Bill, Welcome to NavyDads. My Grandson joined the Navy and went to Boot Camp in February, 2008. He Graduated and received his Trident in Oct. 2009 and is now with his Team. When I joined this site I knew nothing about the Military. It’s really helped me understand what to expect and has relieved some of my worries.

Be sure to check out our Groups. We have several Groups for PIR and Boot Camp, plus Groups for the different Rates like Navy Nukes, Master at Arms and Special Ops. Also Group for different Ships and Bases. Check to see if your State or area has a Group already formed to locate others in your area. There are general interest Groups like: Care Packages,
A School for Dads, NASCAR for NavyDads and the book of acronyms and ranks. We’ve also added a Spanish language Group.

Also check us out on Facebook just search for Navy Dads.

We are a big family here and you can find answers to most any question or concern regarding what’s in store for your recruit. You will find members that are new to the Navy along with those who have Loved Ones who’ve made the Navy a career. We like to hear about your recruit; the good times, the concerns, and we welcome questions. I think you will find our members are a big family and everyone wants to help others understand what to expect and hear about the progress of your recruit.

Please feel free to ask questions.

Again Welcome and keep us updated on your recruit.

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

Welcome to NavyDads.com Charles! When my daughter enlisted in 2005 and left for RTC, I had virtually no knowledge of Navy life or how the Navy did things. By the time her PIR rolled around, I was starting to get the hang of things and understand some of the language and abbreviations, but still felt like a fish out of water when dealing with most things Navy. When my son enlisted and left for Great Lakes in 2007, I got serious about trying to learn as much as possible about the Navy. Now, several years into my journey, I’m blessed to say I have two sailors in the family - my son Eric (AM2) was on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and recently reported to Helicopter Squadron Light-37 (HSL-37) in Hawaii after re-enlisting last year. My daughter Kat is now a Navy veteran and was stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as a Mass Communications Specialist. She is using her GI benefits to go to school. If NavyDads.com were around in those early days, it would have made my first days as a Navy parent much easier!

I'm sure you'll find NavyDads.com as useful, educational and informative as I have over the past few years. Click How To Get Started for a guide on getting going in your NavyDads.com experience! Take the time to explore the site and make some new friends. Read the discussions and comments. Browse through the postings in the various groups or start a new one. If you have any questions or concerns about your sailor and what he is going through...be sure to post them! In my experience someone here can answer your questions or concerns or can point you in the direction to find out. And Charles this is a great place to brag as well! So join in, get active, and be sure to let us know how our son is doing! Please remember that we talk about the Navy here and we must keep the security and safety of our sailors and the fleet in mind. On the right or starboard 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 for some guidelines as to what we should not talk about in a public forum like NavyDads.com.

As a parent of a sailor currently or soon to be at Great Lakes you'll have many questions about what John is going through. In the Navy Bootcamp group is a discussion called A MUST READ for all New Navy Parents. 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 available in the Bootcamp Group as well.

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.

Play the following video for a brief introduction to NavyDads.com. We've made some cosmetic changes to the site since this video was made, but navigation remains the same.

Best Regards- Paul

Greetings Charles! When my son joined the Navy I really had no idea nor a clue on what he’s about to partake in besides what I’ve seen on tv and some stories I've heard from friends and relatives who have served in the military.

However, I'm so honored and very proud of his decision to serve our great country.

From the start, I’ve perused Navy and recruiter information online and beyond but I felt that I needed more peace of mind to help keep me from worrying too much. I also wanted to hear from real people who've been around the block and others to share knowledge and experience throughout this entire journey.

That's when I found this website while searching for answers...

We're all in this together and I hope you too will find NavyDads.Com useful with lots of real shared information.

Don't forget to check out our Groups section and join a group that shares your interest. Please keep us posted on your sailor's progress via status updates, discussion forums, blogs and photos...

A Warm "Thank You" from our family to your father and to your son John for his service!

Welcome Aboard... :)

Welcome aboard Charles.
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, P.I.R., 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 6000 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 John 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 Admin Tim

I could not describe the emotions any better. Our son has been at RTC since April 10th. I've ridden the emotion roller coaster. I never imagined saying goodbye in the driveway was going to be so hard. Huge lump in my throat, couldn't form words and hugged him so hard about snapped his spine. As the days have gone by, it's gotten easier. Excitement and anticipation waiting for "The BOX," letters and we've even received a surprise phone call. I know he's doing exactly what he wants and we're very proud, but HOLY COW! What an experience. Mom and I do it again in July, other son leaves for USMC boot camp. Lord give us strength.  

Thank you for your kind words. I can't believe my SR has only been gone 3 weeks, feels a lot longer. I can tell you, the initial sadness goes away, but boy howdy the first week is not easy. Who knew waiting for a cardboard box and letter would rekindle your childhood back to the days when Christmas was approaching. Every shred of information is precious. It's hard not being in the know after helping every single day. 

Charles, don't despair it my not be the three week blackout you think. My son started 4/10 and we received a call on 4/20. Call came in at 6:15am our time, 8:15am his time. To avoid any missed calls, wife got "Call forwarding." We've received three calls total, 4/20, 4/27 & 5/1. We feel very fortunate. The hard part as a Dad is keeping it together while on the phone, be super encouraging, upbeat, positive and let them talk. When you say goodbye, then you can turn into a puddle of goo. :-) We're Dads. Prayers for your family and SR.  

Charles you've probably been told this, but when the "BOX" arrives, dig through every pocket twice where a note can be hidden. Even check the inside flaps of the "BOX." Wife and I received a wonderful surprise, SR had bought a small pocket journal and kept notes the whole trip from CA to Ill. Felt like an archaeologist making some incredible discovery. Even got a photo of Mom digging through all his stuff. Take care 

Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I've had to do. Lump in throat, couldn't form words and when I hugged him, thought I snapped his spine. He too was the adult saying everything would be okay. What has really helped me, is writing. I've written 10 letters. The most letters to anyone in my lifetime. I'm averaging a letter every 2 days. It's not only good for him, but never having been apart like this, I still feel like part of his world. If I may suggest, write letters. Have a bunch ready to go when the "BOX" arrives. Just ramble on, day-to-day stuff, jokes between the two, hobbies, work, family, news, whatever. My SR just asked for hints on boot polishing. It really helps, remember they're not the only one going though boot camp at RTC. They were better prepared than we were, at least they had a recruiter. We had to find Navydads. Stay strong

Scheduled PIR for my son is 6/7. If it helps, Thursday is Week 3 - Day 1 (5/2). I know my SR spent 5 days in P-Days when they're affectionately known as "Smurfs" until they get fitted and issued their NWU's, blue camo uniform. Hope this helps. 

We received a telephone call on 4/20 at 0615hrs. Huge surprise!! Ten days after arrival. We've received 3 calls total. Each call has lasted about 30 minutes. 2 on consecutive Saturdays, 0615hrs & 1400hrs. The last call was this past Wednesday, 1300hrs. Fortunately SR called my cellphone as I was working a day shift. We now have call forwarding to remove any chance of missing a call and SR only has to call one number and not burn minutes on his calling card with multiple attempts. Hopefully this is a helpful hint. Take care.  

Charles, I meant to tell you. If you have caller ID, the area code for RTC is 847. If, I hope you don't, but if you miss a call. Don't call the number back. An RDC might be standing in the phone room and if they answer, the SR who was receiving the call will be in trouble. All you can hope for is your SR calls back in a couple of minutes. Our SR called and Mom missed the call. She heard the answering machine and called back. Fortunately no one answered. Phew! Don't think the kids need to be yelled at on our account. Take care.  

I remember that being the most difficult part, the not hearing and the not knowing how he was.  Mail that came was treated like priceless jewels.  I read them over and over.  The hard part too was hear about stuggles or even illnesses, but knowing as I read I was a week or two removed from the situation.  It was difficult knowing what to pray and when to pray it.

If its possible, just know that I (we) know what you are going through and also know it is what it is.  You will get through the boot camp, as will your son.  He won't like having gone through all that he did, but he will hold his head up proudly when you see him next time.

Your trip to Great Lakes will be a blast.  You will swell with pride as person after person come up to your son in the mall or at the restaurants you go to and thank him for his service. 

This military deal is a family participation deal...you can see no that the sacrifce is not just in the death of a Sailor, it also include the day to day sacrifice all of us make as families as we support our Sailors in what they do.

Dang, I have gotten on TOP of this soap box haven't I??  lol  I just hope you take comfort in knowing that all you are going through is appreciated by our Navy community.  We understand...

Hang in there and be sure to write your boy everyday... I can't wait to hear how his journey plays out...

Go God!

Forrest

I imagine you're on a countdown for a phone call. If the timeline is the same for all the groups, hopefully, your phone will ring on Saturday and your boy will be on the other end. I'll keep you in my prayers that it happens.  

Not a problem  Charles,

There is a carry over limit, and that is 60 days. The date to watch is 01 Oct or the start of the Fiscal Year (FY). Right now, I am stitting on 50+ days of leave that will exceed the 60 days by 01 Oct and become "Use or Lose." I need to trim this down a bit as the FY goes on. I've followed a policy of setting aside 14 days for emergencies, and builing from there. Your son will have plenty of time to accrue leave time throughout his enlistment. Deployments are really good for builing up leave time. Shore Duty is relaxed and a good time to build too.

Charles, just returned from GL as my son graduated 6/7. His request was for Chicago deep dish pizza. We stayed in Lincolnshire, Ill and found a great pizza place called "Lou Malnotis." (Unsure on spelling - I is long E sound). We actually had pizza delivered to the hotel, relaxed and visited with our Sailor. He changed out of his dress whites into comfy close to avoid any pizza accidents. The overall experience was amazing. Our Sailor was a "Grab-n-Go." We were together from 1100hrs to 1900hrs when he needed to return to GL. We returned to the hotel, slept and went to O'Hare at 0300hrs and saw the buses arrive. We managed to squeeze in another 6-hours with our Sailor before his flight left at 1010hrs for Connecticut. Worth every second. If I can be of any assistance, just ask. What an adventure. 

Charles, I just read your post about photos. You are allowed to take as many photos as you want, but only inside the drill hall. Outside photography is strictly forbidden. I took 100s of photos and my Sailor ordered the PIR DVD and "Keel Book." The DVD is of the entire graduation ceremony and the "Keel Book" is similar to a high school year book with behind the scene photos of the graduating class. If I remember correctly, your Sailor's class is the first that will be streaming the graduation live on the internet (6/28). this is for all the families and friends who are unable to attend in person. My Sailor also purchased T-shirts and Hoodies for Mom, brother & me of the division flag and lists the names of the members of the division. If I can be of any help, just returned from Great Lakes on Friday (6/14).  

Thanks Bill!  My dad also served in the Navy during World War II on the Aleutian Island of Adak, Alaska.  Forty years later, I was stationed there as well as part of the Marine Security Detachment at the Naval Air Station.  My oldest son just completed his first year of college, however, he too enlisted in the Navy as a Nuke and will be leaving for bootcamp in February 2014.  I am extremely proud of both of them!       

Bill, I am sure your son will do great things in the Navy!  Whether he serves just one enlistment or makes it a career, he will gain valuable leadership and time management skills.  In my opinion, the military provides a young man or woman the opportunity to grow personally and professionally and will give them a "leg up" over their peers by virtue of the increased maturity and acceptance of personal responsibility.   

I only said it's not as good as Navy Lodge because it doesn't have a private white sand beach like the Lodge does. But it's right on base so it's a good area for sure. Good luck.

Have followed your various posts Bill and I can see you have experienced the life changing process that this Navy journey is.....sometimes I think more so for us dads (and moms....) than for our sailors!  There will be up times and I can say with the voice of experience that there will be down times as well....though all, NavyDads is there to share your experiences, answer your questions (hopefully at least) and to give you a place where you can brag a little.....or a lot!  Thanks for being a member and stepping up to help others just starting their own journey! 

Bill....I saw your message to Stephanie...Well done! That's what this site is all about....