USS George Washington Sailors

I'm glad they will fly him to the ship so he doesn't have to sit around and wait for it to come back....seems like he does a lot of waiting.......but I guess thats par for the course....

Luke'sMom~lmbo hahahaha!!!!!

momfromCT, my son's previous command (Geo. H W Bush) flew him to a country with a large airport, then flew him on military plane to a port into a neighboring country, then flew him (maybe by helicopter or transport plane?) to his ship midway through the strike group's deployment. 

Luke'sMom-Maybe he read that info in the new Welcome Aboard packet. hahahaha

gamagnolia~I would not be surprised! ;-0

Mine sends home Pepsi cans (that he drank of course) from different countries. It's really a cool way to remember his ports of call.

Hello everyone, just want to let you all know I'm so grateful to have found and be a part of this group. 

katlanta :)  my son wanted Thanksgiving, but it wasn't offered :(  He's opted to stay and save his leave.  He is new there as of March.  But he hasn't been with us for 2 Christmases.  He is happy though and says alot of them are staying for Christmas with some talking of going to Australia, he would like that adventure.  This traveling the world is new to him and he is excited.  I'm planning a visit early next year.

Mary(Chris'mom)  Pepsi cans is a neat idea.  We have one collector of cans in this house.  Hubby has collected beer cans for 36 yrs. ,  not sure I'm up for another collection of cans  LOL!  my son collects foreign money and souvenoir coins.  He has been taking pics of himself at various spots he has visited, they are purely for his mothers satisfaction.  I kept telling him get a picture of yourself, so you can show you were there.  I think I'll frame them and put them in his room,  oops our guest room now....it should be a nice surprise and remembrance.

I'm a quilted and I did suggest my sailor send me some Japanese prints to make something of, that would be cool.

katlanta-Glad you heard from your son.  I am sure you are proud of his accomplishments and possibly coming home for leave. :)

Imnadelady-Your son will LOVE Australia, but I hope you get to see him soon.

Nigel's mom-Welcome! I am a newbie too, but have received an invaluable amount of information from all of these wonderful moms.

Mary (Chris' Mom)-What a neat collection idea.

CArol-Thanks for the support.

Leave periods vary depending on the job. Last Christmas my son did not have leave and he stayed in Japan. I sent him a red sweater which he put on Christmas Day and he skyped with us, it was a bit sad but now this year he thinks he will have leave and come home. He's been told that there are 2 periods for his group, one 2 weeks before Christmas to shortly after the holiday and another beginning just before New Years and extending 2 weeks after.  I bought my son's ticket on Delta for his Christmas present. About $1400.00 for 1 stop each way to the east coast. I asked for a military ticket which allows him to change the ticket for no charge instead of the normal $250.00 fee. Thanksgiving was not a leave option for my son. Hope all the moms can see their sons and daughters soon.

Why was he is the hole?

gamagnolia- thank you! and  you are absolutely right there is a lot of invaluable amount of information from the wonderful moms here. 
I'm so excited reading everyone's posts about leaves. Please bring it on. I am looking forward to see my son next year. We agreed to just meet up in the Philippines and visit my parents there. 

Ladies, you mean, vacation leave schedule depends on what department our sailor belongs? My son is an ABF.Anyone here has a sailor of the same rate? What's their vacation leave sched? I would appreciate any info you can give. Thanks again.

Yes, they have to earn leave time just like earning vacation time at any job. When they are out on the ship for long periods, building leave time is not difficult. There are instances when they can take a few days of leave before it is earned but it has to be approved. Being in the hole means that the person took leave before it was earned so he/she has to earn back the leave. My son saves his leave time for coming home or taking a few days off when family visits him. When we go to see him in Japan, we plan our flights so we can take the train and he doesn't have to take off any time to escort us on the bus.

navy mom how easy is the train trip, I have never traveled abroad and will be traveling by myself.  you make a good point, I want his leave time with me not riding a bus to and from the airport :)

sharma.penix, yes it is called the HARP program. A one time opportunity to work for up to 2 weeks during leave time so they don't have to go in the hole for so much time. It's actually something like Hometown Area Recruiting Program. They work inside the recruiter's office either recruiting or doing clerical work for the office. My son did it between C school and his first assignment as well. But he had evenings and weekends those two weeks for seeing family and friends.Even though he was home 3 weeks, he was given two of those weeks back later to add to other short holidays. He used those two weeks of time traveling in Asia, and still had his regular leave time to come home. If I understand correctly, between school and their first assignment is the only time they can do this. It's great for the sailors to do if their office can accomodate them for the program.

I wonder if he could arrange for me to take the bus without him hmm?

My son worked at the recruiters office after A school, for a week or so before leaving for Japan.  I am eager to hear from him and get a mailing address for these packages.  I am not expecting to see him home for the holidays this year since he just got there and this is his first duty station. I would love to visit Japan and hope I am able to do so during his time there.  

I don't expect my sailor to come home either for the holidays since he just getting there.....five more days until he leaves.....so exciting......

Imnadelady - Taking the train requires some advance planning. The train map is posted on line. You can do it! If you are not pressed for time, there are information booths in the train stations with people who speak English.  Narita and Haneda  both have train stations right there at the airport. You will need yen (you need cash everywhere except the base) to buy a train card from a machine.  There will be some line changes that are a bit tricky but the stations are listed in English and Japanese once you are on the train. It is difficult to navigate if you have a lot of luggage because of the stairs so I would not recommend the train alone if you have more than 1 suitcase. My biggest problem was having confidence in myself since I am not used to taking commuter rail. Perhaps you could plan to have your son/daughter meet you at Narita and then take the train back once you have had some experience with the train. The bus goes back and forth to Narita which is several miles northeast of Tokyo.  This is the main airport for international flights. Haneda Airport is southeast of Tokyo and closer to both Atsuji and Yokosuka. Haneda is much smaller, very nice and easy to navigate. Good luck!

thanks, it's hard to tell by looking at maps.  I'm not good at geography.  

Katlanta, there is a big hurricane coming down on Okinawa.  I don't know where our ship goes, so I was worried.  My sailor is getting to know the life really quick. Check on board and the next day leaves on deployment and now a huge storm... LOL, poor kid.  Wish I could talk to him for just one minute.

I haven't heard one word from my sailor! :(  I do not have an email addy or a box address. I have emailed the ombudsman and family support and have not received a response.  Very frustrated! I would like, at least, be able to send him a package.

@katlanta-I am grasping at straws and removed that last "stupid" question.  As soon as I posted it, I found my answer. :)

Now that you peaked our interest what is it?

In an email, about his delayed flight, with the ombudsman, he told me his supervisor's name and the department, all together.  I am sure you can figure it out now. LOL

@katlanta hahahaha

If you have never been close to a carrier you would have a hard time imagining how far out of the water the deck is (there are about 4 or 5 decks above the water before you get to the flight deck) and then it's all open on top so even the very largest waves can go from one side of the ship back off the other side. The water has very few ways of getting inside the ship to capsize it. They do take ships away from port during serious storms. The ships are built to ride the waves...they are not built to be bashed into the concrete piers. They have the most modern navigation equipment, best crew and wonderful support. The Navy does not want to lose a ship and planes worth billions of dollars, our sailors are in good hands. It's also hard to remember ('cause they are still our kids) but our sailors are actually grown, mature, and trained seafarers.

gamagnolia~don't worry....when your sailor decides he/she needs or wants something (especially the sound of your voice) you will get a call or email. Sometimes when the ship is on the move they bock out internet service. They quickly find out how to get cards and "goody boxes" sent. Save your money until then. :-)

katlanta~hahaha...ignorance is bliss!

kaltanta, you make me laugh.  I'm from CA, been here in WI for... wow, too long and I still freak out about tornado's.  I want to run.  Went home to visit and sat through a quake and watched the hubby run... NOW THAT WAS FUNNY.  It's all in how we are raised I guess.  I'm better now just like every time I check in here.

gamagnolia  I'm with you.  Haven't heard a thing and trying to be patient.  I'm hoping to get an email any day now telling me how hard he's working.  Lord be with me.

Hey! I got the deck put on around the pool this past week! Plenty of 'Ritas and cabana boys over here! Party time!!!!!!!! I am however NOT sharing my best cabana boy, but I loan out the others.

Oh NO! I have no rejects (just one who is perfect in every way)! Yes come by for the afternoon! We are usually having very nice afternoons here in NC and I am soon installing a solar heater for the pool to use until around Nov. We will put cabanas up all over the yard!! hehehe

katlanta~I am actually going to be in your area next weekend. Have tics to Braves game. After that, I think I'm pretty well freed up for company. Will have to do a bit of planning and lots of cleaning (no one can accuse me of being OCD) but must get ready for the kids' birthday pool parties anyway. We will get together on it soon!

Katlanta does the ombudsman send out periodic emails?  Maybe I should have my sailor authorize me, I like to hear whats up!  :)

nothing like a happy Navy Mom!!

Hey!  I want to join in the party... cabana boy or not.

AHHHHhhhhh, finally get an email from the sailor and it was a one liner... "tell me if you get this"  WHAT? Do I have permission to fly onto the ship to do some butt kicking?  What a brat he is.  At least I know he's there... right, LOL

@katlanta-Yayyyyyyy! An hour? Wow! That is awesome. I am so happy for you!

@CreativeVi-Grrrrrr! If they only understood what it was like to be a mom!

boys are not real chatty!  Yeh!  and when you reduce that to emails. yikes!

My sailor was the one son of my two that would sit and visit with me.  Not all the time, but he would take the time to chat.  He loves the Navy, but the only downside for me is this efficiency mode he has acquired.. lol!  He got a tablet while back in Japan, so I'm hoping he will touch base when in a port, will see!

We finally received a phone call today and an address.  I am happy! :)

No call, no email....but he's in one of the photos on the GW's fb page today!! Woo hoo!!