Amphibious (Gator Navy)

we used to live in la mesa ca now living in nv i am currently looking for an apartment for her and her hubby there Navy nana is your grandson living on base my daughter wants me to look near imperial beach/chula vista near the 32nd street base I assume that is where she will need to be for uss comstock do you happen to live near those areas and could recommend somewhere safe although we lived in san diego for years we were also in the east county did not go to those areas that often.

cheffiona- we live in Yorba Linda - 2 hours north of the base. He currently lives in a barracks across the street from the 32nd St. Base. He likes it there. It's a nice complex.They call it the "dry side" as opposed to the "wet side" which is where the ship is. TPU is there as well. They stay there when they first get to San Diego and check in. The area immediately surrounding the base is not all that great. I have no idea about accommodations for married couples, sorry.

Navynana - thanks very much i used to live in Yorba Linda some 24 years ago anyway i was looking online for an apartment she wants to be near the base and when her husband goes to boot camp in fe her best friend is gonna move in with her so that she will not be alone but any info you could find out for me I would appreciate we may come down to San Diego when she is back here for 2 weeks leave before she goes to san diego so as to look at some apartments and maybe get one, but I told her she may just have to go to regular navy quarters until she can find something.

Thanks again

Oh and thank you Kathy any help would be appreciated just wanted to see if there were any no go areas! thanks fiona

cheffiona - my grandson had to stay on the ship until a barracks became available. He does have to drive to the ship to work from the barracks. Will she have a car in SD? When she gets here she'll know when the ship is scheduled for deployment. That may make a difference in her decision.Look on th eUSS Comstock website. It has tons of good information, housing is one of them.

There is a LOT of base housing for married couples. Commutes in San Diego are a nightmare, and Navy housing is usually located in places that are easier for commutes. Also, living in base housing is encouraged, because sailors' families have support from other sailors' families. It's a support system that becomes very important during deployments.

Typically single E-4s and below are discouraged from living off base. E-1 through E-4 live on the ship unless and until the Navy chooses to provide off-ship barracks for them. Supposedly San Diego is very good about finding barracks for sailors on shore. Where my son is based, in Japan, there is NO housing for E-4 and below, he will probably live on his ship for three years.

I had to live on my ship for a year before I got married and moved in with my husband.

Our son is in base housing in cornado-very nice area-beautiful place right by the amphib base. I understand that it is not easy to get a place there, though. I do know there were some who were recently deployed and moved so I don't know if that has increased the availability. There is a bike lane from there to the base so commuting is not bad at all, if they don't want to drive. The families there take care of each other, too.

We rented in Birdland, which is above Mission Valley, across the freeway from Linda Vista. Nice hidden neighborhood, south of Juvie Hall. We didn't want to move again when housing came open, bur since he was an E-6, our BAH made it affordable. He commuted to North Island on his Harley, only used the Jeep now and then.

When we got married we couldn't get BAH. Since we were both active-duty, it was the Navy's policy at the time that they were already providing housing for both of us, we weren't eligible for anything else because we didn't have kids. So we were stuck paying for an apartment out of our paychecks.

We got an apartment in El Cajon, but most of the families on our base (Point Loma) lived in one of several Navy housing complexes near La Mesa.

You can't throw a rock in the San Diego area without hitting a Navy housing complex.

My point is that, if she is E-4 or below, she may not be *allowed* to live off base. Unmarried sailors need permission to live off-base, and ships often won't grant permission. She needs to check with her new duty station before she makes any plans.

She is married and her hubby goes to navy boot camp in feb, we used to live in la mesa off fletcher parkway, up on a hill above a canyon it was very nice but we moved to nv so we know that area well just dont know living in chula vista/imperial beach etc. I told her she may have to wait until she gets there but when they our house after her 2 weeks leave she wants her hubby to go with her to san diego and stay in the hotel navy thing where her and her hubby stayed at great lakes for a week when they got married and he was not allowed out the hotel without her i cannot remember what its called but as usual she talks to all different people who have done this and they all say something different so its kinda hard for me to tell her anything!! I personally think she should just go to san diego live where ever she has to for the time being and work on getting an apartment then! And her hubby can join her later. But i dont think she will listen to me lol!!!

Navy Lodge. He should be able to move around the unrestricted or secure parts of base if he has an ID card.

Because she is married, she should be able to request ten days of house hunting. This is permissive temporary duty, and should be made available to her if she asks. This is in addition to her leave days, not in place of them. Of course, if she is needed immediately, her husband may have to fins the house. She should be sure he has a POA and that he knows to get the military clause in the lease.

http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/8B622EF6-6518-4B90-8B8B-7BD653...

LOL, find the house (apartment).

Ty kathy im really sorry to hear about your sister !! sooo sad!

I did speak to her earlier and told her some stuff i had found out and she told that i was telling her was "not always right" she "knows" because a CPO told that he had this and he had done that so he knew what he was talking about. I said ok ok im just trying to help!!!! lol So i will just "hush my mouth" and let her do it her way and find out that maybe it was not the right way !! Live and learn!

Anti m - thanks for your info and yes lol was navy lodge i could not remember! and she did say she could get 10 days house hunting leave so thanks for confirming that. So then she would have to ask for this leave when she gets to her new base or when she speaks to her sponsor!

Thank you both very much for all the help!

She will put in a chit for the ten days when she checks into her new command. Many commands expect a sailor to complete check in as quick as possible, so she may be doing both at the same time. No need to bother her with that, she'll find out fast.

Yes, they won't listen. And their chiefs are sometimes not up to date because they don't search for the newest info online. Or they have a chief from another rate who doesn't know how things will happen elsewhere. I have had chiefs yank my chain too, which really is frustrating and unprofessional.

When my nephew went into the nuke program, I joined here to catch up on everything which had changed since I was an E-6. Tons and tons of details change, but the Navy is essentially the same.

Welcome Marilyn! My son is about to return from his first time at sea. About how soon is your son leaving? (Be general - no dates because of OPSEC)
Two things come to mind first - calling cards and laundry! He can get calling cards at the NEX and reload them on the ship. Info: http://www.usa.att.com/military/action/services/detail?id=dos
You can also buy online: https://shop.aafes.com/scs/product.aspx
Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets are great.
Find your Family Readiness Group and Ombudsman. They'll likely have FB pages you have to join. http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthem
Do you have a Power of Attorney for your son? Also see about having access to his banking accounts so you can monitor them.

Hi ccNavyMom, welcome. My grandson is currently on the USS Comstock. Stay in touch. Ask away...

CC, if you haven't joined Facebook (FB) already, your time has come! There is so much communication done there by Family Readiness Groups, Ombudsmen and ships themselves, you really can't afford not to (just be sure to set your privacy settings on High). Once you're online there, search "USS Comstock." (A search there for USS Comstock FRG turned this up https://www.bigtent.com/groups/comstockfrg)
Maybe you can help get the Comstock group on N4M going, be member #3! :)
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/usscomstock?

marcy- have you used the big tent group? I was a bit reluctant because it was not a Navy site and I was concerned about security. Let me know. thanks.

Nope, I was just poking around for CC, my son's on another ship. I would contact the ombudsman and learn where,the official FRG sites are from them.

thanks. Where can I get a Power of Attorney form? does it need to be notorized?

When my son deployed, he had to do a number of things with the Navy's legal dept - they took him through completing a will, a living will, and POA. So don't worry, it will get done, but you should discuss who he names in his documents.

We had done a POA when he enlisted, and it was good to have a headstart. I downloaded a free Durable General Power of Attorney for our state and he completed it and had it notarized (easy, all bank branches have a notary). We then filed it with his bank (took two weeks for their legal dept to approve) and his apartment management so that when he was deployed/out of contact, I could take care of things. It's been handy on several occasions. I also have his PIN # so I can monitor his bank account. This past year, for example, several deployed sailors (whose moms are on N4M, that's how I heard it) had money taken from Navy Federal accounts.

USAA has been great for his banking by the way.

We expect him home this next weekend and wanted to make sure we got everything done before he deploys. I'll find out more about what the Navy has done to get his docs in order. He wanted to get a US Passport as well in the event he would have to return home for any reason when he was out of the country. I am already taking care of his bank account but naturally my daughter, his mom is named on all his Navy docs as beneficiary. I think he wants to keep his current credit union and not switch to the Navy Fed CU. No real advantage that I can see. Thank you so much for all the info.

The Navy also expedited my son's passport...

Good to know. Looks like it will all be handled in San Diego. I just wanted to be prepared in case. We have missed him so much. Not sure how we'll handle the 8 month deployment. Thank God for this site.

Start prepping for care packages! Defiinitely helps me and there's nothing like a run through the dollar store :) There are some great ideas for theme boxes etc here - http://www.navyformoms.com/group/carepackageideas

I know, they want to rope in as many new members as possible...
Just go to the Search box up at the top if the page & enter USS Comstock.
PS have you seen the movie The Social Network? Excellent movie & gives great insight into Facebook, if a little chilling :)

I was able to find the USS Comstock on FB by the search method you described. It's pretty generic as opposed to this site which is more specific and personal. ALL good to have.

Bridgette is on the USS Comstock well not living there her and hubby have apartment well she goes back to work on monday and they get underway in dec she was there last week on board being shown around and meeting her bosses and picking her bunk for duty and when underway and was given her sheets for bunk and left them on her bunk as she did not have lock with her and went she went back they had walked lol !! I know I heard about dont trust your bunk mates and make sure you lock everything up of value but sheets and pillows come on girls!!!! What the hey!!

Yes Johanna she is going to get her own sheets and pillow and i told her to mark her name on it. But you would think with the navy code which when i spoke to my daughter last night she recited to me that people would not be stealing other peoples things and i assume they think oh well its just sheets but it is still stealing!! She will not be taking anything of value with her, no phone, no laptop etc and of course will have a phone card and no cash with her just her debit card for "shopping" when they go into port although her first tour will be not stopping but her tour in feb will! I just think that the whole stealing peoples stuff while on board ship is pretty sad they get paid! and yes my daughter has a lock to take when she goes back to work monday!

Oh thats handy to know I will her know that she can have toiletrees sent and she can leave a list for hubby to send that stuff to her when they go on there long deploy in february - oh i just realised he wont be there he will be in boot camp so I guess it will be me again doing the packages!! lol She knows about the no cash thing! She was already told as far as the galley once they are underway with the 300 + marines on board they will have a long wait for chow!!! I dont know how she will survive that wait! Can you send them food packages on board ship? I used to send her food all the time whilst she was at A school, homemade bundt cakes, muffins etc! her whole room loved them plus other stuff to!

FYI - my grandson set up some sort of account on ship where he could get Navy Cash with his debit card. I see the transactions in his account. He hasn't had any complaints. When they are underway they work ALL the time. No time off.

Yes Bridgette is finding out about all this stuff she has a 10 day trip coming up but she also found out the countries she will be going to on 6 month deploy I am working on my shopping list!! lol and she found out about online classes and is going to sign up in jan to continue her CSI classes.

Goodmorning ladies. Same situation here...little or no info forthcoming and does not like being questioned. Brief conversations. Always seems preoccupied. Fiona...looks like Bridgette is our contact. He did apply for his US Passport when he was home last week. Now we need to get the Power of Attorney form taken care of. I'll keep in touch.

Bridgette calls me everyday, and did during A school as well! I always have loads of questions for her!! And she pretty much has the answers to most of them! Her first night standing duty she shadowed someone around she said it was ok just a lot of paperwork!! And she said she was not cold because she had so many layerslolo so she has to report 3.30am monday morning to ship and now hubby has Navy id he is allowed to drive her to her ship lol and pick her up! I guess you need a ton of id to get on base there! So they have got it all now for him and the car! They dont leave that early i think about 11am wow this will be her first time on board a moving ship lol B ring on the sickness pills and she was buying a phone card for use on ship, not taking her phone! I hope she gets time to call me!! lol but if she cant thats ok!! And if we go down at christmas she is going to take me onboard for a tour. On science channel today was a show about the USS Orleans (how its built) and lots of info which was so interesting so i had to call Bridgette- they were at the mall shopping for my birthday lol although wont get here in time its the 6th the day she leaves telling her what they were showing and if she had been there of course she had its basically the same as her ship! And i wondered why above deck was so ugly and weird shaped "its so they cannot be detected by radar as nothing on or above deck has right angles so the radar from other ships cannot tell what kind of ship they are and their location" Wow it was so interesting! Having that helps them become one of the safest of ships, Amphibs. Sorry im waffling! lol.

You're lucky to have a daughter and talk to her frequently. On this side of that coin, we hear from him via text to his Mom and an occasional call to me if he is in port. Also, FB. But, cell reception at sea is bad so we hear from him less. He stays in touch but apparently that's not too cool for a guy I guess. That's understandable. They are just wired differently. We notice he's more private about girls he meets too. Suppose it's a feeling of independence. The guys seem to go out to clubs there in San Diego. A new found freedom. One trolley ride and you're downtown. Anyway, be glad you have a daughter. Mine of course is grown with a sailor for a son and we talk everyday still. It's in the genes. We asked about a tour and he said there's really nothing to see. Girls are just different. Well, thank Bridgette for the update and hope she does well on her first trip out to sea. Tell her she has a fan club.

I will and thank you!

So true Kathy.When we were at the post office getting his passport application they asked where he would be traveling and he gave that answer, "sorry I am not able to discuss that". Not even to your Mom or Grandmother? We laughed. He is also an OS. Is your son in San Diego? Well, we've all agreed that Bridgette is our new BFF. !!!!

We are looking ahead to a February deployment. I'm sure your sons experience speaks for itself. My grandson often talks about having a meaningful experience and making a difference. They are amazing young men, but seeing other parts of the world less fortunate, I believe humbles then. I suspect that his ship as part of the PACRIM (Pacific Rim) will be visiting countries in the Pacific. I pray the situation in Korea does not escalate.

well i did say to Bridgette that if there is something that she id not supposed to talk about then dont! she knows that and anything that she has passed on to me is ok and told her that if i ask her something and she is not supposed to speak about it then dont! and i would not push her either. When she told me where the ship was going in feb this was general knowledge on the ship many people were talking about it! She has got a couple of locks for her stuff to make sure that nothing gets stolen on board and had to bring her own sheets and blankets and hope these do not walk!!! Ihope she will call me whist on board but if not thats fineI know she will call hubby so I will just have to call him to see how she is doing. Everyone she has met so far seems really nice and i hope her first experience on the sea is a good one.!!! And if we go to sd for christmas to stay with them i hope we get the time to go onboard her ship we only live in nv so about 4 hours and we used to live there for years and have family so it would be nice to go!

Well she is on the sea somewhere, hope she is not feeling sick though! Oh and she has to do 6 hours on and 6 hours off for the duration i hope she gets some sleep and she said if can call she will try i told her not to worry!!

Anyone else have a Sailor on the LSD-43 (USS Fort McHenry)?

If your sailors get seasick, you can send them candied ginger or ginger candies (yes, two different things). Ginger really helps some people's tummies.

hoping she will call, she did call hubby earlier whilst she was making her bunk! i know that spare time will not be much but thats ok! I understand!

Fiona...thinking of you since this is Bridgette's first time out. Getting enough sleep seems to be the state of affairs for everyone. They work..they eat..they sleep. That's it. Nothing else. Anxious to hear the female version of life at sea.

www.(name of ship).navy.mil
search on Facebook also

Yea!!!!! I got a call today! Bridgette was able to call me I was so happy. First call was terrible and then she called back and line was great. They were out in the ocean and land was a speck on the horizon lol

Well she is not happy, she did not like being at sea, she did not like her ship, she did not like her job and the food was "yuk" Oh great I thought!!!!
So I told her look this is the first time you have gone to sea, the first time you are really working and doing your job! well still has a lot to learn! I said give it a chance 3 days isn ot enough just hang in there it will get better. Then she was told that if she passes a test not sure which one but the nextone she will get a promotion and higher rank and can then change her job I guess according to her sponsor on the ship this does not take aslong as on some other ships so she was happier when she heard that!!!

So we will see how she feels next call But I was so happy that she got a chance to call me!!!!! I know she said she was tired also 6hours on and 6 hours off.

Another call about 10 mins ago she sounds better and no seasickness on her way tobreakfast and then to work!!! What a start to the day!!!!