Gary T.'s Comments

Thanks for your words about the Baxter Black video Gary. I watch that every once in a while just to remind myself about the extraordinary confluence of events through history that have allowed me to be exactly here at exactly this moment. When I listen to media broadcasts of doom and gloom, I must remind myself that we, as Americans, are the luckiest people that have every inhabited this globe and I think it would be healing for all of us to take Baxter’s resolution to heart and remember to take a moment each day to honor those that have given so much for so many. Blessings to you and your family. Paul

It would be my pleasure to offer any insight, advice or support to you and your sailor. PLEASE feel free to ask anything. We had a great experience with the PIR and things to do in the area. I learn something new almost everyday from my son so I will be happy to pass it on. Everything after PIR is hurry up and wait. They get very frustrated so a parents constant calm is needed. Once the ball starts rolling things can move quickly. Please contact me with ? about what they can have and the contact rules they have to follow. Take care, Bill

Gary--- I'm killing two birds so to speak with one stone! Check out my Care Package group I just started and my posting about NavyDads labels......an easy idea to spread the word to our sailors!

Thank you for the nice comment, Gary. Billy's great-grandfather also served in the Navy during WWII, but I've got to try and get his picture so I can post it as well. Thank you for your service also!! I'm sure Nicholas will do well in his Navy career. For any young man or woman who enters into the service it reflects their dedication, good morals and character.

Also check the Pensacola group as there are lots of sailors there waiting to class up!!

Gary--- there has been extensive discussion about hold times between PIR and A-schools posted in the bootcamp group. Some sailors are on hold for weeks and weeks while some will start school right away...it tends to be a function of how many sailors in that particular rate there are...the faster the class fills up the faster the class tends to start. Spend some time in the Bootcamp group reading past posts and you can get a feel for wait times. Restrictions are far looser in A-school as the living quarters tend to be dorm style....you sailor get to know the operator controls for a mop very well though waiting to class-up!

Post away Gary!! You'll learn by doing for sure! Be sure to read through all the stuff about PIR-- might as well start thinking about it now and making some tentative plans. We hope the site is useful for you so don't be shy about asking questions and concerns...

Welcome to NavyDads Gary ! 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 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- my son Eric is on the second half of a seven-month cruise on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and my daughter Kat recently returned from a seven-month cruise on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Gray this is a great place to brag about your sailor as well! So join in and let us know how Nicholas is doing!

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