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Comment by Anti M on July 21, 2009 at 2:08pm

Brandy, it is usually E-4. However, every base may be slightly different. heck, may be a command thing. The big headaches are registration in Yokohama and parking. Especially parking. Parking on base is in short supply. Hassle, hassle, hassle.

Twelve years in Japan and we didn't own a car, it is a huge hassle. Unless he lives far off-base, the trains and buses will do for the most part, and bikes are excellent for shorter distances. you just throw on a rain suit now and then.

Hubby and I did own Harleys. We paid $30 each a month to park them in someone's yard. The house we rented was up a bunch of stairs, not on a street. Our last year there, we were given a van. We had to park it on base, at the high school. I could do that because I worked there and got a sticker from the school. Otherwise, we'd have had to find a spot to rent in town in a pay lot, and that's a minimum of $100 a month. Ended up giving it to a missionary who was collecting vehicles to take to Kenya.

Comment by Anti M on July 21, 2009 at 11:06am

I'm guessing "boat-itis" is going slowly mad from being cooped up in a tin can at sea. No matter how big the ship, you still can't stroll down to the corner for a change if scenery. The "cures" vary as much as each individual sailor. Some smoke, some read books, some play video games, some study.

T-Lynn, Burning Man isn't that type of art festival. We go deep into the desert, a lot of us, as in 50K and build a city on the playa (ancient dry lakebed). Everyone participates, there is music and performance and fire-spinning and costumes and mutant vehicles and giant art. At the end, we burn the wooden Man. There is no buying or selling of anything, no competitions. Google it, you'll be amazed, or think I'm some sort of stoned hippie (I'm not, just weird).

Comment by T-Lynn on July 21, 2009 at 10:17am

Hi Pround GroundHog Mom,
Welcome :). Ok - Anti - M and Melia, a sailor with boat-itis? Does this mean he fears a ship or being on a ship or being out to sea - ? Gee - I thought I was getting on to gossip and now I have something to make me think. Got to get more coffee. Burning Man Art Fest - is this the harvest time period of August or early September? And what are you entering into the art fest Anti M? Will chat later this afternoon - Mom is at her outpatient PT and doing good :). Oh - today is the Solar Esclipse everyone. Have a good morning TLynn

Comment by Anti M on July 21, 2009 at 12:28am

Aw shucks. I'm actually easy to find on couchsurfing.com. Yes, you can stay in my guest room if it is open. Or if you go to the Burning Man art festival, LOL.

Comment by T-Lynn on July 20, 2009 at 11:25pm

Thank you Kim,
I have not known any one to be jealous of me before. New feeling here. I hope Melia is reading - how people would like to meet her or even just see a picture of her. Just like we all so WANT to meet Anti M. We do have her picture . At the luncheon the IIllinois Moms shared that they have received good advice from Anit M - she being on other sites. Thank ladies for reaching out to all us. And Navy Dad - we think you are ok too. Need someone to tease. Sweetest of dreams this night to all.
ANd to Julie - a candle was lit to honor your Mother. May only wonderful memories be in your dreams and give comfort to your heart. TLynn

Comment by Kim on July 20, 2009 at 8:22pm

T-Lynn, I am jealous that you met Melia.
Anti M, I am sorry to hear about your brother. I would love to meet you also.

Comment by Kim on July 20, 2009 at 8:17pm

Thank you Anti M. I hope Julie reads all this information. My son is on the same ship and I can tell you that they are as far away as they could possibly be. I would like to hear other peoples experiences in this matter. As sad as it is, my dad is 85 and my son is very close. I would like to plan ahead.
It is my understanding that the air force supply run to Japan, takes them to San Diego and they will have to fly home from there.

Comment by Anti M on July 20, 2009 at 7:41pm

As for sailors going home for funerals from overseas, if it is emergency leave and they are on shore duty or in port, I believe they fly home Space A with priority seating, free. I'd have to look it up and it may vary by command.

While deployed? That's complicated. They can't always fly/chopper a sailor off the ship, it may be too far out, and it won't hit a port just for one sailor. Might need a passport if it isn't a SOFA port. I actually don't know for sure, but I have a gut feeling that it doesn't happen easily.

Comment by T-Lynn on July 20, 2009 at 7:40pm

Thank you Anit M.
Knowing is comforting. Wish we could hug Julie personally and hope her son is receiving hugs from his shipmates. A Solar Eclipse is coming on Wednesday - make a wish for something new or of a need. :) TLynn

Comment by Anti M on July 20, 2009 at 7:37pm

T-Lynn, if the death is not an immediate family member, it is likely the sailor cannot take leave. Grandparents, unless they raised the child, aren't classified as immediate family members. Generally, parents, siblings, spouses and children, in-laws (?) and no others. I would have to look that up, there's links on about.com.

The Navy does not pay to send the sailor home in the States. My brother died in December, my nephew was on a flight shortly after from Goose Creek. He borrowed the money for air fare from Navy Relief (or whatever it is called these days) and is paying it back over ten months. He was home for only three days; school began Monday and he was back in class on Tuesday, catching up. No, the Navy does not give you much time if you have a job to do or a school to attend.

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