Amphibious (Gator Navy)

Roxann, my son's 1st cruise is coming up in few months & I'm thinking along same lines already. Does your son have this thing called a NavyRackPack? I'm going to order one. Provides extra storage for photos, books etc.

Jeano - I just posted some ideas for your sailor in the discussion "San Diego - what to see & do" above. One word of advice to your sailor - visiting Tijuana isn't a safe thing to do. And if he does, getting back across the border on the weekend can mean standing in line for up to four hours.

Roxann, go to navyrackpacks.com. You can also email the gal who designs and makes them - pat@navyrackpacks.com, she's been great about answering all my questions. Oh, and you can get his last name embroidered on it for free.

Thanks, there's a lot to learn. The Navy Times articles are a great help for my education as well as providing current updates. For example, "Amphibious Ready Group" - new to me.

From WAVY-TV, blogging from the Bataan - http://www.wavy.com/dpp/military/blogging-from-the-uss-bataan

I've read that the count is over 30 US ships and includes the Carl Vinson Strike Group ships, the USS Nassau and USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Groups and the hospital ship USNS Comfort, as well as ships supplied by the Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command & Maritime Administration.

Also, heavier personal mail such as packages may be taking a back seat to emergency supplies. The Navy can only move so much weight, and they do prioritize. They can do that once it is out of the hands of the USPS.

I hope he gets it soon.

Just wondering, does anyone have experience with ordering sheet sets from this site? And if so, what was your sailor's opinion? http://www.navyfleetsheets.com

Wonderful news Trivone! So happy for you - and him!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks Johanna, isn't that a sweet card? Though he has more hair than my son does at this point ;)

Jeano, how great you get to see your sailor for a visit soon! I've been watching the Olympics too, always love it.

Well that's very cool, good for them! Shame about the connection though. And March is right around the corner....

For non-spouses to get info from the ombudsdman, the sailor normally has to give permission beforehand. The number should be on the ship's site. Can't hurt to ask.

Just a note: "Diane Haig" is a front for an Australian law firm soliciting business in a lot of groups on N4M today; ignore or even delete if possible.

Hello everyone my husband is on the ashland so anyone else with anyone on there let me know.

hello Johana, Zac mom you son and my husband are in the same strike group so they are the same places. what rate is your son.

im not sure exactly were they go but i do know its over on the west coast and they go to all the places that the west coast ships go.

There's a variety of ports where ships can go on WesPac. The ships rarely go to all the same ports each deployment, so it is really hard to guess exactly. Plus, the port calls can change as operational needs change. 20 years in the Navy and my hubby never made Hawaii on his wespacs, and that's a common port.

Not mention, this is really bad OPSEC discussing ship's movements, even potential ship movements.

It was so great to finally hear from my husband. I was a well deserved port not only for them but for us to get to get to talk to them.

Shirley, I meant for specific ships. You and I and our old hands might know better, but I worry when we get newer folks who don't realize everything here can be read by the world.

Ships and subs have very different ports to visit. A lot depends on where the entire strike force is going, and if a ship is going somewhere on their own. Common ports include Hong Kong and Australia; although hubby never made it to Oz! Yokosuka and Saebo in Japan. The Dubuque used to be homeported out of Sasebo. If they're going on station in the Persian Gulf, there's places en route. Dubai and Abu Dhabii. Singapore maybe. Thailand too. Even Diego Garcia. I don't know if they still go to the Philippines since we closed our bases or not. Guam, again, I don't know. But every WesPac changes.

Just go here: http://www.google.com/alerts and type in what you want to follow (remember to put quotation marks around each name or phrase that has multiple keywords, i.e. "USS Carl Vinson"). You can also check out the FAQ's about Google Alerts at http://www.google.com/support/alerts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer...

Good evening ladies. I guess this is the right spot for me. I have a son who just graduated A school and this Sunday, he heads to San Diego and is assigned to the USS Bonhomme Richard. he is a CSSN.(Culinary Specialist E-3) I know that his ship is out to sea at this time, but I read that it is heading home. He has a younger brother who is also a sailor, but is at Camp Pendleton for FMTB.

I heard that the BHR is heading back. Here is my question: how long are they in port before they sail out to sea again? The reason I ask is that his brother is at Camp Pendelton for FMTB and will graduate in June.After that, I will have on in San Diego and one in New Orleans. (Not that close to each other.) I would love to travel out to see both of them, but with my luck, I would plan the whole trip and then be told that he will be out at sea! lol

Well, my son made it to SD today. From what I can gather, he will be in temp barracks until the BHR returns. He isn't sure. He sounded tired when I talked to him a few minutes ago. I'm just glad he made it safely. I guess he will find out more information later.

I talked to Richard today. He had his indoc and was told that the BHR will dock next month, but it will leave in May. I guess that is good, but I was hoping that he would stay in dock a little longer. I am planning a trip to see his brother's graduation from FMTB in June.

is ther anyone with someone on the ashland

I was talking to my son today. He was just assigned to the BHR, which is not in port, but when it does, he will be moving to Camp Pendleton. Is this standard? He just got to San Diego this week, and was told that on the 14 of this month he will move to his permanent BEQ at CP,

Don't forget, there are two Discussion Forums up top for both San Diego and Norfolk " ~ what to see & do; restaurants; where to stay" - check it out and add your tips!

Thanks for all ya'lls advice. I am getting excited about my trip to San Diego this summer. To drive would be three days, so, I think we are going to fly.

I have been reading about the problems with meals and Marines aboard ship. My son is a CS(culinary specialist), but just got to San Diego. He ship is heading home, so he has not been on one yet. He is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard, which is a Marine transporting ship. I hope he will do well with the Marines, and hopefully, being in the kitchen, he is able to eat! lol
He did call about the earth quake. It was his first one! My other son in Camp Pendleton also called. Both said they left all the snow in GL for earth quakes. lol
Also, thanks for the advice on things to send. As soon as he ships out, I will start a goody box!

Marcy, which ship is your son assigned? My other son is a corpsman. He is doing his FMTB currently at Camp Pendleton.

Trivone, that is a good question. My son is currently living in the BEQ. He was told that on the 14th of this month, he will move to Camp Pendleton so he can live aboard the BHR. This is all still confusing to me. I will just have to live and learn. As long as I can call him daily, I'm fine.

Our son in Coronado said that water sloshed out of their aquarium and some things almost fell off shelves. He said he didn't like it, though-we have never had earthquakes that strong in GA!

Yes, we just got off Skype with our son-hd aftershocks around 5.0 this morning around 4:30 and 6:40 this morning.They are sitting in front of the TV now listening to the news - debating if the BIG one is coming or not, interviewing people who live in high-rises. He said there was some damage to buildings in San Diego.

Trivone and others... for my son when his ship returned from deployment HAD the paperwork been that should of been completed on the ship before the return He would of been on a list for Barracks room...but someone screwed up...so he had to track some higher ups down and get the paperwork sent where it should been before but he did get a barracks room within a couple of days. Others returning on the same ship or group of ships as it actually was that had their paperwork "in"... got rooms the day they got back. Different Naval Stations may have different rules.
also He's in San Diego and reported that he felt the earthquake in his barracks room...but didn't think there was much damage there.

My son called. There was another earthquake today. It was in Baja California and measured 5.5. From what I could read about it, no damages or injuries.

Shirley, be sure you're spelling it "peleliu" not 'lui'! http://www.peleliu.navy.mil
Often I have trouble searching for groups on N4M, it comes up with all kinds of comments but not the group with the name I've entered, frustrating.
Kari, perhaps you could post your link?

I talked to my son, he is glad that the BHR will be in port next week. He has been in San Diego since the end of March with nothing to do. Since the Navy does not like "Nothing to do", they have had him on watch duty.
How long do ships usually stay in port between deployments? I want to go out to San Diego in June to see my other son graduate from FMTB, and would love to see both sailors.

Thanks for the information, Shirley. I guess I just have to wait and see. Either way, I will still go. Seeing one son is better than none.

Thanks Shirley! I have been searching forever to find a group like this! Thanks so much!

Shirley, this is the first deployment for us too. But he just left A school. Its crazy to happen so fast!

does anyone have advice ads to what is the BEST way to talk to my husband whenever he may get the chance while on deployment. I have heard we should get him a phone card but I wasn't sure of any other/all ways that are possible?

I just added a discussion above and called it How to Communicate with a Sailor on Ship Deployment, so we have a place to add all these 'tips and tricks'! My son's first deployment is coming up, and I thought it would be easier for us newbies to have one place to learn from all you seasoned gals who have experience.

Well, my son is now on the BHR. He finished A school in March, and has been on watch duty since he got to San Diego. He was taken by a hover craft to meet the BHR. I want to call to see how it is, but I can't. I'm sure he is getting the grand tour of the galley!
I guess I have to wait to hear all about it!

Ray ray, I think all rates can participate with training? Because my friend is an ET and handles the 50 cal against pirates.

Well, Richard is now living aboard the BHR. I think he likes the fact that he can join the others on the ship. He was starting to get bored since he didn't know anyone on base.
I just hate the fact that it will be back out to sea when I get there for his brother's FMTB graduation. :-(

LOL, Shirley, they let the snipes up on deck! Unless there's heavy seas, or training, or the decks have been secured for maintenance.... just tell him not to fall off. He doesn't want to be an Oscar!

Don't mind me, old sailor humor. Now everyone, what's an Oscar on a Navy ship?

Dawn, you're good!

Not to worry, so do I ;)