Son leaving for Sasebo, Japan

[Pearleeh]

Hello All,

My sailor will finish his A school in 2 weeks and will be home to Carson,CA for about 10 days and then he leaves for Sasebo,Japan. I really don't know what to expect when he is there, what happens when he arrives? when will he able to call home? will I be able to come and him in Japan? anything from anyone that will give some piece of mind will surely help...... I'm just worried I was a emotional wreck the 1st week he left for boot camp and when I got his last call before graduation that he passed test and is now a sailor and then he broke the news to me where he will be stationed all I know I will surely miss my son just writing this now is making me emotional. Please don't get me wrong it's just knowing the fact he is on other side of the world makes me really sad just thinking about it :((( But best believe my heart is filled with pride and joy of what my son has become he is no longer my baby boy, he has become a MAN!

[JeriLynne]

Hello and welcome! My son has been in Sasebo for 1.5 years and really likes it. I dont know what your sons job is but certain jobs have certain ports that they can be in. Once he is in Japan it is like a regular job so he can call you etc. We use skype a lot. it is FREE so it is worth it. Dont be sad. This is what he joined for...to see the world! My son is deployed right now (that is a lot harder then when he is in port). Good luck to him and to you.

[skyesmom]

Do you know what ship your son is going to be on?? My daughter is in Sasebo. It is a great place. There are a lot of great resources available for him to help him move out there. His ship I believe will contact him and give him info he needs to move. I am not entirely sure how the enlisted move works, my daughter went right out of ROTC.So it might be different. The ship will have an obudsman which should contact your son with info also. I hope this helps. if you need anything else let me know. Oh yeah, my daughter has a phone there and is able to call home when she is in port. I am not sure how the plans work in Japan, but we also Skype a lot. Good Luck!!! It will be a great adventure for him!!!!!

[Kathy from Texas HMDA]

My daughter is not on a ship, she works in the hospital in Yokosuka, but I was in the same frame of mind when she left too... She got there and promptly got on a phone plan, got an iPhone.  From there she got an app called Tango.  She can call me on Tango via her phone without any long distance charges.

Also, we face time (apple's skype).  She calls me almost everyday, so it's almost like having her away at college, she just can't come home on weekends :-)

She is saving up her leave and I am using my air miles to fly her home for three weeks in August, can't wait.

I have adjusted to the fact my baby has left the nest and settled into her home for the next two years.  She loves it there, which takes the worries off of me.  In fact, I am envious of the fun she is having (Tokyo night life, mission trip this weekend to the earthquake victims up north, and taking a bullet train to go skiing in March) 

It will get easier, trust me.

Hang in there!!

Kathy

[Pearleeh]

Thank you everyone for your feedback :))) my son ship is the USS TORTUGA. I am so happy I was able to find this group this will be a great help to ease my sadness. Its good to know he can call, email and access the internet so we can skype.

Has anyone gone to Japan yet to visit?

My sincere thanks to you all for the information i truly appreciate it!!!!! :)))))

~XOXOXO~

[navymom41]

Hi Sailormom! I was in your shoes for the past 3 years when my son was stationed at Atsugi Japan right out of A school. He came to love Japan and the Japanese people and hopes to return one day. He is now stationed in San Diego. We were fortunate to visit Japan twice in 3 yrs. We were able to stay on base at the Navy Lodge and BOQ. It was encouraged for families to visit their service members and well worth the trip if you are able to go. For me, being able to see where my child was stationed greatly helped my peace of mind and made it easier to relate to all he was doing in Japan. He is an MA so he was stationed on the base. We found Japan to be a wonderful country. Skype is a great free way to call and video chat..even during the earthquake and tsunami last year we were able to skype and facebook. I know it is far away from home but our sons do us proud and they know we are always with them. Best of luck to you and your sailor.

[BearsNavyMom~ship04~div851]

Hello

   I don't know what your son's job will be.. My son has been in Sasebo, since Sept 18,2010. Sasebo is a small base and its, kinda like a small country town, they all know each other, and become friends. my son has shore duty, so it all depends on when or where they get deployed.   Sasebo, is so small, they have to be flown to tokyo for any major medical incidents. He will be able to call once he gets a cell phone there, and get international calling on your phone, and of course SKYPE is awesome!! be sure if he has a car, get the insurance dropped to deployed rate, as well as the interest rate on a car loan. while deployed the bank has to drop the rate not sure of % though,  his hometown cell phone can be put on military standby also..  have his deployment papers  and anything he has a payment on ask if it can be reduced. including the insurances..

   i hope this helps.

[navybluemom]

Welcome, Sailormom! My son has been in Sasebo since 12/20. It was really hard at first, but helps to know he is really enjoying Japan. We talk to him often - he bought a phone over there and has magic jack. It was cheaper than using his iPhone's international plan. My son's shp is supposed to go out for shorter periods of time, so I look forward to hearing from him more often than if he were stationed in the states on longer deployments. We are here for you during this!

[BHappy (Sharon)]

I don't post here much but just saw your post.  My son has been in Sasebo on the USS Essex since April 2010.  Yep, it was HARD to see him go but you will adjust.  I see everyone told you about skype, email, internet, etc.  :-)  I didn't see that anyone answered that they have visited, since we have, I thought I would reply.  We went on a Tiger cruise aboard the Essex in 2010.  It was amazing!!!  We got there a few days early and stayed in the Navy Lodge on the base.  Unfortunately it POURED down rain most of the time AND our son was "working" but we walked around the base a lot and saw much of the area.  It is very nice.  We also took a 9 day tour of Japan before arriving to Sasebo by train.  The base is like a little piece of the US right there, nice!  There is a USO right past the front gate where your sailor can call home for FREE.  (please support the USO folks!)  There is a movie theater, activities, events, excursions, shopping, fast food, etc. on the base...even a Chili's!  :-)  I hope this helps!  :-)  Sharon

[Monty's mom]

Welcome.  My son is also on the U.S.S. TORTUGA.  Has been since June 2010. I was a wreck when he first went there.  The ladies on here are wonderful.  I read alot of the conversations on here, and if you ever have a question, these ladies have the answers.  I too am proud of my son, but miss you dearly. :)

[wismama (CS mom)]

Sorry so late Sailor Mom.. my son is also on the Tortuga. I didn't hear from him alot at first; but I think they keep the new ones busy. They are out alot; but they can still call. I was worried, but then when he finally started to call more frequently, I realized that he just is real busy but sounds happy for the most part. Hugs; and if you need anything just write.

[CDMom]

My sailor leaves for Iwakuni, Japan after A School.  He graduates May 7th and should come home to Tallmadge, OH for two weeks and off he goes.  I am also having a hard time with the idea of him being half way around the world and he is not that great at communicating (must be a male thing)   It is nice to know I am not alone in my concerns or emotions about the upcoming event.  I too am proud of him and that he is serving his nation and wouldn't want it any other way.  Well we got through bootcamp and A school and we will get through the rest of it as well.  I have a large map of the world up on his bedroom wall so I can keep track of him as much as possible.  My son has become a man there are times I can still see him out in the back yard playing in my mind ;)

[vujmac]

hi, my son have just finished A School and is on vacation with us right now. He will be flying to sasebo, japan early june. i'm just thankful for all the information i have been reading on this group. he said he need to have a passport so we made an appointment in san francisco for an expedite passport. the earliest appointment we got is May 29 and his flight is June 6. he will be in USS Tortuga. Quick question....do they need to bring cash ($) because i've been reading about japan not accepting credit cards/debit cards. Thank you navy moms for all the info, great help to me...