Mark Hejtmanek's Page

Mark, Welcome Aboard!

Let me start by saying I'm so glad you've found us. When my son first enlisted in the Navy I began to research what would be in his future. After countless hours searching the Internet and still being left with so many unanswered questions, I was inspired to create this site to ease the burden on Navy families that followed behind me. Our community consists of Navy Dads, Moms, Grandparents, Spouses, Siblings, etc. which are a valuble resource for knowledge.

Your involvement is "key" to learning about what your Sailor will be doing and more importantly, teaching Navy life to others that follow in your shoes by documenting what you have learned along the way. So jump right in, share concerns, share info, and show off your Sailor. I hope this site benefits you & your family throughout your sons journey in the Navy. Thank Ian for his service from me and thanks again for joining us.

Sincerely,
E.G.

Welcome to NavyDads.com Mark! 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. 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) was on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and is on his way to HSL-37 in Hawaii. My daughter Kat is a Navy vet and was stationed on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And Mark this is a great place to brag as well! So join in, get active, and be sure to let us know how Ian 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 not talk about in a public forum like NavyDads.com. And stop by the NavyDads offical store- Navyoutfitters.com! Show your support for NavyDads.com by wearing the latest in NavyDads attire. Best Regards- Paul

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 aboard Mark! When my son first enlisted, I was a little scared and worried for him. Not coming from a military family at all, I had no idea what to expect. What I found out was that he had made the most mature decision of his life! I found lots of answers to my questions right here on NavyDads.com.

I have one sailor in the family - my son Stephen is an AWO2. (Air warfare systems operator) He is a Petty Officer 2nd Class and flies in the P-3 Orion sub hunter. Currently he is with VP-45 in Jacksonville, FL. However he is now on his first deployment. This is a great place to brag about Ian as well!

We do ask that you remember that we talk about the Navy here and we must keep the security and safety of our sailors in mind at all times. On the starboard side of every Navy Dads page is an area we call “About Us.” Please take a minute and read through the Operations Security (OPSEC) link and the NavyDads Guidelines link. Also check out the FAQs at the top of the pages, and also on the starboard side. There is lots of information there as well. Also be sure to check out the “Navy Dads Tutorial” in the FAQ section. It’s a short video that will help you to navigate around the site.

Also be sure to stop by the NavyDads official store- Navyoutfitters.com. The Navy Blue tee shirt with the NavyDads.com logo is my favorite! Again, welcome and we’ll see you around the fleet! GO NAVY! HOOYAH!

Best Regards- Jim

Welcome aboard Mark.
I would like to take this time to point you in some of the right directions. 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 Ian 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