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 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
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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Not fitting in
I really think this site is a great resource, but I don't think I'm fitting in well. My son left for BC yesterday and we had know since November he was. I'm not heartbroke, I'm not crying at the slightest thing, not sleeping with his pillow/shirt/stuffed animal, etc.
Not saying it wasn't hard to walk away. I cried. I worry. I'm concerned & hoping things go well, but also knowing he's going to have hard times. This is his journey though, not mine. I'm here to be strong for him & support him.
I guess seeing everyone's post make me wonder if I'm heartless. I would love to comment on posts, but I think my posts won't really feed into the tears & loneliness.....
Any others out there like me just looking for information & friends that are on the same page I am?
Views: 19749
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by urbanfarmgirl on
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I'm so glad you posted this -- thank you. My son doesn't ship out until August, so I haven't yet walked in your shoes, but I'm not really emotional that way, and don't expect to be shedding too many tears.
Yes, of course I will miss him, but this is something he needs to do to grow as a man and a human being. I am the one that encouraged him to join the Navy in the first place, and honestly, I wish they'd take him earlier in the summer after graduation. What else is he going to do with himself? (Hold down the couch? Ha ha ha....) Geesh -- I adore him, but he needs the opportunity to move on and find his purpose and calling in life!
I hesitated to join N4M because I didn't want to feel like the mean mommy & be the only one who was glad to see her kid go. Thank you for your post. :)
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Permalink Reply by orangegerbera on
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You do not sound like a mean mommy. Before my son left, we joked about how slow the time was going. He couldn't wait to leave and I was happy he was going to do something wonderful.
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Permalink Reply by Roxanne on
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I'm in the same boat. Everyone expected me to be mess. I miss my baby like crazy and I'm dying to hear from him but my emotions don't rule me...and that's ok.
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Permalink Reply by Proudnavymom on
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I don't necessarily feel like I don't "fit in," but I certainly understand where you are coming from. I truly enjoy this website, mostly because of the information I have gained since finding it. I have an extremely independent son, so I was not heartbroken or upset in any way when he told me he was joining or when he left. Mostly, I am just excited for him for following his dreams and in his family's footsteps. I miss him, but I also know he is doing fantastic! He is a people person, an extremely hard worker, and a kind and loving young man.
I would say don't comment if you don't feel like it, and certainly don't feed into tears. Continue to support your son in the ways you know best!!! Best wishes!!
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Permalink Reply by mav715 on
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I agree. My daughter is a Marine in the pacific and my son is in the Navy and just returned from the Gulf. I understand this is new for a lot of parents but your daughter or son chose the armed services and it's really our duty to support them. The worst thing you can do is fall apart or go into depression while your sailor or Marine is away. They need you to be strong. Sure we miss them but this is the adventure and challenge that chose and I'm very proud our kids want to give something back to their country.
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Permalink Reply by sheriboberri on
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I agree with having to be as strong as we can to help our children who are in the service. Our son is in the Navy and since he's been gone, we have noticed a big difference in how he talks to us and acts towards up. He has been talking about this since the beginning of H. School and my husband and I think it's the best thing for him. Through many prayers together, alone and with our son, we feel this is where God wants him. He is now in San Diego working on Helicopters and to hear that many have told him what a hard worker he is, makes us more proud than you can imagine. He barely passed H. School, but to hear that others are telling him and his higher up officers that he is a great worker, means more to us than grades! So be happy they are doing what they want to do and serving our country!
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Permalink Reply by MamaG on
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My son was sworn in 2 days ago. Of course I cried, but because I'm so proud of him, not because I'm sick with worry. I got a text message from him as he was getting off the bus that just said, "last message! Love you!" His dad and I are divorced, so his dad got the call, and will get the box. When I wake up in the morning I wonder what he's doing, how long he's been up, and if he's bonding with the other recruits. I've already started letters to him, so that when the form comes in the mail I have something to nail right away. I'm also writing for a recruit who does not have any letters coming in.
People have been asking me for months how I feel about this decision. I respond by telling them that it's not my decision, it's his, and of course I'll worry but I'm proud of him and a happy, fulfilled life is all I want for him.
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Permalink Reply by Roman's mum on
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Hello,
My sailor left this Monday for his first assignment. He'll be far and I pretty much feel all the same things you do, for me anyhow I think its just I have raised a really good son (who know? lol)and after he came out of boot camp and we got a chance to talk he sounded more like an adult who is well able to take care of himself at the rip old age of 23 :P I am really proud and supportive of his decision and I know that is what he appreciates the most.
- your friend same page lol
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When my son went off to basic training it was hard but when you raise them right you don't worry to much. Then he was back and off to his station which was in CA and we live in WA. He is now deployed and has been since August he is in the middle east and it is hard I worry about him everyday I just hope they trained him right.
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Permalink Reply by RobinsMom96 on
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I'm a mess, but I totally respect your perspective. I don't want him to feel responsible for me. I just watched a video of the current group's graduation today, and it just filled my heart. I am so proud. My sadness is being replaced with pride. Seven weeks.
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Permalink Reply by diannep on
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My son left for bookcamp back in Nov 2009. I was like you, 29junkie. I remember having some tears as I drove home after dropping him off at the hotel the night before he left, but was ok after that---although I DID look forward to his phone calls and letters!!!. But he had lived away before and was 23 when he went in, so that could make a difference maybe? I think every family member's journey with a departing SR is different....no guilt, no judgment. We all want the best for our SRs and that is the important thing!
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