Welcome to NavyDads Dan! I'm sure you'll find the site as fun, useful, and educational as I have. Explore the site 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 certainly 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 in the family - my son Eric (AM3) recently returned from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and my daughter Kat (MC3) returned last fall from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Dan this is a great place to brag about your sailor as well! So join in and let us know how Zach is doing! We do ask that you remember that we talk about the Navy here and we must keep the security and safety of our sailors in mind at all times. On the right side of every NavyDads page is an area we call About This Site. Please take a minute and read through the Operations Security (OPSEC) link and the NavyDads Guidelines link.

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. In the Navy Bootcamp group is a discussion called "A MUST READ for All New Navy Parents". Take a few minutes to read through this post as it will do a lot to give you some understanding about what your sailor is learning and why. And be sure to check out the videos as they address many of your questions and concerns.

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 stop by the NavyDads official store- Navyoutfitters.com to show your support for NavyDads.

And Dan- thank you for your service to our great country. Best Regards- Paul

Dan, Welcome Aboard!

My son is an ABE aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in San Diego, Ca. and my family and I couldn't be prouder of him. When he first enlisted I found NavyForMoms in searching for answers to my son's future. I just knew their had to be a site for dads like n4m's but I was wrong. So I started this site so us dads would also have a place to call home. I'm new at this and I hope this site will benefit fathers that come behind us. So jump right in share concerns, join groups, share info, and show off your Sailor. I'm so glad to find out their are so many proud Navy Dads just like myself. I hope this site benefits you and your family throughout your sons journey in the Navy. Thank Zach for his service for me and for yours as well. Thanks again for joining us.

Sincerely, EG

Thanks Cora ~ yea, I have learned a tremendous amount so far, and looking forward to learning more... :) I am familiar with Skype so that will be a great tool for us to use :) Thanks again :)

Thanks Dan! It was great to get a letter from him. It sounds like he has the right attitude...the harder they work them, the better and stronger sailors they will be. He spoke about the pride he felt the first time he put his uniform on and saw US Navy and his name side by side. That's pretty cool.

Worse we got a call... shes havinga rough time, hips bothering her she's on light duty.. I think its a lot of home sick, she was crying.... because of the light duty she wont be able to clear her run until Monday, when she turns 20 and they drop the stardards of what they expect from her... I told her to set her standards, meet them or exceed them.... I also asked where she wanted to lead from the front of the platoon or the back.... I do believe that she'll be ok, wejust keep writting and sending mail with a count down on it...

Dan - hang in there your call will come along with more letters I'm sure.in the meantime check out the snow sculpture I made to let my son know I miss him.

Your son Zack looks like a young man who is in a picture from my son's graduation from Oakcrest High School. Are you from New Jersey? My son is currently at boot camp.

We have PIR on 5 March. He's doing good, he was in really good shape when he joined and has been helping others in his division with PT. He went in for Nuclear Ground but since he's been at BC he has decided that he is going to go Nuclear Subs. I'm waiting to see what made him change his mind. How is your son doing?

We are going to PIR. My husband is retired AF and I'm still in so we are staying at the Navy Lodge. All nukes have long schools and as far as I know are promoted the same. I'm not familiar with Navy promotions because I am AF and my older son is Army. I will soon however learn more about the Navy through my son. I thought tech school (same as Navy A school) was worse than BC. We had more marching and more inspections there than we did at BC. As long as you live on base there are always inspections.

Sheila.. Yea, I was Army (87-91) 3/325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team... (vicenza, Italy).. so the navy stuff is all a learning curve for me!!! ranks / rates.. schools.. ect.. lol...

Congrats on the Military Family you have ~ Thank you! I stayed at the Navy Lodge.. the girls at the front desk were REAL helpful.. and HIGHLY recommend taking a taxi to PIR.. ask them for Danny's card.. he was awesome.. call thursday when you get there to reserve a ride friday am... .its 3.00 a person.. and he takes you there and back! :)