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?

[sunny rose]

My son has been deployed on Nimitz since early august e-mail is awsome even though i must us public library even if he just sends a sentence I know he is okay. If you send mail use their military address my son has gotten packages in 1-3 weeks it depends on where they are at. I pick up priority boxes at post office the large and can send at a discount for military addresses for 11.95 , it must weigh less than 20 pounds. The boxes don't cost until you ship them so I pick up several at a time. My son also bought a laptop and had it delivered on ship so he e-mails every time I mail him a note. This way he can get on line easier. He has never called said the phones have terrible reception and he would rather just e-mail. I send him a package a month at least and sometimes he will e-mail for certain items so I will send more. His birthday was in september I had family and friends write letters etc. I sent 3 boxes early so he would have them on time and they only took 1week. Now I've waited almost 3 weeks he still doesn't have last package so it just varies.

[lucy ann granstaff]

thanks for this information

[Pat]

Personal laptops can not be used during deployments only when they are in port.

[KYmom]

I heard from mine more by e-mail with him deployed then when he is at base. LOL...
So it varies alot depending upon how much access they have to a computer or a phone.

[Lesli]

Hi This is true, You just never know

[Texas Carol]

Hi Michelle! Our son is returning next week from his first deployment.
He was out 5 months and called 3 times (on my husband's birthday but we missed it, on my birthday but we missed it, and when they go to Hawaii and he had his cell turned back on). Phone calls are expensive and rare, so don't expect one unless they are in port or it's a special occassion. However, there is a K7 system you can sign your sailor up for. It allows you to send a message (lika a WAV file) that comes through on his e-mail.
Sailors do have access to e-mail (some more than others depending on the job). When my son was in the print shop he was on a computer everyday so could e-mail us fairly regularly. When he was cranking in cargo we sometimes went a couple of weeks without email. Anyway, your communication may be sporadic, but you can communicate through e-mail (but attachments will not go through so only send text).
Also, send letters and care packages when you can. Just remember the mail is inconsistent. One package we sent took 6 days to get to him and the next one took almost 4 weeks. Hope this info helps!

[Michelle]

Thanks Texas Carol,

Yes this is very helpful as most of the postings have been been for me. I also have been hearing from my son and as you've stated in your post - very sporadically... He sends emails to my cell phone and I am able to hear the phone through the nite and I wake up instantly and reply back to him. Sometimes he's able to answer me right away and sometimes not. But I am always so happy to hear from him - whenever he is able to contact him. As I always worry about his well-being - which I am sure is no different than the other parents here on this website. Thanks for your response...(smile)

[Navy Ma]

Michelle;
I know when my ex husband went on the 1st deployment after we were married I was fortunately enough to have our 2 sons to keep me on my toes. Our youngest was in and out of Dr. appts (birth defect) and I was near my family. However I am now in the same ship as you. Our oldest just got to Japan about 4 pm Yokosuka time 14 hours earlier than here yesterday. I was able to see that he got the e mail b day card I sent him (19 on the 19th). It was mostly a nightmare before he left, he was suppost to have 9 days here with me then 9 days leave with his dad before he left. The Navy lost his service records and they cancelled his leave. I haven't seen him since boot camp grad in Aug. And, he'll be on the USS George Washington until next year. With the wonderful technology we have as aposed to 10 years ago, it's amazing. I have a web camera to send him as soon as I get his e mail with his address.
As for deployments with my son... I'm sure I'll be asking you the same questions.
I see you have gotten alot of positive feedback and I wish you the very best.

[Michelle]

Hi Navy Ma - wow! you are experiencing the same thing again...You are a very strong woman. My ex-husband was Army, so it wasn't that bad for me - the worst was my husband to go to the field for a month or so. I also had 2 sons back then and one was disabled (from birth). We were medivaced back & forth from Germany to Walter Reed so much that finally the Army reassigned us back to the US.

Sorry your son did not get to spend his leave with you - I know that was very disappointing. But you're right, I love the webcam and technology has certainly come a long way baby!(smile). So I'm sure you will be so happy to see his face on that computer once he's able to.

Well, thanks for your response and your kinds words and I also wish you and your son the best!

Cheers,

[Cora-Brooklyns Mom]

i ONLY HEAR FROM MY DAUGHTER THROUGH HER MILITARY EMAIL WHILE OUT ON THE SHIP. SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO CONTACT US ANY OTHER WAY WHILE AT SEA.

[Michelle]

Hi Cora-Brooklyns Mom,

Yes I believe this because this is how my son has been contacting me since he has been out on the ship. Thanks for the response...Take care.

[samantha]

my son has gone on two deployments each several months long , it takes untill they port somewhere to talk to him but he emails me once aweek at leasst