Welcome to NavyDads Maria! I'm sure you'll find the site as fun and useful as I have. Explore and make some friends, add your comments to a discussion or two, read the postings in the various groups-- even start one or two. I have! If you have any questions or concerns about your sailor and what he is going through...ask! I'm sure someone here will have the answer or can point you in the right direction to find out. I'm lucky enough to have two sailors- my son Eric is on the second half of a seven-month cruise on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and my daughter Kat recently returned from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Maria this is a great place to brag about your sailor as well! So join in and let us know how Stephan is doing!

As a parent of a sailor currently or soon to be at Great Lakes you'll have many questions about what your son is going through. Thanks to one of our members we have two excellent videos that you can access from the Video area on the NavyDads.com main page: New Bootcamp 1 of 2 and New Bootcamp 2 of 2. These videos will answer many of your questions and concerns and will give you a better understanding of how the United States Navy transforms our children into sailors!

Be sure to spend some time in the Bootcamp group- there are many questions and answers available to help you understand what your sailor is going through. And as PIR draws closer, be sure to spend some time going through the PIR-Tips, Hints and Helps group- we’ve tried to assemble some tips and suggestions to make your sailor's PIR more enjoyable. And Maria- thank you for your service to our great country! Best Regards- Paul

Thanks Paul this site is a great help.. God Bless. Maria

Maria, "Welcome Aboard!" and thanks for joining us dads. I'm so glad to have the moms on here to keep us men in line. We will help in any way we can. So please jump right in share concerns, join groups, and show off your sailor. I hope this site will benefit you during your sons journey in the Navy. Thank Stephen for his service for me and yours as well. Thanks again for joining us.
Sincerely, EG

hi maria we just got dustins address ship 13 div. 175 and also his box arrived, have you heard anything yet ?

Hello Maria: My son Tyler arrived at GL on march 4th. I had quick call from him (30 seconds) He said ship 13, Division 174. I see that Tom Struckman's son is ship 13, div 175. I think I will call recuriter mon. to verify the address. We may have both of our sons in same group. The division that graduates on april 24th is div. 173. I'm guessing that Div. 174 and 175 should be next. May 1st. GO Navy Bill (US Army Vet.)

Hello Maria: Yes your recuriter should know Stephen's address. I called yesterday (my Tyler's recuriter) and got Tyler'a address. It was the one I had before. He is Ship 13,Div174. His Ship 13 is the USS Marvin Shields (DE 1066). It is named after the only Navy Seabee to receive the Metal of Honor in WW11. You will know everything as soon as you contact you recuiter. Good Luck to Stephen. Bill

Hello Maria I just received letter yesterday also. Address is a little different from what I received from the recruiter. I think the on from Training Command should be the better one. Tyler is going on to Corry Station (Pensacola,Fla.) for CTT school. Does Stephen know where he is going after basic ? What is his rating ? See you at PIR in May Bill

Hi Maria: Just a note. I've heard that the recruits can write only on Sundays. Not sure if that is true. We have not heard anything from Tyler. They must be keeping everyone pretty busy. Have you heard from Stephen? There is a site on boot camp that tells what they are doing week to week. They have been there two weeks. should be in the routine and things going smooth. Bill