Comment

Comment by Kim on February 25, 2009 at 3:35pm

Staci
Bus Information: From Narita International Airport proceed to the DOD bus counter. Bus departs for Yokosuka at 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm daily.
I had the bus ride time wrong. It is 2-3 hours depending on traffic.
Even if someone is greeting him it is a good idea to have a backup plan.
My own experience arriving at Narita and getting lost is to ask for "D-O-D".
Find a sign with a question mark and say the three letters. Everyone is really nice and helpfull but the Japanese are very self conscious and don't like to speak English fearing their English is not perfect.

Comment by Kim on February 25, 2009 at 8:58am

My son never communicates and he was no different with his sponser. He had to change planes in Tokyo for a flight to Fukuoka. From there it is a 2 hour bus ride but he didn't know how to get the bus. At the airport I asked for the uso. They didn't have one (at JFK??) so they sent him to the first class lounge. There was a Japanese women who explained the Tokyo airport to him. He would have to change terminals. She told him to go to information at Fukuoka and ask for the military. She also upgraded him to business class which was nice. Last November I went to Japan on business. My instructions were to go to the D.O.D. booth at the Tokyo airport and they instructed me how to find the right bus for the bus for the base that I was going to. They only advice that I can give is that everyone at the airport pretended like they did not speak English when we asked for help. Find the sign with a big question mark to ask for help. My son ended up doing better than me. It took me an hour to find the bus. Yokuska is an hour ride by bus and Sasebo is a two hour ride by bus. Having yen with you is important. The base will accept US dollars but the airport won't.

Comment by T-Lynn on February 24, 2009 at 11:20pm

Thanks Tina and Cecilia. I was wondering about Alex being in his dress whites. He carried one of those Tide Pens with him. And he would almost freeze when little kids went by him. Basicly - if he didn't move - maybe they would not touch him with those sticky little hands! But to hear he was a target. And now adays that sends chills down your spine. Cecilia, that sounds fun to have a celebration so close. Hope you danced! I have two sons - the oldest Nic is home and a DJ for a the readio staion here in Rockford, Illinois
( WZOK 97.5 FM) Alex is my baby Both are single. They had young ladies they were very sweet on, but it didn't work out. Have a good evening and thanks for listening. Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on February 24, 2009 at 10:59pm

Hi Pat,
I know all of us share your feelings of sending your child so far away. Some days is ok and some - well, it's ok to cry. One common feeling of all us N 4 Moms I have shared - try your best - to always be positive and supportive in your voice for your child. My Alex is 28 and my baby. When I hear him upset - I have to keep strong. After he hangs up - I cry or get mad at who is upsetting him. ( Like I am going to go over there and make them play nice - like when he was little ) I know you must be going through a list of do's and have you packed. From reading some of the other message on this page; check out her cell phone service. Alex used his SPrint Blackberry until he reach Japan. Then purchased a phone there - that works, phone cards purchased at his base, then with his computer he has SkyPe. ( Navy Moms, I'm I spelling that right?) Alex also had a pocket note book, with list of phone numbers - A School, Airlines, Sponsor, Command Desk, etc) Maybe your daughter can call her A School and get the names and numbers she needs too, like Joan's son did :). One thing Alex shared - he was glad he had 500 in cash on him. reason - when he got to Japan , he had monies available for any emergency. I know all of us moms want your daughter's flight to be a wonderful one. Share her ships name - maybe there will be some other Moms with their sons/daughters on her ship. Then you will have contacts :). Keep us all posted. Take Care Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on February 24, 2009 at 10:37pm

Hi Joan,
Just read your message. My son also had problems with getting ALL the necessary information, so that his flights ( 5 different ones just to get to his base in Saebo, Japan) and who his sponsor was. When he (Alex) finally arrived - he was greeted by the ship;s Petty Office and an fellow shipmate. Their first question to him was: "Why are you in your dress whites?" Alex answered:"Because at A-School, I was told all flights had to be in dress uniform." The Petty Officer's responds: "Well, you had an uncomfortable flight, and know you worried about getting it dirty. But mostly, that white uniform made you a target." Ask you son, if he is to fligh in uniform. When I heard that one - my heart stopped for awhile. Please Joan keep us all posted how your son is doing. By the way - I think you should":share" this infomration of how well your son is traveling in the military, to your Congressman and Senator. Sometimes it does hlep to let them know. Take Care Joan

Comment by T-Lynn on February 24, 2009 at 7:57pm

Hi everyone again. I forgot. Happy Fat Tuesday ! It's Maudi Grau - enjoy.
I use to say "Shake those beads" I thought it meant to dance and enjoy the celebrations of Spring coming. That was until my sons educated me on "HOW" those girls got the beads! So I am wishing all a celebration of the arrival of Spring . Terry PS I have some beads, but I purchased them in a store.
No shaking.

Comment by T-Lynn on February 24, 2009 at 7:27pm

Hi Staci. Welcome. You will like being on this ship of N 4 Mons - station Japan. I am waiting to hear too - where your son will be stationed and his ship.
Emjoy your time of leave and do check out the airline he will be traveling. Reason - to make sure that they do NOT charge extra for a second suitcase/bag. The airlines are NOT suppose to charge Military Personal if they are on active duty. And cell phone use! Sprint cell phones do NOT work in Japan. No matter what a SPrint salespersons says - that SPrint has International calling rates - not with Japan! My son Alex learned that. Your son will need to purchase a phone there and consider calling cards. I agree with Tina - you will receive 2 billion answers to your questions. WE Moms just want to help you and your son have less bumps in the road. You and your son might want to create a small notebook that has important phone numbers and emails to carry. ( His sponsor - the command desk where he is to report, etc) Ladies any other ideas too? And remember you can email here - we will listen and care. Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on February 22, 2009 at 12:38pm

Good Morning Everyone, WOW Navy Moms are strong! Wish I had joined up with all of you earlier. Joan, I have been reading about your son. And I hope by now he is getting the information and results to help him. At first I thought he was on a commercial flight. My son was - when he left for Japan. And it was understood ir he/military personal are on DUTY - they could not be bumped. SO if he was on a commerical flight - I would get on your local radio station talk shows and TELL what happened and named the airline. Please let all of know that your son arrives to his station. Take care Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on February 21, 2009 at 11:04pm

Hi veryone, And welcome Tami. Does anyone have a definition of what cranking is? I thought it was kitchen duty, but I am getting the idea I am wrong. I mentioned to Claudia - that the Navy needs to have a Dictionary for us Moms. Or we all should just write a book. The book could have many chapters:
1. Defintions of Navy Terms.2. What the Navy WILL pay or not pay. 3. What items to take for over seas duties ( As Moms we know what we have had to send over because they needed it. Like my son needed long johns to be warm. The PX didn't have his size!) 4. PHONE service 5. Dealing with Boot Camp, A School, Missing our kids - ETC. I know you all will have ideas to add. Then we could have a fun chapter of the silly things our kids tell us. Naturally, we would not use their names We could write a book and then MAKE the Recruiters hand them out. One for the new sailors and one for new Navy Moms.
Sorry, frustrated again. ALex called his brother very late. Alex was just so home sick that he forgot the time difference. Ales should be out to sea again tomorrow - I think. Well, everyone have a good weekend. Need to go - pies are baking. Take Care Terry

Comment by T-Lynn on February 21, 2009 at 12:57pm

Hi, Yes, Alex mentioned he had to do "crank duty" too. But my son was in a cranky mood too - as we talked. So I guess he is doing double duty. His ship was to stop at Yokosuka, but then the ship returned to it's own base at Sosabo. (USS Patriot) It is to leave out soon again - can't temember to what port in Japan - then out to Korea. But he stated in was actually looking forward to work in the kitchen. He shared that it will be nice and warm and he can snack on all the foods he will be helping the cooks with. That will make him happy - a full tummy! Question - is this crank duty 3 or 4 months long? Have a good day everyone. I am out to shovel snow. We have at least 4 inches now and by 3 PM a possible 6 to 8 inches. It will melt by Monday - but I still have to have the driveway clear for our cars to be for the city snow plows to plow freely. I do not want to unbury a car again! . Terry

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 1835
• 1836
• 1837
• 1838
• 1839
• …
• 1845
• Next ›
• Page