William, Welcome to NavyDads. My Grandson Joined the Navy and went to Boot Camp in February, 2008. When I joined I knew nothing about the Military and this site has really helped me understand what to expect and has relieved some of the worries I had. Please go to the Groups Page and check out all of the different Groups and join in to learn more about what you Guy or Gal will be learning and doing. We are a big family here and you can find answers to most any question or concern you may have regarding what is in store for you recruit. You will find others that are new to the Navy along with those that have Loved Ones that has been in for some time. We like to hear about you recruit the good times, the concerns and the questions. I think you will find that our member are just a great big family and everyone wants to help others understand what to expect and hear how your recruit is doing.

Please feel free to ask question.

Again Welcome and keep us updated as to you recruit’s progress.

HooYah US Navy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome aboard William.
I would like to take this time to point you in some of the right directions. For starters if you haven't had the time take a look at the right side of any page you click on. There you will find some useful information for you. The links under the about this site will help you with how this site got started, navigation, PIR, About us, community guidelines and some links to some of the groups that beginners with a lot of questions will find very useful. There is also a link called Navy Enlisted Ratings, this link will take you to a brief description of the rates (jobs) in the Navy that you can find your sailors rate and find out some information about the rate that they are in. First and foremost though we are all here for the same reason. We are curious about what our young sailors are getting into and for more information about the rate or job that they will be doing for the next 4-6 yrs of their lives. I know when I first got here I had lots of questions and there was not a lot of people on this site but they all were either going through the same thing or had been through it and had sailors out in the fleet. Now this site has grown to over 2000 members, Dads, Moms, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, sisters, brothers, girlfriends and boyfriends. Don't be afraid to ask questions of members in here because somewhere along the way we have all had the same questions and asked. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site with various years of experience in the NAVY either on their own account or through their Sailors. Again welcome aboard and BRAVO ZULU to you and your son Nolan on his enlistment and please thank him for me for making the choice to defend the freedoms that my family, this country and I have and enjoy. Navy dads Co-admin Tim

Not a problem William. I only hope that you find what answers you are looking for ok this site. If not don't be affraid to ask. Someone on this site has been through the same thing it had the same question.

Welcome aboard William. As many of us, you are a father that has a child who decided to join the Navy to do something good with their lifes. Behind they are leaving a father (and the rest of their family) full of pride for the decision that the child has taken but at the same time sad and confused because a beloved son or daughter is no longer at home every day. I'm telling you, you're not alone. We are all in this together, and we share the love and pride for our children but also we share the pain of separation from them too. I have found a lot of support in this Navydads group, it has been a big bless for me. In just a few weeks after my daughter left for bootcamp, i had already learnd a lot of the stuff of what she was learning to become a sailor, i also shared a few laughs and a few tears with some of the members and it made me felt better. Anyways, I just want to say that everything is going to be just fine..you will adapt (not really..i still miss my daughter until it hurts..lol) but really in the next 8 weeks is going to be a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions and at the end..you will see a son who has turned into a man...a US Navy Sailor!!! Oh, by the way..get used to the change of plans with the Navy..one day is one thing the next one is another thing..it's just part of the military. I saw my daughter only for a few hours on her PIR..then 3 more months without her..very sad but at least I saw her in uniform. 3 days after and for my surprise..someone knock on my front door...when i open that door..that beautiful princess of mine was standing in front of me!!! And she had a 7 days pass!! HOOYAH!

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