Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Oh, yeah forgot this isn't the IT forum, CatMom's daughter is an IT which the school is about 9-10 months and is eligible for a personal property shipment. There is a rule about how long they have to be at a location before it is considered a PCS and not just and intermediate stop. If you're not at the location long enough for it to be considered a PCS then they wouldn't be eligible, I can't remember what the actual length of time is though.

My son was told the same thing you said when he got to Corry Station that he had to pay to ship his stuff himself. I told him that wasn't correct and called the personal property office myself and found they were telling him incorrect information. He went to the personal property office and it was easy to have them ship all his stuff for him at no cost.

I just counted and I guess my son was only at Corry Station for 7 months and that was over the Christmas and New Year holidays so I don't know how long others are there. He was eligible for a personal property shipment.

I am a member of the Arizona group but every time I go in there the stuff is really old and didn't seem to have much participation. Have not been in there in a while, has it got more active?

Dad of Sailor,

My daughter didn't even know if she would receive travel orders until the same day of her graduation and she had to pay for the re-routing to California that same day.  I think she does have a ticket from California to Norfolk with her.  So she can't claim for this re-routing because I think if was a couple of hundred dollars or she implied it was pricey?  I'm a little confused.

Wow, you son got $550 back from his travel claim?  If you don't mind, what was that made up of?  We picked her up, so she did not incur any taxi.  I'm unclear what she is able to claim for.

Also, remember when you gave us that Personal Property Office info in the Pensacola group?  Well, I wrote that down and when she got her verbal orders, I email her the info and told her to contact the Personal Propery Office to make arrangements to ship stuff to home and Norfolk.  Some weights we had shipped to her were sent to us via Priority Mail.  She said shipping to us in those boxes saved her money...  So it seems we all have kids who don't listen to us, even though we are trying to save them $$$ (and you are a Master Chief!!)

Re the AZ group, it's like other groups, it just depends :)   I posted yesterday about a Navy Ball fundraiser coming up Sept 14th, a Comedy Night in Tempe.

CatMom, Josh'smom,

Cat...Yes, I know they don't always listen, I have the same problem with my two. Personal property would have shipped the weights to Norfolk (since she is going to shore duty), if she wanted them to come home to you she would have had to pay that herself. Only the people going to ships can send stuff home, those going to shore duty can only send stuff to next duty station.

The $500 he got was for his BAH (housing allowance) while on leave, BAS (food allowance) while on leave. He didn't have to take any cabs or anything so he didn't claim anything on his travel claim other than just filling out the paperwork so they could figure out anything he was still owed.

He/she will be assisted in filling out their travel claim by their admin department. Everyone does a travel claim upon completion of travel regardless if you have anything to claim or not.

She won't get any money for the trip to California as that is leave and taking leave (vacation) is not covered by the Navy. They will only pay from her current duty station (pensacola) to her next duty station (norfolk). Going home on leave to California is out of her pocket just as it will always be when she takes leave.

Josh's...if he was given a plane ticket to his next command he won't get any reimbursement for mileage, hotel costs, gas, food, etc. If he got a plane ticket he told them he was flying and they paid for a ticket to get him to his next duty station. If he told them he was driving and they didn't get him a plane ticket then he will get paid mileage (no gas, food or hotel) from pensacola to norfolk only. He won't get anything for extra mileage and time to detour to Atlanta. 

With that said, they get BAH and BAS for the entire time starting when they leave pensacola and when they check into their next command. Everyone gets this because they are in between duty stations and the Navy isn't providing them food or lodging so they are paid BAH and BAS for this time period. Those that don't have to pay anything and stay with mom and dad and eat at home still get this money paid to them and get to pocket it.

Dad of a Sailor that is right that is how it worked for my son.

You've made me feel tons better with your advice and enlightenment, Dad of Sailor!!  Nice to know she will get a little back to start padding her account again~~  You deserve a HUG!!

ChambosMom,

So your son automatically received the BAH and BAS on his check while he was home on leave?  Did he receive anything additional after he filed a travel claim that you know of?

My daughter just got paid this past 15th and her check should be more than usual with the BAH and BAS added?

CatMom,

Glad that helped. My son got his in his check with BAH and BAS after he reported to Norfolk. He didn't get his while he was home. ChambosMom said her son was home for 22 days so maybe that is why he got it while home, my son wasn't home that long. How long is your daughter home for?

Dad of Sailor,

My daughter will be home for 15 days.  The first day she graduated, but also flew to CA, did that count as a leave day?  I counted that day because she came home on that day.  I want it to slow down please!!

Another question:  HOLIDAY STAND DOWN.  Where can we find out Norfolk's schedule for that?  Also, do all Sailors no matter how long they have been in automatically go home on leave for the whole time?  What happens if they don't have quite enough leave time for the whole period?  Should advance pay BAS/BAH be requested for this time--it's Christmas, after all~~

Sorry so many questions, but I like to know and plan, if at all possible!

CatMom509    Every command has a different holiday stand down schedule.  So it will be whenever her command releases the dates.  Sometimes they do it early, but my husband's command usually does not relases the "offical" leave list until 2-4 weeks in advance.  Also, if they do not have the leave to take... most commands I know do not let them take the leave so they stay where they are stationed and still have duty.  I know when we first moved to every command we have ever been it we usually end up having to stay there that first Christmas.  Leave is never automatic.  It must always be approved.  Even leave they do not get charged for must be approved.  Why on earth would she request advance bah of bas?  It has to be a real emergency for that to happen, and Christmas or travel is very seldom a good enough reason for PSD.   I hate to say it, but you just cannot plan with the military.  So if you guys buy tickets ( either way) be sure they are refundable and or exchangeable.  I hope you enjoy your daughter being home.  And I wish I had better news to give you. 

Hollybear and abuon18,

Thanks so much for the clarification on holiday stand down.  Just gotta wait...as usual...

CanMom,

She will never request "advance" anything to take leave. Leave is vacation and the Navy won't help with that at all. If she didn't have money to take non emergency leave she would have to skip it or get a loan from the bank or possibly Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

You need to forget about "holiday stand downs" for the rest of the time she's in the Navy as that is kind of an A School thing. Most commands try and slow down during the holidays and offer two leave periods but it's not a stand down. She'll find out what she can do during the holiday from her command once she's checked in and the holidays get closer. 

CatMom:  They have to turn in a chit for Christmas Leave.  If I remember, some were able to go before/including Christmas, and others had to go after Christmas/including New Years.  Like abuon said, it is split.

Also stretching my memory here....but think that my son told me that the day he left his A School base for home DID NOT count as a Leave Day.

Debbie:  When my son flew up there, a sailor from the base did meet him.  He had set that up ahead of time.  Hoping that it all worked out for your sailor!

diannep,

Thanks for clearing up that the day my daughter left did not count as a leave day, so she used 14 days, but will get 5 back because she did RAP duty.

Okay, so I'm keeping in mind, that if she wants to use her leave during Christmas, it will only be 1 week and it could be after Christmas, but before the New Year.  I'll just go with her flow when it gets closer~~

Dad of Sailor,

Thanks for providing the relief society.  I noted it for emergency purposes~~

The NMCRS is a great resource for your Sailor if they ever need assistance financially due to emergencies. They will loan them money with no interest and even have grants for certain things to help Sailors who need assistance. I've known Sailors that got help from them for emergency car repairs, to take emergency leave, etc. There is a office on most Navy bases and have counselors that can assist with a variety of issues Sailors face. Here is their website...

http://www.nmcrs.org/

Yesterday Rick Matheny brought his parents, Tim and Elizabeth, and his girl friend Kristina, over to the house to meet us and to join in our Saturday night activities. Rick is going on deployment so it gave us a chance to anoint him with oil and pray over him; that God would keep him safe, and enable him to do his job well.

Wednesday is also his birthday, so we were able to celebrate together a couple of days early. Rick likes cheese cake so Yvonne made one for dessert. she went out and got a small birthday gift for him: a journal, so he can keep track of the events of his first deployment.

Crystal joined us too; and brought frozen yogurt. As I always say, there's always room for ice cream! :)

Dinner included grilled hamburgers and baked home fries. then we played "Apples to Apples" which is Crystal's all time favorite game! Elizabeth, Rick's mom won the game, and the trophy!

Thanks, Dad of Sailor!  Will share in my other groups~~  :)

John and Yvonne Wagner,

Looks like a great gathering!  I want to point my Sailor daughter in your direction.  Should I give her the link to your page or would you rather be more proactive?  I mentioned you two for her, but am unsure how to actually connect her to you.  She will be in Norfolk later this week.  She just graduated as an IT from Pensacola A school.

Proudmom,

Welcome back to your Sailor son!!

Proudmom, just a gentle reminder that we don't discuss ship movements here per OPSEC guidelines :)  

Hi, my name is Linda, I just joined the group. My son just got his orders and will be in Norfolk soon. He just graduated A school and I'm waiting for his call to pick him up at the airport for his leave.

LindaD,

What command is he going to in Norfolk?

Welcome, Sam was in your dons Ship and Div, his twin is stationed out of here, he presently is out on Deployment. 

GwenB, under the N4M guidelines it says, "• Don’t Solicit for Products, Services, etc.:...This includes, but is not limited to, the following:...• Promoting your own Web site/blog or a Web site or online support group which you represent" which could apply to your question.  

Just my two cents (and nothing against your group!) but I am happy with N4M as it's managed and maintained by the U.S. Navy/Navy Recruiting Command, vs. FB groups.  With so many risks (OPSEC being one) associated with social media, I feel more comfortable with N4M and its controls - with the Facebook exception of command-sanctioned, private FRG and Ombudsman groups. 

A few questions for anyone that can answer them for me...First,  my son is living-working on a ship, he has no car, does the Navy provide shuttles on the base and ports for these sailors to get around if they need to go somewhere one base (like the Nex)?  Second..my son said he is exremely bored while on the ship off duty...he said they have no tv's on this ship to watch,  now I know it's not  a hotel by all means,  but if your expected to live and work on these ships,  I would think that they would consider one tv on board for those that can't leave.   I'm trying my hardest to keep this boy positive right now and I know when he buys a car this will all get better for him,  but until then this is going to be rough for him.  He is a kid that likes to be doing something all the time,  the down time is so boring for him now.  I'm not much help to him,  I have no idea what services there are for Sailors on base with no car that are assigned to ships.  Anyone with any ideas I can throw at him,  it would be appreciated, I know some of you have probably had Sailors in the same situation at one point.   

Kim Ship 03/Div233, I posted earlier in the USS TR forum about some videos on YouTube. They were put together for the new Sailors coming to NSN for service on the USS Theordore Roosevelt, but they offer lots of information about life on the base. Maybe you could watch them, or direct your son to them, so that he can learn about all the activities going on at NSN. There are all kinds of sports teams and activities, there are sound rooms for playing music, TV rooms for just watching TV, and a room full of computers. There is a bowling alley on base and a movie theather. Check them out on YouTube. Search for Theodore Roosevelt Show. There are 2 episodes. I can't help you with the shuttle service question, because I don't know about that. My son will be there next week, but he has a vehicle. What ship is your son on?

TCJsmom...Thanks,  I will look at those videos you suggested..the biggest problem right now is transportation from the ship.  He loves sports and would love to be involved with things on base,  he is very outgoing kid,  but he has no car to get around,  so that is why I was asking about shuttles from the port to different areas on base.  He reported last weds to duty,  so it hasn't been a wk yet,  he has met some friends,  but they don't stay on the ship.   I'm hoping for him to come home in a few weeks if they are not out to sea,  so we can get him a car,  that seems to be the biggest hang up right now.  My son is on the James E. Williams ( Destroyer),  so it's a smaller ship then the aircraft carriers with much less convenience on it shall I say. 

TJCsmom...I know what you mean about the car situation.  He was just home for two wks and I guess in the back of my  mind was lets wait for a car since you will be on a ship,  well little did I know.  I have heard that the base is huge, and regret not doing this car thing while he was home.  :(    One thing at a time I guess,  I was so caught up on him getting to his duty station, not knowing how difficult if would be without a car.  Ha   My godson was stationed in Norfolk and bought a car there,  but they had advised us not to buy there,  for sometimes they take advantage of our Sailors when selling them cars.  :(   So I will have to start looking for some cars back home and see what we can do for him soon.   I guess until then,  he will have to  hike it,  which I'm pretty sure that wouldn't bother him so much since he is used to all the walking he has done already.    He was in Meridian, MS for his schooling,  so that base is pretty small and he had some friends out of bootcamp that were there with him,  so they would catch cabs all the time and split the bill,  much easier while he was in school.  This is huge adjustment for him..He loves his ship, liking his job...but just bored when not on duty.  What ship is your son assigned to? 

Good morning ladies!

kim, I see you've discovered the biggest problem with Norfolk and for the life of me I can't figure out why the largest Naval base in the world isn't more Sailor friendly.

Unfortunately there isn't a base shuttle. There is a city bus service that comes on base but it doesn't work as transportation around base because it only comes to the piers on weekends and only goes in one direction. My son tried to use it when he first got there (he didn't have a car either) and only got to ride it once and it didn't take him where he needed to go. We ended up buying him a car a couple weeks after he got there because he couldn't get anywhere without walking miles around the base which is no fun when you're carrying your laundry or other things.

Tell your son there is a recreation center at building C-80 which is by the piers where the ships are tied up and isn't a bad walk. There is a NEX mini mart near building C-80.  There is a better recreation center at building C-9 but it's a bit farther and a longer walk. My son would make the trek over there every day because they had free internet, tv, games, food, etc. The NEX is a long walk but my son did it several times in the weeks before he got his car just for something to do.

All ships have TV's and I'm surprised your son can't find one to watch. He needs to ask around see if maybe he just doesn't know where it is located yet.

The first couple of weeks on the ship are the hardest on new Sailors as they are overwhelmed and don't have a bunch of friends that can show them around. It will get better I promise.  He might not love being on the ship (like CO-Twin's son does) but he'll come to tolerate it (like my son does) and get things fingured out.

A car will make a big difference an allow him to get around so it probably won't be too long before he's talking about needing a car.

Let me know if you need more info.

Good Morning,

I'm from Missouri and my sailor is in Norfolk. I am so glad that Dad of Sailor is here for some info. Its a blessing.  What I have been reading is hard to imagine.