This site is for mothers of kids in the U.S. Navy and for Moms who have questions about Navy life for their kids.
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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 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:
**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:
- Graduation Info
- PDF – 2.7 MB
- PNG – 2.3 MB
- JPG – 3.4 MB
- Printable PDF – 2.0 MB
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deployment
Good morning all! Son gonna leave for Norfolk on December 5th for his first deployment having a very hard time with this! Yes I am a cry baby! I need some advice on what is the best way to communicate with him while gone I have heard several differant things can he have his phone or not? Do I need to get hiim some other device to communicte with? Please let me know cant bear the thought of not being able to speak with him
Views: 451
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anti M on
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Cell phones do not work at sea. He can take his phone and may use it during port calls. He can pay to use the satellite phone on the ship, but there are often lines and his schedule may be chaotic. Don't count on calls. No texting at sea.
He will have a military email, that will be your main way to communicate. His ship might or might not be able to allow internet access, such as Facebook. He can have his laptop, but that will be for videos and games, he can't go online with it unless he's in port using a wifi spot (be careful they're notoriously unsecure overseas). Not allowed to hook into the ship's internet, if they even have it, for security reasons.
There are always letters, much like boot camp.
Be aware there will be periods of time when all communications are cut off, called "River City", restricted communications. This happens for a number of reasons, you won't know in advance and he can't tell you. During periods of silence, you simply must trust all is well.
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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on
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Thank you so much for the info! I am going to go crazy! How do we deal with the not knowing? Oh my! lol
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I come from a Navy family (my dad, me, my husband, my nephew, and an acquired kid... and more) so I have had a lot of practice. You just keep going, keep breathing, keep trusting. The day will come when they return. I mostly stay busy and don't dwell on the apart time, just the together time.
You have to take care of yourself in the meantime, being a wreck helps no one. That sounds mean when wrtitten down, but if you think about it, being your best self while they're away is good for your sailor in the long run. He'll know you're okay.
Hang in there, you will figure out what is your best "new normal" for you.
If you're religious, there's that comfort too.
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Been doing this for 25 yrs on my 9th deployment we communicate with emails usually once a week sometimes longer depending on down time and his schedule. I jus keep doing my normal routine send out care boxes once a week ( takes 4-6 weeks to get to ship). I have been at every home coming since we started this journey and make my plans while he is gone I will be on the pier for this one too mainly cause it will be his last one. One day at a time one foot in front of the other. You can always come on here and chat with us too.
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Thank you - Sometimes it seems like I dont know where my next breath is gonna come from I get so emotional over this. I do want to go to the pier and wait for the ship to come in do they let you know when it will be there ahead of time? I hae really enjoyed the insight of this group seems like someone always understands when the rest of the world cant
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H e will get his return date and can send that to you. You will have to go to the visitors center and get a pass for that day.since it has been a long time for me to go unescorted not sure what you will need besides your picture id but sure someone here or your sailor will be able to tell you.
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The ombudsman and the Family Readiness Group prepare for homecoming, let the families know when and where and how. The ombudsman is a trained volunteer spouse, an official liaison with the chain of command. She (or he) will completely understand your needs. You can google the phone number, it is on the ship;s site, but your son may need to sign you up through his ship;s email (to verify you are who you say you are).
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Hi, can we send boxes and cards to our deployed sailors? He has a bday and Christmas while he is gone...
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u r right, but gave him his presents early, but would still like to send others. Thanks for the site, will use it. does the free mail apply? I will be sending an additional quilted hot pad for cooking, with navy medallions on it, and his name embroidered on the back of it. Some of the time he will have his own quarters. thanks John and Merry Christmas you and yours!
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Permalink Reply by MADre on
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My son calls me a cry baby and tells me " there will be non of that mom". I have to wipe my nose and tears and give him that big smile he is looking for. We have a great relationship and he has set me up to want to listen to his crazy stories. He has been out at sea for short periods but his next deployment will be for 3 years. I am filled with mixed emotions; worries, fear, sadness and excitement. In other words I am a mess. He is 19 years old and going on 30... oh Lord help his shipmates! I will be sending Emails, letters and tons of care packages this is the best way to stay connected and encourage family and friends to do the same. GOOD LUCK!!!
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