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Comment by Allison on August 9, 2017 at 10:57am

Phoenixmom, usually ship rules are not posted. They can change in a heartbeat as privliges are granted or taken away. It may also depend even on the same ship if they are a student or fleet returnee. There's no harm in ordering something with a gift receipt for him, or he could always mail it back to you. Thin fleece blankets are a good idea because there isn't much closet space and it can be rolled up and shoved in a seabag if he has to move ships or when he leaves Great Lakes, but they are still warm. Unfortunately, unless you already have exchange privliges from the Navy or another military branch, you are not supposed to shop there or order from there. They are usually pretty relaxed about this in Great Lakes on the weekends because they know lots of families are coming in with the new students and want to buy things for their kids. In theory, if you know all of your sailor's info including rank and social security number, you could order online for him. Civilians really are not supposed to use this resource, the tax free and (sometimes) low cost of items is meant to be a benefit for service members and their dependents, but if you just plan on using it once or twice to buy a gift for him, that would be how you do it online; although, a gift card is always a good alternative. Amazon is also a great place to shop online, and other well known and local stores to him are Walmart and Target. There is a Macy's about half an hour away in the mall as well and plenty of stores you'd recognize in Chicago no matter where you're from, which can make returning things easy or just sending him some gift cards.

Comment by Anti M on August 9, 2017 at 10:52am

Unfortunately, you are not going to find a list of rules online.  There is not one standard set of regulations for barracks, as they each add their own as they feel it is needed.  For example, some allow food, some allow only food in resealable containers, some do not allow any food at all!  

A warm, thin blanket is probably the best bet.  Easy to fold up and put away in the limited locker space.  Their lockers are large, like a wardrobe, but they must keep everything in it!  If they have a TV or computer, they have to get written permission to leave those out.

When they deploy to a ship, a lot of them choose to take a sleeping bag so they don't need to mess with making up their rack.  Ships als have varying regs about bedding, so expect changes when they get their orders!

Comment by Phoenixmom on August 9, 2017 at 10:31am

Good Morning Ladies, so with that being said about the blankets and sheets where would you find the rules and regulations are they posted anywhere? I here alot about the NEX that must be a store on base is there a website and can you order things online for our sailor staying in Great Lakes? Insted of a bulky comforter I was thinking of a nice warm blanket instead forgot about the limited space. Thank you Ladies and if you have more info please advise.

Comment by blackbirdmom on August 8, 2017 at 9:11pm

Our sailor does the same as Prudence's sailor. He sleeps on top of his made bed and make sure it's ready for inspection. 

Comment by Prudence on August 8, 2017 at 8:08pm

Anti M is exactly right! For us, we found the NEX on base to be the best place to get needed items because of the price but while there we saw patents buying nice big comfy comforters when in some barraks space is limited and they have to make their beds daily and fold and store blankets we buy them. We got our Sailor a cozy thin micro fleece king blanket to use on top of the issued bedding so he could create a comfy sleeping bag, cocoon, to sleep in on top of his already made bed so that he could simply fold his blanket and still have the issued bedding already made each morning for inspection.

Comment by Anti M on August 8, 2017 at 7:51pm

You will not find a hard yes or no answer, as each school, each ship (barracks), has different rules about that.  In general, yes, they can use their own bedding, but must use their issued sheets and blanket for inspections.  Some barracks require they put away their personal quilts or comfortes each day.

Do not buy anything until your sailor has checked into their school, and has the rules for their particular barracks.

Comment by Phoenixmom on August 8, 2017 at 5:24pm

Hi Ladies, does anyone have any info as far as bedding, are they allowed to take a bed set such as sheets and blanket/comforter? and where may I be able to find this info. I was told they can take bedding but just want to make sure before I purchase he can have a set or only certain things.

Comment by Anti M on August 2, 2017 at 7:21pm

Yes, that is it exactly.  No flying home on weekends.  You can go visit him, though.

Comment by Phoenixmom on August 1, 2017 at 12:17pm

So hen are you saying he may not be able too come home? ok well I guess I will play by ear, see what happens. Hopefully something good will come out of it.

Comment by Anti M on August 1, 2017 at 11:20am

I have a blog on here which explains the differences between Leave and Liberty,  That may answer a few more questions.

http://navyformoms.ning.com/profiles/blogs/leave-vs-liberty

Every command in the Navy has a liberty mile limit, although with increased freedom in the fleet, some may not even realize that!  Generally, if they have to fly, that is a no go on liberty.  If they request leave, they have to put down a rough travel itinerary.

During A school, do not expect to see them on long weekends unless you go to them, or they can get leave approved.  Hint: leave during A school is rare, except at Christmas/NYE.

They earn 2.5 days of leave each month, fr 30 paid days each year.  By the end of boot camp, they have about five days "on the books".  They can borrow forward, but if their school is short, they may not have enough to take a week to go home afterward.  A few may choose to take Thanksgiving rather than Christmas.  That would not be a full week, just the four days.  

They learn to budget leave, planning in advance when they can take it.  In the fleet, do not expect Christmas leave, or the full 30 days in one shot.  Two weeks is most common.  If they are stationed overseas, they often get a full 30 when they transfer to a new stateside command.  There are a lot of scenarios!

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