Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

For families and friends of Sailors who are stationed at Norfolk; for either Sea Duty or Shore Duty Sailors. Just make sure to keep OPSEC issues in mind and not disclose ship movements in advance.

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  • dms

    Hi   ckmom  I think about your son everyday, your son replaced ship my daughter was on. the ship is docked for improvements and maintenance. has anyone heard about leave in dec? my daughter keeps getting conflicting answers. she was told one week,  then 4 days - that would be crazy it would take her one day each way to fly out so 2 days for christmas won't work. we were hoping for 12 days at least. we always took 30 when my husband was in the army. and 30 during the summer as well to visit family. we were always out of our home state.
  • Jess_0411

    Leave in December is for about 12 days. They can either take first leave (16th - 28th) or second leave (12/29 - 1/9). They need x amount of people from each department to stay on the ship during the rotation, so just because your sailr requests leave for Christmas (which, of course, is the most popular request) doesn't mean they will get it. My husband has been in four, almost five years and this is the first year he's getting leave on Christmas. Every other year he's had duty Christmas eve or Christmas day. Who gets what leave depends on when they put the request in and seniority. If this is your sailors first year in the Navy, don't expect them to be home on Christmas. They might get lucky and be able to, but try not to be disappointed if they can't. It just gives you a reason to stretch the Christmas holiday even longer. And your sailor will get to be the center of attention while they open presents (:.
  • dms

    thanks for the info
  • lorriemi navy mom x2

    My son is in Norfolk in communications attached to seal team 2
  • mel

    My son will be in Norfolk on the 28 of Oct.  He is comiong home today from Chicago, Boot camp, then went to A school, can't wait to see him.. He's supposed to be on the Admirals'staff for his first assignment.  We are real excited but not sure what he will be doing.  He is enlisted as an Operation Specialist. Navigating, air, land and sea traffic controller?

    I am looking for a poem from Mom to son, on this going away party... Does any one have one?  I can't concentrate enogh to write my own!!!!

    Thanks,

    Mel

     

  • Grasshopper

    Mel...I couldn't come up with a poem for my Son's going away party either but wanted to do something special to let him know how much I supported him.  I memorized the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie, delta) and recited that to him by memory.  He had helped me learn it so it was not a huge surprise when I did this.  The one I did surprise him with was I also memorized the Sailors Creed.  He had no clue I had printed that and learned it.  I did actually personalize it a bit though..Instead of "I am" I said "You are" and did that sort of thing all the way through.  Thankfully I had put the packs of little tissues on each table cause everyone was opening those packs after that. Good luck!
  • Kim

    Mel-

  • Nautical Mom

    not that we would have any of our Sailor's visting:

    Currently, eight area business are off-limits to all members of the Armed Forces:

    Hampton Pipe and Tobacco, 86 W. Mercury Blvd, Hampton, Virginia 23669
    Hampton Pipe and Tobacco, 15435-B Warwick Blvd, Newport News, Virginia 23608
    Lazy Days, 731 J Clyde Morris Boulevard, Ste B, Newport News, Virginia 23601
    Mellow Smoke Tobacco Shop, 1948 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia
    Outer Edge Gifts, 760-B J. Clyde Morris Blvd, Newport News, Virginia 23601
    Somewhere in Time, 92 W. Mercury Blvd, Hampton, Virginia 23669
    Atlantis Gentlemen's Club, 446 Oceana Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 2345
    Blazin Herbs, 85 W Mercury Blvd., Hampton, Virginia 23669

    per commander of the North Atlantic fleets

  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Nautical Mom. I wonder why these places are off limits. Are they selling illegal substances??
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Kim and Marine Navy mom. What wonderful prayers. Made me cry.
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Well, my Sailor is going to drive from Dam Neck to North Carolina this weekend. I shouldn't worry about him but I do. I pray he has a safe drive.
  • duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267

    sandy, it's only about 1 1/2 hours and this time of year it's not bad.  all the tourists are gone (well most of them anyway) so it's pretty much just us locals.
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    duhhu58, thanks. I feel a lot better. I thought it was like a 4 hour drive, LoL  I think he said he was going via the coast.
  • duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267

    where is he going in NC?  i'm on the outer banks, as i said 1 1/2 hours south.

    by the names of those off limit places i'd say they "head shops" that sell paraphernalia and probably man made "drugs" that may be legal in the eyes of the law but not in the eyes of the USN.  the strip club is more than likely off limits due to some previous problems probably involving a sailor.

  • Grasshopper

    Sandy, Is he coming to Raleigh for the NC State Fair?  I live near Raleigh and it's about a 3 hour drive.  My Son comes every other weekend and it's not a bad drive.  Just say your prayers for him!
  • Kim

    I can't take credit for the poem I posted! "borrowed" it from another mom!
    Those head shops listed probably sell "Spice" which is an herbal smoke but has been found that it has synthetic THC in it. This will get the sailors in trouble even though it's sold over the counter and not illegal.
  • navy25

    Sorry not from the area but my prayers are with your daughter and her surgery.The best of luck the only place that i know is Navy Lodge by the Norfolk Base but that might be far Good Luck
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    grasshopper, I spoke to my son last night and he said he is not far from the State Fair. I don't know if he will be going there.

    Francine, I am so happy to hear that your son got his citation reduced. He is very lucky. One of my son classmates room mates was not so lucky. He has to spend every weekend in Jail. He got 60 days.

  • navy25

    Francine Thank God it all worked out for your son sometimes things happen for a reason this way he is careful now Im Glad for him.
  • smilinginheaven

    marine navy mom....There are a couple of small motels and at least a hotel in the general area! Much love and prayers! I know there is a Quality Inn and Comfort Inn close by! Hope this helps.
  • Nautical Mom

    my son just told us when he got to Norfolk, that the use of radar equipment in his car is illegal, as well as using his cell phone while driving...good thing he has bluetooth...he had a little fender bender in the parking lot near his Destroyer...didn't mess up his car much and thank the Lord it was not his fault - who other than to get out of the car that hit him?  His Chief...lol
  • navy25

    Nautical Mom -Oh My!!! Thank God it wasnt his fault what a story to tell His Chief at Fault LOL :)
  • zipsue

    for "marine navy mom"  I live just outside the gate of the hospital and the Quality Inn seems to be the best place to stay, You forsure don't want the American Inn. Good Luck and don't worry because the care is outstanding at the hospital.
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    nautical mom, your son's adventure made my day. LoL.
  • Jeffsmom1380

    My son just moved over to Newport News.  He is in the barracks waiting on an apt.
  • cms

    Hello:  Can anyone tell me for those new

    sailors at Norfolk who live on the ship, how long do they have to stay on the ship before they can live in the barracks?  What is the process of doing so?  Is there a waiting list that they have to put their name on?  Do they have to live on the ship for a certain amount of time before hand?

  • cms

    Thanks so much everyone!

     

     

  • tasstables

    Hi everyone!!

    I am coming to Norfolk After thanksgiving, I need a 2 bedroom (hotel) with kithen for about 1-2 week does anyone know of any? that is not going to cost a arm and a leg.

    please if you know of any

    Tasstables@aol.com

  • navy25

    The Navy Lodge my sons fiancee stayed there nice rooms and close to base also one of my other Navy Moms stayed there few months back said it was affordable
  • navy25

    Marine NavyMom how is your daughter doing from the surgery and will she be able to return to her command.How is your stay at The Navy Lodge is it working out for you.Good Luck with your daughters recovery.
  • navy25

    Well Good Luck with her surgery I know how hard it is when our kids are hurt how bad we feel as Moms, my son recently got hurt on his ship with lifting some heavy equipment with his back and I feel so useless that there is nothing I can do I just hope he gets better soon.The same for your daughter prayers her way for a succesful surgery and speedy recovery
  • Val-ACD-(ship 12 div 034)

    Greetings all,  I just dropped off my son in Norfolk after he was home for 2 weeks following BESS.   We have the joy of being VA residents living less than 2 hours from Norfolk in the Richmond area  - a very easy drive from the base.    So glad we can visit and not worry about accommodations.   If anyone would like to fly into Richmond airport and needs accommodations before heading to Norfolk please get in touch with me.  We are a short trip from the Richmond airport.       We learned one thing yesterday - although the traffic to Norfolk is much lighter on Sunday it is not the best day to check in.  It took about 4 hours to  get one paper signed and to get the barracks room.  In the meantime my son got to be in his sub and have dinner - while I waited.....    The barracks ( Carter Hall) is very nice with plenty of room for a 2 man room.    

    Is there anyone on here with a sailor assigned to the USS Helena?     

  • Kim

    Hey Val! I live in Helena, Mt and we were just talking about that sub! But, my son is on the Enterprise....
  • NavySweetheart11

    Hey ben's mrs <3! I'm not familiar with any apartments in the area, but I am trying to find some decent ones since I'm moving in January. Go to apartmentratings.com and you can find reviews for most of them in the area. Hopefully that helps :)
  • Cindy D

    Has anyone stayed at or know anything about the Candlewood Suites on Bonney Road in Virginia Beach?
  • heartbeatsformysailor

    New to the group.  New to Norfolk from Kings Bay Georgia and happy to be here. Counting down til he is back with us from deployment.
  • heartbeatsformysailor

    @Johanna he is on the USS Bataan. We have a new daughter that he never got to see and we can not wait for him to get home.
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    Hi heartbeatsformysailor!!
  • heartbeatsformysailor

    Hello Sandy's sailor son.  So happy! Just got a phone call from my sailor.  First one in 2 weeks.  Missed his last one. He always seems to know when I am down and calls at the perfect time.
  • forrestsmom/deb

    Hi Norfolk moms.
  • joyce

    MNM: glad your daughter is doing well. Enjoy your time with her. One of these days I will get to Norfolk. Hopefully before he leaves LOL
  • kellydeedee

    Went on the day cruise with the USS Jason Dunham last week and I had a blast.  It it was great to see what my daughter does as a ET and they even had an award/promotion ceremony that day so I got to see my daughter get her promotion to Petty Officer class 3 ( i think that is how it is said.) still learning the navy terms. But it was great
  • claudia

    hi kellydeedee, how awsome..that would be on my wish list,cant wait to see my son get his...and lingo im still learning but it is 3rd class...congrats
  • Sandy's_sailor son

    kellydeedee, congrats on your daughter's promotion.

    Navy speak is definitely another language. All these acronyms.

  • navy25

    Hi Everyone
  • navy25

    Hi MNM happy that your daughter is doing good and surgery went well The Best for a Speedy Recovery.Thank you for the wishes for my son I feel so bad that I cant be there for him he is still not well but hopefully they are starting him next week for Physical Therapy.

    Congrats Heartbeat she is beautiful your Sailor is going to be thrilled when he gets to hold her.

    Kellydeedee Congrats on your daughters promotion same here when my son received his Petty Officer I made up my own class I thought it was 4th class LOL and Im glad you enjoyed the cruise they say its wonderful I hope I get to do that with my son as well

  • joyce

    happy saturday all. snow here in nyc cant believe it Isnt is still October.

     

  • kellydeedee

    Thank you everyone
  • navy25

  • navy25

    October Snow in North Bergen NJ Trick or Treat