Israel, Welcome Aboard!

When my son first enlisted in the Navy I found NavyForMoms in searching for answers to his future. I just knew their had to be a site for dads but found out 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 hope this site will benefit fathers that follow 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 Jordan for his service for me and thanks again for joining us.

p.s. My wife also had a tough time for the first year. I just calmed her fears and praised my son for the man he was off to be by serving his country. And trust me! tell her he will still need his Mommy! while serving.

Sincerely, E.G.

Israel, welcome to Navy Dads. Our son left for RTC, March 16th, and graduates May 7.
My wife had a hard time at first, but she joined NavyforMoms.com, and found lots of support, and has made quite a few friends. I know you're as proud of Jordan, as we are of Barrett. Tell him thank you for serving, for us. Go Navy!

Welcome to NavyDads Israel! 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) returned spring '09 from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and my daughter Kat (MC3) just completed her five-year enlistment on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Israel this is a great place to brag about your sailor as well! So join in and let us know how Jordan 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. Best Regards- Paul

Welcome to NavyDads !

Play the following video for a brief introduction to NavyDads.com

I can remember counting down the days, until Barrett left for RTC. He was newly wed, living in a town about 20 minutes away, and we tried to think of any reason to go see him. I look back and laugh at myself. Jordan will do well Basic Training. I can tell, looking at your pictures, he comes from a strong family, and will carry your values to Great Lakes. You'll miss him, for sure, but I can tell you the time goes by quickly. There will be some brief moments of confusion for him, but he'll appreciate all he goes through. You'll be amazed at the man The Navy trades for your boy.
Barrett graduates Friday, and we're driving up to see PIR. His division won The Captain's Cup, The Chant Trophy, and several flags. Barrett served as Recruit Religion Petty Officer, which means he assisted in worship services. I'm told, by those who've attended, there won't be a dry eye in the house. I'll do my part to make sure that's true.
Bravo Zulu to Jordan for his decision to serve! Go Navy!

I learned something this past weekend. When you get to Great Lakes, and attend PIR, you forget all about the waiting. What an experience. I can't describe the pride I feel. I can tell you that there may be times, early on during RTC, when Jordan may wonder if he's made the right decision. Those thoughts will pass, and he'll start to feel a part of something bigger than himself. I won't spoil the ending for you, but I will say again, it's all worth it. I send encouragement to Jordan, to stay strong, hang in there. If you ever have any questions, let me know. I'll be happy to share our experience. By the way, Barrett hit Pensacola, yesterday, for A school. God bless Jordan, and Go Navy!

You got the first letter! Always a thrill, and more will come. It won't be long, and you'll start getting phone calls. As for flights, I've looked at priceline, expedia, and airline websites. They all price out the same. I wonder if a travel agent couldn't get you a good deal. Good luck

hey Jag dad Good to hear someone special is in the same ship and div with my son be assured if he is and knows him hell like him imediatly nat will be a strong hold for all in the group we got our first phone call fri nite i missed it but wife was here i miss him terribly but its all good i tell myself....ill try to keep u up to date when i know more also and would aprreciate the same our thoughts and prayers are with the 241

Hey Jags Dad we are staying in wauchgan at the marriot its only two yrs old and has a shuttle to the PIR check to see if yrs does i understand that u get to bypass one check point and go rt to wear you go thru one check point and yr in and only have to walk a few blocks to pir WITH out the hassle of all the cars and parking and lines my wife isnt a member of navymoms so plz give me the info and well be there for the meet hope yr son is doing well we are expecting another letter from nat soon maybe today we got one so far and it was incredible hes reading a bible ----never would have belived it if i hadnt read it......

Thankyou well be ther we ll be arriving early on the 7th so yea big chnge i cant wait hang n ther for aphone call we got one last week wife answered for five minutes he just wanted to hear her voice he cried and said it was a one shot deal if she didnt answer that was it thts why he cried cause she answered the phone he told her hell call again on thurs i hope to be here and not working

well my mistake wife just corrected me we staying at the springhill suites in wauchegan just north east of you but i talked to her and we plan to attend they had a special of 99 dollars a nite and have a shuttle to PIR and its a new hotel.

I bet she did we both did on the first long letter he wrote which if u compare apples to oranges we send more than we got back lol but the enormous effect that letter had was something as u we hope to get a call thurs ill be here i cant wait to hear his voice im sure ill break down but try not to im a proud man and have never cried very much in my life but this has brought out part of me emotionally that i cant explain its a good thing.We cant wait to get there my wife goes to sleep early every nite to get to the next day We have a long journey ahead of us we leave west va on sat nite and travel to st louis to see her grandmother 12 hr drive to up to chicago to see nat 6 more hrs then 11 or so hrs home from there but itll be worth it ......im proud of our sons to make a nd complete such a task

Hey gang hows everyone doing still no letter from nat again but we hope hell call tonight like he told us he would.i hope yr son is hanging in there im sure he is there a tough bunch when they want to be its just getting to initial spark that gets them going and im sure the get that every morning .My wife broke down last night before i left for work she hasnt done that for a while but i explained it to her again that nat needed this and if he stayed here howed he would have turned out and it helpedbut we still love our son very much and sometimes it hurts when there hurting.....well lets hope both are well and getting there team to work togtherfrom wht i hear this is the week for that to all come togther.talk to ya again soon take care Tim