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.

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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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Dear Moms,

Thanks for supporting your hero's decision to join the world greatest Navy! To them I say – I am glad you joined my old team. Thank you for the class, dignity, and character in which you will be serving our nation.

It probably seems like yesterday when your hero embarked on their journey to boot camp. During this challenging time, I'm sure you endured many sleepless nights, wondering how your hero was doing. You probably wrote countless letters, attempting to gain some solitude from the anxieties of the unknown.

As you anxiously waited for that first phone call and heard the trembling voice of your hero, you always remembered to offer words of encouragement to get them through another day. However, when the phone hung up, you constantly worried about your hero's well being, as only a mother could.

With each passing day, your thoughts remain with your hero. As the day of graduation grows closer, anticipation of seeing your hero again becomes overwhelming at times.

For some, your journey will require long security lines as you take to the friendly skies. While others will spend hours behind the wheel, driving across countless states. Nothing will stop you from attending your hero's life changing events. As you know, there is no better cheer of support than that of a Navy Mom.

Once you arrive at Great Lakes, "The Quarterdeck of the Navy", you will anxiously awaited the graduation festivities. From attending Sarge's "Meet & Greet", to bursting with pride while "your Hero" transforms from recruit to a sailor. When that door rolls up at PIR, your heart will be beating from your chest. You will be fired up, motivated, and full of pride about your hero's achievements.

I will salute you for your encouragement and support of your hero's successful completion of this incredible milestone in serving our great Nation!

Now that your hero is about to graduate boot camp, they will continue their journey to learn a skill that our nation needs -- onward to "A" and "C" technical schools. In my humble opinion, you will need to ramp up your support, because the next chapter after that is the Operational Navy. Unquestionably, this is probably the hardest adjustment your hero will make and will require increased support from you. I have no doubt that you mom's are up for the challenge.

If I could give you any advice as a sailor, here is my Bucket List:

1. Memorable Memento:
A couple of years ago, a fellow sailor showed me a prized possession he had received from his parents. The book was one I'm sure you have seen - Dr. Seuss' "Oh! The Places You'll Go". This book is an awesome graduation gift and perfect for this occasion. It describes up times and down times, waiting times and stressful times. By providing this (or another memorable memento book) and writing an inspirational message inside the cover, you will help to keep your hero fired up about their new adventures. Many years from now, your hero will prominently display this book in their office as a prized possession.

2. Boot Camp challenge coin:
To me, this is so important. A challenge coin documents your sailor's travels and journey through the Navy. At every command, your sailor will either earn or buy a challenge coin as proof that "I was there". Shipmates will look at their collection and pick the coins up to "inspect" them - they are always a great story starter. They will beam with so much pride to discuss their "ship" or their "duty station". Of the huge collection of challenge coins I obtained during my career in the Navy, the only one I am missing is my boot camp "ships" coin. Sadly, I will never get my coin to fill in that blank spot in my display (shadow box) because my boot camp is now gone. RTC Orlando has been plowed under.

3. Shared Communication:
Take a vacation and visit your hero at their installation. Show a major interest in their career, and meet with their friends, coworkers and supervisors. Get to know them and get their telephone numbers - it might come in handy one day. One of the best late-night phone calls I ever received was from a mom who had legitimate concerns for her sailor. Through shared communication we were able to stop a potential terrible situation. The Navy is one big family that you, and your hero, are now a part of. You are now part of my family.

4. Remember Where They Came From:
Encourage your hero to request Recruiter Assistant Program (RAP) duty. I know moms love when their heroes come home, therefore, encourage your hero to request participation in the RAP duty program. It will give them 7 days of "free" leave. It is only granted once in their career and can only be used between their "A" and "C" school or prior to their 1st duty station. Not only is your hero spreading the word about the Navy but he/she is also spending time with family - you can't put a price on that.

5. Hometown Hero Release:
Hometown News Release, DD Form 2266 - This is an opportunity for your hero to publicize their career achievements through their hometown newspaper, radio or television station. I know moms are proud of their hero's achievements and I recommend showing off what their hero has accomplished in the local media. Encourage your hero to share accomplishments such as: promotion to Petty Officer or above, awards, decorations, re-enlistments, and receipt of college degrees.

6. Military Scrap Book:
Make and update a scrapbook that highlights your hero's military career. I recommend building this scrapbook in chronological order. Whenever your hero gets promoted, place a set of their stripes in the book! When their name is listed in the base paper or program, place a copy of that program in the book. Every time they visit home, pull out the book and go over the contents. Encourage them to put on their uniform to capture a picture with them. The time spent in the Navy will go by fast; therefore, please help them make memories of it whenever you get the chance. When their Navy career is all said and done, your hero will love you for it.

7. Be Loud - Be Proud:
Proudly wear Navy shirts, put a sticker on your car, and have your hero send you a "Proud Navy Mom" license plate bracket.

8. Financial Reminders:
Encourage and help your hero "stack paper" aka "saving money". If they have not invested in the retirement Thrift Saving Plan (TSP), every time you talk to your hero, remind them to take advantage of this investment opportunity. Most sailors learn about TSP in boot camp and during their "A" and "C" school. Unfortunately not too many of them take advantage of this great opportunity. If TSP was around when I was a Seaman, I would be a millionaire today! In addition, if they plan on purchasing a car, I recommend you discuss interest rates with them. Remind them to use a credit union, if possible.

9. Education is Key:
The Navy requires a sailor to complete one year at their 1st duty station before they can attend any off-duty education courses. The reason is the Navy wants them to totally understand their jobs before they tackle a new education path. The Navy provides specific training in areas of their career choice and many times, national certifications can be obtained. The Navy, however, may not pay for the certification exam. It is imperative that any certification exam (even at sailor cost) be taken immediately upon completion of their course work while the information is still fresh in their mind. The fee to take the certification exam is nominal in the whole scheme of things.

College Level Entrance Examinations, on-line courses, and universities on base make receiving a 2, 4 or post-graduate college degree an achievable goal. Take advantage of all the education opportunities being offered. The Tuition Assistance (TA) program will pay for their tuition throughout their career - they pay nothing! The GI bill, that they paid into, can then be utilized after they complete their military service. Job certification and/or college degrees look great on a resume and puts your sailor above their competition.

Make sure you talk to them about going to school and achieving their job certification--it will help your hero make finding a job a lot easier and will secure their future for life outside of the military.

10. Positive Attitude is Everything:
Bad experiences occur in any job situation - military or civilian. Don't let them judge the Navy by one bad experience. You may hear comments like "The Navy sucks", "This base sucks", or "My supervisor sucks". Please encourage them to stay positive about the Navy. I can honestly admit I have never had a bad assignment - each assignment was what I made of it. Encourage your hero to understand that their attitude is key and to relish all the experiences the Navy has to offer.

Upon my retirement, I was ceremonially presented a US flag, which had been in my possession for over 20 years. This flag reminded me of all of my good/bad times. That flag had accompanied me from my first duty station in Pensacola, Florida to my duty stations in Italy, Philippines, Scotland, Georgia, Guam, and my final resting stop, Denver. Throughout the years, whenever I looked at that flag, I always thought of my mom (along with her words of encouragement, support, and inspiration she had faithfully given to me). I always knew that I was the temporary guardian of this sacred memento. So during my retirement, I gave this cherished possession to its rightful owner & uttered these simple words... ”Mom, I hope I made you proud”. With your continued support, your hero will do the same.

Craig
PIRGifts.com
NavyDEP.com

 

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Replies to This Discussion

As a mom I can tell you that making a scrapbook for my sailors was the best thing I ever did.  My oldest retired with 21 yrs in spec ops and I gave him his "Book" from boot to retirement it was the best time as we reread his letters home looked at the few pics he sent home and he read my thoughts of when he was gone. We are closer now than ever before. To all of you welcome to the best family in the word the U S Navy we will share lend a hand give your sailor a place to bed down and a warm meal to set him on his way again. We may never see him again but he will always have a place to stay when he needs it and an "extra mom" to help him.

My son's boot camp graduation date is October 3rd in Great Lakes.  I would like to know how to get the boot camp challenge coin.  I have looked at several websites and cannot find it.  As a new mom, to the Navy, and help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

pirgifts.com

judy r - The scrap book thing is a must.  I love breaking that book out everytime my sailor comes home.  It shows him I care...

cwaite5232 - They are available at www.PIRGifts.com, which will bring you straight to Ebay....

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