Deployments on the Ships

[Michelle]

Can someone please tell me what their experience has been with a son/daughter who has deployed for few months via ship? How long does it take to hear from them?

[Michelle]

Wow! Bryan - you are great!!!! Thanks so much for your help!!!! You just made my day!(smile)

[Re(A's Mom)]

Doesn't she also need his department info?

My sailor's address on his ship is:

rate, last name, first name
ship name & number
department info
then FPO AP or AE zip code

The way it was explained to me: there is one person in each department assigned to go to the on ship post office & pick up the mail for their department . Then they go back to the department & distribute the mail to the person it is addressed to. Meaning the department they are assigned to would be how the mail is sorted at the post office on ship.

[Anti M]

You have it right, Re, the department (or division) info is what gets the mail to them faster.

[Michelle]

Bryan knows I do not have his department or division, that is why he just sent me the general address for the ship. But here's a question for you: Do you think if I just put his rate with his name - that they should be able to find him?

[Anti M]

They should. If you put the last four digits of his SSN behind his name, that helps too. ONLY the last 4 numbers!

Do ask him his dept., though, it will speed things up. The GW has 6,000 aboard!

[Michelle]

Ok Thanks - will do... Yes I googled the GW and the ship is huge and I've heard that there are many people on the ship...wow! didn't realize it was that many!

[Suzan55]

my son is on the usscleveland he has been deployed for almost amonth he has called once and emailed once suzan

[Laura A]

RE: "Cranking". My son is in SD and has gone on a couple of short cruises and will be deploying after the first of the year. However, he has been cranking since he returned from home leave in early July - almost finished! He's been in the mess, cooking and has absolutely hated it!!! :0) As his Mama, I have found it to be humorus; he doesn't seem to agree with my point of view. Ha!

I think it's good for them to get a really good idea of what it takes to run the ship and the 'not so fun' jobs that keep the rest of the crew going from day to day. One of my church members, who is former Navy, told me to wait until they have to paint on the ship while underway, he will really love that (meant very sarcastically!)

I'm thinking my boy is really going to appreciate his mama cooking for him when he comes home next. Or maybe, I'll have him cook for me!

[Michelle]

I sent my son an email and ask him was he "cranking" but he hasn't answered me yet. Maybe I was not supposed to ask that question? Don't know...but I know he tells me that all they do is clean all the time. He has a little cooking experience as he used to do it when he worked at a restaurant while in High school, but he doesn't enjoy it. LOL...!

Thanks for the response re: cranking - I had never heard of the term.

[lyssa4e]

Hey Michelle, I am so glad you asked the question. My son will be going out for his first time shortly and I have been searching for the same info. I have gained much reading all your replies.

[Michelle]

Yes, I totally agree Lyates!! I have only been on this website for less than a week and have learned so much. It has also given me more of a calmness and a peace that I didn't have before since my son left for Japan in September.

[Pam - Grant's proud Mom]

Hi Michelle, I just wanted to say "Wow!" you asked a question and look at the response you've received. I've read all the comments and have learned a lot as well. My son is on the GW and I saw where you joined the GW group. I haven't heard from my son since they left - I have a shipping address but he didn't give me an email address. I hope we can stay in touch and learn as we go along. I did find this site about the time my son left for boot camp and it absolutely saved me so much heartache by staying in touch with the other Moms.