Amphibious (Gator Navy)

My son/snipe is onboard the USS Comstock an LSD. I believe that since that carries Marines and their amphib craft I might qualify for this group? My question is..It is my understanding that this ship and others "convoy" together when they are deployed. Is there a way to find out which other ships are with this ship as I'd love to talk to other "moms" of that convoy when they deploy early 2009. thanks.

Is there a time frame to sign up for "sign on" bonus. Don't think my son thought he could get it when he signed up. He's out at sea right now and talks of only wearing the "coveralls" something he had to buy several pairs of to replace messed up ones he did have b4 deployement.

My son's deployment started the 9th. 6-9mos at sea.
so far I've had some email contact from him.. he doesn't write much but answers some of the questions I ask. he's not really detail oriented at home so I imagine getting answers while gone will be a challenge.

"westpac" is the general area.. that could mean anything in the Pacific ocean. His communications are from his email address via the ship's computer.. no phone communication from the ocean. They might get to call from ports if they have AT&T int'l phones or $ to buy time at phone centers on ports I haven't actually been able to get on the ships website to get any info from it. I can see a main page with the ships pix but no further. I had ask about him having a passport B4 he left..he seemed to think that his ID would get him on/off ship, if emergency came up he'd have to go to a consolate if id didn't work. Last application I saw for passports was around 85$ each. Need a passport to get in&out of Alaska as it's surrounded by foreign countries but not to HI if you fly in & out of there.. if you take a ship you might need one for HI. things really changed after 911. Don't know about us family needing one in case. guess it would not hurt to be prepared.

My son is out to sea.. the little I hear from him is he's surviving. His biggest line of converstation right now is that his game system he had with quit working and is out of warranty so he's shipping it to me to take to where we got the extended warranty.. who know when the military mail will get it to me. I hope he takes pictures of the places he gets to dock..as I will most likely never see them any other way. I miss not be able to pick up my cell and ring his for any chat! But 1 mo down and 5-8 to go?

what is "cranking" that I've seen mentioned in several places?

I'll echo that of BIG Babies... I think the husband is worse than the son. and of course the world does not even slow down when we are sick..
Good luck with your vacation..did I say that out loud.. good luck with your moving a friend.

I think the passport application's we have from the post office say $85 plus the cost of picture and any copy of birth certificates you need to prove you are whom you say you are. I had one years ago when I lived in Germany courtesy of the USAF but it's long expired. if you need it Express mailed it's even more.
can't get my son to send pix either or even take them while he's at various ports. So I too am envious that you can get them posted.

all I get is occasionally emails from mine..glad some are getting phone calls. He did say at a port call they were at long enough to load/unload stuff including some mail & he got alot so he's "busy" for a few more days going thru it. Hope all are coping at least.

Shirley, I trying to hold up.. no phone calls from him but I get emails..when I send him one with questions..although he did write me one for my birthday. Hope your son's was happy.
last I heard mine might be back late July or August.
Mail comes in spurts.. they don't get dropped off on the ship by helicopter but it finds them at ports, I guess. makes for sending them things a bit of a challenge.. they might not need it when they finally get it. Make sure yours has phone cards Int'l & ship to shore when he leaves and some US postage stamps.. & most important YOU have his ship email address.. email, email, email.. he'll respond or ignore but he's still getting contact from home.

Shrley..Ship to shore are special phone cards that they can use to call stateside from their ships. the US Navy does not foot that phone bill. I've been told you can get them from the AAFES system. I think there is a website where civilians can buy only the phone cards for deployed sailors they can be purchased by the sailor, on some of the ships. WestPac.. there are lots of countries in that area.. some ships go to some some go to others but among them would be Guam, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Phillipines, etc. any country in or accessible from the Western Pacific Ocean.

My son's NFCU account gets charges to Navy Cash thats something he's doing on the ship to add to his ship account & only appear when the ship is near a port..stores up until then. but NFCU would not discuss anything about his acct with me until I showed up at a recently opened branch with the POA in hand. Now we're like good friends with what they help me with. Don't know if that's the type of charges you speaking of if it's something else. I do watch mine's acct closely and even relay to him stuff to make sure he made the charges. By the way NFCU is trying to open branches in every state. Get on their site and see if there is a new branch or one coming soon closer than the main one in VA to most of us.

NO haven't heard from him since mid last week but he's been on some shore or at least his credit card has. That's my way of knowing where he's at lately. I hope they are his charges since they show up from places I've never heard of but I'm Learning a lot about Geography in WestPac by googling bank charge locations. so far they don't appear too fraudulent, tho which is good as communication is lax from him.

"Mama Wojo" If your son is in port on his birthday have you given any thought to maybe sending him a gift card to a place like Dairy Queen..if you & he have one within a resonable distance. They have ready made cakes you can just go get. Or find out if there is a bakery/grocery store nearby him that might deliver or he could got pick up at? These ideas might not work if he is at sea like mine will be..I can't imagine that you'd want to get ahold of the cooks on the ship..as some ships play childish games to birthday people..juvenile pranks..etc.

Hi, I have a good friend on the USS Dubuque, my friend Troy, he's an ET2. He loves his ship, the Navy and San Diego.

Funny story, my hubby was stationed on the Dubuque, back when it was homeported in Seasebo, Japan. When our friend Troy decided to joint the Navy, he went into electronics, just as hubby and I had done. Troy was in A school and talking to a visiting detailer, a Masterchief, and mentioned he knew my hubby. This Masterchief was the one who set him up with orders to the Dubuque; as far as we can figure out, he used to work for my hubby when he was the LPO. Small, small world!

Shirley, my friend has been on the Dubuque for over a year, maybe almost two. He arrived when the ship was still in dry dock, and has been out on one deployment. I get dates mixed up if I don't write them down. He says the ship is a "star chaser".

I had a friend stationed in Whidbey, I don't recall much about the one visit I made, but it seemed as though a car would be very useful there. The place he rented was on an island reached by ferry.

A "star chaser" is a ship that provides promotion opportunity to a commanding officer, up to admiral level, hence the "star". The Dubuque is set up to be a forward deployed command ship like the Blue Ridge. As I understand it, the Dubuque is a hard working ship. I'll try to get a better explanation from Troy, but he's not the best at remembering to call, LOL.

When I was in, we "girls" read Shape and other health magazines aimed at women.

d'oh. Sorry.

Birthday cake idea =
I pulled this cake idea off another website..thought you might like it.
"For my soldiers birthday and any other holiday, I made him a cake. Not just a regular cake, but I made it in a mason jar and it can be eaten with a spoon. Wrapped in bubble wrap, it's easy to ship and lasts for 3 MONTHS!! The trick is, put the seal on while it's still hot so that it seals properly"

Polli, I do understand weird humor, after all, I go to Burning man year after year.

Shirley, I haven't heard, but I wouldn't be one bit surprised. the Dubuque does this often, especially after the bad incident which happened when my hubby was on board. The CO then refused to pick up boat people; they later resorted to cannibalism. Hubby said the crew was next to mutiny. Much has changed since then, for the good. I will try to call Troy this week, although he doesn't talk ship movement to me much.

Polli, hope she makes PO3, that's a major step forward. I can answer some questions about the process as it is far more complicated than passing the test. dry dock, always a ton of work. Then after that there's sea trials!

The sailors usually enjoy the humanitarian missions. I never got to be on a ship, so I missed out on that aspect of the Navy. I volunteered with our Harley riders group (Japanese and Americans from base) at an orphanage in Japan. A strange place, the children were not up for adoption, they all had families who could not care for them. Sad, sad situation.

Okay, for PO3 there are the test points ... and the test covers more than rate specific technical knowledge, there is also military leadership and such. The next component is performance evaluation points, their "evals". Then there is time in rate, awards, and points for passing the exam the previous cycle and not being selected.

http://www.military.com/MilitaryCareers/Content/0,14556,Promotions_...

Shirley, hubby retired in 1997. He was on the Dubuque quite a while ago, did a lot of time in the Persian Gulf. That episode with the boat people was shameful. He has pictures of them reaching up to the ship, begging for help. The CO decided some food and water was enough, and sent guys over to fix the engines. They told him the people wouldn't make it, but he would not listen. There was even a Navy supply ship nearby he could have ordered to take them onboard. but he was worried about getting to an exercise and being on station first. People died because of that man.

Deployment briefings focus on the family, how to manage emotionally, financially, how to get the kids through it and what to expect on return. They also provide lists of resources the family can use when they cannot get in touch with their sailor.

I found a family Services link, although I don't know which base it is for, it provides an example of what is offered.

http://www.ffscnorva.navy.mil/info-dep-workshops.html

Shirley, I would have to ask him to be certain, but I think 87 or 88. No later than that.

Ah, collisions at sea. Never any good.

I got the chance to ask him, Shirley, he says 1986.

Hey everyone. I'm new to this group. My son is aboard the gator and is stationed in San Diego. A long ways from home (North Carolina). I have been looking a group with some of his ship. I miss him so much. He was only out there a week before they fly him out the the ship. I haven't heard from him since he flew out. I hope to hear from him soon. I look forward to getting to know some new moms.

Welcome Cheryl.. which of the USN--great Gator ships is your son part of?? Mine is out to sea right now..so I know it's tough to be so far away so early on in their "career". Let us know if we can help you during this trying time.
Elane

Thanks everyone for the welcome. My son is on the USS Comstock. So, I'm also looking for mom with anyone on this ship. My son is also out to sea. This is his first deployment. So, I'm really having a hard time right now. I know I 'm not going to hear from him a whole lot, but it is hard when you are use to talking to him everyday and you go from that to not hearing nothing. This is all new to me this deployment and him being across the country too.

Cheryl... my son is on the USS Comstock.

I like Seaport Village in San Diego, touristy, and lots of good food choices. If Papaguyo is still open, it is expensive, but excellent. Star of India is a museum ship, if they're into that sort of thing; the Midway is also a museum now. Fat City Burgers. Since TJ is off limits these days, Old Town in San Diego is great. El Fandango restaurant is there and serves the best Mexican food ever! There are so many good places to eat in San Diego, I couldn't begin to think of them all! The hard Rock cafe up in La Jolla was always fun.

I plan on touring the Midway, I was in when it was in Yokosuka and I want to see how they're prettied it up!

On a snowy Utah morning like this, I wish we were still in San Diego!

I'm going to San Diego in May, we have a condo we can stay in for a week. Should be great fun. I've been there on and off all my life, when I was in kindergarten, when I was in the Navy attending C-7 school, and when my hubby was stationed on North Island. We get to see our sailor who is on the Dubuque, maybe a short visit, but it will be good to see him.

I'd have to look, but there are several bases. Off the top of my head, 32nd Street is the big one where the fleet docks, Miramar Air Base (Marines, but we liked their commissary better), and North Island NAS (Coronado). North Island runs several smaller things like Imperial and Silver Strand. Point Loma sub base too.

32nd Street is HUGE! There's five miles between a couple of the gates!

Pt. Loma is a park, but there is also a PT. Loma Navy Base... for subs. And some other stuff we won't discuss here. Oh, and the Coast Guard has a base out there too.

Pt. Loma park IS way cool.

here's a recipe site to check out some other "jar" recipes. Haven't tried them yet but I've heard they are good.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cake-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx

I'm gonna send try the apple pie one to my deployed sailor soon..hopefully. Still trying to figure out how to send some "crust" or "crumb topping" that will not be soggy in the jar to go with it.

I need some help/advice. My son is having surgery in San Diego next week and I would like to find a hotel near the hospital so I could walk back & forth. Does anyone have any recommendations? What about places to eat? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Wendy

Polli, I love Korean food! There were several excellent Korean BBQ places in Yokosuka. Yum.

Shirley, I couldn't possibly pick a favorite place as so many have been unique. I truly love Japan, the people and cultural are amazing. Diego Garcia is lovely and I really had a good time when I was living in Iran. I know, Iran! It was different then. Hawaii is great, of course, and San Diego is a blast. People grow when they travel, I wish more people had the opportunity to do so.

The naval hospital in San Diego is large and top-notch.

Korean food isn't really like Chinese... more grilling and less deep-frying. At least at the places I ate at. Spicier too!

I've not heard much from my nephew, I can only guess he's busy with school and friends. My buddy Troy is doing alright, again, young kid too busy to call. LOL, an aunt gets less thought than a mom!

We do have a couple Asian markets in the area, plus the base commissary carries a good selection.

Good luck with the bugs!

They've all been given Tamiflu anyway, so they should heal up just fine. I wonder if the Navy is also treating the family members?

I know the crew will be disappointed they missed that particular mission. I haven't heard from my ET onboard yet, but that's not unusual.

I tried a version of the jar cakes.. apple pie in a jar.. searched and searched until I found a recipe that actually used the pie crust in the jar..not just the filling.. which I also tried. I sent 3 boxes 2 to my son's ship (hasn't gotten yet) but the 3rd box was VERY well received. The response I got was very touching. wish I had sent more. They said it tasted great and was fantastic to get a taste of home in the middle of the ocean.. that ship was deployed in the Pacific somewhere took them 1 1/2 weeks to get it. My son's ship usually takes 3wks to get boxes..so we shall see how much longer it takes the Gator Navy to get theirs than the "CVN" whatever type ship that is.
I am wanting to send brownies or cakes next for my son's bday at sea.

I tried to add the apple pie in a jar directions to a discussion above. I'd be more than happy to discuss details with any of you.

Shirley sorry to hear your son's deployment was cancelled..I wish mine son's would be done with but.. it's only about 1/2 over. maybe your son's ship will get another assignment soon.

Hubby talked to Troy for a while. The Dubuque has canceled all leave, although the sailors are not quarantined. They simply cannot leave San-dog, sorry, San Diego. Since they were getting ready to deploy, it is unlikely that anyone had a leave chit in. The biggest thing about canceling the deployment is that those were some prime ports of call and there were potentially humanitarian medals for the entire crew.

C&C, that's called discussing ship's movement... a huge OPSEC violation. In general, when a ship makes port varies so much, that until you know the date, you do not know how long between ports. Once you do know a portcall date, you NEVER disclose it beforehand on a public board such as this.

Sorry if I'm coming off as harsh, but truly, everyone needs to know the ropes to keeping our sailors safe. If you want to know more about OPSEC (operational security, and since you are new, yo do need to know), there is a very good discussion of it in General Discussions.

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/opsec-loose-lips-sink-ships

The answer to your question is "a few weeks". Two, four, six or more. This is exactly the type of detail we as civilians do not "Need to Know", even if we think we do.

Congratulations, the NAM is a great achievement.

my son is tried of being away but he tells me that he earned a ESWS (enlisted surface warfare specialist) badge. He says he had to study for it & test before the chief. He says that he's glad he finally got it and it won't help him with a raise but will help on evaluations. Can anyone give me an idea of what that badge actually gets him or entitles him to do? thanks