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Here's a question for you experienced Dads out there. I know that when my son leaves for Basic training next month, they have to mail their personal effects home, including their cell phones. My question is this..... After my son graduates from Basic Training, he'll be staying at Great Lakes for his A-School, to learn to be an EM, Electrician's Mate. Are they allowed to keep their cell phones to use in the evenings while they are in A-School?

I just got an email from the admins telling me to ignore an email from a "member".  This member was sending out what the industry calls a phishing email.  A phishing email is a type of email sent out be scammers that attempts to get the recipient to give up some type of personal information or take some action like installing an app or going to a link.

So how do you recognize a phishing email?  There are some tell tales you can look for.  Often there is a sense of urgency to them with pressure for you to take some action.  The email may look like it is from someone you know but if you look at the email address, it belongs to someone else.  If there is a link, it may be obfuscated by being in a shortened link or it may be html encoded so that different text is displayed instead of the actual link.  There may be attachments with the email. 

The best thing you can do is ignore those and delete them. You may also be able to report the attempt.  Google has a report phishing button now that allows you to report those.  Other email services may also have that same button.  Use it.  Do not click on attachments or links as they can lead to you accessing and downloading malicious software.  

Flat USPS Military rates of $22 for up to 70#.

The US Post Office offers free Military Package Kits. Yes, Free. Plan ahead to allow time to receive your boxes.

Included in the kit is

2 priority mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes 12"x12"

2 priority mail Flat Rate Boxes 11"x8.5"

2 priority mail Flat Rate Boxes 13"x11"

1 roll priority mail tape (not for use as packing tape)

6 priority mail address labesl

6 customs form envelopes

https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/military-care-kit-P_MILITARYKIT

Not recommended for Recruit care packages, unless you want the whole division to get priority physical training.

Does anyone know if we can collect our sailors after they graduate from Bootcamp and take them to their A school. I already know where they are going.

My little sailor PSII Jeziorski just made first class and is currently serving onboard the USS George H. W. Bush as she executes our country's needs abroad. The GHW Bush carrier strike group is on deployment and working with Nato countries to provide the safety and security all free nations enjoy around the globe. "Fair Winds and Following Seas to the men and women engaged in the strike group especially those talented sailors associated with VAW 121 "Blue Tails." I'm so proud of you smidge.

just wanted to add some additional details about my father's service...SKII William Wolfcale served aboard the light cruiser USS Huntington and was on a humanitarian mission to Africa when he earned his shellback for crossing the equator. The date on my dad's shellback was 1948. I have it framed in my apartment in Calfornia...I have pictures of him onboard various ships crossing under the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge in the SF Bay Area. He was stationed in Lemoore, California at the naval station there, then moved onto Treasure Island in San Francisco. At one point, I remembered we lived in navy housing at Hunter's Point in SF and on Adak, Alaska, one of the last islands of the Aluetian chain about 90 miles from Russia.

I have his various medals and his dog tags displayed in a beautiful shadow box. His service to our country was well documented. Interestingly, I found in his belongings and papers, a certificate that age 35 he received his GED from high school. Him and my uncle Jim were Detroit Fress Press paperboys. Another interesting fact, I was a newspaper reporter for more than 40 years. My dad died Nov. 17, 1971 of a massive heart attack in Oakland, California.

Just got home from a trip to Great Lakes.  As an AF veteran, I have a hard time admitting that the Navy has a pretty sweet deal thing going up there.  Everything from doing just about everything inside, to the high-fidelity simulations used to teach and train new skills are way beyond the tools we had when I went through basic.  Granted, a lot has changed since then but it is still impressive.  

I really enjoyed PIR and watching the 900s perform.  It was far more of a show than I expected and was grateful to see it.  On top of that, I got to spend a little extra time with my sailor because of Veteran's Day.  It was fun playing tourist in Chicago.  And then, I got to put her on the plane to A School on Saturday.  Granted, that was mostly by chance in that we were both flying out the same day and she was flying out a little be me.

Hey everyone-thx for the welcome - dropped my son off headed for San Diego from Chicago.. as he boarded the plane the song The cats in the cradle - came to mind.. Good luck Matt  and again thx u all from my family to yours .. GO NAVY 

Does anyone know if there is an official way to request re-assignment or petition for reconsideration? My son is a submariner currently stationed in King's Bay, Georgia.  He has been in the Navy for 12 years.  He was recently made Chief and was told he would be assigned to a particular sub based in King's Bay.  He made a lot of decisions, financial and otherwise, based on this information.  The assigned sub then recanted their need for a Chief and now he is listed to be on a sub based in Bangor, WA.  He hasn't received official orders yet but has been told it is pretty much a done deal.  He would move in August. 

Without going into a lot of detail, this has caused enormous stress on everyone.  He seems resigned to the situation but I worry about the long term effect on his mental, not to mention his financial health.  Bangor, WA is the last place he wanted to go.  Is there any appeal to be made at this point or anything he could do to change the outcome?  Any info would be appreciated.  Thanks. 

We received a call on 4-Oct-2021 that our Son was promoted to Chief Petty Officer status. He will be in the Navy 17 years this November. This is an answer to prayer and as his parents - we are very proud of his accomplishments. He will receive full rank on 19-Nov-2021.

Does anyone know how long before you receive the letter with your recruits Ship and Division? My son starts week 4 today? Thanks!

I have a question regarding boot camp. When a recruit arrives and they box up their personal belongings are they sent back home or are they kept at Great Lakes? I have seen it both ways and wonder which one is correct. Thank you

My sailor son is at RTC I received a letter from him it was great to hear from him. In his letter he said he received his collar device with three chevrons . Was so proud of him was hoping maybe some of you more seasoned Dads could give me some history on why he would had receive it. I have already written back to him just trying to learn and there is a lot to learn. Thanks

My beautiful daughter has left today to stage for going to ROM then to boot camp. We are so very proud of her and of all of our sailors and military. Now I await the phone call she made it followed by the silence.

I have a hero.  That hero is my son.  He is about to begin his 10th year in service to our nation as a sailor in the US Navy.  He volunteered.  I am sure you feel the same way about your sons and daughters who have done the same, volunteered to stand in readiness and defense of our great nation.  

They are frontline heroes.  Everyday, they stand at attention and promise you and me that they stand ready to sacrifice and prevent harm from coming to our shores. They and all those that have come before them are our honored national and unsung heroes.

I know, like me, you are proud that they are there.  Don't allow President Bonespurs to dishonor them by thinking and saying that they are in some fashion 'suckers and losers'.  They are doing more for this country than he has ever done.

Hello, I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. The following is taken from my profile:

I am a prior enlisted Sailor that is currently serving in Naval Air Station Whidbey Island as a Naval Flight Officer. I first joined the Navy in 2004 as a Fire Controlman (FC). I served in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Port Royal and completed two WESTPAC deployments to 5th Fleet AOR.

In 2012, after achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class (FC1) I was accepted into the Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21) program. I went on to graduate from Arizona State University and got my Wings of Gold after commissioning. Most recently, I completed a P-3C Orion deployment, serving in Japan, Africa, and the Arabian Gulf. Currently, our squadron is transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

I am familiar with the surface fleet and the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community. Feel free to reach out with any questions, I always like to talk Navy!

Very respectfully,

LT John Lillyblad

Greetings I have a concern my son writes regularly and it is very gratifying to receive news of his progress and his experiences but I have sent him almost a dozen letters and in which he arrived this week he tells me that he has only received two, I suppose the first and The address is fine because he has received at least two, now my questions are the following, that is normal and from now on with the situation that exists of the disease that is around, they will not delay the mail anymore.

Had a great phone call with our SR yesterday. He sounded strong and ready for week 4. Anyone else here with SR in SHIP 06 DIV 100?

Anyone else have a SR in Ship 10 Div 114?

My son left today for RTC Great Lakes. The journey and adventure begins! An overwhelming sense of pride and joy.

Please god watch over him and all our men and women in uniform.