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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.

I purchased a gift for the grandson; stationed in Sicily. I found what I needed at Staples: they don't do FPO. I used AMAZON, it's perfect. The gift was cheaper than Staples & no tax or no shipping or handling.

Here is a question for the experienced Dads.  Upon boot camp graduation, will my son be permitted to leave post for dinner with the family?  How many hours is he permitted post graduation?

My son is date is May 12th 2017 for graduation. I see so many hotel in the area.  I wanted to know a few of the better ones.  (Some look very outdated). Can anyone give me some recommendations?  

                                                          Thank you,  Lisa  Navy Mom

My Son Marco Is a Petty Oficer second class in the NAVY, he live in Hawaii 

His Assigned to Gas Turbine Ingeneer electrician in the USS WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110), I`m so Proud To my SON, HE IS BRAVO ZULU.

My sincere thanks and appreciation to the admin team of NavyDads.com!  The information provided was critical in my preparation to visit my son's PIR last week.  With all the rules and regulations involved in getting on base and seated it was very stressful.  I couldn't imagine trying to navigate the entire process on my own.  From helping to understand the life of a recruit during boot camp, how to communicate with them, promoting Sarge's meet and great (brilliant), etc, this site and all the information provided has been priceless.  THANK YOU!!

So proud of our U.S. Navy Sailor! Got to talk to him for over an hour last Friday after Battle Stations was over, he sounds good and is excited to move on to the next phase of his training. Was awesome to know I was talking to a sailor and not a recruit anymore. Can't wait until this Friday when we get to see our son graduate and then we get to spend time with him both Saturday and Sunday.
For those with kids just staring all I can say don't blink, boot camp went by in  a flash!

Anyone have a daughter go to Boot camp yesterday(2/21/2017)

We got our call from boot camp from our son last Sunday evening, the 4 week call actually came in about 3 weeks, I saw the number was from Illinois and almost didn't answer but then realized what I was doing and it was him!  We got to talk for about 15-20 minutes. It was great to hear his voice and to hear how well he is settling in to Navy life. He said he likes his Chiefs and Petty Officers and has made some friends in his unit, some he said already feel like brothers. The yelling and the work aren't to bad, he said he takes it for what it is and said he has realized that there is a method to their madness and it's making sense to him now. The big thing was when he told me he got his NWU (Navy Working Uniform) (hope I got that right!), he said it made him feel good and that he actually feels like he belongs to something, something bigger then him, something he can be proud of!  I told him we have always been proud of him and it just keeps growing! Looking forward to seeing him on March 24th!

So I haven't been on here for a while, guess I was just avoiding things, time for that to change. I need that support I felt when our son first told us 6 months ago that he wanted to join the Navy. My wife suggested I join Navydads.com and I am so glad I did.

That 6 months went fast and he ships out next Tuesday.

I have no doubt he'll be a great sailor!  That he'll have a great adventure and become the man we know he can be.

And I feel confident that he is starting this new journey with the overwhelming support of his family and friends.  We could not be more proud of his decision and his drive!

But now my heart aches, for that little boy that followed his dad around the house, walking off with tools as I tried to get something done, then learning to use those tools to fix things himself. It aches for that little boy at his first baseball game, football game, wrestling match, track meet, soccer game and cross country event (he never stopped), and all the time we spent at those cheering him on for victory or comforting him in defeat, in rain snow or sunshine, teaching him that's all part of life.  It aches for the young man as he drove off in the car for the first time alone! With both his mom and I a nervous wreck!........I think we did ok.

Tuesday when we say goodbye for now will not be easy, but knowing we are now part of a new family, a family of proud Navy people, really helps!

My wife posted a couple things on Facebook today that have just added to my tears but say it so good:

Loving a sailor is not hard.

The distance is hard.

The worry is hard.

The sacrifices are hard.

But loving him is the easiest thing I have ever done!

and

A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.

Wherever that light takes you son you will always be our little boy!

God please protect my son and God Bless the USA!

Time to look forward to his PIR!

Go Tucker!!

Go Navy!

how do I find my sons class number? He started Jan 8, 2017, from what I see his class number would be 08-17. Is that correct?. If not, what would it be ?

Click here to read the story and see pictures of our visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.…

Click here to check out the latest pictures and story of our weekend last week with Josh's family!

Military Ministry at the Wagner's...to read our latest blog post click here...