Welcome to NavyDads.com Bobby! 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 topics concerning the US 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 carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and is currently attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 (HSM-37) in Hawaii. My daughter Kat is now a Navy veteran and was stationed on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as a Mass Communications Specialist(MC3) and is currently 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! I hope you take the time to explore the site and make some new friends. Read the discussions and add your comments. Browse through the postings in the various groups or start a new one. If you have any comments, 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 Bobby this is a great place to brag as well! So join in, get active, and be sure to let us know how your 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 Key Information. 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 Dylan 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 and as PIR nears be sure to spend time in the PIR group for hints and helps!

Best Regards- Paul

Bobby, Welcome Aboard!

My son served as an ABE aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in San Diego, Ca. and my family and I couldn't have been prouder. I created NavyDads.Com when he was in boot camp in hopes that this site would better inform new Navy Dads and Navy Families that followed behind me. I designed, built, and launched NavyDads.Com June 18, 2008, two days before his Navy graduation. I then launched NavyOutfitters.Com, our sites "Official Store" in 09'. All proceeds from the store go directly to helping fund what we do here at NavyDads.Com and to ensure our future growth for many years to come.

NavyDads provides the best community for learning about Navy life for everyone but particularly us parents. We are a place for sharing experiences with others that have gone through and are going through the same thing as you. We give you real-time information from others going through it, the sense that you're not alone, and the opportunity to help another along.

So jump right in, share concerns, join groups, share info, and show off your Sailor. I hope this site benefits you and your family throughout your Sailors journey in the United States Navy and I thank them for their service. I wish them the best in their travels and I'm glad you've found us.

Sincerely,
Elmo Moore

The following is a list of authorized personal items that you may want to bring to training, but are not required.  Any unauthorized or unnecessary items (including your civilian clothes) will be boxed up and shipped home at your expense.

OK to bring:

1. Wrist watch, wedding ring.
2. Religious medallion (No larger than the size of a dog tag).
3. Writing material (NO bottled ink).
4. Pocket dictionary.
5. Pocket bible.
6. Small address book.
7. Hairbrush and comb.
8. Pre-paid phone cards.
9. One pair of prescription glasses, reading glasses or contacts (with one week of cleaning solution).
10. A small amount of cash (i.e. less than $10).

Female recruits may retain the following personal items:

1. Feminine sanitary items.
2. Conservative cosmetics.  Female/one of each:  face powder, blush, lipstick, eye shadow and mascara (non-aerosol or glass).  Make-up will be authorized for division photos and graduation weekend only.
3. Barrettes (Female/must match hair color).
4. Birth control medications.

Note: Female recruits are not authorized to bring a swimsuit, underwear or bras.  All will be issued upon arrival.