What's an Ombudsman and FRG and how to contact them

Angie,
Here is the link to their webpage, it will take you directly to the OMBUDSMANS information. http://www.tr.surfor.navy.mil/welcome%20aboard/ombudsman.html

Annmarie,
I am glad to hear that!

That is wonderful to hear annmarie! Go navy!

Was he able to speak with the Chaplain? I am just so glad that he's turned his outlook around!

That's good! :D

Very happy to hear the good news Annmarie!

Martha,
CO's usually don't send out letters directly to the families that I am aware of, although it does depend on the Chain of Command. Usually they will send out information through their OMBUDSMAN'S, to be put either in their newsletters or the FRG's newsletters. FRG= Family Readyness Groups
Yes you need to be put on their lists for contacts especially the FRG's list, for they cannot contact you withour your permission. I would get in touch with the commands OMBUDSMAN, so you can be kept in the loop of the ongoings of the ship and if the CO does do letters, she will be able to get you on that list as well.

The role of the OMBUDSMAN is that we are a direct link and liason to the chain of command for the families. We are source for resources for families to tap into. We help out not only when you are in emergency situations, but it just in need of some guidance and support. We are not problem solvers, but we help point you in the right direction of where you need to go to help solve that problem. We are able to speak directly with the commanding officer executive office and also the command master chief on the families behalf and the sailors if need be.

Karen,
I am not sure if they have them in boot camp, fellow OMBUDSMANS, do you know? We can get you a number to the Fleet and Family Service Center and they would be able to tell you or at least who to talk with.

Karen,
Here is the number to the Fleet and Family Service Center in Great Lakes
(847) 688-3603 x100

Ann,
Welcome to the Navy family. The OMBUDSMANS information is as follows:ombudsmanddg93@yahoo.com
She can also put you in touch with the FRG (family readyness group,if they have one on board). Both the OMBUDSMAN and the FRG'S will keep you in formed on ship life and activites.

Awwww, thanks Meg! Just making sure our families are taken care of!

Hi Everybody: I spoke with Linda Moore for the Washington group. I know that I am getting this wrong - I know so little - and I left my note at work! Gads I am a dork. Anyway, I have invited her to be here. So hopefully we will have that link to share as well. God and his angels' blessings to all of you~s

Sometimes it is someone responding to a previous comment... so the new comment is a couple of pages back... frustrating- I know!

You girls are too funny. I always chalk it up to me not knowing what I'm doing - you know the "Ma, what did you do now?". I got so used to being the woopser - and messing stuff up. Could have been me!
So, good news, I hope - have sent the e-mail to the Penn ombudsman and hopefully they will join here too to help other mom's. Still hoping for news letters, etc. Watch for them - with Linda here that will help tons.

OPSEC, is a hard thing for anyone to understand. It boils down to simple security measures for the families at home. Never give dates, times, schedules and port visit information out over the phone and email. Good rule of thumb, once things it the media, you are safe to say things. Once ships are in their port, you can say where they are. You CANNOT say when they will be pulling in, or their future visits. Its amazing how quickly anyone can put together the who's, what's and whereabouts' of our sailors, just by the simple things that we write. I've even seen count down's on here and I have advised my group to take those down. We at home can't get into trouble for violating OPSEC (operational security), but your sailor on board can! That's the key to remember.
Some safety tips I give my families, is NOT to advertise your sailor's command, its for your protection. Whether we like it or not, there are people in this world who can pray upon us and get to know ships schedules. I move sailors car around and drive it often, so people still think he's home. I also don't tell people that my sailor is deployed, its a need to know basis. I talk with my children about all these things, because its a hard lesson for them to learn. My favorite saying and its so true is that "loose lips sink ships"! If we just think before we speak and use some common sense, OPSEC isn't an issue.

As a former sailor Meg, OPSEC means a lot to me! But thank you for your kind words :D

Just so we are all very clear, even open forums such as this one is also in the catagory of not giving out that kind of information. Just as not doing it on your Myspace, facebook, cafemom,Navyformoms.....etc........................

Hi Everybody: Our little angel, Brianna will have her cleft pallet surgery next Tuesday the 10th -please keep everybody in your prayers.
On another question - we are doing the family geneology and found a note that one of the male cousins was a nuclear commander - well, our sailor is a NUKE now, and we were wondering if there are any military geneology sites that we can research - any clues? Thank you - and my angel blessings to all ~s

Yolanda,
For starters, you will need your uncles birth date and most importantly his Social Sercurity Number. Then I would start by going to the Veterans Affairs office. Not saying they will know anything or if they do give you information, but its a place to start. The main thing is that SSN, without that its like looking for a needle in a haystack. I know that the archives is located in Washington DC for our service members, but to be honest you will most likely encounter a lot of road blocks, but I hope this gives you a start. Any other suggestions fellow OMBUDSMANS?

WOW MEG!! Your article on the main page is wonderful. I hope that every one reads it. Thank you~s

I have heard that our sailors can get in trouble if we contact the Ombudsman. It this true? I have a question but do not want to cause him any problems

Thanks Regina. I was under the impression that just the "act" of contacting one would land them in trouble. Seems from what people have told me it that even if you ask a question (nothing in any of the catagores you listed) the Sailor gets the ramification because they were contacted. Like the Sailor didn't do what they were suppose to and got in trouble because mom wanted info the sailor didn't provide and should have. Am I making sense?
Susan

No I don't. He's in IA training now so not sure what command to contact. Im guessing his permenant duty station?

Will an Ombudsman be able to find out what unit my son is attatched to? He is leaving for his IA assignment to Afghanistan tomorrow and I know nothing.This info I found out thru the GF. He hasn't called me in weeks. I've sent txt mess but no answer and he's still the the States. .

CTmomof3,
Yes your OMBUDSMAN can get you in touch with your son. Do you know where his current command is before he goes IA?

He just called me for 2 minutes to say he was leaving the States tonight on a charter. I asked if he new what unit or whatever he'll be with and he said he has no information. Could that be? Maybe I should wait in contacting the Ombudsmen.

Give him a few days to get where he is going. It is true, he might not know is exact unit or address. But you still should have the Ombudsman information always,.

Hi Everybody: Please keep praying for our little Brianna. We received a message that she is home the surgery was five hours long. Please keep praying for successful healing and their family. Thank you~s

Thanks Regina, I sent an email this morning (different question than before) how long does take before I receive a response?

Susan

Good Morning:
Well, the doc said that the spot on Dan's lung had not changed in two years - so no worries; and he is good with that. Thank you for your prayers. Monday he has the four hour test in Sacramento. Then maybe things will settle back down. Thank you all! My angel blessings~s
I am still waiting to see if I can receive ship news letters - or anything. Sure seems to take a while- but then again I have PLENTY to focus my attention on.

Hi Martha: Dan is my husband. The 'DAD". I understood - and am probably wrong - that there is a newsletter for each ship.
Hey Regina: I waish my sailor was in your group. You are so WONDERFUL!

I was hoping to receive one for the USS Pennsylvania before our sailor is off to his next job. For the family history, but mostly for Grandpa who is VERY intrested in what the family sailor is doing. I'm also looking for a book on the history of the Penn (sub) to get for Grandpa. It is hard when we aren't located close to anything geographically. Plus there is so much out there - that it is tough to know what will give the best information for what is current and relevant. I have found stuff from the carrier for WWII-at least this keeps me busy.
Our sailor has invited his father for a dependant's cruise - can you tell me what that is? I'm glad to hear that he is reaching out to build a relationship there.
~s
Regina and Meg are so awesome! I've connected with Linda and she is following up in their wonderful service too.

Hey Regina; I'm happy to know ANYTHING. Our sailor has super glue on communication with us!

Wow, I've missed a lot. I'll have to make time to catch up.
I just wanted to drop a note of THANKS to all of you! The four hours stress test went well for my husband (Dan). We will know the results of the pictures of his heart in a few days. My angel blessings to each of you~s
Thank you for asking about Brianna. As far as we know she is recovering. Very scary for us especially when we can't be there to try to be of help. However, it is very reassuring that they have a 'strong group of friends' for support (the ombudsman told me this in an e-mail). We won't bother them with calling or e-mail to respect our dil's request; and also to give them all the chance to relax, rest and recourperate when they can. Our sailor is still deployed, so I am sure this is very hard on our dil.
Owen's trip on the USS Hornet with the Scouts was AWESOME! Great for Pa (my husband-Grandpa) and him to do. ~s

Regina,
You seem to know alot here. I sent a question to the ombudsman last Thursday and have not heard a word. Should it take that long?
Susan

An Ombudsman should get back to you with an email with in 24 to 48 hours. Thats to acknowledge your email and then if she needs to get more information on your question, to give her at least another 24. That is my general rule of thumb when I answer my spouses. I try to answer right away if I can, but no longer than 48.

I sent my question via the link on the bases page. It's been way more than 48hrs so now what?

I would also recommend you do that as well.

If I call the Fleet and Family Services will they be able to verify a mailing address for me? Finally heard from my son however he's not 100% sure of the address he gave me. I could send a "test" box to him but would rather not do it that way. Any suggestions?
Susan

Susan,
The FFSC should be able to give you the correct address for his command.

Oops I should have said he's in Afghanistan. Does this make a difference.

Well I'm not sure that they would have that, BUT they could direct you to the Ombudsman.

Don't know when the change took effect, but we've been in over 17years and we've always had that rotation. Our first ship was 5 years of sea time because of rotation and rate changes. In order to make rank in a lot of rates you need to follow a certain sea/shore rotation. They don't just want to see you go from one shore command to others. We've actually had more sea time than shore. We are heading into our second shore duty. Our first shore duty was back in 1999.

But I can't complain, its gotten us to where my husband is today in the ranking world. So its not a bad thing, but it is a lot of sacrafice on families.

Oh gosh no not at all! We are just having a conversation, via this room! lol

Those are nice looking uniforms! I call my sailors G-man when I see him in camo's! ll

Karen,
Your son needs to go to his command and speak with them, plus get base legal involved as well. Those are the first two steps that I would recommend that he do. Legal will be able to advise him in the legalities of getting his wife and child back to the states.

Karen,
You can contact the Fleet and Family Service at:
(301)342-4911
You will need to know which command he is assigned to. Also here is the number to legal:
NLSO North Central
1014 "N" St. SE, Suite 250
Washington Navy Yard, DC
20374-5016

Comm: (202) 685-5580

I would also recommend that your son speak with the base chaplain. These are wonderful people and a great resource. They can do a lot for sailors and their families. That number is (301) 342-3811/3812, this will also give your son another avenue and a chance to talk freely about this situation. The chaplains are highly confidential. I hope this helps you.

Karen,
You are welcome and I hope everything works out!

Robin,
Once your son get to his ship, make sure he gets you the ombudsmans information and the support groups information. that way you will not be so much in the dark, information wise! As for his leave for his sister's wedding, yes the as Suzann stated he has to have the leave in order to get it, BUT since he is going to a ship and it sounds like its deployed, he will not be granted leave for a wedding. Its hard not knowing, we totally understand that. But once you find out what ship he's with and he forgets to get you the above information we can certainl help you out with that information. Here are a couple of good websites for you to look at. www.militaryonesource.com and homefrontonline.com