Comment

Comment by Anti M on March 11, 2009 at 11:24am

Hi, I'm a new again member ... Navy aunt, but also navy wife, and Navy vet who was in Japan a long time.

I took many courses from the University of Maryland, and I often had to drop classes. Japanese language was one such class, after the third time, i gave up and learned colloquial Japanese from my neighbors. If the reason for dropping a class is related to military duties, I tried to take an "E" for incomplete and make it up later. I do remember that most professors bent over backwards to work with duty schedules. There is a sliding scale to pay for partial tuition, but my info is so old I couldn't tell anyone how it works now. The universities all have websites for the overseas branches. The link for the college clearinghouse in Yokosuka, they may be able to be of assistance:

http://www.cfay.navy.mil/NavyCollegeOfficeYokosuka/welcome.htm

In Yokosuka, the cultural indoc class is mandatory for all sailors. Three or four days. It is as comprehensive as a short course can be. After I separated from service, I used to volunteer to be an assistant walking tour guide of Yokosuka. So all sailors are given a basic crash course on customs and such. I do agree that knowing some Japanese is extremely helpful, but speaking the language fluently takes years, much less mastering three alphabets and thousands of kanji characters! Most sailors work on base in an English speaking environment; the JNs who worked with us were fluent in English. English language is a mandatory course for Japanese middle school students, many Japanese people have a basic grasp of English. Unlike the US, where we do not require our kids to learn Spanish! Also, Hispanic immigrants are often relocating to the US permanently, while American sailors are only staying for one or two tours in Japan. Very different circumstances.

Comment by MarianneKT's Mom on March 6, 2009 at 1:10am

Katie called tonight to tell me that she will be stationed on the USS Essex out of Sasebo, Japan. She is excited...Japan was #3 on her 'dream list' after San Diego (#1) and Pearl Harbor! Not sure when she will be leaving yet. Katie is in Mod 6 of her DC training at A school.

Comment by T-Lynn on March 4, 2009 at 12:32pm

Great advice Tina,
I will share your comments with him. Usually, Alex, will handle his situations and then share with me. But he felt so bad for his shipmates and was lost on ideas. Sometimes an outside point of view is better. And their advice can motivate one's brain working in the right direction. I will share with you when I hear any more information about this. Hope all is going well for your son. I am feeling better - had my two cups of coffee! take care Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on March 4, 2009 at 10:49am

Dear Jeff and Cora,
Thank you for listening to me. My son did have his ID stolen - shortly after arriving on his base. Luckily - his credit card and the Navy Federal responded quickly. And Alex is not even sure how it happend. He didn't have his internet up and running. But as of now - no -problems. I just wanted to share, so no other family would have this scare. I do have another question: this is with the subject of our sailors taking college classes on the base. Two of Alex's shipmates were in Japaneese launage classes, but the very last class they missed. ( The final!) Not becasue of goofing off - ship duty. But because they missed the final - they failed. The Navy then immediately took moneis out of their accout to repay the Navy for flunking! Now, I understand - the Navy is gracious to pay for our sailors to have college classes and if they fail becasue of their own faults - ok - the sailor/sailors have to pay back. But in this case - they Navy caused the problem of missing class. Alex said these guys are dishearted and the Navy took out the entire amount for the class at once - leaving the sailors with nothing to pay bills, etc. Well - until the next paycheck. What can be done about this? Wouldn't you think the Navy wants our sailors to learn the launage of the countyr our silors are station at? If I am out of line - please help put me back in my place. I do go "overboard" and over protective at times. but this just didn't seem right. Alex would like to take classes. He has his Asscoicates and wants to finsih with a degree. but even I am wary of this situation. Anyone - ideas? And can we find a way to help Alex's shipmates too? Can we Moms - Dads -etc - complain directly to the command of the post? Sorry getting emotionial - I'll go have some coffee and do some "crank duty" and wait to hear. Thank you for letting chew an ear. Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on March 4, 2009 at 12:11am

HI everyone,
Just saw a report on TV. There is a phoney message that is being sent around., to your email address'. From the IRS - that if you give them the following infor ;
Name - SS# - and credit card number with the 3 digit code on back - the IRS will send your refund - directly to that crediit card. This is not the IRS. I sent this nfomration to my son. I know our sailors are smart and computer savy, but I 'm not. I would not know this. So I am sharing. Just to help someone not fall into a problem. take care Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on March 2, 2009 at 10:13pm

Hi everyone,
I finally go the guts to try the chat room. I followed the instructions shared by Jeff. But the size! It is so small, I need a magnifier just to see it. Yes, I did try other keys to enlarge it - nothing. But I am so proud I tried. Thanks Jeff.

Comment by T-Lynn on March 2, 2009 at 9:30pm

Hi Kim, Many of the credit card companies will not speak with you, unless you are listed on that card. Our son had both myslef and his father placed on all his cards, to be able to help in situations like this. If you can reach your son, please ask him to have you and your husband added to his credit card. Our son even went to the Navy Lawyers to have us as powerof attorney to help in any situation. This way - if anything happened, we could help him in business or medical situations. Good Luck Terry

Comment by Kim on March 2, 2009 at 9:15pm

My son had a problem last week that I want to ask for advice on. He ordered something expensive from an online company. He gave our phone number. Both his credit card company and the company he ordered from phoned and asked for verification. He asked me to handle it. The company was ok with my verbal or but the credit card company would only speak to him. They gave their 888 number. I haven't heard if he straightened it out yet. They also told them that he could put my name and social security number on his account for authorization. They said I would not be responsible for the account. Has anyone had this problem?

Comment by T-Lynn on March 1, 2009 at 2:41pm

Hi Joan, So glad - so glad to hear this news. Thank you for sharing. Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on February 26, 2009 at 9:11pm

Thanks Melony. I will share this with my son. He had his identiy stolen after he arrived at Saebo. Luckily his credit card and the NavyFederal caught it and acted right away. Some guy in PA got my son's information. Now we are on Life Lock! And it is nice. Joan - so glad for the update. And I know we all are hoping for the rest of his flight to be a good one. I notice we Moms used the term" Welcome Aboard" to the new Moms. I like it, but I think it would be nice if we had a ship name. OUr kids are all on ships and in a way, so are all us, by loving our kids and the feelings we share missing them. I also, would like to know - where do you get the T-shirts ( Navy for Moms ) ? Need to get off - we are actually having a thunder/lightning storm here! This is funny for us in Rockford, Illinois to have this now. Take Care Terry

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