Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Thanks so much, Shannon. He actually is not living on "the ship" as it is dry docked for the next 2-3 yrs. So he is in temp housing. And, yes, he is upset with the area he is in. To be dropped off by his sponsor from the airport and told, "Now, don't go outside becaue it isn't safe" scared him to death. He has adjusted much better now, and has a car now (bought it on Sat.) THAT has been a godsend since he can now get into better places. He mentioned to me that he found nice parts of Newport News. It's a shame that they are in the temp housing where they are...they had the police come talk to the "newbies" yesterday at indoc. They told them do NOT go out alone...ever. You will be shot at. They aim for Navy personnel. The girl who drives the duty van got shot out. That 7-eleven right there was just robbed recently. There is lots of gang activity here. Do NOT go over the bridge either. (by this time, I'm sure he was major freakout!). He feels very secure in the Navy "compound" that they are in and he is able to park his car in a secured garage where it is protected. But the problem is...he has to walk 2 blocks from that garage to his building. So he will have to have someone with him. The police said that they have managed to move some of the crime "west". But told them that prostitutes used to hang out right where their building is. Oh JOY!
He asked a Chief there about living off base. He was told that no housing allowawnce would be given at his rank (like you said), plus he would not be allowed to a do it anyway. He's an E-3 but was not told what you said...that with roommates, he can do it (he had 2 lined up who wanted to join him). So maybe the rules have changed? Personally, I wish he COULD live off base in a better area.

He found an A School buddy at Portsmouth, so they toured over the weekend....Virginia Beach, etc. So he has seen the nicer areas and knows they are there. Theresa had told me about Busch Gardens, which I passed along to him...sounds like fun!
He is very discouraged right now (but getting better!), but has only been there 4 days. I truly think if he weren't in such a bad area, he would be ok. It's a shame that they can't clean it up more. I think our navy people deserve better than that....

I know he will look forward to going with the TR on its first cruise after renovations. IF he is still connected to her. They were told that many dry docked personnel are being sent to Afghanistan. Uh oh....

Thanks so much, Shannon, for all of the info! Good luck to your sailors too!

Julie, what is IA? Yes, my son told me about Afghanistan....freaked him out! He is still in INDOC. Just started on Monday. I had read about them being assigned to other ships too. He is not a happy camper at this moment...mainly on the neighborhood situation. I sure wish they had more security for our guys when they arrive and leave their compound area. I'm glad you found a nice neighborhood and hope you find some other kids close by for your children to play with!
Thanks, for the info, Julie. Good luck to your husband! What is his rate? MIne is a YN.

KY MOM: Well, I Iearned something yesterday. There IS a limit on the amount you can use your debit card for...at least at a car dealership...even if the money is in there. The car dealer will only accept $5,000 on the debit. So my son has to go to the bank up there and get a check from them, since he was issued no checks when he opened his Navy account. Seems crazy to me that the debit card wouldn't be enough, but I guess with all of the fraud going on with debit cards (and overdraft available), the dealerships don't want to get STUCK.

Thanks, Nancy. He said they cannot get mail for the first two weeks. (indoc)...I guess he'll figure it out after that.

KYMom: Yes, that would make sense. My late husband was a small business owner and he talked about the 3 percent he had to pay on transactions. But I just got a text from my son that the car is now paid for and all is well!

Thank-you for the information on the birthday cake website, just one more question, I am wondering since he is only on an underway do they still deliver, or is it only on deployments?

Alyce, when do you need to know by? My son has a storage unit, but is at sea now. He lives in Chesapeake, not sure where the unit is though.

They usually have things on the base like the bowling alley, the base movie theater, and the base club. The ITT office usually has tickets to the water park and other places for less than what you pay at the park.

Navy Mom in MA: Oh boy, do I know your pain! I was on this site just a mere 10 days ago because my sailor had just arrived there (single), was dropped off in his room in Newport News, and left. I had never heard him so discouraged when he called. It was getting dark, he was alone (no roommate then) and saw no one. He was told NOT to go outside at night by himself. because it was very unsafe I know he was fearful but moreso lonely. These moms were so wonderful, some even offering to go pick him up to take him for a burger or something! I was so touched. I got off the phone with him and cried! This is his 1st duty station...and this was the first negatvie he had felt about the Navy. I just prayed and called friends to pray...and a couple prayed just for ONE friend to reach him. He had several up in that area from A School. Two hours later, he reached one of his favorite friends, on a base nearby and he came over! I was SO RELIEVED! He spent the weekend doing things with him. Without this guy, my sailor would have been alone for the weekend in the shipyard, knowing no one. His ship is dry docked. Is yours on Norfolk? I agree with you...he just needs ONE friend and that will multiply. Mine has now reconnected with several more friends from A School and is actually enjoying himself alot more. I know it will be the same for your sailor. Keep encouraging him...it is tough on us moms to hear this, isn't it? I'm going to keep your sailor in my prayers...that he will connect with someone soon that will lead to others. Hang in there...

what ship is your son on? Mine just left last monday and will be back this week-end He is on the kersarge. He is a HSN 22 squadron. I think that is how it is spelled. This navy lingo is something.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day.
Tammy

DCT MOM- your son must be one of the ones that goes with the Bush :) That's what my husband's on and they're on the same schedule

The MWR (morale, welfare, and recreation) on the base (Norfolk and its shipyard) has A LOT for single sailors to do. I highly recommend getting involved for those guys/girls. Just tell them to ask where the local MWR is or check out http://www.discovermwr.com/discovermagazine/Discover_p12.html

Navy Mom in MA: I have no doubt that in C School, he will make new friends. I'm sure they are all in the same situation there...old friends have moved on. I think one thing our sailors have to learn relatively quickly is how to make new friends alot, while keeping in touch with old. With all of the moving around that they do, this will be a habit that will work much to their advantage. So glad that you got to visit your son! I'm hoping to get up there to see mine maybe in the Fall. A long way from South FL! Please keep posting on how he is doing, ok?

Yes, I would like hotel suggestions too. I would like to stay in a nice area away from all of the traffic, etc! I'm hoping to go up in the Fall sometime.

Julie: You could book refundable flight tickets, but they may be expensive. Might be cheaper to book and pay change fee if you need to. Try kayak.com for your flights and hotel and see if it is cheaper. I'm sure there are other sites out there as well. What a wonderful trip you will have! Is this your 1st ship "homecoming?" I just can't imagine how exciting that must be! Good luck!

Beach sounds good to me! :-)

Julie, have you been in contact with the Ombudsman? She should be able to give you a good idea of when the ship will be coming in. They can only give out as much info as the command will allow them, but once it get's closer, she should be able to give you a more exact date and let you know when and where the pre-homecoming brief will be. It usually takes place a day or two before homecoming. I think it's great that you are going to be there for his homecoming. They may not always show it, but it really does mean a lot to look out on the pier and see someone there to welcome you home. Also, feel free to bring a small sign to hold up as the ship comes in.

When my grand-daughter came in from sea in Norfolk, the person in charge of the ship actually sent out a real informative letter telling all about the ship, their journey, lots of things they had done during their assignment on the sea. Actually went into a lot of details. He then invited all the families to the port and let them know that the day before there would be a briefing for the families so they would know what to expect when the ship docked and the procedure of them getting off the ship and then they allowed the families to go on the ship. I kept a copy of the letter for I was so thrilled to get it and then I was sooooo proud of my grand-daughter to have been part of the many things they had done during that trip.. They were gone from Norfolk about 6 months.. The impression I got is most the time that the ships only go out for 6 months at a time... That is the Navy Ships. A Grandson in the Coast Guards they go out for four months at a time. What I read, and someone can voice their thoughts on this but what I read was they tried to only send the ships out for 6 months at a time every 2 years.. Now my grand-daughter has been out for the past few months, hitting the East Coast celebrating some of the Fleet weeks they are having.. They went to Charleston, SC and then to Cape May,which is just north of Jacksonville.. They were suppose to go to New York for the fleet week there too. So they are kinda enjoying things right now...I am so proud of my 3 grandchildren, two in the Navy and one in Coast Guards..

Yah, Julie! That sounds so neat! My son's just reported to his ship, but its in dry dock for the next 2-3 years, so no homecomings yet. But they sound so wonderful. Good luck!

KYMom: Thanks so much. I was thinking VA Beach would be a good place to stay. My sailor would probably want to stay there too to relax a bit. I'll check some of the places out for future reference. Thanks!

If you are staying in Virginia Beach, keep in mind that the rates for the hotels on the waterfront will be more expensive during "peak season" (like summer time and possibly around spring break). There are lots of hotels around here though. Of you want, I can go check out the area of a hotel that you are thinking about staying in to let you know what it looks like or how easy it is to get in and out of the parking area. If you are staying in Norfolk, make sure you check to see if they have free parking for guests of the hotel. A lot of downtown Norfolk is paid parking, but I think some of the hotels will give people staying there a parking pass so they don't have to pay to park in their garage.

KYmom- Its more of a 30-45 minute drive from Virginia Beach to the base. I just wanted to correct that so people didn't think it was shorter. We live down here and the fastest we've ever made it to the base is like 29 minutes and that was at 0400.

I've never been in downtown Norfolk. Its not a hard drive, it is all highway, it just takes awhile. Especially right now with tourist season starting, there is traffic ALL the time. We live literally right off of 264 in Virginia Beach.

Always Waiting: I'm going to try and go visit my son, maybe in the Fall? Thinking about VA Beach ON the beach. Can you recommend a hotel? I'm looking for something that has a separate bedroom and maybe sofabed so my sailor can stay there with me and get out of the "shipyard" for a while. I'm thinking maybe Sept or Oct? What is the weather like then? I'm from S. FLA and have no clue!

Diannep: We've only been down here for two months so I'm not sure about the hotels and such. Or the weather for that matter. I would guess that it would still be pretty warm, but probably not beach weather. When my husband was in Charleston, SC, I went down in October and it was freezing, so further north... it would just depend.

I have nothing better to do with my time so I'll look at hotels for you. :) I've been meaning to do some research for my family too.

diannep, I have only stayed at the Navy Lodge here, but my friend likes to go to the Holiday Inn Sun Spree on Atlantic Ave. She said they have suites with the fold-out couch in the living room area. From what I have seen on the outside, most of the hotels on the oceanfront look pretty nice.

I agree. The Navy Lodge is okay, but not a place I would pick for a vacation. We only stayed there when we were transferring.

diannep- I've been looking at the hotels on hotels.com for awhile. So far these are the ones I have found that have the separate bedroom and a sofabed- Ocean Suites, Comfort Inn and Suites Oceanfront, and SpringHill Suites by Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront. I don't know if that helps any, but I figured I would try! Hubby's on an underway and I haven't found a job yet and don't start school again until the fall so I have plenty of free time!

Thanks, always waiting! Seems that the Courtyard there had some kind of suite too. My son used to work at some Marriotts...sure wish we could still get his discounts! They were very nice!

Thanks, Steph, KYMom and Navy Mom in MA: Good info. I want something to my liking...doesnt have to be too fancy...but I don't spend money on other vacations so this would be it. It would only be for a few nights, so figured I could splurge a little. Thanks for all of the info! Anyone know about the Courtyard there?

By the way, for all of you moms who were so wonderful in helping me when my son arrived at Newport News a couple of weeks aga and was so discouraged...an update....I spoke to him today, he is loving it now, met some great friends, and is "adjusting" to the area. He went over to Norfolk base to see a friend. He said the Norfolk base is like its own city! Anyway, he is doing so much better ... and this mom's heart feels so much better now! Thanks to everyone for your helpful hints and all of the encouragement. I so appreciated it!

If you have the hotel booked under your son's name most hotel chains give military pricing. :) Its not always a lot, but every little bit helps.

I'm so glad to hear he is adjusting. Reading that post when he first got here broke my heart.

@diannep, so great that all is going well I will never forget the 1st night at sea my son wrote this is not for me I was so upset but after a week he loved it. It is all so new to them i think that they just have to vent and the mom's win the prize for venting lol. congratulations.

Yes, Steph....I remember getting off the phone with him...him sounding so down....for the first time since he left for bc...and just started sobbing. He seemed so hopeless and there was nothing I could do....but reach out to you all (thank you!) .... and pray!
Now I know if another mom is in my position on here....I can offer her hope. I remember one mom posting that her son had been up there for a while but had not received a meal ticket and had been paying for his meals, and he didn't know what to do. My heart hurt for this new sailor, who felt so disconnected. I sure hope that he has adjusted now too. Jan, so glad that your son now loves the ship! I know for a time there, you must have shared the sadness that I did. So...I have learned that they have an "adjustment period!" :-)

Thanks so much, ladies.

And KYMom, thanks for reminding me of the hotel parking situation on VA Beach. I had forgotten about that. I appreciate it!

Michelle: Will he be on Norfolk base, with a ship, or elsewhere? He may have some of his buddies going there from A school...if so, that helps alot. That is what got my son through until he met more friends up there (still friends with the A School ones too). Since he adapted so well to A School, I just don't think that he nor I were expecting this. But it really was mostly about the shipyard area being unsafe (and the police talking to them about it, which made it more scary)....he had been used to the nice bases like GL and Meridian. He assumed he would go into a living situation like that. Your son may not have an adjustment period like mine did....they are all different. But if he does, now you can tell him that it ends! My son has only been up there 2 weeks (tomorrow) and he started getting much better after just a few days. But, yes, we moms do go through some stuff with our children! They get through the "phase" and then are doing fine, and we are still caught in the mode sometimes! Good luck to your son!

Kathie, can they send it to a vehicle processing center here? Or do they need to drop it off directly to him at a street address? If he is living on the ship, he may need to have it dropped off at a friend's house because the ship doesn't really have a physical address. They don't even pull in to the same pier each time they come in.

K-Illinois-- there are houses at the base in Norfolk, but as far as I know they are all for married sailors.

That might work for a physical address. I'm sure his Command Master Chief will be able to help him a lot. He has probably seen quite a few people with this same situation.

Sissi: Your comment about Portsmouth is probably why my son's friend (stationed there) came to see him in Newport News and said, "This isn't that bad."

Is the P word you are thinking about a POD???? My son had referred to his living arrangements in Meridian for A School as a POD. Separate bedrooms with a lock, and a shared common area.

I agree with you about resilience....our sons are learning that they can tolerate and adjust to all kinds of things! A good lesson!

So, does that mean that once their ship is out of dry dock, they may actually be able to live on Norfolk base rather than in Newpport News, if not on the ship? My son thought he would live on a barge as well during dry dock. But he is in actual housing of some sort...maybe like an extended stay type place. Good size refrigerator and microwave in the room. Has a roommate and they have their own bathroom. So it sounds good to me!

Kathie, my son just moved into those new barracks two weeks ago and loves it! i am sure that he would not mind if you used that address if it would work better then the ship. Let me know if you think that it will help. Where are your sending the car from?

Sissi: My son is a YN. What's yours? His ship is expected to be in dry dock for at least 2 more yrs, probably longer.

After visiting the area several times, I've learned that the cities (Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth etc) cover large areas and it's impossible to generalize. The Old Town area of Portsmouth is nice, safe and full of beautiful historical churches and good, even upscale restaurants along High Street. The high rise condos and apartments at the gate to NMCP (Naval Medical Center Portsmouth) are beautiful. You just have to pick your areas and be aware of the rest.

I need help--- My son is being sent to Main to from Norfolk to board his ship as they bring it back to Norfolk. My son is trying to tell me he has to pay 150.00 of the ticket and I find that hard to beleive considering they are sending him and all the other Sailors to the ship. He is not stopping at home or anything.
I am asking because I have this feeling he is waisting his money on tattoos and then wanting me to send him money. I just don't like to be lied to and he has done if before I have this same sick feeling.
Please know I love my son but I am trying to teach him that he can not keep spending all his money on junk then ask me for more. Thanks for any help. Paula

Sissi I am so happy your Sailor surprised you. What a great Memorial Day you will have.

Thank you Nancy that is what I thought and he is not the only one going there are dozens if not more Sailors going to meet their new ship and go underway. I knew he was fibing in my gut then a friend of mine who was in the Air Force said she never paid to travel if it was military related. T

Michelle, they can fly from one base to another as long as there is a flight going from the base he wants to leave from to the one he wants to go to. The problem with that is there is a priority system, and if he isn't traveling on orders, he could have to wait until there is a seat open for him. It's like flying stand-by. You go there and put you name on the list, and they call your name when they find a seat for you. Because of that, he could want to fly on a certain date, but not be able to get on a flight until a few days later, and it would be the same way going back which could cause him to either have to buy a last minute commercial ticket or risk not making it back by the time he is expected back which could get him in a lot of trouble. I'm sure the travel office on base will try to get him the best rate possible.

Michelle: What I understood is that the Navy pays from the A School to the duty station base. My son was issued a ticket when he left from Meridian MS to Newport News VA. Well, since he was driving home from Meridian with my other son, he changed the ticket with the service that the Navy contracts with to make it from Miami to Newport News. He only had to pay a $30 change fee, but was told if he changed again, he had to pay the $150 change charge. I'm wondering....does that mean that your son will get a ticket from Pensacola to Newport News and he has to pay the extra costs to reroute it to Hawaii? Thank goodness there is someone there to do that for him...my son just waited until he got home to reroute since he drove home. Regardless, I know you will look forward to your son's visit home! My son called last night...he sounded on top of the world. They are getting a 4-day Memorial Day weekend, started last Fri. He is really settling in and enjoying it now. I reminded him to reach out to someone new when they arrive since he knows how that felt. It doesn't sound like it takes them long to adjust. Enjoy your son's visit!

For those of you who live in the Norfolk area..is there an activity planned today for the family of deployed? I know you can not post details here. You can send me a personal message. It sure would be nice if the families of the deployed could get together. Memorial Day has always been a family meeting holiday. It is hard if one of those members is away.

winavymom$: That is so great! My son has only been up there for about 2.5 weeks and is still finding his way around. He is living in the shipyard now, but has visited Norfolk base and said it is a city! So glad that you enjoyed your visit, met your sons co-workers, and enjoyed your visit. Can I ask you where you stayed and if you recommend it? I'm not sure when I'll get up there, but maybe this Fall? Still looking around at hotels, mainly in VA Beach.

Thanks, winavymom for the info. Seems the GPS is the way to go for these guys! My son said he is learning all about the city with his.

Shelly, I know your frustration. I pulled up alot of hotels on VA Beach, and none were offering the discounts, not even AAA, for the time I wanted to go (Fall). Did you try Expedia or one of those other discount sites? Or maybe try kayak.com and see what you come up with. Hopefully you can get something that is at least $100+ a night rather than $200+.

good morning everyone, i saw some of you were trying to find hotels in virginia if you go online and go to choicehotels.com it will give you a list of hotels that offfer military discount, when you put in your area and check in date it should give you the option for goverment/military rate. hope that works. and i do know most marriots offer military to. so you can go to their actual website as well and hit the goverment rate. hope that helps.