Russell, no problem taking pic or video on base.

With my son's graduation last year, I noticed the majority of civilian dress was business casual.  I would point out that it was extremely warm and many who started out with ties lost them very quickly.  There were a few people in jeans and a few in coat and ties.  Uniform attire was interesting, guests with rank wore white short sleeves.  I didn't see any enlisted guests in uniform.  Not being in the Navy, I can only assume the uniform will be made known shortly.  The Navy treated family very good and everything came together rather nicely.  If you have a family member with mobility issues you may want to plan on dropping them off at the graduation site rather than ride the bus.  That arrangement may take some approval ahead of time to allow entry through the gate.  We arrived in the area 4-5 days ahead of graduation and found there was plenty of time to get sorted out.  Take plenty of before and after pictures; you will be glad you did!  Enjoy the moment and congratulations!

Russell, our son grad last month and 0 restriction was offered/given w/regards to photos or video.  However, our son "got hammered" the next week by staff when his cousins posted (uniform photos w/captions) on some of the various social media.  He instructed them to remove subject photos.  OPSEC is of issue regarding photos in uniform w/Trident which identify your sailor's name.

Thanks for the info.  Our guy's grandfather (USN, ret) is unable to travel, and is unhappy about not being able to attend in part because he was stationed in/around Coronado at the end of WW II. Pics & videos aren't as good as "being there", but will be important to him. To all the sailors and their families that started this journey, and to those that have completed it, you have made us  proud.  HooYah to All.

my son is in class 298 and is close to finishing phase 3. My question is this, is there a graduation after BUDS and before SQT or is the main graduation after SQT? He will not tell me much I would hate to miss something!

Guy

Guy W, the only "graduation" post BUDS was a certificate that was privately awarded (class en-masses) to each man post Hell-Week after medical monitoring.  I arrived along with his older brother the following Tuesday which our graduate was grateful (he was still licking his wounds) albeit somewhat rested.  No slight task, I felt not one to be ignored.  However, the main graduation along with presentation of his Trident will be post SQT. Good-luck to your son and your family; our thoughts and prayers are with you during this journey.

Thanks guys for the helpful comments. They completely cleared things up for me.

Guy

Things might have changed: my son tells me he won't know where he's going after the first Cell of SQT is complete until another couple of weeks.  I don't know, he simply could be observing OPSec.

I asked him when SQT graduation would be and he told me he didn't know yet.  My guess is the beginning of November.

SQT graduation marks the pinning of the Trident.  SQT students will learn the exact graduation date down the line a ways but injury or roll back is always a possibility so a graduate will not actually know if they will finish with a particular class until closer to the end.  In other words, the graduation date is tentative given the above caveat. Hope that helps.  Congratulations to your young operator and to you rmnanonymous, graduation is truly a wonderful event.

Can you guys give me some ideas on what to say when someone asks what your son does in the Navy?  I'm looking for an answer that satisfies the casual question without inviting further questions.

Depends on who the someone is. With us,  immediate family knows, but most relatives and close friends have been told he's in Search & Rescue as a RS/Diver.  Even if you tell folks not to share the info,  sooner or later they will.  Seems to make people feel good  to say that "I know a Navy SEAL".   When we've heard people bragging about the "SEAL they know", and describe what training was like (usually wrong), we just smile and say " gee -that's incredible". Take pride in knowing that you helped give your son the tools and the character to get thru the training. It's like alot of other things in life - you really have to want it bad to get it done.

I'm thinking of the people you aren't close to, just casual friends or acquaintances.  I'm proud of my son being in the Navy and have a picture of him at boot camp graduation in my office at work.  But I get too many people asking what he does in the navy. 

What is RS in RS/Diver? 

Rescue Swimmer.  When folks want more details, I just say I don't really know - our son doesn't share much detail with us.  Seems like they spend alot of time training & flying around in helos, etc.

Thanks for the ideas!  I'll have to think some more on what might be the best response for me...

Here is a "heads up" for people with sons in BUD/S who are looking for a good BUD/S "graduation" present (Please Note that there is no formal BUD/S ceremony we can go to): A Navy Dad mentioned that he had bought each of his two SEAL sons the following knife.  It's a good one, but it requires advanced planning.  I ordered a Last Chance survival knife from http://store.fehrmanknives.com/lastchance.aspx  as a present for my son on March 14.  It's May 16 today and it still hasn't shipped.  If you are thinking about ordering this hand-made knife as a BUD/S graduation present, you will need to do it about 3 or 4 months in advance.  I think a good time might be after pool comps to be reasonably sure your son will make it through BUD/S and actually be able to use the knife in SQT Cold Weather Training and Land Warfare. If you are thinking of ordering one, give Fehrman a call and ask about it and about lead time.

Advance planning is always a good idea.  As we all know, completing BUD/S is truly an awesome achievement -- but they still have a LONG way to go! For all the reasons mentioned by rmnanonymous below -- I bought my sons their Fehrman knives after they completed SQT (and were awarded their Tridents).

A Leatherman MUT was our guys "BUDs" gift, and then a ds-Tactical blade for SQT. It was shipped directly to him this week, and his response (text at 2am our time) was "it's badass".  May not be part of his regular "mission gear", but he has a # of knives he's been collecting. The what isn't as important as the why.

Russell, the best idea I have heard. Who doesn't want a custom made knife, I have a few that I would never take on deployment because on the chance of loosing a 500-1000 dollar knife! The issue knives were the best because of unlimited supply ;) That MUT will come in handy, kudos to you..

I got my son the M.U.T. as a gift toward the end of Phase II because I thought it would come in handy for Phase III.  I was right.  He said it came in handy for cleaning his gun among other uses and that the brass tool on it is great for removing carbon deposits from rifle receivers.  His friends used it as well.  They get a Gerber tool as standard issue but it doesn't approach the M.U.T. in terms of it's utility.  The M.U.T. is designed specifically for use with the M16 and the M4A1 is, I think, the Carbine version of the M16.

In fact, I acted on a suggestion from "Jerry M" re: the Last Chance after he responded to a request for what would make a good gift.  I called Fehrman and asked about corrosion issues.  He told me as long as the knife is oiled, it won't corrode.  He said something like "we had an order for 20 of them for Navy guys training in Alaska ...".  Apparently, one or more of the instructors at Kodiak used the knife and the SQT guys were so impressed with it that they wanted one too.  So they placed an order for 20 Last Chances (Each guy bought his own).

I considered the Bullshark too.  It's an impressive knife.

Anyone know how 301 is doing I have a nephew in the class?

Yes I do! Nephew just got rolled in Hellweek That's why "I couldn't call him" great idea rmnanonymous should have thought of that!

New to this site.  Appreciate the welcome on my page from several administrators.  Already learning a lot, glad I was referred to this site.  I have heard there is a site for the mothers of SEAL candidates.  Anyone know anything about that site.  I think my wife would appreciate having a supportive site also.  Thanks for any info on that issue. Wow, just reading that there is a family here with a SEAL son and a nephew is training. Very impressive.

Like I said I am new here. Just realized that the post I am referring to was 2 months old.

Steve-Thanks for the info

Thanks again.

ND member Robert Schenck made this as a tribute!

you gotta check this out: http://www.ijreview.com/2013/10/84459-awesome-head-special-forces-a...

Class 297 - Congratulation on your recent graduation. HooYah and BZ.

HooYah class 303 on completion of Hell Week. Good Luck to you for all that's ahead.

Again, HOOYAH!!

I don't know but you might call during business hours and ask:

Coronado Navy Exchange

3238 Guadacanal Road
Building No (18)
Coronado, CA 92155-5090
Get Directions

Main Telephone 619-522-7403/7425

Keith~ when my son was in BUD/S they were off from approx. the 2nd week of Dec. until Jan. 2nd.  Now it has been a little while, but that was our experience.

Keith, my son was in BUDS last Christmas and they got about two weeks off, similar to what Greg remembers.  I don't remember when they were able to leave, but had to be back for the first Monday after News Years. 

Hi Keith, I looked back in my records and see that I bought my son's airline ticket last year on Nov. 6, so I think you'll hear soon.  If you live near an airport that brings in Southwest, I would use them (if the prices are reasonable).  They have no change fees.  I remember last year not being 100% positive the dates wouldn't change.