USS Essex Navy Moms

The closest airport is Fukuoka (FUK). I don't think the base has a shuttle to Nagasaki. The Gator Cruise is a Tiger cruise. The Essex nickname is the Iron Gator. If you friend me and send me your email, I will send the forms. I also have the recent emails from the ships Ombudsmen. The information is really for the families that live on base but your son might find it interesting. Last year they went to Australia and some families met them there. Shop around for airfare. The airlines will give military fares. They are as low as $700.00 for active military and I am on the east coast.

Sharon - Kim beat me to it! I too was going to tell you that you could add me as a friend and send me your e-mail and could send the forms.

Happened to be off work today and caught Katie on-line. They are 13 hrs ahead of MI time. Katie was babysiting and watching a movie that I had mailed her that just arrived that day. We IMd for over an hour-it was great!

Sharon - Don't you have your son's address yet? It is a FPO address. Her laptop has a built-in WiFi card, so the couple she was babysiting for (a 1st class from her ship that lives about 30 min off base) must have WiFi. Katie can go the library on base on other places or use it when she is home, etc. whereever they have WiFi.. Katie doesn't have skype, says she doesn't really want it, but then she used a friends the other day to call us.

Katie uses the computers on board and e-mails with her navy.mil e-mail address. She has called a few times during deployment with $10 ship phone cards.

Katie just buys the phone card when she wants to call. She'll let me know that the call will have a 'time' limit. Never know how long the call will last. It warns you about 60 seconds before it cuts out. Never asked if she's picked them up at the NEX or just on board. Sorry, I know nothing about getting anything online from the NEX.

I too have sons and daughters - 2 of each.

IMing Katie right now. She is in her berth. Says you can get a connection if too many aren't already on.

TINA....WHAT...ENGAGED. He is moving back the the states, right?

Sharon, I have all boys. All my information from my son in the navy comes through Katie. LOL.

Kim, I get that everytime I clear my history. Which I have to do often with Vista. It has nothing to do with NavyForMoms.

Security clearances have been weird. I do contract work for the navy and have to go through a lot of clearances. My son was guaranteed the Nuclear program if he passed the security clearance. He didn't because he was born in Canada. He was guaranteed his next rate regardless of his clearance but before going to "C" school, he had to give up his Canadian citizenship. I hope they guarantee "health care" when he leaves the Navy.

Sharon - wish I had something to say that could help you. I know from the beginning - before she even went to BC - her recruiter here said to get use to the 'hurry up and wait'. I know that it is frustrating for you and your son...even more so for him.

Katie mentioned a softball tournament on base. She is just going to watch when she isn't on duty or babysitting (like she is again tonight). Any of your sailors on one of the soft ball teams?

Tina - have you heard from James about his engagement yet?

Congratulations to Hans making E-4!

wamom - Glad you could talk to your son so close to his birthday. What is your son's rate? Does he happen to be playing on the Essex softball team? Katie is cheering them on, when she can, but haven't found anyone who is actually playing on the team.

I happened to catch Katie on-line a few minutes ago and she said ...The Essex won the softball Tourney!!

Sharon - see you got some answers on the Japan site about phone service. Hope you got the answers you wanted.

Sharon - Enjoy your time with your son. It will be great having him home. I'm sure he is looking forward to being home and then onward to his adventures on the Essex.

Kim - Hope Hans feels better soon.

Great Pic Ingrid....How are your plans coming along for the Gator Cruise?

Great Picture Ingrid. Enjoy your sailor Sharon.

I received an email from my son and he said that they are not getting any vacation this summer. Didn't you say that earlier Marianne?

Yup! Katie said that they were getting ready for the big inspection in early July, just before the Gator Cruise. No leave times during the prep for inspection. Then a long deployment after the Gator Cruise. Possibly no leave until closer to December.

I check the 7th fleet news once I know they are leaving port.

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/

When they went to Australia, we read about them participating in the Cobra Gold. Once they were underway earlier this year, you read about them participating in the Balikatan. When Katie was home at Christmas, she told us they would be going to Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Hong Kong - one of the stops they ended up not stopping in. At this point, Katie hasn't told me where they are headed in the Fall.

Actually I check the 7th fleet news often to see the updated news and photos. I find it interesting to see where the ships in the fleet go and the good will they spread along with the international training exercises.

Sharon - I couldn't get the link to load this AM either. About the Gator Cruise - it has nothing to do with rank. The deadline for the forms is May 15th and they recommend that if you are interested at all, to get the forms in sooner than later. I can e-mail you the information and forms if you would like. Just PM me your e-mail if you are interested.

INSURV is the BIG inspection that is coming up. I checked out the navy site that has the info. I hadn't heard from Katie since Tuesday and when I finally did, she said... I have 30 min lunches now so I really don't have a chance to get on anymore. We are so busy that my 2nd, 1st and chief use the computers thru lunch. By the time Im done with work I just want to get off to go to the gym and swim because it closes at 1900 and we got off work between 1700 and 1800. Have to go. Really busy. I'm on duty so I'll try to get on before I go to bed if I go to bed tonight.

My son waited for his tech school, then waited for his "A" school, then waited for his "C" school. He had to sign up for 6 years because his schooling was supposed to take 2 years. Even with the wait, he was under 2 years. "Hurry up and wait" is the motto.

It sounds like they are really busy. I haven't heard from my son in over a week. His girlfriend sent me pictures of an excursion to the zoo. Again, Thanks for all the girls. My next package has a gift for his girlfriend. What would be a good idea to send Katie on their next deployment. "I have to look after the girls"

That's sweet of you Kim. I'll have to think about that...of course, that won't be until late summer with this every 5 year - bow to stern - fine tooth comb inspection. Haven't heard if she got the pkgs from the Women's Bible study group yet, but she told me NO MORE goodie boxes until 4th of July ;(

Katie signed up for 5 right away - just because. Is your son's girlfriend from the ship or Japan, can't remember if you ever mentioned that. Did you decide about the Gator cruise? Katie would like someone to come over, so we are seeing if we can work it out.

Sharon - I'm not saying that you can't send 'goodie boxes'. Katie just told me for her and the shop she is in - they were told no more goodie boxes until after inspection.

My son's girlfriend is Japanese. He is an E5, so he receives pay to live in town. I will be sending him goodies soon. I have been working so much that I haven't sent his Easter present yet.

I am not going on the Gator cruise. My son said that it was filling up and I had to make a decision. I looked at the airfare and they are all up in price. He won't be able to take time off so I said that I will try to come over when he has the time. I really wanted to go.

Katie lives on the ship - so that makes the difference with the goodie boxes. Sorry you won't be able to go on the Gator Cruise. Katie really wanted one or two of us to come, but then we realized we wouldn't be able to use of flight benefits and fly standby - we would need to get there prior to the cruise. Plus, the airline my husband works for could get us as far as Tokyo. To top that off, the peak season for summer in Japan begins July 9 according to Japan Air. Now Thomas, our 13 year old, really wants to go, so..........We sent in our applications and Medical forms and know they have been rec'd, but haven't heard back whether we are accepted and on the list. So, I haven't started making any plans. We don't have passports either.

Katie better be able to get a day or 2 off, otherwise it really won't be worth it to go;(

Apply for the passports ASAP. They take a while and you don't want to pay extra for a rush order. 14 was the cutoff for an adult passport (now 16, I think) and I hear that you can't put them on your passport anymore. The child passport is just as expensive, is only good for 5 years and both parents and child have to go in person to get it. Then you have to apply for an adult one after that. With yours you can do it all at the post office and mail it in.

Got a quick e-mail from Katie today. Asked her if she knew one of the new female sailors to the ship whose Mom is in this group, she said we have so many new females coming in we have an overflow berthing. Katie signed off quickly - said her Chief neede her.

Only 1 of the 3 boxes the Bible study sent have arrived. Last time a box only took one week. THe first one arrived in 9 and now the others will be even more. Hopefully the cookies still taste good when they arrive.

Sharon - I always use the APO/FPO USPS Flat Rates boxes. Usually they have arrived in a weeks when they have been in port. Uncertain when they are out to see as they get mail at replenishment or when the stop in port. So far, most everything has arrived in pretty good shape. Since I have rec'd lists of requests, I know they appreciate the homemade goodies.

I put the cookies, brownies and candy in freezer zip loc bags. Katie shares her boxes with the sailors in her shop, etc. I have had one sailor say he would pay me for a batch of Andes mint cookies. Katie's chief has asked if Alicia (my oldest daughter) could send cookies boxes directly to him. One guy wanted to know if he could marry Katie's sister as well. Since not a lot of them get treat boxes that she works with, they asked Katie if they could make a request list. The last one included - Brownies, Sugar cookies, White chocolate chip cookies,
Macadamian nut cookies, Peanut brittle, Rice krispie, Oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip (no nuts), Peanut butter, No bake..............basically, they would be happy with anything.

Once when they were out to sea, Katie asked for red pens and hand sanitizer.

Red pens were for discrepancies on reoprts, check lists, etc. At the time she asked for them she said that every time she would need a red pen, they were gone from the shop.

The Essex was in the Philippines when Katie arrived in Sasebo last year. After just a few days they flew her to a port in the Philippines to meet up with the Essex.

I drilled my son over and over that he HAD to find a way to contact me to let me know that he was there save. He did. Right away. Then I didn't hear from him for several months. He was busy and I didn't have an email or mailing for him. I didn't know about this site then.

Sharon - So Glad you heard from your son;)

Great news Sharon. Now you need to learn how to make him feel guilty for telling Facebook before you. LOL.

Hey, one of my best friends is a Jewish mom. She has taught me well. LOL.

BTW, mothers are treated with the utmost respect in Japan. They are also kind of backwards, where a woman is expected to look after her husband and all.

Glad to hear that all ended well Sharon. At least I hope all is ok.

I finally heard from my son. He says that they really busy. He said most of the people in his area have been farmed out around the ship. He has to do his tasks as well as something in damage control. Does that mean he is working with Katie?

Kim - Not sure if Katie is working with your son or not. I haven't heard from her as much lately since she says they are really, really busy. I know some days she works her regular shift and then is assigned watch at night.

Kim - heard from Katie today and she says she is not working with Jonathan. Said he must be working damage control in his division.

After almost 3 weeks the other 2 pkgs arrived 'damaged' - she hadn't opened them up yet, but said she wouldn't be surprised if there were pletny of crumbs. Can't figure out why pkg 1 arrived in just over a week and the other 2 arrived so late....same box, same address, same location -- go figure.

Sharon - I believe Kim was one of the ones who bought her son a rackpack. Hopefully she will see the post and let you know what she ordered.

Here is what I ordered:
SplitPack NavyRackPack (two panels) 7 feet
Item# , More Options: SplitPack NavyRackPack (two panels) 7 feet. 48.25 + 6.05 shipping. It was last years birthday present.

Jonathan said it was a little short, which surprised me because they are supposed to know the dimensions of each ship. They will ship to an FPO address.

This year we are looking into sending him the e-book. He loves to read and he will be able to carry 1500 books in his pocket.

Congratulations to Hans! Haven't heard from Katie for a while, which is unusual. Usually that means she is quite busy or lack of computer time at lunch or ?? She mentioned she hoped to call this weekend.

Enjoy your Mother's Day;)

Happy Mothers Day!

Congrats to Hans. Wow, the results are early this round.

I received an email from Jonathan. He is waiting to go before a panel of chiefs for his ESWS pin.

Good luck Tina. I am glad that you are safe.

Sharon, send me an email and let me know where and when they are going.

Just got off the phone with Katie just a bit ago. We talked for over a half hour while she was on her lunch break. Great to hear from her. Our medical forms were preliminarily approved - so we can start making travel plans for the Gator Cruise;)

Just rec'd LOVELY flowers from Katie at work. They are a combination of pink Gerbera daisies and a dozen peach baby roses, etc.;) and a wonderful sentiment about 'although we are oceans awa..............'

Thank You to all your sons/daughters on Armed Forces Day.

My son is on the Essex also. He needs new glasses. I wonder if he saw him?

I pushed the stop following, then follow. We will see if it works.

Just caught Katie on-line before she went to bed. She passed her PT test - no worries according to her.