Navy Moms Website Earns Top Award for Social Media

By MC2 (SCW) Michael B. Lavender, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Navy Recruiting Command's (NRC) "Navy For Moms" website was awarded the Optimas Service Award for 2010, at a ceremony held in Chicago, Ill., March 24.

Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commander, Navy Recruiting Command; accepted the award citing the benefits of using the web as a platform for people to share their Navy experiences.

"Our families are passionate about the pride they have in their sons and daughters serving in America's Navy," Faller said. "This passion shared through social media has grown beyond anything we could have imagined. Families of current Sailors sharing information with families of future Sailors really helps answer many of the questions about life in the Navy. Our recruiters are always available to answer questions, but when parents or even grandparents share their own experiences, it's really powerful."

The service award is given to the organization whose workforce management leaders have created an initiative to help another constituency within the organization meet its business goals. The U.S. Navy won for an outreach program to mothers, to help recruiters meet their enlistment goals.

The Optimas Award was created by Workforce Management and recognizes initiatives that create positive business results for organizations.

Since March 2008, when it was established, the website has attracted a network of 36,000 mothers who talk about subjects ranging from fear and loss to birthday gifts.

NAVYForMoms.com was created for the mothers (and loved ones) of those who are currently serving or considering serving in the U.S. Navy. Since its establishment in March 2008, more than 36,000 members have used the website to discuss issues with others who share common concerns.

The content on the webpage is member-driven. Questions are asked and answered. Moms share with fellow moms their fears, dreams, personal experiences and even birthday gift ideas. The ultimate goal is to provide an environment of understanding, comfort and belonging to all involved.

"I am overwhelmed by how much this website has meant to me," wrote one Navy mom. "It carried me through boot camp … and most importantly, stood in my shoes when my son was seriously hurt last March, in Florida. I went on the site and put out an SOS for moms to be with him until I could get there from Connecticut. The response was unbelievable. I am forever grateful to the moms and dads who rushed to his side. This forum is what has been needed for so long. We've had our group on Yahoo for about 19 years, but this is the type of thing that was needed most."

"I'm proud of what we've been able to do with this social media community, because it's an important part of our global force for good," Faller said. "In this case, the 'good' comes from shared experiences by our Sailors and their families. We often hear about Sailors helping Sailors throughout the Navy. Well, NavyforMoms is literally families helping other families."

NRC consists of a command headquarters, two Navy recruiting regions and 26 Navy recruiting districts which serve hundreds of recruiting stations across the country.

With 70 percent of the world covered in ocean, 80 percent of the world's population living near coasts and 90 percent of the world's commerce traveling by water, America's Navy is very much a global force for good. NRC's mission is to recruit the best men and women for America's Navy to accomplish today's missions and meet tomorrow's challenges.