I have aol and I have gmail also I did it again and it went through this time but no response yet I gotta realize their are 5,000 other sailors to share with don't know how it works or when they have the time but ill hear from him soon enough
It depends on their job as to how much internet access they have and remember they work really long hours at sea. I have to keep reminding myself to be patient. I would rather he had time to eat and sleep instead of waiting in line for the computer or phone. That is why we have this site.
I received e mail from my son. This is his first deployment. He said he slept only 2.5 hours and worked 6:30 am to 10pm. I think he was very anxious that is why he could sleep, but his spirit was very good. I pray for all GW sailors.
Smith, My son says it can be hard to sleep on a carrier anyway. Apparently the jets can be heard in a lot of the berthing quarters. They also all work different shifts so there are folks walking between the racks a lot, and since those need a light to see where they are going there is always a dim light on.
If you want to know some things to put in your sailor's first care package, I would recommend a pair of ear muffs or ear plugs, a sleep mask to help shield their eyes from lights, and a small headlamp or flashlight for times they just can't sleep and want to read or write or just for getting dressed and ready. You may want to ask your sailor first...some departments have different restrictions or maybe someone has already told your sailor to purchase those items. I sent some to my son during his first deployment on another ship, and now he makes sure he packs them in his seabag for every cruise. And a camera for pictures of those places we will never get to see (or a flash card).
And a side note for those who have not heard from their sailors...mine emailed me and says right now he is working 14-16 hr days. They do tend to stay busy, especially if they are also attending college classes, and working on their warfare pins, and volunteering on projects when they are in ports.
Yes, long hours they work. My son has the top berth and says planes are landing just over head all the time. I just sent my first package for this cruise. Tried something new and soooo hope I'm not sorry. I froze and vacuum sealed cake pieces and packed them in a box. Then packed the shipping box solid, full of stuff. I even decoupoaged the inside of the box with pictures. The cake will be fine, I'm so hoping the rest of the box isn't ruined...thinking of that frozen box thawing and causing condensation. Eyeee! What was I thinking, what was one day of frozen going to add to the freshness. Now I have to wait for weeks to hear the outcome.
For those who have Sailors in the squadrons. I just got a email from my Sailor asking for eye drops for him and his shop. He says they are working 15 hours on the flight deck and the exhaust gets to them. So in your care packages you might want to throw some eye drops in for your sailors.
Thanks for all the info. This is my sons first cruise and is in a squadron; he was stateside the last couple years. We haven't heard from him yet. I'll write all these ideas down for care packages :-)
Okay, so this is a stupid question..... I sent my son a care package and the postal service sent the package back saying that the address for the ship was wrong. It was the address that I got off the website. So I sent it to his squadron. This was three or four weeks ago. Is he going to get the package on ship? And where do I mail the future packages if the address is wrong? HELP, MOMS!!!
Your son needs to give you his address. Because it depends on his department. The squadrons have a different address and zip code from the ship. What squadron is your son in?
@jess' Proud mom- our son's are on the same squadron. I have their shipping address if u need it. It's the same as base but a different zip code. PM if u need it.
Most of my care pkgs I've sent to base has arrived anywhere from 4 to 7 days coming fr California. If you have the unit # or UIC # on the package, it should get to your son.
I had a letter returned today because of insufficient address. The only problem is that it's the same address I use for packages, which always arrive, and it was mailed long before they left base. Need to talk with the postal service on Monday.
Yeah bsb a phone call! I got a one line email, we which is normal for my son. He is not into details he just lets me know he's alive. I take what I can get.
Yeah for phone calls and emails. I got an email yesterday too...made my day!!! He says he got a little sea sick the first day out but has been fine ever since and his sea legs are working fine! He'll be turning 21 soon and told me that even though he won't be able to have a drink he's going to become a shellback on his birthday and so it should be a very interesting day! LOL
My son has been in Japan since Feb 2011. He arrived in Japan a couple weeks before the Earthquake and Tsunami happened. And yes he has been on the GDUB since. He is in a squadron based out of ATSUGI. When they deploy it is on the GDUB. He is suppose be negotiating orders to come back stateside if not then he is getting out in March.
Make sure if you are on Facebook you send info and pictures to the GDUB group about his birthday atleast a week before and they do a Birthday wish for the Sailors.
Last year when they crossed the equator, the conditions were right for an equatorial swim. My son decided it was too long of a wait just to jump off the ship once then dry off and get back to work. Maybe this year they will get the opportunity for it again.
When they get to the equator they have a ceremony with King Neptune. And then the Sailors get a certificate for going from a Pollywog to a Shellback. The certificate is really nice. We had my sons put in a really nice frame.
My son did not say anything about the certs. He really does not say much about getting awards and certificates anymore. It was a big thing to him when he was in JROTC in high school but not so much now. Now he is too busy just trying to do his job and get as much time at home with his wife and baby to be as he can.
I've been googling and watching a few YouTube videos about the shellback initiation. My son will definitely have the attitude of "Bring It On"!!! Oh I can't wait to hear that Navy story! I'm sure this will be a memorable birthday for him!
He did not participate in the Equatorial swim, I know. I asked, and he told me he did not. (Sorry but those Intel folks have to work all the time). There were a lot of things he had to miss out on last year because they scheduled him to work during events. That's being the low one on the totem pole for ya. He missed a 5K run on the ship, he missed a big flyover, and he had to do some work during a couple of other events. He gets very impatient waiting in lines so he often skips much of the Steel Beach picnics, and swims etc, where he has to wait for just a few minutes of fun. This year might be different. Now he has a little more seniority so by then maybe his workload will have settled. Right now for some reason he is doing four people's jobs and working 16 hours a day but he's ok with it. He enjoys his work and is saving his time and money for when the baby is born.
So katlanta, you are sure you don't have my cabana boys? I was sure I sent a couple of them your way last summer...oh well, good help is hard to find. I'll just have to hire a few new ones. When you gonna drive the 4 hours to come sit by the pool for a couple of days? 'Ritas all around while we wait to hear from our lads 'n lasses! Cheers and hugs all!
does anyone have the full zip code for the address FPO AP 96601 Ive gotten 2 letters returned for wrong zip? my son says that is the correct zip code??? Also he wants care packages on this trip to Aus. haven't heard from him in a few weeks.....
That is the correct zip. It has been my sons for over 2 years. And I have never has anything returned. But also I really don't think you should be putting info regarding destination.
I believe the ending of the zip is,different when out to,sea. We are going to talk to our son's recruiter tomorrow to see if he can help out. So far one letter returned.
It does not matter if they are on the beach (home base) or out to sea the address is the same. I do not understand why all the return letters and packages. My son got to ATSUGI 2/11 and we have used the same address the whole time whether out to sea or at the base. I just sent a email to my son asking him if there was a change in the zip code. And just to clarify the term BEACH is what the Sailors refer to as home when not deployed.
The zip I have been using for my son is 96650-2801. I've sent around 12 packages and none of them have been returned. I sent him an email yesterday and asked if his address had changed now that they are out at sea and he commented back and said no.
I just IMed with my son's friend who is onboard. He said that they didn't get the package I sent. I don't know what to do now. That was sent 4 weeks ago. GRRRRRR.........
I wondering if the packages and letters are address correctly.
My son who is in a squadron, I address his as follows:
RATE LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
SQUADRON NUMBER
UNIT NUMBER
FPO-AP 96601
My son who was stationed at Yokuska his was:
RATE LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
BOX NUMBER
FPO-AP 96650-2801
I hope this might help. But like I said before I have never had anything returned. I have had one package take 6 weeks to get to one of my sons. And that is because a cap broke on a bottle of shampoo and they had to quarantine the box to make sure it was OK.
I had some letters returned also. I was told to put his rank, first and last name in capital letters. That's the only thing I did different, and he got those....that was when he was on base. Haven't heard from him since he left the base.
The letter that was returned to me was one I hand addressed, al in caps. I now use printed labels. I ran off a sheet of 30 on my printer and keep them handy. Still waiting to see what today's mail brings.
Hello Everyone! I haven't posted in quite awhile but I have enjoyed reading all your comments! Welcome to all the new moms! I rec'd an email from my Navy Bean and she sounded happy. She loves it when they are on a cruise. I hope she receives our care package soon. I'm getting ready to mail out a birthday package asap. Have a blessed day!
When sending care packages to any FPO or APO address, the postal service as advised that we should not put their rate/rank on the label (ie: PFC, SGT, ADAA, etc). I believe this is mentioned in the USPS website.
The only difference on the base address and the ship address is the zipcode & +4zip. (at least for my son's squadron).
Typical address format is:
Name
Squadron name
Unit #
FPO AP zip +4zip
It is very important to include the +4zip going forward. Back in March, this was posted on one of the USS ship's FB page.
This is a reminder about addressing packages and letters correctly:
The United States Postal Service is resizing military mail operations to minimize costs and increase efficiency in mail delivery. Effective immediately, when sending any mail or packages to the ship, the sender must include the correct and FULL Zip+Four or USPS will return the mail to sender.
The military boxes I have from the post office has a spot on them for their rank so I always include it on everything I send. But I also know there is another sailor on the ship that has the same first, last and middle initial as my son. I found out when I accidentally sent an e-mail to the wrong one and he answered back and wanted to know who I was. We all had a good laugh and now I kid my son to share with his "brother" whenever I send stuff. With 5000 on the ship I guess it is not uncommon to have the same name especially when you have a real common last name.
Okay, another hand addressed letter, postmarked June 11, was returned today. The post office claims it is the FPO people doing the returning, but it is the same address as the boxes that get to him! Argh!
Crystals31
Jun 28, 2013
Kimberly P
Jun 28, 2013
sam
Jun 28, 2013
Crystals31
Jun 28, 2013
Smith
Jun 29, 2013
Mary (Chris' mom)
Smith, My son says it can be hard to sleep on a carrier anyway. Apparently the jets can be heard in a lot of the berthing quarters. They also all work different shifts so there are folks walking between the racks a lot, and since those need a light to see where they are going there is always a dim light on.
If you want to know some things to put in your sailor's first care package, I would recommend a pair of ear muffs or ear plugs, a sleep mask to help shield their eyes from lights, and a small headlamp or flashlight for times they just can't sleep and want to read or write or just for getting dressed and ready. You may want to ask your sailor first...some departments have different restrictions or maybe someone has already told your sailor to purchase those items. I sent some to my son during his first deployment on another ship, and now he makes sure he packs them in his seabag for every cruise. And a camera for pictures of those places we will never get to see (or a flash card).
Jun 29, 2013
Mary (Chris' mom)
And a side note for those who have not heard from their sailors...mine emailed me and says right now he is working 14-16 hr days. They do tend to stay busy, especially if they are also attending college classes, and working on their warfare pins, and volunteering on projects when they are in ports.
Jun 29, 2013
lmnadelady
Yes, long hours they work. My son has the top berth and says planes are landing just over head all the time. I just sent my first package for this cruise. Tried something new and soooo hope I'm not sorry. I froze and vacuum sealed cake pieces and packed them in a box. Then packed the shipping box solid, full of stuff. I even decoupoaged the inside of the box with pictures. The cake will be fine, I'm so hoping the rest of the box isn't ruined...thinking of that frozen box thawing and causing condensation. Eyeee! What was I thinking, what was one day of frozen going to add to the freshness. Now I have to wait for weeks to hear the outcome.
Jun 29, 2013
momof2sailors
For those who have Sailors in the squadrons. I just got a email from my Sailor asking for eye drops for him and his shop. He says they are working 15 hours on the flight deck and the exhaust gets to them. So in your care packages you might want to throw some eye drops in for your sailors.
Jun 29, 2013
Mary (Chris' mom)
Great idea momof2sailors! I will have to ask my son if he also needs some, although he is almost never outside the ship.
Jun 29, 2013
MidwestNavyMom
Thanks for all the info. This is my sons first cruise and is in a squadron; he was stateside the last couple years. We haven't heard from him yet. I'll write all these ideas down for care packages :-)
Jun 29, 2013
momof2sailors
MidwestNavy Mom,
May I ask what Squadron your son is in? My son is a Diamondback VFA 102.
Jun 29, 2013
Jess' Proud Mom
Okay, so this is a stupid question..... I sent my son a care package and the postal service sent the package back saying that the address for the ship was wrong. It was the address that I got off the website. So I sent it to his squadron. This was three or four weeks ago. Is he going to get the package on ship? And where do I mail the future packages if the address is wrong? HELP, MOMS!!!
Jun 29, 2013
momof2sailors
Jess'Proud Mom,
Your son needs to give you his address. Because it depends on his department. The squadrons have a different address and zip code from the ship. What squadron is your son in?
Jun 29, 2013
MidwestNavyMom
momof2sailors - He's not in that one. Has yours been on a ship before?
Jun 29, 2013
Jess' Proud Mom
@ momof2sailors - He is with the helo squadron Saberhawks 77.
I heard from him today. :) I am so excited!!!! It was just a brief email but it means the world!!!
Hey mom, sorry limited on time. Love you too. Will try to take leave.
Miss jayden. Love you all. Gotta go
Jun 29, 2013
cbc mom
Most of my care pkgs I've sent to base has arrived anywhere from 4 to 7 days coming fr California. If you have the unit # or UIC # on the package, it should get to your son.
Jun 29, 2013
bsb
I got a phone call from somewhere in the ocean!! He sounded tired, but loves being at sea.
Jun 29, 2013
MidwestNavyMom
bsb - Yay! I bet it was so good to hear from him!
Jun 29, 2013
sam
I had a letter returned today because of insufficient address. The only problem is that it's the same address I use for packages, which always arrive, and it was mailed long before they left base. Need to talk with the postal service on Monday.
Jun 30, 2013
Kimberly P
Jun 30, 2013
Crystals31
Jun 30, 2013
MaggieMay
Yeah for phone calls and emails. I got an email yesterday too...made my day!!! He says he got a little sea sick the first day out but has been fine ever since and his sea legs are working fine! He'll be turning 21 soon and told me that even though he won't be able to have a drink he's going to become a shellback on his birthday and so it should be a very interesting day! LOL
Jun 30, 2013
momof2sailors
MidwestNavyMom,
My son has been in Japan since Feb 2011. He arrived in Japan a couple weeks before the Earthquake and Tsunami happened. And yes he has been on the GDUB since. He is in a squadron based out of ATSUGI. When they deploy it is on the GDUB. He is suppose be negotiating orders to come back stateside if not then he is getting out in March.
Jun 30, 2013
momof2sailors
joshmom,
Make sure if you are on Facebook you send info and pictures to the GDUB group about his birthday atleast a week before and they do a Birthday wish for the Sailors.
Jun 30, 2013
Mary (Chris' mom)
Last year when they crossed the equator, the conditions were right for an equatorial swim. My son decided it was too long of a wait just to jump off the ship once then dry off and get back to work. Maybe this year they will get the opportunity for it again.
Jun 30, 2013
momof2sailors
When they get to the equator they have a ceremony with King Neptune. And then the Sailors get a certificate for going from a Pollywog to a Shellback. The certificate is really nice. We had my sons put in a really nice frame.
Jun 30, 2013
Mary (Chris' mom)
My son did not say anything about the certs. He really does not say much about getting awards and certificates anymore. It was a big thing to him when he was in JROTC in high school but not so much now. Now he is too busy just trying to do his job and get as much time at home with his wife and baby to be as he can.
Jun 30, 2013
MaggieMay
Jun 30, 2013
Mary (Chris' mom)
He did not participate in the Equatorial swim, I know. I asked, and he told me he did not. (Sorry but those Intel folks have to work all the time). There were a lot of things he had to miss out on last year because they scheduled him to work during events. That's being the low one on the totem pole for ya. He missed a 5K run on the ship, he missed a big flyover, and he had to do some work during a couple of other events. He gets very impatient waiting in lines so he often skips much of the Steel Beach picnics, and swims etc, where he has to wait for just a few minutes of fun. This year might be different. Now he has a little more seniority so by then maybe his workload will have settled. Right now for some reason he is doing four people's jobs and working 16 hours a day but he's ok with it. He enjoys his work and is saving his time and money for when the baby is born.
So katlanta, you are sure you don't have my cabana boys? I was sure I sent a couple of them your way last summer...oh well, good help is hard to find. I'll just have to hire a few new ones. When you gonna drive the 4 hours to come sit by the pool for a couple of days? 'Ritas all around while we wait to hear from our lads 'n lasses! Cheers and hugs all!
Jun 30, 2013
Chris Catlin
does anyone have the full zip code for the address FPO AP 96601 Ive gotten 2 letters returned for wrong zip? my son says that is the correct zip code??? Also he wants care packages on this trip to Aus. haven't heard from him in a few weeks.....
Jun 30, 2013
momof2sailors
Chris Catlin,
That is the correct zip. It has been my sons for over 2 years. And I have never has anything returned. But also I really don't think you should be putting info regarding destination.
Jun 30, 2013
momof2sailors
Jun 30, 2013
sam
Jun 30, 2013
momof2sailors
It does not matter if they are on the beach (home base) or out to sea the address is the same. I do not understand why all the return letters and packages. My son got to ATSUGI 2/11 and we have used the same address the whole time whether out to sea or at the base. I just sent a email to my son asking him if there was a change in the zip code. And just to clarify the term BEACH is what the Sailors refer to as home when not deployed.
Jul 1, 2013
MamabearK
The zip I have been using for my son is 96650-2801. I've sent around 12 packages and none of them have been returned. I sent him an email yesterday and asked if his address had changed now that they are out at sea and he commented back and said no.
Jul 1, 2013
Jess' Proud Mom
I just IMed with my son's friend who is onboard. He said that they didn't get the package I sent. I don't know what to do now. That was sent 4 weeks ago. GRRRRRR.........
Jul 1, 2013
momof2sailors
I wondering if the packages and letters are address correctly.
My son who is in a squadron, I address his as follows:
RATE LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
SQUADRON NUMBER
UNIT NUMBER
FPO-AP 96601
My son who was stationed at Yokuska his was:
RATE LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON
BOX NUMBER
FPO-AP 96650-2801
I hope this might help. But like I said before I have never had anything returned. I have had one package take 6 weeks to get to one of my sons. And that is because a cap broke on a bottle of shampoo and they had to quarantine the box to make sure it was OK.
Jul 1, 2013
MidwestNavyMom
I had some letters returned also. I was told to put his rank, first and last name in capital letters. That's the only thing I did different, and he got those....that was when he was on base. Haven't heard from him since he left the base.
Jul 1, 2013
CindeefromPA
My son is in OI Division and the address I have that I have been sending boxes to is in all caps FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL LAST NAME OI DIV
C/O USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CVN 73
BOX 15 (or other box number if you know it)
FPO AP 96650-2801
Jul 1, 2013
momof2sailors
There are different box numbers for the different departments.
JChandler,
I would send it in a care package. But put in a envelope and then put in the box.
Jul 1, 2013
sam
Jul 1, 2013
CoCoBeansMom
Hello Everyone! I haven't posted in quite awhile but I have enjoyed reading all your comments! Welcome to all the new moms! I rec'd an email from my Navy Bean and she sounded happy. She loves it when they are on a cruise. I hope she receives our care package soon. I'm getting ready to mail out a birthday package asap. Have a blessed day!
Jul 2, 2013
cbc mom
When sending care packages to any FPO or APO address, the postal service as advised that we should not put their rate/rank on the label (ie: PFC, SGT, ADAA, etc). I believe this is mentioned in the USPS website.
The only difference on the base address and the ship address is the zipcode & +4zip. (at least for my son's squadron).
Typical address format is:
Name
Squadron name
Unit #
FPO AP zip +4zip
It is very important to include the +4zip going forward. Back in March, this was posted on one of the USS ship's FB page.
The United States Postal Service is resizing military mail operations to minimize costs and increase efficiency in mail delivery. Effective immediately, when sending any mail or packages to the ship, the sender must include the correct and FULL Zip+Four or USPS will return the mail to sender.
So remember that +4 of the zipcode!
Jul 3, 2013
sam
Jul 3, 2013
momof2sailors
The address does not change whether they are on the beach or on the ship.
Jul 3, 2013
Crystals31
Jul 3, 2013
Kimberly P
The military boxes I have from the post office has a spot on them for their rank so I always include it on everything I send. But I also know there is another sailor on the ship that has the same first, last and middle initial as my son. I found out when I accidentally sent an e-mail to the wrong one and he answered back and wanted to know who I was. We all had a good laugh and now I kid my son to share with his "brother" whenever I send stuff. With 5000 on the ship I guess it is not uncommon to have the same name especially when you have a real common last name.
Jul 3, 2013
Crystals31
Jul 3, 2013
sam
Jul 3, 2013