Kirk, Welcome Aboard! 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 daughters journey in the Navy. Thank Holly for her service for me and your sons as well. Thanks again for joining us.
Sincerely, EG

Welcome to NavyDads Kirk! 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 she 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 just returned from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and my daughter Kat returned last fall from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Kirk this is a great place to brag about your sailor as well! So join in and let us know how Holly is doing!

As a parent of a sailor currently or soon to be at Great Lakes you'll have many questions about what your daughter 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.

Finally, when you get a chance please be sure to check out the Daughters and Their Dads group. It is a great place for us to brag about our girls. Best Regards- Paul

Hi your daughter is beautiful,when you arrive at Pir , your eyes will be only on her, you and her will be the only one s in the room, but she will see a mom and Dad who both love her. Barbara

Hi kirk, My son had Pir on Friday. It was wonderful!! I cannot express the pride we felt watching him graduate from boot. He looked so happy! I will worry about him , but I could tell he wants this so much, so my heart is with him wherever he may go. He will be at great lakes 8-12 weeks then if goes well will be in coronado Bud training. Guess the next time we see him will be in san diego. Good luck to Holly!! Barbara

Kirk, my son went in on May12th,he is in Div 244 JFK scheduled to grad on 7/17 and head to penn. cola.
good luck

Kirk, so sorry you won't have time with your daughter, after all the time you've already waited. However, I can tell you, if you sit in the front row you get probably get to her pretty quick. I got to my son in about five seconds.

Hi Kirk, Congrats again, hope you have a great weekend in Chicago. The weather this weekend in St. louis is great so hopefully you will havew the same up there. It always amazes me how thoughtless some people can be, hopefully their kids will learn better manners while they are in the service. I know a lot of sailors were grand n go this week but that is no excuse to act like complete idiots. If you did happen to see Molly in the choir and want to send a photo my email address is sandmanvnvmc@hotmail.com. By the way where do you call home, I'm sure you have mentioned it I just can't remember. Holly and Molly will be at P-Cola at the same time we should have them look each other up. I'm going to go down about 4 weeks into school to take her car down, however, she may sit for weeks waiting to class up from what I hear. Once again congrats to Holly, you and your family.

She looks so different from the swearing in photo, she really looks happy, that's great. Molly's school down there is 4 months plus how ever many weeks she has to wait to class up. The Navy gives her 5 minutes with you and then has her sit down there waiting for a class for a few weeks, that's the definition of "Military Intelligence".

Hi Kirk. My son Blain left for boot camp today. I am very proud of him joining the Navy as he has focus now that I have never seen before. BUT, it was not easy letting go. He is 20 yoa and needs this and that I am very thankful for. Does the , for lack of a better term, sense of loss go away quickly? I feel the pride in my son as you express for your daughter and I am ready for that to be my #1 emotion. Thanks, Bob

Kirk, Thanks for the response. It has helped me alot. Today is day #3 and I am already feeling better. My wife and I spoke with him on the phone a short time yesterday prior to his flying out of Little Rock enroute to Chicago. That was 24 hours ago and we never did get the 20 second "I am here" call but I know he is well. What you said about not being the fixer of everything for him really struck home. I am keeping in mind that this is the best thing he could have done for his career. The economy is bad and I would have not liked to see him be a restaurant host for the next five years instead of a sailor. Thanks for you help. Bob

Kirk,
We are from Johnstown Colorado...Funny, he will be attending "A" school down in Pensacola as well!

Hi Kirk, sorry its taken so long for me to reply but its been real busy in recruiting. As for your question, it is a dificult one to ansure because I have some other questions for you. Its sounds like the recruiter and your son has done everything correctly, but some times it is out of our hands when it comes to medical. If you could let me know what his grades where and who disqualified him was it MEPS medical or was a waiver sent out to the Navy med dept. In 10 yrs of recruiting I have never seen the Navy come to the point were they can pick and choose who gets in the navy.

don't know if they have put in the new style racks....if not, check out Carl's photo to see the spacious living arrangements.........

Kirk,
I don't want to step on something I have no knowledge of, and not certain that you are at liberty to express what waivers you are inquiring about, I have a myriad of logical answers for you, which I would have to spend paragraphs explaining them because of the language or terminology. If you want specifics, (if you are inclined to do so), write me back with exactly what your son's waiver request(s) are/were.

Chief

Kirk,
I am sorry to hear about the mess you found yourself and your son in. I certainly don't understand Big Navy's mentality all the time. I can tell you that should your son desire to come in after getting his Associates Degree and his medical is all cleared that you would have a fair chance (all things being as they are currently with the state of recruiting). Have you looked at the Baccalaurate Completion Degree Program (BDCP) for him, since he is attending college? This program would allow him to complete his college education and then joining the Navy as an officer - and the Navy pays for the schooling. Just a thought.

I posted a couple of links to Facebook videos that the Media Dept. on the Abe have put together.....check out the Lincoln group!