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Comment by Wendy520 on December 6, 2017 at 9:00pm

Thanks for the info!

Comment by WearsLargeHats on December 6, 2017 at 11:35am

My son has a tablet, but I don't know if he took it with him. I know he has his smartphone. Handheld gaming devices are more common, as there is no network on the boat. Rules regarding use (or possession) of devices with cameras or network capabilities vary by command. On my son's boat, they can have such gadgets in airplane mode underway, but ashore they go in a box at the quarterdeck. I don't know the exact details.

If you son is an avid reader, a Kindle might be a good choice. Or and iPod-like thing for music.

Until he is fully qualified, he will have very little leisure on the boat.

All that said, your son will have a lot of time when he isn't on the sub.  If he goes to a missile boat he will only be underway about half the time. In SSNs it is more like a third. SSN deployments are approx. 6 months with 12 or more at port with occassional underways.

Comment by Wendy520 on December 5, 2017 at 10:39pm

My son is currently in Groton finishing up A school. Wanted to get him a tablet for Christmas to bring with him when he eventualy sails. Does anyones sailor have a tablet they brought with them? If yes, which one do they have? Thanks for the help!

Comment by Buzzbeck on November 17, 2017 at 11:28pm

This information really helps, thank you!

Comment by WearsLargeHats on November 17, 2017 at 2:20pm

After over a year, I assume my son finally got his dolphins. Last I heard he had completed the requirements, but then they sailed, and he has been running silent.

Comment by WearsLargeHats on November 17, 2017 at 2:13pm

Buzzbeck, the Navy paid to ship my son's car out to Hawaii, but if your son is already out there then that ship has sailed, so to speak.
If he doesn't have a car, he likely doesn't really need one out there, as long as he is in the BEQ. Work is in walking distance, and there is transportation available for entertainment and shopping. Traffic is awful. For outdoor activities, of which there are many, best to go with friends.

Comment by Shea on November 17, 2017 at 9:21am

Buzzbeck from what I gather most newer sailors get a car once they are in the island. There is a good transportation system there and of course there’s always someone who’s already got a car willing to give them a lift. My son didn’t have a car the first year he was there. He bought a great little Toyota from a lot there that handles vehicles for incoming/outgoing military.

Comment by LindaGirl on November 17, 2017 at 8:32am

Eaglemom01, Dolphin's are a special pin that is awarded to a sailor that he proudly wears on his uniform to signify that he has completed all the necessary qualifications & tests, written & oral, after many months, sometimes a year or longer of training to show that he knows inside & out of the sub he is assigned to. It's a very involved process & every sub sailor must earn his dolphins, usually within a year. After they get their dolphins, they are no longer treated like a "newbe" & have now earned the respect & admiration of everyone else of his/her crew. It's a very big deal & one to be proud of. It's one of the hardest achievements to earn in the Navy. Being a submariner, takes a special kind of person, & not all can do it. Both my son's are submariners.

Comment by Eaglemom01 on November 17, 2017 at 8:14am

Can someone explain what "dolphins" are for sub sailor?

Comment by Buzzbeck on November 17, 2017 at 3:44am

Thank you all, and hi there JayDee! Yes, a future trip to Hawaii is on my mind. Regarding the topic of single sailors and vehicles, I wonder what most end up doing: buying locally, shipping or doing without?

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