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

149 members

So what are an Ombudsman and a Family Readiness Group, and how do I find mine? Scroll down and read. The websites offered in this group at the official Navy FFSC info and much more. FInding out the Ombudsman info is just one of many things Navy families need to know. Read on!

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NevadaSierra

For those of you who want to keep Meg's article - I would recommend doing what Wendy did and copy it into your documents. That is how I was able to post it. I'm very glad that I was able to share it. Relationships are tough especially when you have a 'silent type' of sailor and an equally 'silent' dil. Hange in there we all have different opportunities and we are able to support eachother. Blessings and success to each of you in all your relationships~Susan

For those of you who are Ombudsman - how does one truly express their 'thanks'. You are our link into our children's worlds that we know next to nothing about - especially if they have wives and families. My prayer is that you are blessed with success, energized and enthused for all the great work that you do! My heartflet thanks! ~~S~~

Sep 25, 2009
Rebecca

You can google the ship and then he can look on the website to see how to contact the ship. His orders will have contact numbers on them as well. It is up to your son to make contact with the ship and talk to his department cheif.

Sep 28, 2009
Navy for Moms Admin

Comment by Stacy Williams removed due to a violation of Community Guidelines: Don’t Solicit for Products, Services, etc.

Elle

Oct 26, 2009
Rebecca

sosume,
Try this link out http://www.hsc2.navy.mil/index.php?id=958&secid=41
On the left hand side, there is a Command Ombudsman, you can click on that, but if you keep scrolling down, there is an address for famlies.
Here is what I found on the page
Upon arrival you are directed to report to the duty office, located at hangar SP-35, Naval Station Norfolk. The quarter deck can be reached at (757)445-5191.

If you or your family members need to forward mail to the command, our mailing address is as follows:

HSC-2
524 A Street
Norfolk, VA 23511-4010

Oct 28, 2009
Rebecca

Even the sandbox has an ombudsman, and yes ships have ombudsmans. The ombudsmans information is always on the Plan of Day on the ship. He can look at that and find out.

Oct 28, 2009
Rebecca

sosume, either way works! I hope you hear from her or him soon, give them at least 24 to 48 hours. Then if you don't hear from the ombudsman, contact again.
Glad to be of help. :D

Oct 28, 2009
NevadaSierra

Merry Christmas EVERYONE! To those of you still looking to connect with your sailor's you are in my prayers. For thos of you who are providing a life line (literally) for some of us - THANK YOU. I hope tha tyour celebration is wonderful~Susan

Dec 18, 2009
Gloria P.

Dec 25, 2009
racemom55

Thanks for adding me. Just a little note about me. I have a loving husband that does every thing for me, he give me 2 beautiful kids that I love to death. My son has been gone for 2 year now and it has'nt got any better I miss him so much. My daughter has 2 more year to go before she leave's to go to college. If you want to know more about me just add me has your friend.
Robin

Jan 26, 2010
racemom55

do you know if the address still the same as before? i want to send my son a card for val and candy.

Feb 4, 2010
Paulette,Rob's Mom

Can any of you help. the phone chain for Rob's sub called my dil and said there would be a mail drop on Feb 9th, if course they called her late last night. she asked the caller for the address as Rob never gave her that info and the caller said that sahe could not give it to her as she was using a cell phone. I didn't get a call as we are not at home this weekend so I don't know if someone called. They have only been married since Aug and she is still in MIch here not in GA at the base so she doen't know anyone else to call. Can someone plz help. This is Rob's first trip out and I don't want him to think we don't care or miss him as we do and are just totally upset. I have not been able to connect with any other mom'd=s from the WV either they must be a quiet bunch. Please help!!

Feb 7, 2010
Paulette,Rob's Mom

Thanks all, did finally get in touch with our contact. Sorry for the frantic message.

Feb 11, 2010
racemom55

Does anybody know if we well get a package mail to us when uss carl vinson is coming in april? so we know the date, when, where to go? I keep for getting to ask my son about it. Thanks for your help..

Mar 19, 2010
racemom55

Thank you Michelle
I was told to go to navy.mil one

Mar 19, 2010
kaemommy

Hi everyone! I am an ombudsman at NAS Lemoore, if you have any questions let me know!

Jun 14, 2010
kaemommy

I am leaving soon also! We are transferring to RI after my husband graduates from OCS. I think they are in the process of finding someone to replace me!

Jun 14, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Good morning all. My son has joined the USS Iwo Jima and I'm hoping to find contact information (ombudsman, FRG etc.). Thank you!

Jun 25, 2010
Paulette,Rob's Mom

Just wanted to send a big THANK YOU to Ashley the Ombudsman for the Wsst VIrginia gold crew. She helped me get a package to ROb and it is sure nice to have someone close to the crews to turn to for help and support. You all do a wonderful job and are really appreciated by us moms so far away. Thanks again
Paulette

Jul 12, 2010
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Hi Martha, you need to contact your ombudsman who is specific to your sailor's ship and make your request. This group is here only to help folks locate theirs. See the first Discussion above for help.

May 7, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

The link is www.ffsp.navy.mil. About halfway down that page on the right, it will say Click on this picture to contact your Ombudsman. Just follow the instructions from there. Or if you are in a N4M group for your ship, ask the members for your Ombudsman's email address; someone should likely already has it.

May 7, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

*have*

May 7, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Are you a member of your Family Readiness Group (FRG)? They will know.

May 7, 2011
NavyMomx3

My son will be going to HI soon to be assigned to a sub. I just learned about Ombudsman today on the NavyMom sight. I've not heard of it before. I did just e-mail my sailor requesting he sign me up. I'm trusting he does so.

Jun 6, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

You can go to http://www.ombudsmanregistry.org and use the links there to contact your ombudsman, too. And be sure to find your Family Readiness Group (FRG). Ask your N4M sub group, or search Facebook to see if the FRG has a page; you can make a friend request with your sponsor's info and be approved. Hawaii is a nice place to be based, hope you get to visit!

Jun 6, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

You're welcome! My son's been in the Navy three years now, and I love having N4M as a place to ask questions, and share all that we learn :) It really brings home to me how my son joined "the Navy family," not just "the military," and how great that is!

Jun 6, 2011
BeckyP-Kyle's Aunt

Hello All! I am new to this group and trying to find out how to contact the ombudsman for my sailors sub, the Jimmy Carter. I am not sure what to put on the site to email them. I do not want to put some wrong info down but can I still contact them even if Kyle has not told them yet that I am his main contact? What do I put in the subject line, his name and rank? And the suggestion box? Just that I want to get info for and about his deployment?

All advice is welcome! Thanks Becky

Jun 7, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Becky, you can do no wrong :) Everything you said is right, but be sure to explain your relationship as main contact. Let us know!

Jun 7, 2011
NavyMomx3

Marcy, Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

Jun 7, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Yes I understand that she was just initiating the process of being accepted.

Jun 7, 2011
BeckyP-Kyle's Aunt

Hi Marcy and A Sailors Mom! Thanks for the info. I went into the listing for contacting the ombudsmen and I clicked on USS Jimmy Carter which I figured was the correct thing to do. I just put in the message the I am the primary and emergency contact for Kyle. I think I gave his name(Oh boy, did I? I am sure I did). I said that my reason for contacting them was so that I can be in touch with him and get his military email address. I am sure when they contact him there will not be a problem for him to tell them that it is OK. Guess it takes 24 to 48 hours. I will be patient even though it is hard. I just want to be able to send him messages while he is out so that he does not think we forgot about him and also so that the ombudsmen can contact me with any type of news they are able to share. Kyle is very much like the son we never had and he has not had anycontact with his parents in a few years. Sad, but my husband and I are here for him every step of the way!

As for the family readiness. Not sure if this is something I need to get into. Not really sure what they do. Your advice will help. Do I make that contact the same as the ombudsman?

Thank you all for your advice, help and support. I truly appreciate it. We are in Pittsburgh PA and with him way on the other side of the country is a little tough.

Becky

Jun 8, 2011
jenmack

Hi. I am new to this site. My son will be deployed soon and I have contacted the ombudsman for the ship and have been approved. Just what does the ombudsman do? We live abt 900 miles from my sons base and I want to know everything possible about his ship and him while gone.

Aug 5, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Hi and welcome! Here's a description from the Navy of what an ombudsman is: US Navy Ombudsman Program Overview

"The Ombudsman is a volunteer, appointed by the commanding officer, to serve as an information link between command leadership and Navy families. Ombudsmen are trained to disseminate information both up and down the chain of command, including official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate issues, local quality of life (QOL) improvement opportunities, and “good deals” around the community.

They also provide resource referrals when needed. They are instrumental in resolving family issues before the issues require extensive command attention. The command ombudsman program is shaped largely by the commanding officer’s perceived needs of his/her command. The command ombudsman is appointed by and works under the guidance of the commanding officer who determines the priorities of the program, the roles and relationships of those involved in it, and the type and level of support it will receive."

Aug 5, 2011
jenmack

Thank you for the information. I didn't know what the duties were.

Aug 5, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Also, you can join your ship's Family Readiness Group's Facebook page - you have to ask to join, give your sailor's name, rank and rate, and your relationship.

Aug 5, 2011
jenmack

what is the Family Readiness Group's Facebook page for the DeWert? I have been trying just to put in DeWert and it mainly is for the one who useto be on the ship. I would like something more current. So I'm not sure what to look for.

Aug 9, 2011
navy25

Im new to this new phase of my Sailor being on a ship he will soon be arriving at Norfolk VA do I have to wait until my son speaks to his ship Ombudsman or any info I can receive regarding this new phase much appreciated.

Sep 7, 2011
navy25

Hi Sailors Mom, I talked briefly to my son last night he arrived safely to Norfolk and I told him about the Ombudsman nd he stated he will find out as soon as all is explained to him.Hopefully that will be before his ship goes out not sure either when that will be.On FB I just type my sons ship or Ombudsman

Sep 9, 2011
navy25

Sailors Mom thank you for this info. much appreciated it,Maria

Sep 9, 2011
navy25

Thank you Robin ill let him know this if he contacts me again he just arrived yesterday at VA and said he will see when he can call me again.Thanks

Sep 9, 2011
carols_kitchen

If you do not find your ship's page on here, also check out facebook.

Mar 31, 2012
carols_kitchen

Welcome MySonTheNuke. Be sure and join your sailor's boat or ship page for current updates, too.

Apr 16, 2012
carols_kitchen

Welcome Rodzwife

Apr 24, 2012
carols_kitchen

Welcome Ship 12 Div 098

Apr 26, 2012
Rodzwife

Thanks carol_kitchen ;)

Apr 26, 2012
carols_kitchen

Welcome Denise - browns57

Apr 26, 2012
carols_kitchen

Welcome Steve'sMom USS Cole .

Apr 28, 2012
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Here's the link to Navy.mil's Social Media Directory to find your ship or command (not all have social media set up, by the way) - US Navy Social Media Directory

Apr 28, 2012
carols_kitchen

Thanks Marcy. That would be good to put up in the discussion forum so it doesn't get lost.

Welcome kelly metz

Apr 28, 2012
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Carol, added to the OPSEC & Social Media discussion. Welcome new members!

Apr 28, 2012
carols_kitchen

Welcome to AlohagirlinCA (Mom of MT)

Apr 29, 2012