Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Love the photo, thanks for sharing.  I will have to remember that when I go visit my son, hope to meet up with some other mom's also.  That is so neat!!

i live 1 1/2 hours from the base so anyone coming just let me know, i'm off friday-sunday and would love to meet you also

Carol

Gonavymom it was so great meetng you last week!  Thanks for posting the picture.  Would love to meet you Duhhuh the next time I am in Norfolk.

Marcy I know that you must be busy right now, but I have missed chatting with you this month.  Hope everything is going well.

Still kinda new to the area. Looking to make some new friends. We have two boys (8 & 2). My husband is on the USS Newport News. Is there any other SO on the same boat?

Hi!  My son is new to Norfolk.  Are there any resources for sailors who live aboard ships?  Where can they go (besides restaurants and costco) when they are not on board?

Navymommo, Take a look through these MWR links to get an idea of the Navy activities available ~ Things to do    

Does your sailor have a car?  It's pretty much a 'must' there.  

There are usually things going on during the weekends like races (5k etc).  A fun one coming up is this "Grunt Run" in Chesapeake sponsored by Norfolk Naval Station MWR - free to active military, after-party with live music, food; some run in costumes (it's almost Halloween) and in teams; not hard like Tough Mudder but a good time!  :)  

Wow!  Thanks for the info- I will pass it along to him.  I think it might have been a little hard because he got there and went out immediately. He has a car and is making friends.  I will pass this info along to him. living on the ship is just a little different than a and c school.-Thanks again! 

Thank you!  I will let him know!

Hello Ladies! Are there any wives or gfs with Sailors on the USS Theodore Roosevelt? Or, anyone in the Norfolk, at the base near Hampton Blvd? I've been here almost a year and have connected with one Navy Wife. I would like to connect with a lot more, since it gets VERY lonely here!

Hi All, New Norfolk Mom here, LOL, only HOURS old!! Happy to have found this group!

Welcome WadesMoM to our awesome group!

Hello All. We are relocating to Virginia within the next few months, and being that we will be new to the area, I was wondering if I could get some help finding a safe place to live.  I have two young children, so safety is our number 1 priority.

Any information is greatly appreciated!

Jacinto

my daughter just got her orders she will be in norfolk her ship day is nov 12th...the harriet truman ship cvn aircraft carrier...any one else the same or can anyone tell me will she be docked in norfolk or does that mean she will be goin out to sea nov 12

Hi Ship14division317- i am sorry, i don't have an answer for you, but i also don't know if its a good idea to post and/or ask for arrival details, for security and safety of your sailor. especially when you have listed so many identifying ship details too! It may be helpful to review opsec guidelines on this site or google it. best wishes for you and your sailor!

Norfolk is the USS Harry Trumans home port, I don't think you broke any OPSEC regulations since it is not currently on deployment.

Here's a clever way to keep Operational Security (OPSEC) in mind, from the USS Iwo Jima Ombudsman Team:  OPSEC: the Dr. Seuss version

Hi Ship 14 Div 371 our son was sent to Norfolk after BC and  was actually there for 6 months or so before they actually shipped out. They had some short trips for exercise purposes.  He decided to live on the ship and save his money so once back and knew where he would be going or staying he had some money saved up but of course I do not know if that is always an option living on board instead of getting an apartment. If you have a family then that is different but I know it is very hard to get something on base itself.  I hope that helps some.

Ship 14 Div 371 ~ She will be assigned to a barracks but will also be able to stay on the ship.  She can also apply for a PPV (an apartment that is paid for by her housing allowance).  My son has a PPV in Norfolk and it is a really nice place, it is fully furnished. He shares it with one other sailor. They share the kitchen and living space, but their rooms are private and locked. Here is a link that explains a little bit about it. If she is single she is considered "unaccompanied"  http://www.cnic.navy.mil/CNIC_HQ_Site/WhatWeDo/FleetandFamilyReadin...

The area around the base is considered Hampton Roads

She will also need a car, Norfolk base is VERY VERY large.

Hello everyone! I am new to the group. My sailor got his orders back in August and is based in Norfolk. He is currently on USS Iwo JIma. I haven't been to Norfolk to visit yet, so I have no idea of what to do there and the best place to stay. We are not married, but that is to change once he returns. I do not think I will be moving to Norfolk due to ship's plans over the next 2 years. IF i don't move to Norfolk I will be visiting. any advice will be helpful :)

The Navy Lodge is very nice and has a small kitchenette for making some home cooked meals. I stay there when I visit my son and it is close to the base and very inexpensive.

Hello All,
My husband and I will be moving to Norfolk and are having trouble finding housing because we have a german shepherd dog. We are coming from maryland and he hasnt started getting BAH yet, which is another issue. We have applied to Lincoln Military housing---does anyone have experience with them? They accept any pets but again the BAH is a problem. He needs to report on OCT 23 and Im concerned that we wont have housing by then...any advice would help. Thanks

We lived in Lincoln on Norfolk Naval Base for almost two years.  You should visit the Lincoln site and call the folks in the housing office for information about wait lists and units available. We found them to be very helpful and the housing was really convenient to my husband's ship.

This is the link to the "How to Apply" page for Lincoln at Norfolk

http://www.lincolnmilitary.com/lmh/installations/norfolk/apply.cfm

We have been stationed here four times in hubby's career.  Liked the area so well we decided to stay when he retires!

Hello, my son just arrived in Norfolk on Sunday from Pensacola, FL.

Anyone with a sailor assigned to the USS Gravely?

Welcome Trisha & TampaSailorMom!  

I know this isn't the biggest problem in the world, but...I'm sort of appalled that the price for the dress blues top just skyrocketed in October from $54 to $84.  A thirty dollar increase??  

Looking for other Mom's of the USS Gonzalaz. Would like to start a group.

From Navy Times, Oct 16:  Four sailors on the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman were injured Tuesday when a line parted during an underway replenishment, Fleet Forces Command said in a news release. All of the injuries are “non-life threatening,” FFC said.

Truman was in the midst of an unrep with the Military Sealift Command oiler Patuxent off the Florida coast when the line parted. A Navy helicopter flew two of the sailors to Naval Air Station Jacksonville for treatment. One sailor will be flown to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va., for further evaluation on Tuesday, according to the release. Another sailor was treated onboard.

Story:  Four Truman sailors hurt in unrep incident off Fla.

My Airman got the veto today on his leave for the holidays.  He has only 4 days and would spend more time traveling and not so much visiting.  I won't complain - we are blessed to be close enough (and him on land) that I can go to him instead. 

I am blessed beyond measure with all 3 of my kids (two in college and one Navy).  So proud of them for pursuing their dreams and making something good for their own futures.  I miss them all, but how can I hold them back? why would I try?  I know you Moms here all  understand how bittersweet to let them go and pray they learned all that you hoped to teach them....

To Kimstn - Timsmom.... saw your message   sorry your sailor won't be home for hollidays....last year my sailor was in Boot Camp for Christmas  not sure if he will make it home this either....but very very proud of him and all the Sailors!  Take care

to allie1928 - hey!  I hope your sailor makes it home.....we are already planning a trip to Norfolk, so I can't be sad.  Even the girls will be off school and go with us - and my brother in law lives in Virginia Beach so we can take the MIL and have a big ol TN Christmas in Virginia!

@Timsmom....we spend one Christmas in Pensacola with our son.  It was his first Christmas away.  We had a nice family Christmas with all three kids.  Not sure if he gets to come home this year.  We'd rather he come home in February when his one of his sisters gets married.  They planned it then so that he could possibly be there.  He's being deployed next year and she didn't want him to miss it.  We're praying he gets the green light to attend.  The pictures won't be the same without him in them. 

I don't know if you have seen the military camo socks for each branch.  I ordered one for our son.  He loved it!! 

http://militaryprideonline.com/navy/home-and-office/ornaments/u-s-n...

So Im new to Norfolk and me and my husband are pretty new to the navy. I do not know a single person other than my land lord. Anyone out there that can help me learn about the community and way to get active. I would like to find a gym close by that has a child care center inside for my 2 year old. I am currently pregnant and would love to find other wives or gfs to meet and just keep busy.

Dear NewNavyWife-

Welcome to the club!  I hope you enjoy your experience as a Navy wife as much as I have.  A few suggestions for you to find people to connect with:  call the Fleet and Family Support Center to get the contact information for the ombudsman for your husband's command.  Their number is 757-444-2102; you can also get the contact information for the Family Readiness Group (FRG) for the command.  This is a great way to meet other families from the command and to form a support network for yourself. 

The gyms on the military bases don't offer childcare; you can contact the child development center on the base to see if they offer drop-in services.  Some do, some don't.  The only gyms I can think of in the area that have child care are the YMCAs, but they tend to be pretty expensive.

When my girls were small and I wanted to meet people without incurring the cost of child care, I volunteered with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.  They paid for my child care and even reimbursed me for mileage!  That way I could get out and mix with other adults, but I wasn't committed to a job and it didn't cost me anything.  I also learned a lot about the Navy and miltary pay...good information to have. :-)

The Fleet and Family Support Center also has a volunteer coordinator who can help you find other volunteer opportunities.  Their relocation office can help you get information about the Norfolk area...ask to speak to Mary Ann; she is awesome!

Feel free to send me any questions you have about the area.  This is our 4th time being stationed here and my husband is finally retiring.  We like it here so well that we decided to make Virginia Beach our home.  Good luck!

Hello.....my daughter is transferring here from Pensacola the first of November.  She was just recently married and her husband is not moving with her right away so she is looking for a cheap apartment or possibly a roommate.  Any and all recommendations would be welcome and appreciated!  Thanks!!!

Your Sailor should be able to request a ballot online with the county election commission.  They need to get it done pronto as time is critical.  My son had it sent to our house and then gave me the address of a friend who lived off base, ie real address rather than PO Box.  This allowed me to send the ballot via FedEx 2 day.  He should have ample time to get it back to the election commission via USPS

Probally have been asked a hundred times but....we hear such bad things about places to live there in newport news but my son is looking for an apartment and of course wants a safe place. I hear everyone talking about getting broke into when gone and what not so this is a little scary! Any good places that dont cost you the moon? Any suggestions are appreciated!!

Good morning A'6, here is a link that should be some help in getting to who can help you.

http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/moving

I would also check out the webpage on this site if he has been assigned to one of the ships there. Go to "all groups" at the top of this page and locate your group or groups. I found since our son is attached to the Enterprise that site has been a wealth of information as well as a way to connect with those military people who work with your sailor. 

Enjoy your day!

Good advise, having a son in Norfolk but living in FL. it is so important to be prepared. Another item or two, ATM's will not work if the power is out and if you do go to a grocery store that happens to be open they too will be looking for cash.  Another item, flashlight and batteries plus if they actually call for a hurricane you may want to consider filling your bathtub and bottles with water for washing because sometimes when you are in a location where you are at sea level the water coming in can have issues so for washing dishes, flushing toliets. I know it may sound weird to those who do not live in areas that deal with hurricanes but it is what we do, this way you are not using bottled water, save that for drinking and baby formula. Paper plates and plastic utensils are always good to have around. Plus with the batteries don't forget your clocks that may have backup battery systems.

Hopefully you will not need to go into hurricane mode, but better to be prepared because once it is a reality it will be too late to get out and get things.  Hope this helps.  Good luck and I hope it heads to sea, just not where our returning ships are coming.  We are heading up next week for a homecoming. 

One other note, I suggest that you get all your important papers together just in case they should ask those on the coast to leave. Insurance papers and contact information (agent), marriage cert. Wills, anything that would be hard to replace. And it can not hurt to just have them all together in case your roof starts to leak or a window blew out and rain starts to come in and you need to leave, take them with you and any real valubles. Again, hopefully nothing will happen but from the experiences of living here in FL and speaking to those who have been through it they say just have everything really.  If nothing happens just say Thank you Lord!

From FB:  Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces has modified guidance for all U.S. Navy ships in Hampton Roads, Va. Ships currently in port have been directed to remain in port. Ships at sea continue to maneuver to clear the path of the storm.  http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70383

Thanks Marcy for the update. Our son is stationed at Little Creek and will be riding out the storm there on base. We are in Oregon. It is so far away and so any information is helpful.

does anyone know the weather report for norfolk for sunday afternooon, and nite?  have someone traveling on road from south to norfolk, will be arriving sunday nite. little concerned....

Depending on the route they are taking, they may have to wait before getting into the Norfolk area.  Bridge traffic is often halted during severe storms and tunnels may be closed.  We are not expected to get the brunt of the storm, but it will be windy and they are calling for 6-10 inches of rain over the next day or two.  It won't be impossible to travel here, just not recommended.