Additional resources that helped us through our Navy Journey
Navy Dads
This Site is for U.S. Navy and Marine Parents, Family Members and All Who Want to Learn About Life in the United States Navy & Marine Corps.
This site has fantastic resources for families.
Navy For Moms
This site is for mothers of kids in the U.S. Navy and for Moms who have questions about Navy life for their kids. This site is similar to the Navy Dads website, with great information for families.
Becoming a Sailor YouTube Playlist
Excellent video playlist with videos explaining the bootcamp experience. These videos can give families a little peek into their loved one's journey through RTC.
Boot Camp: Making a Sailor
Follow the journeys of four young people training as U.S. Naval recruits. Do they have what it takes to make it through modern-day boot camp?
Navy Bootcamp Website
The official Navy RTC website with guides, PIR Graduation information, tips on preparing for bootcamp and more.
Sanboxx
An App used to connect with sailors. It can be useful for sending letters and tracking your recruit's progress through RTC.
Navy Lodge
The Navy Lodge Hotels are operated by NEXCOM for active-duty military, their family, and special civilian contractors. We stayed at the Navy Lodge during our PIR trip and highly recommend it!
My Navy Taxi
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A veteran owned and operated service that provides transportation at great rates. Also, they host the "Sarge's Meet and Greet" which is held the day before Boot Camp Graduation from Recruit Training Command (RTC) and Great Lakes Naval Station "A" school graduations.
PIR Graduation Live Streams
The U.S. Navy's media stream page includes live streams of boot camp graduation videos as they occur. This is a great resource for family and friends who want to watch the event, but aren't able to attend Great Lakes.
RTC Facebook Page
The only OFFICIAL Facebook page for Recruit Training Command! You can view RTC graduation videos here.
Etsy PIR Anchors
Creating or ordering customized anchors are a common way families commemorate their Sailor's graduation from PIR. Just click the button below to see search results we used to find our craftsperson.
Please note that we are not an Etsy affiliate and receive no compensation for this referral.
The American Red Cross Hero Care Center
The Red Cross Hero Care Center can help you reach your active duty service member during an emergency at home whether they are at boot camp, or deployed over seas.
Mental Health and Family Resources
Psychological Health Resource Center
Mental health resources for service members, veterans, family members, clinicians, commanders, or anyone with a question about psychological health in the military.
Navy Chaplain Corps
Navy chaplains are available to provide confidential counseling, prayer, and clergy support in your daily lives--and, if need be, in times of crisis.
Veterans Crisis Line
Free and confidential crisis hotline for military veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Safe Helpline
Safe Helpline is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) hotline for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault. The Safe helpline is confidential, anonymous and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Military One Source
Military One Source
"Military OneSource is your 24/7 connection to information, answers and support to help you reach your goals, overcome challenges and thrive. As a member of our military family, you are eligible to use this Defense Department-funded program anytime, anywhere. Turn to Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more. Learn about some of the ways we serve you."