boilerdad's Page

Welcome aboard Boilerdad.
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 J 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

Welcome aboard Boilerdad!  You are in the right place at the right time!  There is no coincidence as you already know.  So July 7th is the big day, you must be very excited and maybe sad because your son is leaving home (just temporary) and also you most be very proud that he will begin a new page in his life as a US Navy sailor!  A few reminders that will help in the separation day.  The night before MEPS, when he is staying at the hotel (it may not happen this way, depending on the recruiting station) you can have dinner with your son at the hotel (free).  The next day, make sure that you go to MEPS early in the morning so you can be present during your son's "Enlistment Oath" (camera ready) and I promise you that it will be very emotional for you!!  From there to the airport and the final hug for the next 8-9 weeks!!  Talk to his recruiter to let him know that you would like to be present at MEPS.  Let me know after, how did it go!!  Hooyah!

Welcome to NavyDads.com boilerdad! 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 stationed on the carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and just re-enlisted, and my daughter Kat is a Navy vet and was stationed on the carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). And boilerdad this is a great place to brag as well! So join in, get active, and be sure to let us know how J 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.

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

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.

Michael,

My son left for bootcamp on May 16th. His PIR is this coming Friday... July 8. Our family loves the Lord as well and trusted in him that all would be well. When we got our first letter, Zak told us that he had started a prayer group which made us soooo proud. The time has gone by really quick ... which was a surprise. My wife and I thought it would drag but the Lord took care of that too! Good Luck to your son and God bless you and your family and the time will pass quickly.

Chuck G

Hello Boilerdad. When my son went off to boot, we had the same kind of concerns. He told me that for the first four weeks of boot, he kept his mouth shut and did what he was told. He said they hardly knew his name. After about three to four weeks the hard part of it all starts to ease up as the divisions settle in and find the rhythm of the routines.

As a Christian, he will be tested. Tell him to keep his faith as I'm sure he will. But I also know that he needs to fit in and be accepted by his shipmates. He can do that without compromising his believes. As a youth leader, you can probably counsel him the best. God speed to your son as he begins this new adventure!

Welcome aboard Michael! 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 J 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