Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

mama-snipe: Is he with the USS TR? I don't know how many ships are currently in dry dock. My son is connected with that one, in dry dock, and currently they are living in housing in Newport News. He is not in the berthing barges, but rather in land housing. The neighborhood is a bad one...scared my son at first. They are not supposed to go out in it at night alone. They are on a small Navy compound so they are safe there. I hope that his sponsor meets him and explains things to him. Tell him it is an adjustment at first, but he will settle in!

mama-snipe: Also, the TR is supposed to be in dry dock for at least another 2 yrs. I understand that some are rotating off of it to get their experience in other areas. My son's rate is one that he can do even when the ship is in dry dock, so don't know if he will rotate off or not. Will your son have a car there? That proved very helpful to my son...he has A School buddies on some of the other bases nearby so he is able to get together with them.

Theresa: My son sure wishes that he could have stayed on the Norfolk base since his ship is in dry dock (that is where he thought he would be housed when he arrived, and what caused him to be in such shock!). Sounds like they have a "space" issue on the base from other posts I saw on this site. He told me that the Norfolk base is HUGE and nice. But I think he is settled where he is now.

Cecilia: Yes, I agree. My son was very happy to be landbound and have the extra space. As he said: Mom, I have wireless internet, a tv/dvd player with 100 channels, a refrig and microwave, one roommate, and a bathroom shared by only two people.
I think he is realizing now how fortunate he is. Since the ship is dry docked for at least 2 more years (longer from what I hear), then it is nice that he is where he is.

Theresa: Yep, they do! But he sure likes to complain until he does! He can get me pretty worked up sometimes!

Rhonda: So exciting for you but I know a bit sad. But I agree with Theresa. I bet it will be such an adventure for him. And they'll be after the pirates, huh? What a real adventure for him! If there is any more news on captures, you will be thrilled to know that your son was a part of it!

Roxanne: I will be up there in Oct too...for the first time. My son is actually in Newport News, just north of Norfolk, living in temp housing while his ship is in dry dock. So...I decided to head north for my hotel...and chose Williamsburg since I have never been there. I will only be there for a weekend, so my son can stay with me (it is still only about a 20 minute drive if he has to go back to his housing). If you want to be very close, the Navy Lodge may be your best bet from what I have read on here if your son lives on the Norfolk base.

Well, then, you probably want to get a hotel near his apt. Is he in the VA Beach area? There are alot of hotels there, from what I have read. A friend of mine whose son was in college up there said "Downtown Norfolk" has some very nice hotels too. I've never been up there so I'm only passing on what I have been told! Hopefully, some other "seasoned" Norfolk moms will answer your questions. Good luck!

My son just arrived in Norfolk last week.
He is lonely and I feel bad for him.

blessdpr: Oh, your post pulled at my heartstrings because my son was SO THERE with the sadness and loneliness! Is your son on Norfolk base? If so, I hope that he connects with some of the others. On a ship or land duty? My son arrived in Newport News late on a Fri afternoon....connected to a dry docked ship...dropped into a room by himself in temp housing...where he saw no one else (weekend, remember) and was told not to walk outside at night because it was "unsafe." I have never heard my son so down. I will tell you...it changes! He is happy now...and your son eventually will be too. Did he just come out of A School? If so, that is so hard because A School can be like a college experience with all of the guys as buddies. I will keep your son in my prayers...that he meets his first friend and starts getting involved. Meanwhile, keep encouraging him that this is kind of a normal thing when these guys first arrive. But he needs to know that this feeling won't last! I know your heart is breaking...I cried after I got off the phone with my son that day and desperately reached out on this site to these wonderful ladies. They were so kind. Hang in there...and please post again on how he is doing. Try to encourage him to go to the areas of the base where there is activity...the gym, the NEX, any place where he can meet some others.

Hello Debbie, i know he can have is flat screen tv. my son has been in Norfolk since last Sept. and he took his with him. and soon after he got there he bought him a car. but i dont know about it having to be in his name. Hope this helps.

Debbie - Your son will not be able to have the TV if he is going to be living on the ship. We toured my son's ship when we went to Norfolk in April and they only have a very small locker to keep things in. It's barely enough room for their uniforms. Later, if your son gets an apartment, then you could send the TV to him. We took a car down to our son in April and it was still in my husband's name. We just had to write a letter stating that our son had permission to drive the car and get it notorized. The base is huge, so your son will need a car, however caution him about not leaving valuables in it because a lot of cars get broken into both on and off base. Our son lives off base in a house with his wife now and leaves his car at the house when the ship goes out to sea. They have long-term parking lots on base, but my son didn't want to take any chances leaving the car there. When his ship is in port, he drives the car and parks on base each day. My family is going to Norfolk in 2 days to be there when my son's ship comes into port and we'll get to spend a week visitng them and going to Virginia Beach - I can't wait!

I have a question. The lady at FFSC told us for our move, we get reimbursed for everything, like the gas, lodging and food. But i need to know if we get any of that money for the move beforehand. Otherwise we cant afford the move, we only have on paycheck between now & then and it wont coven even a third of the cost of gas/food/lodging just for the trip. Not to mention the cost of staying at the Navy Lodge once we get there. I am so overwhelmed!!

Justin's mom - We are staying in Norfolk right now and visiting with my son while his ship is in port. We are staying at the Days Inn near Military Circle Mall. It's nothing fancy, but it is a clean room and affordable so that we can save money to do things with our sailor. On Fri - Sat, the room costs $76 and on weeknights, the room is $62. We are 12 miles from the Naval base, but only 7 miles from my son's house and just 15 miles from Virginia Beach. So it is centrally located for us. Here's the hotel number if you want to call them: 757-461-0100.

Could someone tell me how we get the 500$ credit limit for Navyfederal??? My car broke down today & we need money asap but have none!!

My husband's orders popped up this morning, but I have NO CLUE how to read what they say?!?! What dates am I looking for??! How do I get any info for it when there are like 12 differents NLT dates?!

His intermediate Activity says he has to report to VA, August 21 for 44 days, then there is another intermediate activity that says he has to report to the same spot NLT Oct 4th for 31 days then his ultimate activity says he has to report the same spot Nov 4th.

Can someone help me use the move.mil website. Its so confusing...

my son is on the CVN 75.... my husband just passed away...he was fortunate to atten the funeral before shipping out..... so proud of these men and women who serve our country... my daughters and I plan to be in Norfolk when they port... any suggestions on planning this? place to stay etc.?????

thanks everyone for the homecoming info... I am going to get on it now...

anyone know what a LHD is?

It is an amphibious assault ship. They carry Marines, Navy and Marine helicopters, and I'm pretty sure they also have the ability to carry and deploy LCACs (hovercraft). They have a flight deck like a carrier, but it is too small for jets to take-off and land on. They can have Harrier Jump Jets though because those jets can take off vertically.

Thank you My Son is going on one.

Does it snow in VA?! if so How much and how often!?!?

Does anyone know anything about the Family Cruise? My son said his ship the USS Carr is having one but he does not seem to know much.

Cindy: A Navy Mom friend of mine just went on one on the Essex in Japan. Said it was WONDERFUL! I hope that you get info on it. Maybe through the ombudsman?

Chelsea: I wondered the same thing about the snow since my son is stationed there now. Googled it. Seems that they don't get it often, and when they do, it is light and melts fast. This year, they got more than usual, I think, but still not bad? One mom told me that they had not had snow in several years, and then got a little this year.

Cindy, I'd contact the ombudsman for the USS Carr and ask about the Tiger Cruise. You can find yours at http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthem
A friend is going on an upcoming Tiger Cruise and had a deadline to complete and return several forms, including medical clearance.

Ooops! I didn't know the difference, Cathleen! Thanks for explaining!
I thought family and tiger cruise were the same...you can tell I'm NEW to the Navy family!

If you ever do get a chance to go on a tiger cruise, I say go for it. My husband's last ship had one at the end of their deployment, but I wasn't able to go on it because, at the time, spouses weren't allowed. I have my theories about why. I'm not sure if the rules have changed since then. If they have, I will be the first one to sign up for the next one.

I have been on several family cruises, though. Those are a lot of fun. I always tell people to go if they get the chance.

Got it: Thanks AwaysReady for explaining the difference!

that is crap! If moms, dads, and kids can go, spouses should be able to as well, we are the ones that are married to them! If they are scared "stuff" would happen then promise immediate separation if caught!

Gman Navy Husband: Uh, ok....but we nominate YOU to tell the NAVY that!
:-)

I second that nomination. I think a large part of why they don't allow us to go is because they think there will be some "stuff" going on. It really would be neat to be able to go out to sea for a few days on one of the ships, but I understand why I can't go.

I will say something when my wife goes aboard. I watched Carrier on PBS and was super excited to participate in a Tiger Cruise. If they are worried about spouses doing "stuff" then they can keep them separated at night.
There is a lot of sacrifice spouses have to go through and not letting us participate in something as fun as that is ridiculous. If the rest of the family is allowed to do that then the Navy should be required to fly spouses to each port they stop at.
I am prior service and the stuff I have seen so far being done in the Navy to spouses really irks the h#$ll out of me. We are supposed to be the ones supporting our sailors and so far, I can honestly say I regret the decision we made to sign up for the Navy. I keep telling my wife she should have gone Army.

Just venting.

Check out some info on Tiger Cruise 2010 posted on N4M
Pretty cool stuff.
Tiger Cruise 2010

oops, click on the Click Here that is in the comments.

Thank you for the information on the Family day cruise, the tiger cruise also sounds cool. I agree with the spouses out there that you should be able to be a part of that cruise

Welcome lunchlady!

my daughter is stationed in norfolk aboard the bush. lucky for me, i only live 1 1/2 hours south of there in nc!

Hello everyone. New to the group also. Hubby is aboard the USS Bataan and we live in Norfolk. :)

Welcome, Miranda and duhhuh!

thank you diannep!

Hi all, just looking for some info, early planning. My daughter's ship is due in later this year(1st deployment) and I was wondering what needs to be done so we can watch the fleet come in. Do we need special passes? Any info would be helpful! Thanks

colleen, have you signed up with your daughter's ships frg? i signed up with mine and they give you ALL KINDS of information, they had a 1/2 way party, meetings each month and a party the night before. they will help you with all the particulars for the homecoming.

carol

duhhuh58 and Theresa, thanks for the info. I didn't know what the ship's frg, so I went to the ship's webpage and found it there. I may have to wait til she's acutally on the ship! She graduated Penn State and was commissioned this May. She will be joining the ship in Sep after a 3 wk school for her job. It was hurry up and get to Norfolk then wait for the school! My son is in Goose Creek training to be a Nuke EM. He graduates A school 17sep then has 2 more 6mo schools before he's out to the fleet.

nitewriter: What I have been told is that your sailor will need to make the reservation and be there with you when you check in.

diannep, Thank you for the info. Will check with him.

colleen, what ship is your daughter assigned to?

All - thought I'd mention this.... our son just returned to Norfolk area from deployment and needed to buy a car. We looked around Hampton and Virginia Beach for a couple of days. We stopped at Beach Ford to look at a car we found on the internet - they gave him an outstanding deal and treated him really well. I highly recommend them.

duhhuh and CindyH, My daughter will be on the Ross. She will be joining it in Sept. She will be a legal officer. I am in the process of joining the FRG. Hopefull I can even though she's not there yet but they are expecting her soon!