Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Thanks ENwife!

Navy Mom in MA: Awwwww.....that is so very kind of your son! I know there will be new sailors who will so appreciate that after what mine went through (he is doing great now, by the way, and it was just 3 weeks ago that he arrived). Please tell your son thanks so much from all of us moms...because no matter whose child he helps, it is like he is helping all of us! What a kind heart he has...

Question, Ladies. My son bought a car up there, and I registered it for him in our home state (quite a process!). I priority mailed him the tag, registration and other paperwork about 6 days ago. I knew it would probably take longer than the 2-3 days they say since this is a ship address (dry docked), but do you know how much longer it should take to get there being mailed from Miami FL? I remember someone suggested that he open a PO Box because the ship mail is slow. I suggested that to him...not sure he will do it. But oh well. His temp tag expires in about 9 days, but I believe they gave him another one just in case. So I think we have some time. I just sure hope it isn't lost! UGH!

Nancy, is it quicker to mail to the Norfolk base address? I know I sent him something to Meridian base and he got it in 2 days. He has a buddy over at Norfolk and I'm thinking maybe I should have sent it to him. Oh well...too late now. I'm hoping for the "2 week" choice! Since the ship is right there in dry dock, it seems silly that the mail takes so long????

Thanks for the info, Nancy. I have felt that frustration too about not being able to overnight things. This is when we all wish we had family or friend close by. I don't anticipate that I will be mailing much, but you never know. I may work on him to get that PO Box, but I'm not hopeful as he could care less about mail. As long as he has his laptop! Thanks again!

Hi Ladies. The reason why it takes so long for mail to get to the ship is because it doesn't go directly to the ship. If you send something via overnight or 2-day shipping to an address with APO or FPO instead of a city and state, that just means that it will get to the post office where the military takes over responsibility of the mail that quickly. I'm pretty sure that the mail for the East Coast goes to New York. From there, the military takes over and sends it to the ship through their channels. If you need to get something to your sailor that really needs to be there by a certain date, it is best to have them get a PO box or have it shipped to a friend with a local address.

Thanks, Steph. I just found a possible "connection" for a VA Beach address this morning through my sister. We'll see if that will work for future shipments. In the meantime, I sure hope that his licence plate/registration package gets to him eventually!

I don't know about you 'all but I have a hard enough time trying to keep track of my own daily schedule- when to be where, coordinating any others who are needed, etc. Imagine trying to manage millions of pieces of mail for thousands of people who are constantly moving and having to get it, in many instances, to a floating objects miles from shore that are not in the same spot from day to day. It is a monumental feat. My hat is off to anyone involved in that process and their efforts to keep our families connected.

But my son's ship is in dry dock? It won't deploy for another 2 yrs at least, I have been told. Seems like the mail would be more regular then to it? I don't know. But the good news is that he got the package today! YAH! It took a week, by priority mail, so that wasn't too bad. Thanks everyone for the info!

hello. my husband has orders for C school for the next 4 mo in dahlgren and final orders to follow in Norfolk. I was wondering which areas are the nicest and how the base housing was. I am going to relocate in Sept to Norfolk before he comes down inOct.
I hope to look at some of the areas in a couple of weeks when we take him to Dahlgren but I thought I'd ask to see what people whjo lived there already thought. We are on the list to live at sandpiper cresent near VA beach but could change that before Sept if there was something nicer.
This is our first move. We've been in Great Lakes were i just lived alone off base since we just got married a few months ago. thanks for any and all advice that you have for us!

Rachel, I know people that have lived in Sandpiper Crescent. It isn't too bad, and it's right outside of Little Creek, so you will be close to a commissary and NEX. You could also ask to be assigned to Boone clinic for your medical care so that you are close to that, too. I think they have gotten rid of or rebuilt most of the bad housing around here. Keep in mind that you may or may not be able to get right into housing here. Some places have a wait list that could be anywhere from a few months to a year or more, so I would look around at apartments to live in until housing is available just in case.

Like Dartangion, we live in Virginia Beach. My biggest reason for living here is because I really like the schools here for my children, and it still isn't too bad of a drive for my husband.

Another question for you seasoned moms/wives: I may get up to see my son in Oct. I would like to meet a Navy Mom I met on here who lives in Maryland, so I'm wondering if there is a nice area with hotels north of Newport News that I may choose to stay in to be closer to meet her (we plan to meet halfway). I was thinking about areas south of Newport News before, but hadn't asked but areas north of it. Does anyone know?

Anyone know anything about the Williamsburg area to stay in when I come to up to see my son in Oct? I never have been up to VA before and thought that might be a nice one to stay in and visit. It is only 30 minutes from him and he can stay with me, he said. Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

Thanks, Cherie. He is actually in Newport News and I would only be there for the weekend when he doesn't have to work (I hope!). so he can stay with me in Williamsburg. My son has told me how horrible the traffic is up there. We live in Miami FL ...traffic is pretty horrible down here too, but I understand about the tunnel traffic getting so backed up. YIKES! Thanks for the input on Williamsburg. I have never been to VA and would like to see that area. I appreciate it! Thanks again!

Cecilia: This was WONDERFUL. Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to write it all. Wow. Makes me excited about it just reading it all. Not sure how much of the history things we will have time to do on this trip, but we can try and do some. I'm sure my son will want to take me through Norfolk, Newport News, and maybe even over to VA Beach to see his "stomping ground." It will be the weekend, so hopefully traffic won't be too bad???? Like you, my mission is to see my son....whatever he wants to do is fine with me! You have given me a whole list of activities to choose from! Thanks! Do you know anything about the Embassy Suites at Williamsburg? Did you happen to see that hotel? I'm thinking about staying there so my son can have his own space (2-room suite with sofabed). I am going to googlemap it and try to see it at street level. Just wondering what kind of area it is in. Thanks again so much and glad you had such a good trip!

Thanks Polli!

K-Illinois: Boy, I feel for your son. My son had a hard time coiming off of A School (where it was more like a college experience) to his duty station. Did your son havie any friends from his A or C School who are stationed in the area? I'm just wondering if he has any of their cell numbers where he can make connections with some of them. That is what "saved" my son. His first friend was a guy from his A School who was stationed at Portsmouth about 30 minutes away. He was a livesaver for my son! Since then he has connected with several others from A School as well as meeting new ones on his ship. If your son can just connect with one....the rest will fall into place. I'm sure someone on here much more seasoned than I am will have better suggestions as far as activities on Norfolk. My son is stationed at Newport News. I will keep your son in my prayers....because I know this is such a hard time until he connects, but I know he will. Just tell him to hang in there....it will happen for him.

K-Illinois, Diannep is so right! Also take a look at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation site for Naval Station Norfolk https://www.cnic.navy.mil/NorfolkSTA/MWR/index.htm
Lots to do and they have Single Sailor programs as well!

Single Sailor https://www.cnic.navy.mil/NorfolkSTA/MWR/Recreation/SSP/index.htm

By the way K-Illinois, could he have a car?

Kathie: My heard ached when I got the call from my son when he first arrived up there...so alone, no one around, and on a Friday night. I know it is hard for you as his mom to know his lonliness until he finds his group (and he will!). But until then, it is hard. Now that he has a car and can get places (the lifesaver for my son), he may meet up with sailors on other bases in the area as my son did. I will lift both of you in prayer...because nothing hurts our hearts like when our children hurt...and especially our military children. Please keep in touch here and let us know how he does, ok? But keep encouraging him...we all have lonely times in our lives and when in them, we feel like they will never end. But they do. If he is an active fun guy, he will catch on fast! Praying for you, Kathie, and your son.

Great post, winavymom! We hurt when our children hurt, and rejoice when they do. I guess we should all keep the saying in mind: This too shall pass.
I know I have to keep reminding myself of that one! So glad that your son is doing well now.

Kathie, please keep us aware of how your son is doing. I'm praying for him.

hey everyone just had a question. does anyone know anything about the willoughby housing in norfolk? is it a good area, crime rate ect. im so used to living in virginia beach so it might be a change for us. but we have been offered a 3 bedroom house there and im wanting to take it but torn between having a extra bedroom or a nice new apartment in va beach near everything lol

always ready..... is it really bad? we were only there for a few months before my husband deployed and i left va. now he is coming home soon and i am trying to find a place. and housing offered us willoughby bay, but im so in love with the va beach area :)... and i've always stayed away from that area so i have no clue how bad it is.. its always hard trying to find a place when you arent there. i have been looking everywhere and was suprised housing called and offered us a house.. i asked housing how the area was and she pretty much steered clear of my questions. thanks for the imput

It makes me sick to think that our sailors and their familes have to worry about all this crime. what is this world comming to?

I agree, Cindy. Very very sad....

thanks always ready i think i have made my mind up, i am turning it down and sticking with virginia beach instead lol.. i loved that area, im going to have to suck it up and live in apartment again but rather do that then deal with a crappy neighborhood and crime.. they wanted me to sign the lease, site unseen before i even arrived back in va so i told them no thank you lol.. thank you for the information on that area

Any suggestions for fun things to do on the weekends for single sailors new to the Norfolk/Newport News area? They are going to Busch Gardens and have been to King Dominion. Also VA Beach. Any suggestions (that are CHEAP or free!) would be welcome!

i have asked to be put on the list for a house off of kempsville and indian river not sure of the navy ben morell maybe not sure.. but yeah i asked to be put on that list and they said that the wait list is anywhere from 8-12 months and on :( but thats alright my husband doesnt have that much longer in the navy anyways so im ok with going back into an apartment.. just thought it would be better for a house since i have a 2 year old and she could do more stuff outside.

Thanks, KY mom.

Debbie, I couldn't find the address either. If you go to the website http://www.enterprise.navy.mil/ and click on the link "Ombudsman" at the top, it will take you to a page with contact information for all of the ship's Ombudsmen. Any of them should be able to give you the address.

For anyone else wondering how to contact their ombudsman, I found this link: http://www.ombudsmanregistry.org/?m=contactombudsman
Clicking on links will narrow it down to your ombudsman and open an email to send them.

Thanks, Theresa. I'm wondering if these are the same concerts my son and buddies tried to go to recently? They were trying to go over to one a couple of weekends ago and the traffic was so horrendous 3 hours before it started that they had to turn back around. They spoke with some others who made it over there, but could find no parking and headed back. All were disappointed as they are huge country music fans and were so excited. I know they were headed to VA Beach, so I'm assuming this is the same as what you mentioned?

Birdlegs, Ben Morrell is right by the Naval Station so your son will have a very short commute to work. The housing there is not too bad, and she will be very close to the commissary and Navy Exchange. However, that area in general is not the best. Maybe have them drive around the area to see how they feel about it before signing any paperwork for the house.

Speaking of moving, "Sweet'Southern'Lady(Whitney)" has started a group http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pcsingmoving with lots of good info and looking for more :)

Thanks again, Theresa! I appreciate it!

Steve's Mom, has he had a chance to speak with his sponsor yet?

Steve's mom - my son is stationed in Norfolk and when he first got there he lived on the ship. After about a month he was able to move to "military housing" ? that was just built. It sounds like it is just right outside the base. My son really likes it. I don't know for sure what it is called but if you friend me I can give you his phone number if that helps? cindy

Steve's mom- when he gets here, they will do what they can to find him a room. They may not have anything permanent for him when he gets here, but they are not going to just leave him with no where to live. If he gets here, and there isn't a single barracks room on the whole base available for him, they will find a temporary room for him even if it means putting him in the Navy Lodge which is right by the base. They have a lot of different barracks on the base, so it's very likely that they will have one he can stay in until he can get into the rooms they have for single sailors off base.

Helo squadrons are their own command which means your son is not assigned to a ship. Going to see him at work would mean going to a hangar on base, with the admin offices either in the hangar or in a building next to it. When most people hear, "Sailor" or "Navy", they think "Ship". However, not every Sailor is on a ship. Depending on his job, your son may go on ships as part of a detatchment (still part of his command, but attached to the ship for part or all of a deployment), as part of ships company, or never. Some avaition squadrons fly to where ever they are deployed to, and fly back with never really being on a ship. His squadron may have one or more ships they send detatchments to. The larger ships take almost the whole command, while the smaller ships may only take a couple aircraft, their crew, and a small maintenance crew with them.

There are also Sailors called Seabees. They don't go on ships either because they are part of a command called a Construction Batallion. They are the Navy's builders.

I hope this helps clear things up a little.

Andres: Join the crowd! I thought that might be over after bc....but it just continues. The ups and downs of having someone in the military! Safe travel for your son and hope he settles in well in VA. Will he be on Norfolk? My son is in Newport News connected to a ship. But it is dry docked so he is in the shipyard. He was disappointed that he wasn't on the Norfolk base.

Andrea: Scroll down and read Steve's Moms posts because he is part of the helo squadron too. You two may want to "friend" each other to stay in touch on the specifics of that. Helps to have another mom going through what you are and what your 2 sons are. Who knows? Maybe your sons will end up being friends!

My son is living on his assigned ship, but he would like to be able to live off the ship. How does he find out information about housing? He is single and has been living with some sailors in a beach house.

Thanks so much. I have emailed him everyone's suggestions, hopefully it will work out. It is frustrating being so far away, but he is a big boy now, I keep telling myself.

rhonda, the navy lodge rooms with a kitchenette is equiped with everything you will need. it has pots and pans, dishes, utensils a 2 burner stove, full size fridge. its all there. hope that helps

Andrea: Glad he made it!

I think he may be talking about MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation). They have lots of discounted tickets to things for military members and their families. He will probably need to go to the MWR or ITT ticket office on the base he is going to. They should be able to help him out.

Debra: I haven't ever witnessed a "homecoming", but I have seen the pictures and cry over those! If you can swing the $$$ at all, I think the short time you are with him will be worth it to witness the homecoming. Have you been there for one before? My son's ship is in dry dock and I'm hoping that he is still with it when it is done so that I can witness a homecoming with him in it! I hope it works out for you. So hard to combine our schedules with the Navy's schedules, isn't it?

Gotcha, Debra. I understand totally!

hope everyone has a safe and wonderful 4th of July.