Navy Family Newsletter

Historic ship with spectators on pier

Navy Boot Camp Family Newsletter

Welcome to the world's greatest Navy family.

For the most comprehensive boot camp graduation survival guide for parents and loved ones, click here.

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Breaking News—The following upcoming dates are federal holidays, and your sailor will be off that day in conjunction with graduation from boot camp. This applies only to the Boot Camp graduates who graduate that day and are staying at Great Lakes for their "A" school, unassigned rates, or for CS students.

Those scheduled to ship out to their "A" school outside of Great Lakes will depart normally on Saturday morning as usual. Always check with your sailor and make appropriate travel plans. Those who have graduated prior to those days will be off provided they are not scheduled for duty or watch.

Remaining Federal Holidays

  • MEMORIAL DAY MONDAY 05-30-2026
  • JUNETEENTH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY FRIDAY 06-19-26
  • INDEPENDENCE DAY FRIDAY 07-03-26
  • LABOR DAY MONDAY 09-07-26
  • COLUUMBUS DAY MONDAY 10-12-26
  • VETERANS DAY WEDNESDAY 11-11-26
  • THANKSGIVING DAY THURSDAY 11-26-26
  • CHRISTMAS DAY FRIDAY 12-25-26

Graduation dates will change when a holiday falls on Wednesday or Thursday, OR FRIDAY

*** NOTE - LIBERTY TIMES WILL ALSO  CHANGE, CHECK WITH YOUR SAILOR ***

See the official U.S. Navy website for division numbers and dates of graduation from Navy Boot Camp:

https://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/Graduation/Training-Group-Graduation-Dates/

Recommended Restaurants:

Most require reservations—check their website.

For events happening this week in Chicago: https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/