Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

thank you, Marcy for the info about Norfolk.  Hoping we will get to visit him sometime as well. He does not have a car, though.

Theresa, thanks for the info!  Love knowing the history of the Chamberlin.  

Gs'mom, have you looked through all the Discussions above?  Members have posted a lot of info about apartments, perhaps that will be of help.

Laurie, if your son is going to be living in Norfolk vs. deployed for a long time, he'll be needing a car - I think the others here will agree :)

There are multiple gyms on Norfolk Naval Station.  The best hours on Norfolk Naval Station can probably be found at the Waterfront Gym (Bldg Q-80) which is right by the aircraft carrier piers.  Is he at Norfolk or Little Creek?

to Marcy, my son will be starting SERE in Maine, then will be at Norfolk, so I am not sure at this point how long he will be in Norfolk, he is a Rescue Swimmer. So the car situation may be a problem.

The $17 is the round trip fee if you complete the trip within 24 hours.  Normally, it is $12 each way.  Pricey, but I love the view and much prefer traveling 13 up the eastern shore than I-64 and I-95.

I am probably a wuss, but I always avoided watching the ship pull away from the pier...too hard for me! But the Bay-Bridge Tunnel is so beautiful, watching the ship from there never bothered me as much. Besides, hubby was an engineer and was usually on board the night before so I rarely got to see him the day of departure.  If he didn't have duty, the girls and I would drop him off at the pier and head to McD's for breakfast.  That became our little ritual.  Even when they were in high school and I suggested going someplace nicer, they insisted on pancakes at the golden arches.   

I can understand, it's different and no doubt easier at the pier for a mom than a wife - we've already had to come to grips with separation of a different kind :)  For moms who haven't been to the base, the McD's is on-base across a parking lot from the piers.   Beachmom, you're right about 13!  For someone who does want a day trip, right across the bridge is a conference center/hotel on the left side.  You can drive down to the beach where there's an outdoor bar in summer.  I've only gone in off-season when it's deserted, and it makes for a great walk on the sand at water's edge. 

I am shipping my sons truck to him via a semi truck car carrier service. Does anyone know of a process or service available to take delivery of his vehicle if they are underway or on duty and can't sign for it . The only reason I ask is the carrier can't promise a firm delivery time because the truck is traveling xcountry

Thanks Dustin'sMom I can imagine some of the nightmares out there but I'm kinda in the business of vehicle transportation so not too worried about the carrier just looking for some help on the recieving end... If  all goes well I will share my refrences and tips with anybody else here that may need the same help.

Perhaps you can give a car storage facility authorization to accept it?  Also, try asking your Family Readiness Group and/or the Ombudsman for your ship.  They should be familiar with car storage or have some advice.  

If you're not in touch with your FRG or Ombudsman, here's info http://www.navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthe...

Hi Ladies! My husband is on the USS Jason Dunham, my son is about to start C school at Dam Neck. Me and my other 3 boys are moving to the area in June from WI. I am looking for some tips for a good area to live that's an easy drive from Norfolk Base. I have been told by a few that they recommend Chesapeake over VA Beach. I see that Grassfield High School looks like a good school thats a 30 min drive and I was thinking of looking more into an neighborhood around there. Any advice?  Thanks so much! :)

@Tumbleweed... The 30 minute drive is calculated without traffic; it will probably be closer to an hour during rush hour.  Lots of people like Chesapeake because you seem to get more house for your money.  Grassfield is a new school, but that area is growing like crazy, so you might want to check on school crowding.  There may be someone who lives in that area and can give you more specifics. If you can (or your Sailor can) try to drive to a few locations during the busiest hours to get a sense of the commute.  Traffic here starts picking up by 6 am and starts to ease around 8 am. By about 4 pm, the roads home get pretty congested. The HOV (minimum 2 in the car) lanes are restricted from 6-8 am heading to the base and 4-6 pm heading away from the base.   

I think it is all a matter of personal preference, but I like Virginia Beach; we have great schools, awesome community centers and, of course, the beach!  LOL We can also take back roads to get to the base that let us avoid the highway.  Always good to have a plan B around here.

Whatever you choose, I hope you like it here as much as we do!

Hello All,

I am planning to relocate to the Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Chesapeake area this coming summer.  I am tryign to get all of my ducks in a row. I will greatly GREATLY appreicate any insight on neighborhoods, schools, traffic, and activities for a 9 year old boy.  We will be relocating to be with my sailor who is stationed in Norfolk.

I am also going to be seeking employment.  I currently work in HR as a Specialist I have 5 years experience and a Masters in Public Administration.  I know that it;s WHO you know these days and will GREALTY appreciate beind sent in the right direction in the area as well.

jackarita thank you so much for the offer I may take you up on it. It looks like we will be shipping the truck week of 2/11/13 so I will e-mail you if I need your help.

Again thanks for making such a generous offer......

Welcome JNJNavyGF!   Some of us here live in VA, but a lot, like me, live elsewhere.  Here are some more good area groups for you to join in addition to this one, the more the merrier!  http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ladiesofva and http://www.navyformoms.com/group/navywivesofnorfolkportsmouthva.  Also, if you haven't seen this job search site, it's pretty cool - http://www.indeed.com (you can post your resumé, too :)   You will really like living in the area!

Welcome JNJ!  In addition to Marcy's suggestions, I recommend contacting the Fleet and Family Support Center.  Ask for the Career Development Center; the folks there can help you with your job search. They have listings of job announcements for the area and can help you target your resume. The number is 757-444-2102.  For information about the local community, call the same number, ask for relocation and request a "Welcome Aboard" packet for the Hampton Roads area.  They can send you loads of resources. 

This is my fourth time living in this area.  We love it so much we decided to stay when hubby retired.  Hope you like it, too!

Hi beachmom76 and thank you sooo much for that info!!

Hi Marcy.. thank you for all those valuable links!!

Hi everyone!  Anybody with a sailor on the USS Donald Cook?

Welcome CindyLou!

Just came across this:  DogsOnDeployment.org - "All Military, All Pets."  

The site says that "Dogs On Deployment is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit which provides a central online database for service members to search for individuals or families who are willing to welcome a Dog On Deployment into their home for the length of their owner's deployment."  

Volunteers who meet their requirements can apply to board pets for military members. 

Hello Julie and Calirose. 

Just wanted to let you both know that my husband and I open our home on the weekends for any sailors who want to come over. On saturday evenings we play board games or go mini golfing or bowling and of course we feed them! :)  On Sundays, I make a home-cooked meal with homemade bread and dessert at 1:00 pm. Sometimes we just get to know each other or watch a movie, etc.  We would love for your son's to come join us if they like. If they do not have transportation, we would be happy to pick them up and give them a ride over here and back to the base.  You can check us out at our website: www.openbibleministries.com      Please tell them 'welcome to VA. '  :)  

Yvonne and John Wagner

P.S. If there are any other moms out there with sons or daughters stationed here, please feel free to give them our information. We would love to be a 'home away from home' for them also. :)

Thank you John and Yvonne for the welcome, I will let my sailor know.  

Will do Denise, thanks!

Hello Everyone....it's been a while since I posted here. I hope everyone is doing well. I was wondering if anyone knows a good website to post furniture for sell. My daughter and her roommates are moving out of their apartment and are trying to sell the furniture they purchased. Living room and dining room set. It's in very good shape. If you know anyone looking to buy furniture inbox me.

Does their lease contain a military clause?  A military clause per the Landlord Tenant Act allows for a lease to be terminated if a military member is transferred.  This link to Military OneSource says you may be able to terminate for deployment under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act:  http://www.militaryonesource.mil/pfm?content_id=269402  Try asking the Navy Housing Welcome Center to see what they advise, 757-445-2832, or Military OneSource 800-342-9647.  

CLAMOM - everyone seems to rely on Craigslist for buying and selling furniture (photos are a big plus to Craigslist ads for getting stuff sold btw).    

I totally understand your concerns!  Yes, most leases do have that clause, but only a check of the lease will show if it does or not.  Here are some more good resources:  Navy Housing,  Navy Housing/Issue Resolution, Navy Housing's Rental Partnership Program, and Navy Housing on Facebook.  Once this issue is settled, it would be good to make use of the Navy's programs and get assistance and a lease review before signing the next lease  :)  Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Thanks Marcy I will tell them to post on craigslist.

If they use Craigslist, please tell them to be careful meeting people - never a roommate by herself, imply they have a cop bf/husband etc :)

Yes that's my biggest fear. My daughter seems to be the maturest out of the bunch which is quite scary...LOL

Hi everyone!!!  Hope 2013 is off to a Great start for everyone  :)

Wow.  And amen...

Theresa, did you see the Navy Times article saying that the slogan "A global force for good" is unpopular?  I happen to love that slogan.  

Wow, wonder if those that are already deployed will stay out as long a first thought.

The article says that "the John C. Stennis CSG, which deployed in late August, has been the only carrier force in the region since December, when the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group had to return home for repairs.

The Ike CSG is still slated to deploy again later this month and will relieve Stennis. The Ike does not need to complete workups and will allow the Navy to keep one carrier in 5th Fleet when and if the cuts take hold."  

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2013/02/navy-truman-delay-persian-gul...

Geez Theresa thanks - NOT! - for getting me reading Navy Times today - not much good news :(  "The Pentagon will formally recommend that troops next year should receive a 1 percent increase in basic pay, which would be the smallest pay bump in the 40-year history of the all-volunteer force."

Ok off to read now; thanks again Theresa.  It's so important for us all to keep up with developments.  

Regarding that slogan - this is perhaps my favorite Navy spot of them all - the Navy really stands for, and does, so much good in this world.  

I'm praying I'm wrong but what understand they will be on longer deployments :(

Let's pray that they pass a decent budget for all our sailors.  It's bad enough that Panetta wants a military pay cut - hell they're getting less of an increase than welfare recipients.  1% instead of the 1.7%  this is an outrage and slap in the face to all our heros - sorry, I get to emotional - just venting.

Has anyone heard about re-enlisting? My son turned in all of his papers and is waiting for approval.  He really wants to stay in.  He is getting worried if he is going to be approved because of all of the cut backs and with his ship being decommissioned next month.

I wanted to give wives some information on things to do in Norfolk.  Basically when we moved here a few months ago, I was new to the whole "stay at home mom" thing, and was going crazy being in the house all day with the kids.  I started taking them to the park at our housing community, and one of the other wives told me about the programs available.  FREE!  The one that I'm involved in, and has been such a help to us is the Armed Forces YMCA.  Just google that, go to programs, and look at the activities for the location closest to you.  They have work out classes, and also "mommy time" which is just basically time for yourself.  They provide childcare so that you can have time to do your activities, and did I mention, it's FREE!  My kids LOVE playing with the other kids, and the teachers are great!  They hate leaving.  There's something to do Monday-Friday, and it's helped me have time to myself and better deal with time away from my Sailor.  Also, the military housing has events if you live in military housing, but I tend to find those events to be extremely crowded, and the people are just different-not too friendly.

Mrs. Sailor-S, glad to see the positive words!  :)  Here are two more groups you might like and who could use that info, Navy Wives of Portsmouth/Norfolk and Ladies of VA  I'm giving your name to a gal who just married an Iwo Jima sailor and is moving to Norfolk in March with three kids, she can use some great advice.

My hat is off to the sailors and families of USS Truman for coping with this 180 change of plans.  I like CAPT Roth's end to his letter :)   Bless 'em all.

Marcy  Thank you it has been a 180  but getting thing done like turning on cell and getting his car. it will take me a few days  But I will get it done .