Help me understand!!!

[smck4321]

My son joined the Navy recently....boot camp until Nov. 12, then on to Pensacola.  After leave at Christmas, he reported to Norfolk on Dec. 30....assigned to the Eisenhower.  He reported to an empty ship with no open galleys and no working restrooms.  Then found out he had liberty for 4 days.  We put him in a hotel so that he could have a shower and toilet and find some food....basic human comforts, right??  Please don't misunderstand...I am thrilled with his choice to join the Navy, but from a mom's point of view, is this typical of how our young men are transitioned?  He had NO guidance! Now that liberty is over, and work has begun again, things are a bit better, but he is still on the ship with no functioning restrooms....would like to move to the barracks but will have to provide own transport to the shipyard. Doesn't have a car...  Any thoughts??? 

[sharoncede]

That breaks my heart!!  I am sorry I really dont have any advice just a shoulder if you need it.  My son has to provide his own transportation to work --  he lives and works on base but he says it is a little over two miles to work.  My son ended up buying a used car up there that is good enough to get him back and forth-but he doesnt know how to drive in the snow because we are from the South.  I pray that things get better for your sailor because I know if your sailor is happy then you will be happy.

[smck4321]

Thanks for the shoulder.  My son will work things out, I am sure.  I hope I didn't make him sound like a prima donna....he is a great young man.  The momma bear just comes alive when your son doesn't even have a toilet to use!  Thanks for listening!

[sharoncede]

smck4321   I know your son is a great young man--after all he is OUR sailor!!!!   My "momma bear" side comes out often trying to deal/understand the Navy experience so I fully understand and pass no judgement.  We are "the mommas" and I dont care what anybody says we have a hard job!!  Things will get better and your son will be just fine--I promise!

[Grasshopper]

SMCK4321...I don't completely understand since my son is not staioned on a ship.  I do have a cousin that is stationed on a ship at Little Creek.  When his ship was at the shipyard he stayed in the barracks and traveled back and forth daily.  Since he had a car he carried several of the guys that didn't have a car.  I know that with your son being new he has not had a chance to meet many others yet but I do know that when my son got to Norfolk he was assigned someone to be his mentor and they picked him up each day at his barracks and took him to his work area until he got his car up there.  The guys usually jump in and help each other out from what my son says.  I would be very surprised if someone was not willing to give your son a ride back and forth each day.

 

Good Luck!!  I know it's hard when they transition!

[smck4321]

Thank you for your response.  I am glad to hear about the willingness of sailors to help each other.....I know my son would respond that way to others. He's not a spoiled, uncaring kid !  So here's to hoping that he finds avenues to help him do some problem-solving so that he can at least be able to go to the bathroom, yes??? He said that yesterday he used to officer's bathroom....couldn't wait any longer...was willing to accept any consequences that might result!!!   Your comments were comforting.............thank you!

[diannep]

Hey, so sorry to hear this.  Yes, like Grasshopper said, he should have been assigned a sponsor before he arrived there.  My son was, but also went through an adjustment experience.  Dropped off by his sponsor on a Fri night to pretty much empty barracks (remember, it is Fri night!)...told not to go outside at night because it is dangerous (shipyard area)...scared him to death!  One of his buddies up there took him to buy a car relatively quickly (had sold his before going in)...and he has enjoyed his freedom with that.  I'm sure your son will adjust more as he is there, as mine has---mine is fine now...and maybe there are some in the barracks whom he can carpool with to work until he can get a car?  Are the barracks on Norfolk base?  I'm assuming that his ship is under renovations in Newport News?

[smck4321]

I so appreciate your response.  Sounds like our sons had similar experiences....mine sold his car just before he left, too.  Wish we would have known...although I doubt he would have driven to Norfolk in December!!! He is checking today about the possibility of moving to the barracks on the Norfolk base, and his ship is under rennovation at the Naval Shipyard (Newport News???)  I don't mean to come across as whiney...it was just a shock.  I think people can deal with just about anything if they have information, resources...and that was my frustration because he/I had none of these.  So, thank you, again.  This contact has been sooo helpful!

 

[Lillian L. Porch]

SO SORRY FOR THE MISCOMMUNICATION.  I GUESS THINGS HAPPEN NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.  HOPE IT GETS BETTER FOR HIM SOON...

[smck4321]

I am amazed at how responsive Navy moms have been.  Yes, miscommunication is an unfortunate part of life.  Don't think I was expecting a brass band and parade in his honor when he arrived, just something to give him a little direction.  But we are all older and wiser now. Thank you for taking the time to respond....it do know it will get better.

[Patricia]

So sorry to hear about your son's non-welcome to Norfolk.  My daughter was fortunate that there were 3 of them from her C school reporting to the same shop within several days of each other -- built in support group.  Has your son said anything about bus service?  My daughter says there is a bus on the par tof base where she lives and works that she could use to get to/from work if she did not drive. 

[LA'sMOM]

smck4321 - My son was in a similar situation.  He drove with a friend from Pensacola, FL to Norfolk.  When they got there, they had no where to spend the night.  I think they got there very late at night.  So my son called his sponsor and she let them crash on her couch that first night.  My son also complained about the bathroom situation.  He said they were under repair and they could not be used.  He had to either hold it all night or run outside somewhere.  They eventually were fixed and everything seems to be going alot smoother now.  My son also sold his car before he left.  He hated not having a car and not knowing anyone and being bored on his days off.  So he bought a used car and now enjoys his freedom on his days off.  I can understand your frustration because I felt the same way.  Another thing that really frustrates me is what they have to spend on clothing and boots.  Do they get a clothing allowance and if so, when do they get it?  Because my son says he has to pay for everything including the hemming of pants and embroidery and stitching.  Does anyone have any information on this?  Anything would be helpful. 

[Steph]

The enlisted sailors get a uniform allowance once every year. It usually comes during the month that they joined/ entered bootcamp.