Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

1316 members

For families and friends of Sailors who are stationed at Norfolk; for either Sea Duty or Shore Duty Sailors. Just make sure to keep OPSEC issues in mind and not disclose ship movements in advance.

Weather - Norfolk

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Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

@cms: Yes he can. To get the decals for his car, he has to show his registration, insurance, military id, and driver's license. (He also needs to show the inspection if the car is registered in Virginia.) If you (parents) own the car and not him, he will need a notarized letter from you giving him permission to have possession. The Pass and ID office is off base, across from Gate 5 on Hampton Blvd, phone 757-322-2978, ask for decals.

Jul 26, 2011
cms

@Marcy: Thank you so much for the info. My son graduates "A" school tomorrow and will be coming home on leave before he reports to Norfolk. He will be looking to purchase a car. Can you tell me something about the base, like the living quarters? Is the facility and the base nice? Any tips or suggestions would be most helpful. Thanks so much!

Jul 27, 2011
polli k

Base is HUGE. I thought it was nicewhen my daughter gave us the tour. Marcy can tell you more about it though. My daughter only lived on base briefly.

Jul 27, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

He definitely needs a car, for the base and getting around the area. The base is very nice, lots of brick buildings, tree lined roads, a row of beautiful historic homes from the 1907 Jamestown Exposition, a marina, and of course the ships! My son lived in barracks just across the river in Portsmouth and they were fine; the Norfolk ones look similar from outside at least so don't worry! :) Just off base, the NEX was just remodeled and is the largest in the world, picture Macy's + Best Buy + a food court with IHop, pizza, Panda Express etc, and there's a nice commissary (groceries) connected to the NEX. Across the parking lot from the NEX is a Chili's, a bowling alley and a movie theater. On base (close to the barracks) is a great recreation center called Wind N Sea (link: Wind N Sea Rec Center) for sailors, with pool tables, a movie room, Starbucks with wi-fi, and lots more. There are lots of colleges and universities in the immediate area, too, and the Navy has a college advisory office right across from the rec center. He'll be close to the beach, and within driving to so many interesting places. Norfolk is a great place to be based!

Jul 28, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

cms, I'm trying to think what else... There are two McDonald's on base; a smaller NEX that's like a mini-mart, to the north near the piers; several gyms and tennis courts. I just saw your profile and you're only a few hours away, you'll have to go visit soon and check it all out! He can check you into the Navy Lodge next door :)

Jul 28, 2011
cms

Thank you EVERYONE for filling me in! I feel so much better now. He graduates OS "A" school today and will be home for a visit before arriving to Norfolk. I am so glad it is a nice base. Are the rooms they will be living in nice? @Marcy & polli k: What jobs do your Sailors have and do they like it and for how long have they been in the Navy?

@Sandra AM Mom: Has he been on the ship all this time since March? How does he like it so far?

Thanks so much to all of you for all of the info!

Jul 28, 2011
cms

Thanks everyone for all of the great info. Does anyone know what they need to do first when they first arrive to their base? Do they bring their sea bag filled with the same stuff as in A School? Who do they first report to to find out where they will be staying and what they are to do?

Jul 30, 2011
duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267

cms, they should bring all that stuff with them. when they get their orders they should tell them where to report etc. if assigned to a ship he (or you) can contact the ombudsman and see about getting a sponsor. that's what i did for my daughter when she got her first assignment aboard the IKE. a sponsor is someone that will show them around and answer questions for them.

Jul 30, 2011
Sugar02

Hi - I'm new to this group. My son will be attending his C school in Norfolk as of this month, so I'm hoping to visit the area sometime in Sept/Oct. Can anyone recommend any good hotels in the area?

Aug 3, 2011
Grasshopper

Rominpa...Welcome to the Group!! The Navy Lodge is one of the best and is reasonably priced. You never have to pay tax and fees when you stay at a Navy Lodge. The one in Norfolk is just outside the Base. It's been recently remodeled. Units have kitchenettes with refrigerators, stove tops, micro waves, etc. The staff is super nice also. They will help you any way that they can.

Aug 3, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Here's the Navy Lodge info: Navy Lodge Norfolk

Aug 4, 2011
Sugar02

Thanks to all for the info - very helpful.

Aug 5, 2011
duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267

one of my high school classmate lost her 28 year old son in the crash.

Aug 6, 2011
Annette

a very sad day. duhhuh, please let your friend know prayers are being said all around the country for her and her family.

Aug 6, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Oh so sad. Carol, the same is sent from the Arizona moms group.

Aug 6, 2011
ckmom

This is horrible news, Prayers are with family and friends. I just can't immagine what they are going through right now...........God Bless You All!!

Love Navy4Moms

ckmom

Aug 7, 2011
Ellen B

same here...:(

Aug 7, 2011
ruth

Praying for the family members of these brave men servicing our country

Aug 7, 2011
navy25

My Deepest Sympathy to all The Families of those Brave Men My Thanks for their Service and Sacrifice My Prayers to Our Navy Seals and their Families

Aug 8, 2011
duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267

francine, i sent you a private message

Aug 10, 2011
duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267

that speed is considered careless & reckless in VA, my daughter got one 86 in a 55

Aug 10, 2011
Sue(Daniel's Mom)

Francine, I can't speak for a speeding ticket but my son had an accident and had to go to court. Someone from his command met him at court and was with him during the hearing. He had to pay a fine and take a safe drivers course which is offered by the Navy. He took the course (8 hours) and turned into the court the certificate from the Navy showing he completed the course. This helped him with his driving record as well as insurance. The Navy requires them to dress in uniform when appearing at court. He wore his NSU uniform. My only suggestion would be to remind your son to be respectful of the process, which I am sure he will be. He made a mistake. Good luck and our prayers are with you.

Aug 11, 2011
Grasshopper

Francine...my son had a speeding ticket and pretty much the same as what Sue said applied to him. Apparently it's pretty standard for them to send a higher ranking person to appear with them at the hearing. My son's command told him told him to wear his Dress Whites though. Since my son is a MA he had already taken the safety driving test so it all worked out for him...thankfully his 1st class was there to tell the Judge he had taken the classes as part of his MA training. Good Luck!!

Aug 11, 2011
cms

Hello everyone. My Sailor has been home for 2 weeks and leaves in 2 days to be stationed in Norfolk. Any suggestions or tips for him? He will be assigned to the San Antonio. It's been a great visit. Sorry to see him leave but know that it is a good thing for him. Anyone else have a Sailor or know of one on the San Antonio?

Aug 12, 2011
mrshdge (SHIP 07 DIV 113)

Does anyone know of any nice 1/1.5 town homes in the Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake, VA Beach, or Portsmouth area?

Aug 12, 2011
Tricia

My son is back to work in Va beach we had a nice time when he was home and I hope all the ladies enjoy there homecoming of there children

Aug 13, 2011
OhioNavyMama

Hello ladies! My daughter is stationed in Norfolk and just found out she is pregnant. She is a tad bit overwhelmed!!! She really needs someone in the area that she can maybe meet and talk to when she doesnt know where to turn. She is only 21 and i live pretty far so being there all the time is not in the cards. If there is anyone who can help me out...one worried mom to another...i'd really appreciate it!! you can private message me if you'd like! Thanks so much!!

Tiffany

Aug 16, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Hi Tiffany! I just private message'd you. Best wishes to you and to your daughter! :)

Aug 17, 2011
navy25

Patricia thats good to hear that the Medical Staff was alert for your daughters needs,how is she doing now.

Tiffany Congrats and Best Wishes sorry I cant help I live in New Jersey but Im wishing you the best and Im sure someone from the area will be able to help.Good Luck

Aug 18, 2011
lorraineld

My daughter just got her orders for the USS Porter in Norfolk. Does anyone know anyone on this ship? She will be arriving the 3rd week of September.

Aug 22, 2011
TexasMomof2

Jane, try this link.......there are some recent discussions on here. Plus a realtor who doesnt charge (??)
http://www.navyformoms.com/group/norfolksailorsfamilyfriends/forum/...

Aug 22, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Glad you're ok Connie! It was a 5.9 magnitude earthquake centered in the town of Mineral near Richmond,Virginia and felt from VA to DC and up to NY. CNN is covering it, and here's the Hampton Roads newspaper story: 5.9 earthquake felt across northeast U.S.

I checked Mapquest and Mineral is about 136 miles northeast of Norfolk.

Aug 23, 2011
Janae' *My Love is HOME :)*

Ladies, I am in Colonial Beach, VA and our quake lasted for about a minute and a half... We are 68 miles from Mineral, VA.... It was the scariest thing ever.. My life flashed before my eyes because these are things you think about when you live IN California, not Virginia.

Aug 23, 2011
Grasshopper

My son works night shift and I called him to check on him. We live in NC and felt it so I knew he should have felt it. He said "oh, so that's what shook my bed." He's an MA and already dreading this weekend with the Hurricane coming...now an Earthquake, he is not a happy boy! lol

Aug 23, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Hi Janae, wow, that's a long time to be feeling a quake. I lived in Northern CA in '89 and know what you mean. I'm looking at ch. 13 and ch 10, as well as watching CNN. Let us know if you feel aftershocks please!!

Aug 23, 2011
Janae' *My Love is HOME :)*

Hi Marcy. Yes, It is and that is something that I dont ever want to experience again... I will let you ladies know if anything else happens.

Aug 23, 2011
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Just reading more about Hurricane Irene, too - one of my favorite places is Ocracoke, apparently residents are to be off-island by Thursday. They're predicting flooding up to New England. Thanks for keeping us posted on what's going on!

Aug 23, 2011
navy25

Hy Ladies is everyone allright with the Earthquake we felt it here in New Jersey any news on the Navy Base is everyone ok

Aug 23, 2011
navy25

Everyone Take Care with the Hurricane coming as well Praying it misses our area Keep us posted.

Aug 23, 2011
navy25

Sorry for you ladies you wont be able to visit Norfolk to visit your Sailors Best be Safe

Aug 24, 2011
Jess_0411

According to my husband, they will make an official decision this afternoon on if they should stay or go. If they decide to sortie, they will do so tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that they decide to stay!

Aug 24, 2011
Philip

Daughter in law just moved into Merrimack apartments and the hurricane news is scaring her. I wondered if there were any others on this site living in those apartments? I'm trying to find a little support for her.

Aug 24, 2011
Grasshopper

Lynne...so sorry you had to cancel your plans!! As well as the rest of you that had plans to go to Norfolk this weekend! I know how very disppointed you must be.

I would like to ask for prayers for the MA's that will have to pack bags and stay on base if Irene shows her ugly face. While the ships will go out to sea and others get evacuated, our MA's are required to stay behind on base to protect the base. My son is one of these MA's and of course I worry about him. As others get to leave for higher ground, he has to ride it out. Please remember him and his comrades as they will ride it out if it comes to be!! THANKS!!!

Aug 24, 2011
navy25

To Grasshopper & all MA's and rest of Navy Families in Virginia area Stay Safe and be thinking and praying for all you and hopefully the Hurricane will stay away from your area.Keep us posted if possible

Aug 24, 2011
Francesca

Lynne, I feel your dissapointment. I was supposed to leave Friday to head to Norfolk to see my husband and that is not looking promising at all....This stinks!

Aug 24, 2011
Sue(Daniel's Mom)

Prayers are going up for those who have to stay in Norfolk. Right now I don't know if my son is one who will have to stay or not. He will let us know by tomorrow if he will be staying or leaving to a safer place. GOD be with everyone.

Aug 24, 2011
duhhuh58 Ship 10/Div 267

i'm sitting here on the coast in NC hoping Irene goes away. we have the 1/2 way party saturday for the kids and i really want to take my grandson. we went thru this last year and my daughter had to go out to keep the ship safe. waiting to see what Irene does to see if i pack up and head somewhere (last time i evacuated inland the hurricane went inland, lol)

Aug 24, 2011
oregonmom

My son and his ship are heading out from Norfolk early tomorrow morning. I guess that would be evacuating. We're west coast folks, so this will be new. God bless them and all in harms way.

Aug 25, 2011
navy25

To Everyone in Norfolk and other areas of Virginia and No.Caroline my Prayers that Irene will Miss you all Stay Safe especially to all Our Sailors

Aug 25, 2011
navy25

Hi Everyone its 2 30am and the weather channel just said the Navy is having all ships in Norfolk VA move out to Sea early Thurs. in a few hours God Please Keep all Our Sailors Safe and all that might have to stay behind at the base.

Aug 25, 2011