Gene Clack's Page

Welcome to NavyDads !

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.

Welcome to NavyDads.com Gene! I'm sure you'll find NavyDads as useful, educational and informative as I have. Please 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. I certainly have! 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. I'm blessed to have two sailors in the family - my son Eric (AM3) is stationed on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and my daughter Kat (MC3) recently completed her enlistment on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Gene this is a great place to brag as well! So join in, get active, and be sure to let us know how James 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 and should not talk about in a public forum.

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. 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. Best Regards- Paul

As soon as he gets all setteled in he will more than likely write home. They only get mail twice a week but can write often to home. My son has been in now since Feb. 7th and will graduate basic on April 1st. he is in Great Lakes. be patient and you will soon get a letter.

Gene, his recruiter should be able to give it to you in a day or two, give them a call.  If you have any problems their is page on this site that might help: http://www.navydads.com/forum/topics/cant-get-your-sailors-address

Otherwise you should get a form letter in the mail with his address in a couple of weeks.  They really do enjoy getting mail.

Gene, Welcome Aboard!

When my son first enlisted in the Navy I found NavyForMoms in searching for answers to his future. I just knew their had to be a site for dads but found out I was wrong. So I started this site so us dads would also have a place to call home. I'm new at this and hope this site will benefit fathers that follow behind us. So jump right in, share concerns, join groups, share info, and show off your Sailor. I'm so glad to find out their are so many proud Navy Dads just like myself. I hope this site benefits you and your family throughout your sons journey in the Navy. Thank James for his service for me and thanks again for joining us.

Sincerely, E.G.

Welcome aboard Gene.
I would like to take this time to point you in some of the right directions around the site. 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, PIR, 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 2000 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 James 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 Co-admin Tim

Gene, you say James just left for boot camp. It will take some time before you get his address. He has to go through orientation, gets all the clothes, shoes, everything he needs first. You will get a letter with the address on it. They have to fill up a division and get them settled in to the barracks. You will recieve a "kid in a box" with all his clothes he wore and anything that he won't need while in boot. Be patient. You should get a phone call in about 3 weeks or so. His recruiter should be getting his address also. But don't start to bug him for a few days. It will take a while.

I know it's hard, but the waiting game begins before you hear from James. Just remember that his focus is now on becoming a United States Sailor. Keep in touch and Welcome aboard to Navy Dads!

Jim