Great Lakes shuts down for Christmas and he can come home; he will go back for 4 more weeks in Great Lakes then head to San Diego early February.  I'm glad because the winters are gruesome up there!  I'm doing better.  I really have been doing more better than not.  Yesterday was just an Off Day -- feeling melancholy, etc.  But all of you have helped my spirits so much!  I'm also so appreciative of what everyone does for the SR's at Thanksgiving.  Peggy, I agree:  This site is AWESOME!!   and all of you are my God Sends....

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