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Comment by ValK on October 31, 2013 at 12:31am

Yep, no water for 3 days, raw sewrage is still "deep" in section of ship.  Tons of laundry.  This is a health hazard.  They have to go to barracks or another ship to bathe.  The barge is just that, a barge moored in "The Yard". Sketchy neighborhood.  Hopefully these sailors can move to barracks and soon.

Comment by Momma TS on October 30, 2013 at 12:19pm

Hello, thank you for all the information. I wish I could say that it has helped calm my mind. I don't understand how they can treat our sailors this way. I pray that these issues get resolved quickly and that your sailors are treated better soon.
Why are the sailors not allowed to eat at one of the galley's on base? What exactly is the 'barge'? It doesn't sound like a fitting place to house our sailors.
Does anyone know if the sailors are allowed to live off base? We are new to the Navy, my son will be coming from A school, this whole process has been an eye opener.
To address the issue of locking up everything, are they given ample room for their belongings oe should they only bring minimal items?
I would like to thank you all for your honest and heartfelt welcome and information. I am so thankful for this site and for the caring family members on it!
Sincerely,
Momma TS

Comment by Trinket on October 30, 2013 at 6:46am

Keep the Sailors on the barge in your prayers.  Latest is that there are sewage issues and the toilets and water are shut down for them, have been now for 24 hours and counting.  Wish they'd just feed my son and let him have a decent place to live.   I guess it proves that the sacrifices of the people in our military start hard and fast and continue (even when their ship is in dry dock).  Don't forget to say thank you to every person you meet in the military, they deserve our thanks. This is ridiculous on top of our sons eating snacks and canned soup to survive.  They are in my prayers.  I hope their situation changes very soon for the better. 

Comment by Trinket on October 29, 2013 at 7:59pm

ValK,

I was literally choked up reading your post here.  My son came home for a very short visit recently and, like your own, he was famished for every home cooked meal he could fit inside his stomach. Sadly, at first, he could only eat a few bites.  Due to his lack of large meals and eating mostly snacks, his stomach couldn't barely hold more than a few bites.  After a couple of days, he was gobbling up everything in sight.  What you wrote, touched my heart.  I'll keep your son in my prayers.

I'm so very glad you had a wonderful visit with your son.  My own will be coming home also over New Years and we are all so eager to spend time with him.

Comment by ValK on October 29, 2013 at 11:47am

Greetings All. Our trip to San Diego went exceedingly well.  We had a great time visiting our son BUT we were just in time for the government shut down. I was staying at North Base & he is stationed at the Yard. Because of shut down, no visitor passes were available. Stores/Shops on Base were closed due to personnel on furlough. Any time I left base, my son had to be with me to return to base and he would have to find a ride back to Barge. I was amazed there was no work around. Hopefully all is well now. Yes, Essex krewe (New Orleans influence)  should be on ship for December. Our son is coming home for a New Year's visit. While still on the barge, they find sustainance by Roach Coach and lots of prepacked processed foods (not healthy). Son was most happy to sleep in a real bed and eat LOTS of cooked food.  Inn on North Island was FANTASTIQUE,  I would suggest to stay in one of the side buildings & ask for the last room - the ocean is right out of your patio door.  We took our son to the Del Coronado for lunch - he enjoyed every second and morsel of food.

Comment by Trinket on October 28, 2013 at 7:42pm

Hi Momma TS,

My son has been assigned to the USS Essex in San Diego since July 2013.

Your son will be wonderfully welcomed when he comes. The Sailors seem really friendly there.  He'll be living on a berthing barge at first because the ship is currently undergoing a major overhaul and isn't liveable yet.  It was in dry dock, but only recently was put into the water for the first time.  The tentative date for moving onto the ship itself is sometime in December.  The galley on the ship is not functional yet and the galley on the barge is out of order.  The working times and travel times to the main mess hall ion base s sometimes tricky.  Most of their food will be snacks they buy, fast food, food they buy off base, or from the Roach Coach that comes by the ship.  My advice is to make sure your son budgets his money well, or you are able to send him some money because the $10.00 a day they are allotted for meals is really insufficient.  Also, as previously mentioned on this thread, make sure he knows to lock up his valuables.  Unfortunately, there have been some thefts.  He'll make friends easily.  They are a great group of men.  My son very much enjoys the crew he works with and they like to watch movies together and hang out during their off time.  

Welcome!  Looking forward to hearing from you more. 

Comment by Momma TS on October 28, 2013 at 3:04pm

Hello, my sailor should be reporting to San Diego/USS Essex in November. Any tips or suggests to help with a smooth transition would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Thanks!

Comment by ValK on September 17, 2013 at 4:37am

Jane - Can you provide info on the "traveler's website" & MWR please?   There's a # on my reservation - need to call about access to & from base.

Comment by Trinket on September 7, 2013 at 6:28pm

Hope you have a safe and wonderful trip Val.  How exciting for you and your son. =)

Comment by ValK on September 6, 2013 at 11:48am

Jane - Thank you so much for sharing such great info. I will let son know about supplements, Wow.  We are from New Orleans.  None of us have ever visited SD, been to L.A. but not southern CA. 

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