Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Dear Lee4kis,
We just finished moving my daughter-in-law to Castle Acres this past weekend. I will request you as a friend so we can send personal messages to talk more about Castle Acres.

our kids got married between a school and norfolk too but went right out and although it was a hectic 3 weeks they stayed at the hotel by base and then worked and worked to get all the paperwork done before he deployed he left 3 weeks later and she is in their new apt. and they did this over christmas. not perfect but each week is better.

My son's 21 and has a great insurance rate for his car through USAA; definitely check them out! https://www.usaa.com

Let me add my voice to the others in welcoming you to the group. These groups can get addictive! :) blessings, John (notamamma)

Hi everyone,
Well it's been awhile and I'm thinking about coming to Norfolk to see my son. I looking for a good place to stay.

mel,

In your post about moving to Norfolk there is one really big thing to learn. There is a tunnel going under the bay here between Hampton and Norfolk. It acts like a huge wall between the penninsula and the south side. The traffic is often gridlocked at that tunnel. So plan carefully when you pick a place to live. The commute isn't too bad between Hampton and Norfolk but the tunnel makes it horrible.

That is also very true between Portsmouth and Norfolk! There's a drawbridge, too, to consider.
I nearly missed a flight recently b/c of an accident at the tunnel entrance.

From the Navy Times: "The Navy plans to send seven ships to New York’s annual Fleet Week next month, it announced Tuesday: a big-deck gator, a cruiser, a destroyer and four smaller patrol coastal ships.
From Naval Station Norfolk, Va., the Navy will dispatch the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, destroyer James E. Williams and PCs Tempest, Hurricane, Monsoon and Squall." http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/04/navy_fleetweek_042010w/

Does anyone here have a sailor on the Iwo Jima?

I have a Grand-daughter that is on the James E Williams Fighter Ship. I soon will also have a Grand-son that has already received his orders to Norfolk and assigned to the same ship... Wow, does this happen very often... Two of my grandchildren on one ship...

MA - Master at Arms; law enforcement and security, basically.

Hi, Ladies. I am new to this group. My son will be leaving A School base this week, home for leave, and then reporting to Norfolk assigned to the USS TR, which I know is in dry dock there. Is anyone on here connected to the USS TR? Not much activity on their ship site. Just curious to know what he will be doing, where he will be living, etc. Will he live in Newport News while the ship is in dry dock? What is the Norfolk base like? Just looking for any info. He is a YN. Thanks for any help!

Thanks, Marci. How long has he been a YN?

Edna, wasn't he assigned a sponsor before he got there? I would think that is the person who could help him. My son is going up there in a couple of weeks and I know he was assigned a sponsor.

One of my grandsons will be graduating from A School in San Diego on June 25th, and will come home for 2 weeks and then head to Norfolk, VA. assigned to the James E Williams Fighter ship. Can you believe this is the same ship my grand-daughter is on. We are so thankful that he was able to choose his next assignment and was able to be on this same ship. They may not see each other on the ship much, but they will have some time together when they are on the seas.

Wow, arlene....that is WONDERFUL. What a blessing!

Thanks for those of you putting up the apt. info. My son is also on deployment and wants to move off ship on his return. Will make a note of your recommendations!

Hi everyone! I am new to the group but have been in Norfolk for close to 2 years now and myhusband is on the USS Harry S. Truman. I will try to be of any assistance to anyone with questions and an ear for anyone that needs to talk!

sunshinechick. Hi! I am new on here too. My son will be reporting to the USS TR on Mary 14th. His first duty station. I know it is dry docked for a couple of years. Anything you can tell me about what he can expect up there would be appreciated. ..just wondering about it. He is a YN. What does your hubby do?

Diannep,
If he is going to be dry docked then I believe he will be in the Newport News shipyard. Its about 10-15 minutes from Norfolk. Is he going to be living on the ship or in an apartment somewhere? If he is going to live in an apartment we were told by several other people not love anywhere within 10 miles of the shipyard...bad areas. Norfolk itself isn't a bad place. If you come from a small town like I do then it takes awhile to get used to. Traffic can be very hectic a lot of the times on the interstates around here and even on the secondary roads. Also, to get from Norfolk to Newport News you can take one of two tunnels, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel or the Monitor-Merrimac Tunnel. Be warned though, these tunnels tend to get backed up alot and for hours at a time sometimes. The Norfolk Naval Base is HUGE but very beautiful! The Roosevelt is a HUGE ship too and it may take your son awhile to get used to but tell him to not get discouraged though. My husband is a LS on his ship. Hope this info helps and if you have any more questions just ask!

sunshinechick: Thanks so much for all of the info! No, he will live on the ship (berthing barges), I'm sure. He has no car right now...sold his before bc. I have read on the posts that VA Beach seems a nice place to live if they go off base. Maybe down the road if he gets tired of living there. Too bad he couldn't live on the Norfolk base...sounds wonderful! But I guess he will be "visiting" alot on the weekends! Thanks again, and if you think of anything else, just let me know.

Thanks, Always Ready! How long has your sailor been deployed?

They haven't deployed yet but will be soon. My husband is on the same ship as AlwaysReady's loved one.

Question: My son is home on leave. Reports to the USS TRoosevelt in a couple of weeks. He hasn't been contacted by a sponsor yet so questions not answered. He was wondering about space for civilian clothes? I'm assuming he will be living on the berthing barge until the ship is done. Is there much space for civies? Does anyone know? Or should he just take a few, and I can ship the rest if needed? Any info is appreciated!

Thanks so much, Jenny. Good idea to have him take just a few of his clothes. His sponsor just called an hour ago, but he didn't ask him many quesitons yet. Thanks again!

Thanks so much, Julie and KYMom. I am on the TR group but there is little activity on there right now. But I'll check out the TR family readiness group! Thanks! I've heard that the sponsors sometimes are hit and miss, so I'm so happy that our sailors seem to have good ones!

Cecilia: Thanks so much! That helps alot.

KY Mom: I will check out the pictures. Thanks!

Hello all :) I am new to the navy life, my husband is graduating BC in 3 days! We will be stationed in Norfolk, hoping to meet new people :)

Congratulations navywife10! I'm so excited for you both!

Thanks :) My husband is assigned to the USS Enterprise. I am excited to move since I've never lived outside pa but so nervous about metting new people. I've had the same friends basically my whole life but my aunt which is a military wife 20 yrs now said that I would find the best of friends within the military family. I'll have to check out Castle Acres, I have checked several place out but haven't decided yet...its becoming a very stressful decision lol

I agree with AlwaysReady. That is what I also heard from my son.

Hi everyone. I'm Stephanie. My family and I just got back to Virginia last week after being stationed in Hawaii for 3 years. My husband, Joe, is stationed on a new ship that will be moving up here after commissioning.

My son is home on leave. Reports to Newport News (dry docked TR) this week for his 1st duty station. He is a little discouraged because a friend stationed on another ship there said how horrible it is...the area is awful...living on a ship stinks...etc. My son was excited before this news...but is down now. Any helpful info out there that might contradict this "downer" news a little? It would be nice if he could live on the Norfolk base and commute to the ship, but I don't know if that is an option and he doesn't have a car right now.

My grand-daughter's home base is Norfolk, assigned to a ship, which when she first got there they transported her to the location the ship was at that time and she continued the assignment they were on at the time with the ship and returned to Norfolk in Oct. After getting off the ship, she rented her an apartment off base. She already had a car which she left parked somewhere that others park their vehicles while on assignments away from base etc. But she got her car and immediately went and rented her an apartment, which she has had every since. She has a room-mate now. But what I understand that if you are stationed in Norfolk you really need a vehicle for they do not have good public transportation. But she has never complained about the ship or smell or anything like that. She has done very well and last Friday was honored and received her promotions etc which she is now a Petty Officer and she celebrated her one year in service on March 12th 2010. After her awards ceremony she was able to leave Norfolk for the weekend, she came and enjoyed celebrating her brothers birthday with us on Sat night, where she got to see lots of family and then she had to leave out yesterday morning to get back to base ready for work this morning. We really enjoyed seeing her. However, she did look very tired but she did get to spend this one day with her almost 3 year old son. He will be 3 on the 30th of this month. She actually seems to love it in Norfolk. She has never been stationed anywhere else. After her boot camp in Great Lakes, she took her A training in Great Lakes. then was home for a couple weeks and then on to the middle east. But they took a survey of the bases most liked etc and it was not voted near the best... San Diego was voted the best. My grandson being stationed there is going to see a big difference probably when ever he moved to Norfolk. He has orders for Norfolk but has put in for a package deal and if it goes through he will stay in San Diego till around Nov 2011. We are just waiting to hear if it goes through... probably will since he is extending his service time 2 years in the package deal and if it goes through his will have huge pay increase. But this 70 year old grandmother wants him home... but no, I really want what is best for my grandchildren no matter what my personal wants are..

Thanks, Arlene. My son said they can't live off base until they are a certain rank. Your granddaughter must have been that rank (he is an E-3). Thanks for the info!
Congrats to your g-daughter on her promotion. That is wonderful!

She might have been E3, for she just now became E4. she may have gotten quicker approval because of her being married and having a child. Of course I would suggest any single person to stay on base as much as possible for it helps them to save their money. One of my grandsons in the US Coast Guards, Basic training at New Jersey then went to San Diego for over a year, then he just went to VA for more training the first of the year, living on base every where he has lived, he has been in service 2 years in june and was home a couple weeks ago and had saved $25,000.00. So this was very good. He is tickled and said he is very careful how he spends his money. My grandson in the Navy may not be as saving, but he has only been in service since middle of January, Graduated March 12, and he has saved quite a bit, had over $2,000. in savings and had $500. in his checking account...but I don't think he is as disciplined as the other grandson is. He says he is saving 75% of his check each pay day... I have not heard them complain about the ship smelling or not being clean for they have to keep them clean etc... that is one of the rules.

Thanks again, Arlene. Good for your Coast Guard grandson in his saving! Wonderful! My son has saved alot of money too when he lived at home, going to school and working. I'm hoping he continues that in the Navy.
He knows good saving habits...so it is up to him now. I too have told him that being single, now's the time to work hard at saving in the military with so much paid for. He has told me that he knows that and to stop telling him! HA! So we'll see! Thanks for all of your info. I'm sure my son will like it up there. When he's with buddies, he's happy! Good luck to your military grandchildren! God Bless Them and You!

Ang, We made that move in 2001, and we just got back to Norfolk from Hawaii last week. If you haven't already, you need to get in touch with the personal property office to set up to have your household goods picked up. You can also go to https://www.smartwebmove.navsup.navy.mil/swm/ to set this up online. If you set it up that way, you just need to make sure you take a copy of your husband's orders to the personal property office in order for them to process your move. If you would prefer, you can do a DITY (Do IT Yourself) move where the Navy pays you to pack everything and move it across country yourself. I prefer to just let the movers pack everything and move it for me, so I'm not totally sure how to do one of those, but I think you can talk with the personal property office to find out about it. Your husband can also submit paperwork to PSD for advanced travel pay and DLA (Dislocation Allowance, I think). During your trip across country, make sure you keep the receipts for all gas, food, and lodging. He will need them when he goes to PSD in Norfolk to submit his travel claim. You may end up getting money back because the advance travel pay is only about 80% of the full travel pay for your transfer.

Arlene: I think when my son's friend told him living on a ship stinks...he didn't mean that the ship smelled....just that he didn't like living on the ship! I would imagine that they do keep the ship very clean!

Oh, yes.. expressions :-) it probably does stink!!!! I don't think they have any room. Possibly double deck beds very small is what I saw in a picture, but I really don't know. My grand-daughter is on the ship lots.. they go out for a few days then come in etc. They have done one tour to the middle east since she has been assigned to it and they were gone 6 months. She has really enjoyed her tours, seen a lot of different things, countries etc. But she does have her own apartment off base when she gets back to Norfolk. My grandson, who is finishing up his A school got to choose where he wanted to go and he put Norfolk, however he had actually been on the ship my grand-daughter is on and he asked for the same ship. However, even though he has those orders to go there the last of June he has filled out a package where his time will be extended to years and he would stay in San Diego till about Nov 2011 in school. Several different schools he would attend before going to Norfolk etc. I imagine it is rough if you actually have to stay on a ship 23/7 all the time. But I thought that they pull them off the ship and they have their own rooms, on base. now my grandson has his own room, by his self with a ref, microwave and TV etc. they still are very strict. Has guards at the entrance to building and have to salute etc as coming and going, has inspections of their rooms, everything has to be put in place and organized according to their rules etc. But he is enjoying it. He now has a girl friend and last night they were somewhere and fixing to watch a movie together. He said by the computer.. They have common areas they can relax in etc. of course I know you all know that...I really enjoyed my visit to the base in Great Lakes, just to see what all they have for them and also to see how the sailors are so friendly with each other etc. they need that..

Arlene: I'm assuming you are talking about your g-son in A School? My son too told me that their "apt" on base at A School was very nice. Common area and separate bedrooms (but all had roommates). It isn't like that on the ship! They have "racks" to sleep in...I think 3 high...very small....kind of roll in and roll out...not room to sit up in. But it is very encouraging to know that your g-daughter likes the ship. Thanks for sharing that!

Diannep, yes, it is my grandson, I have a grandson and grand-daughter in the Navy and a Grand-son in the US Coast Guards. My Coast Guard grandson will finish up 2 years in June. He is out on ship 3 months at a time, Yes, the bunks on the ship are tight...I had seen that picture and when you said 3 high, I remember seeing that Yes, my grand-daughter loves it. She was in the US Navy one year the 12th of March, that was the day my other grand-son graduated from Boot Camp. My Grand-daughter has been involved in the Celebration of the Fleet they have gone to different ports along the eastern coast and docking at the piers. They will be in New York later this month for their celebration. They have big block parties at the different city.. They were at Charleston a few weeks ago and my daughter went there and took her little 3 year old to see his mommie. My grandson in A School does have a room all by himself. I was able to google the site and actually able to see the exact building he is living in.. right on the ocean. He loves it there, but it is so far from here. I am 70 years old and it is so far for me to go there etc. My other grandson just had to go to Alamedo Ca. That is 490 miles from San Diego. He really tried to get on the east coast. He did not have a choice to where he was going unless it was further away than California. He said he tried to get a fellow Coast Guard man to swap and let him to to Key West Florida he even offered to give him lots of money to swap, but he would not. He does not get real good grades so he is way down the line on choosing where he can go etc. Well must get busy. I am trying to save my money to go to San Diego soon. Of course I want to go to Norfolk too. If I go there it is not so expensive for I can stay with my grand-daughter, but San Diego it is different cost lots.

Ladies: My son just arrived in Newport News. Sponsor just left him in his room. He is so down...no one there. He is alone in there...no one else around. Said there is no galley so he is on his own for food. Does anyone know about living arrangements connected to the USS TR? His place is temporary until Monday when he will be moved across the street. He was told not to go outside at night. I can't stop crying...he is so down. Any info will help. Thanks.

Dianne, I will PM you.

I'm on the internet on my phone, and it won't let me PM, but if you want to, I can get on yahoo and try to help as much as I can. My yahoo id is gijoezchick

BTW, shame on his sponsor for just leaving him there like that.

Hi diannep I know this is a hard time for you and I know how you feel. When my son first arrived he was put in temp housing he said he thought it was a hotel he was in a room by himself at first and he also pressed the issue of chow and getting a map to the area he was in because I have read here that your situation does happen alot. I would call him back ask if there is a front desk he may be able to ask questions there. Walk around the building he is in find another sailor and ask him or her if they can fill him in on what to do. The other thing is you can call his Recruiter tell him the situation and ask him if he can help or give you advice, our recuiter still checks in with my son and my son calls him when needed. It will get better my son got a roomie within a few days and it was a buddy from A school (lucky him) he made alot of friends fast and he is very happy there, so things will get better.

I hope I helped a little. What is the USS TR?

MissyMSailor: Thanks so much. Is your son connected to a ship? I don't think this is a hotel that my son is in. He didn't mention anything about a front desk. The USS TR is the Theordore Roosevelt which is in dry dock. That is why he is not living on the ship. He did walk over to the Nex to get some food and a girl there told him that by the ship where they work, there is food (I guess a galley). But she said on the weekend, you are on your own for food. I never met or talked to his recruiter (he joined in another city). My son left him a couple of messages over the past few months, but didn't get a call back. But he heard that he had been promoted and is no longer a recruiter, so that may be the reason why.
So you son lives on Norfolk base? That is what my son was hoping for.
Glad the yours is doing well! And hoping mine will soon. It's been a very tough day...for both of us...and he is worrying this mother's heart...

Steph: Thanks. I'm not on yahoo so can't do that. His fear and unhappiness right now is just breaking my heart...I know he is just scared. He is used to being with lots of buddies at A School, and now he is alone. He said that nothing around him is "Navy." That's because he is housed away from the ship, I'm sure. The sponsor was on duty and that is why he had to leave him. Maybe he will call him later. Luckily, my son connected with a buddy on the Norfolk base and they are hoping to go to the beach on Sunday. Thanks so much for trying to help! Is your sailor on the USS TR? I have found that site to not be active at all. In fact, I think mine may be the last post and it was in early April. I just don't know where to find the TR moms/wives/etc.

Thanks, KYMom: I willl do that.

Thanks, Justin's mom. He connected with a friend tonight who is at Portsmouth? I think that is what he said...
I'm sure my son doesn't know where the USO is but maybe he will find out next week. He also has no car right now...so that may prove to be a problem for him for a while.But thanks for the info! There is a Subway close by, but he was too afraid to go to it tonight.

Oh me, what our children have to go through, growing up and facing this real world. When I saw how they talked to them as they were catching the bus leaving for boot camp, I wanted to go and drag my grandson off the bus. I was so upset, but I smiled and waved bye to him.. It was horrible... I cried all the way home from the base and cried for weeks, lost my eye site and thought they were going to have to put me in a box. He called me from the Airport before taking his flight out assuring me he was okay, he kept saying MeeMaw, I'm okay now, it is going to be alright... I never thought anything thing about this was going to be alright. Here, my grand-daughter had sneaked away and joined, went to boot camp and was almost finished when she called her mom to tell her where she was. She had a 2 year old boy and we were so against her joining, her husband not responsible to raise the child, however she left the boy with him, but anyway, she had been in there exactly one year when my grandson graduated from boot camp. I was so close to my grandson, he had stayed with me much of his life and I could not stand the thoughts of him being mistreated and he had such a tender heart. I finally stopped crying, and I kid you not, I cried for 7 of the 8 weeks of his boot camp. I got sick, had to go to the doctor, caught cold, could not get over it and crying all the same time. Did not know if my nose was dripping from cold or crying. But finally got myself together and went to see him graduate...the most wonderful experience I ever had in my life...but when it was over and we could get to them and hug...here I went... I was actually crying out loud... he hugged me and hugged me and I finally pulled it together again. 3 days and then the goodbyes, cried all night driving home... and I am still crying... I hate my grandchildren being away.. I know and I am proud of them but I had just as soon they had no part of being away from home. Of course I had my oldest grandson finishing up his 2 years in the coast guards... I cried when he left...till I was sick.. I will never get use to them being away from home. I can call my two grandsons right now but when they get on the ship etc we do hear from them but not as much, it is according to where they are if they are allowed to make calls etc. But it has been a rough year... My husband tried to cheer me up with a huge birthday party with over 100 guest showed up.. I loved it and appreciated it but it still did not take the place of my grandchildren being gone... But my grand-daughter is stationed in Norfolk. She has living quarters off the base.. When she first went there she was kinda lost, for her ship had already left out for the middle east and they flew her all over into different countries getting her to her ship. Then she was with the ship about 5 months when they came back home. The Capt of the Ship or what ever he is called, sent out a letter to the parents telling them of all that they had done, their accomplishments etc and when they would be arriving back at Norfolk. They got back the last of Oct and my grandson that is in San Diego now, went with my daughter up to meet the ship, taking her little boy with them. It was exciting. He was able to actually go on her ship and see it all over etc. Because he has high grades he was one of the first to choose where he wanted to be stationed and he chose Norfolk and the same ship she is assigned to. They approved that but then he went back and put in for a package deal to have more school and extending his service time two more years, but a big increase in pay and bonus signing etc. He was waiting to hear if it had been approved. He will be finishing his A school the middle of june and will be home after that for 2 weeks... so he will either go back to San Diego for more school or go to -Norfolk and join my grand-daughter on the James E Williams Fighter ship. Now life must be good for the sailors, if we grandmothers can live through it.. Here I am 70 years old... will probably never live to see them all back home safely, but I am going to try...they just are enjoying it all while I sit here and worry... my grandson really has feelings for me and calls very often... I love my grandchildren... I wish I could afford the trip there without him having to pay my way... So you see,we are all kinda in the same boat... our kids are away, we worry about them, we cry for them and all the time, I guess they are growing up to be wonderful men and women....