Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

It was 15 degrees this morning when my husband checked the temp. gauge!  It doesn't usually get that cold here. It's hard to believe that yesterday it was 70 when I headed for the base and by the time I arrived home it had gone down to 40! I saw on the news at the clinic that temperatures all over the country are suppose to plummet!  

Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom thanks for the support.Does anyone know anything about the Navy's process for recognizing a marriage and how long does it take to get married housing? I thought being on this site would be the place to get that info. Thanks in advance if anyone can help.

I went there - the last posting there was in 2010.  I have been scrolling through newer FB sites where people are posting looking for answers to moving etc of newlyweds - thanks though.

Once they have the marriage certificate (not the license) your Sailor takes it to the Personnel office and gets the new dependent added to the Sailors Page 2. They will start drawing housing allowance immediately (may take a check or two to show up) and can get on any housing waiting lists immediately. They can then go immediately to the ID Office and get her an ID and enrolled in DEERS. Then to the Tricare Office to enroll her in Tricare Prime (medical insurance).

It all happens immediately once they have proof they are married.

Dad of Sailor Thank you so much.  This is good news.  Then they can focus on moving her and her daughter from Colorado to VA

I know of two Norfolk girls who have gotten married that might help you. One is an IT She is Chinese and has a land duty.  

The other just moved from Pensacola two days ago and is a N4M member, She will be joining this group I imagine. Check the pensacola group for Cassidy.

Oh you are the best Dad of a Sailor. My sailor is about to be back from deployment and will be there after 2 weeks leave. 

CO-Twin,

Is he enjoying it as much now as when he first arrived or is he ready to get to port? Unfortunately the excitement of Norfolk wears off quickly for single Sailors who are stuck living on the ship and have no transportation. I hope he adjusts to being in port as well as he did getting underway. 

Hope your holidays were enjoyable.

Ship life for my sailor it seems had it's ups and downs.  he is used to success at whatever he tried and he is full of beans so he is used to being the center of attention and given responsibility.  He worked at a tourist mine all through high school. Was the gold panning instructor and he always made lots in tips he also worked in the gift shop, could outsell anyone there. His last year when 18 he got to do mine tours. So going to low on the totem pole, new kid on the block and having to follow orders did not sit well. As his Mom I think this is probably good for him. A dose of reality ya know. 

I hope he does well on base. I have a VW I bought in High school that He really likes. He has no drivers license now. I plan to get it restored and he wants the car. We'll see.

CO-TwinSalorsMomShip03Div233 I agree with you it can be tough but lessons are learned.  My son is 29 and so he gets labeled the "old man" and he is low man on the totem as well.  He loves having his car there.  With his next deployment not scheduled for over 8 months, living on a barge while his ship is being updated his car is his only escape from the base.  Also, during A school he had his car there and with so many sailors that didn't have transportation it helped him in making friends (because they wanted to get off base without walking or taking the bus) - he still keeps in contact with them.  So maybe him having the VW will help him.

aboun18 Thanks for the advice.  I don't know what DEERS is but I am sure my son does.  Hopefully they take the time in looking closely at both options.

tatmom4rc, a friend of my son lives here and likes it - http://www.breezypointapartments.com.  

This group has a ton of good info and resources in the Discussions - PCSing/Moving.

Co Twins

I will try and locate the two individuals that just got married.  Thanks.

Marcy

Thanks for the links.  I'll check them out and send them via email to my son.

I would not recommend Tricare Standard over Tricare Prime to a junior military family with a wife and small child. The out of pocket costs can get significant and most junior Sailors are not in a financial position to cover these costs. Tricare Prime is free to active duty Sailors and there are not copays or deductibles to deal with. With Tricare Standard they could have to pay up to $1000 a year in healthcare costs which would be $0 under Tricare Prime.

TaylorsMOM,

He just needs to go to medical on his ship or to the hospital/clinic if he is on shore duty. He can go to the hospital/clinic on any military base in the world for no charge. He has full medical and dental and just needs to make an appointment at either.

Going to a civilian doctor, even urgent care on leave requires pre-authorization from Tricare. I've pushed it before and went to urgent care while on leave without pre-authorization and Tricare paid it, however, their rules do say you need pre-authorization so they technically could deny the charges. Anything that is an emergency and requires an ER visit doesn't require pre-authorization, just routine things.

The Navy will give him annual eye exams and provide glasses and some places will do a contact fitting, however, the Navy won't provide the actual contact lenses and he'll have to buy those on his own. Best thing for him to do is contact medical and schedule and eye exam and then ask any questions he may have.

Tell him he's got full medical and dental and to start using it.

Can anyone recommend a real estate agent in the Norfolk area who's Navy friendly? My son wants to explore the renting vs. purchasing options. Also, anyone use Navy Federal for a mortgage? Thanks!

My son needs to sell  his new queen bed and beautiful sofa. Pics are on my page. His wife purchased these last June.  He got home from cruise in November, and  they've been stored since. 

I hope I have not broken any rules listing this here.  Just trying to be a good Mom.  Thanks to all.  Happy New Year!

Ken-55, I can't recommend a real estate agent in that area, but I wanted to suggest having your son check into mortgage rates with USAA, as well as Navy Fed. Good luck to your son!

Prayers to families and crew of the Sea Dragon Heliocopter that went down today

From Navy Times -  Update: Two aircrewmen are in stable condition and one is in surgery following this morning's crash. One crew member has died and crews from the Navy, Coast Guard and Virginia Beach Fire Department are searching for another. http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140108/NEWS/301080017/1-dead-1-m...

We're with you absolutely missG - prayers for all.

Josh'smom, use this link and scroll down to Naval Station Norfolk - http://www.discovermwr.com/navyfitness/fitnesscentersandgyms.html

Just had a friend move to Norfolk this week, they couldn't find anything nicest, so they went to Navy housing and got a really nice 3 bedroom house for a better deal. No deposits all utilities but cable and internet paid. Took two days!

CO-Twin SailorsMom,   did you see my earlier post.  My son came home from his cruise and wife had left.  He needs to sell the Queen bed that the wife only had slept in, and a blue couch, a small white table.  They were used slightly for 5 months.   They are in storage and must be out in next few days.  My son was left very little money and the bills to pay since arriving back from deployment in Nov. so I am hoping to find someone who wants to buy for a great price.  The pics are on my page as well as my son phone number. You can also send me an email or text if my son is working and unavailable. 530-503-5281.  The furniture was purchased in June while he was deployed.  I would appreciate if you pass the info to your friends, they'd get a great deal on new furniture.   

-Cyndi

I forwarded your post to a friend who just moved to Norfolk. I will give her this info Also she did say she may be interested in the couch. Her name is Cassidy.

TJCsMom,

Thanks for the info, I know his car insurance is through USAA. Nice to have 2 sources to compare.

abuon18,

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll pass it on to my son.

Dad of Sailor,

Thanks for the insurance information!

Co-twin Sailorsmom ,   thank you for passing the info.  

I wish i new how to let go and let him grow up  LOL

Hopefully we can get them sold and he can pay a few bills.  I know he was looking forward to coming home to a home, now he is living on a barge.   Life will be a little better for him when he can get a vehicle and maybe an apartment.  

Sorry about his situation. My friend said she messaged you and has not gotten a response but she is interested in the sofa.

i fell asleep real early last night.  but, i've already sent her my phone, sons phone and pics.   thank you for the help.    it's so sweet to have friends to listen and reach out too.

Good to know about:   ""With NAVY 311, Sailors have an easy-to-remember point of entry - via phone, email, Web, text, chat - to get on-demand non-tactical, non-emergency information assistance 24/7, classified or unclassified," said Kris Leonard, NAVY 311 Project Director."  Got a question? Call NAVY 311

*oh yeah - the article also says, "the NAVY 311 call center is available to the fleet, Sailors and their families, DoD civilians, contractors and the occasional inquisitive citizen."  :)

vtownmom- my daughter is in HM-14. I haven't found many aircrew moms on this page, but here's the link to Aircrew... http://navyformoms.com/group/aircrew

Hi angies, my daughter is also in HM-14

angies & missG  My son is also in HM-14

I see you are from Calhoon, as well, Qball00 so I am guessing that my friend from the Pensacola group is your DIL. I love her and look forward to meeting your son next week. You did a good job being a mama, raised a great young man.