Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Blake is assigned to the Enterprise (decommissioned 12/1/2012).  The Big E stayed at the Norfolk base until June 2013 and then she was tugged to the Newport News shipyard (where she was built in 1960-61).  The ship will eventually (2015 or 2016) be tugged to Bremerton, Washington ~ after the 8 reactors are completely taken down and removed.  Most of the other ships are at the main Norfolk base.

I am an Oklahoma Sooner fan and that is where my forum name came from.  We used to live in Edmond, Oklahoma and moved to the Dallas area in 2007.  Still <3 my Sooners!  Also an Arkansas Razorback fan.

I hope your son had a great time on the sightseeing tour with is uncle!

Gina

To all of you moms with sailors recently arriving in Hampton Roads: My husband and I open our home on the weekends for the sailors in the area(soldiers and Marines also) to give them a place to go and be away from the barracks or ships or barges. We play board games and of course we feed them! We get together on Saturday nights from 5 to 9 and Sunday from 1 to 5. Let me know if any of them would be interested.

Yvonne and John Wagner

Brrr!  From Norfolk Naval Station just now on FB:  

Winter Snow Warning.  Fleet Weather Center Norfolk is issuing a winter snow warning for Naval Station Norfolk & Chambers Field, from 1300 01/21/2014 until 0700 01/22/2014 local time. This system will bring light to moderate snowfall into the local area Tuesday night with 2-4 inches expected. This warning will either be extended or allowed to expire by 0700 01/22/2014.

Well my son had a wonderful weekend sightseeing with his Uncle.  He took him back last night.

 He called tonight and said he was just sitting around.  He doesn't have a vehicle yet and really wants to start going to the gym.  I told him to ask around and see if they have some type of shuttle or something that will come there to get them since they aren't on the base.  Do any of you know if something like this exists?  He likes to keep busy.

Josh'smom,

He can't be "responsible" for paying for his accommodations while TAD and not be reimbursed. Some piece of information is missing here. He needs to talk to his Chief, the Training Department on the ship or whoever was responsible for writing his orders and get it figured out before the ship gets underway.

What are you meaning by "housing"? Do you mean a barracks room or are you talking about housing for a family? You don't get to take your family when you go TAD and the word "housing" is normally used when talking about housing a family.

If it is just a barracks room he won't have to pay for a week or so, so he has time to get it figured out as long as he does it before his ship gets underway.

Let me know if you have more specifics or questions.

One other thing...if the C School is local they could be requiring him to sleep on the ship and not providing him a barracks room. If the ship is getting underway while he is still in school then that would be a problem. Sounds like there is a miscommunication somewhere along the way.

To:  Josh'smom My daughter was assigned to Norfolk last August and when she arrived, she did not have "housing" and her ship was out on deployment.  It took them awhile to get it all straightened out, approximately 3 to 5 days (I don't recall) but eventually they did.  Eventually, she was sent to the ship and they returned in November.  She recently found out that she can be given somewhere to stay so I'm sure his situation will work out soon.

If his chief is gone he should go to the Training Officer (they call it Train-O) and ask to have the orders modified to reflect the need for a barracks room while the ship is underway. Sounds like somebody forgot to consider that when the orders to attend school were written.

singingbird,

The housing office is for married family housing, not for single Sailor billeting. His problem needs to be handled by the Training Department on the ship. They need to modify his orders authorizing billeting and then he can go to the BEQ Office and get a room.  

Josh'smom,

Something still doesn't sound right with him going to school after the underway yet the school will have already started. I've never known a school to allow students after it has already been running for a while. He needs to get his chain of command involved and get him the correct info. The Training Officer is the one that is responsible for cutting the orders and scheduling the schools so they can assist as well.

singingbird,

No luck on A finding a place to crash? E is getting ready to deploy for nine months and I'd offer up his place but I don't know that he or his wife would appreciate a male roommate staying with his wife in their one bedroom place while he's gone. :)

There should be a bunch of stuff opening up on base when CVN 77 deploys. Hopefully he can get one of those rooms...

Josh'smom, my son was also just informed (Thursday of last week) that he will be attending C School, as well. He is currently on underway and he will be flown from the ship back to Norfolk to start school the beginning of next month. Maybe it's possible that your son will also be flown back to start class on time. Dad of Sailor, what do you think?

TJCsMom,

That is exactly what normally happens, they are flown back prior to the class starting. Someone in his chain of command or Training knows what is going and and need to convey it to the Sailor.

Coming up for Norfolk sailors - "It's not to late to sign up for MWR Liberty's Ski/Snowboarding Trip this Saturday, January 25th. E1-E4 $82, E5 & up $91 Civ Guest $100. Price includes ski/snowboard rental, lesson, lift ticket and transportation. Open to active duty and one guest age 18 or older. Cal 444-4033 for more information."

Singingbird - Oh we could only hope that they increase the duty pay & tuition assistance for our sailors but don't count on it.

The hazard duty pay was already reduced, due to the way it is calculated, and there was talk of doing away with it altogether.  According to some in our government, The Navy doesn't go to any areas dangerous enough to qualify for hazardous pay.  Not sure what map they're looking at!

The BAH rates for Virginia was reduced for fiscal 2014.  If sailors are currently in a lease, the amount won't be reduced but if they sign a new lease or get promoted, their BAH amount will be reduced to reflect the new allotment.

They certainly don't make it easy for our sailors. 

Josh'smom-Glad it is working out. I checked with my daughter, who is the Train-O on a ship in San Diego. She said if a a ship is underway, the Command Master Chief usually arranges for the Sailor to berth on another ship while attending school. She said that happens all the time, but if the school is a long one, they might set up a room in the barracks. She also recommended your son talk to the Train-O on his ship; he/she should handle the details.  Good luck!

To HuffyMom23,

I don't know about rides to the gym, and I know you said your son's uncle lives in the area, but if he would like to join other sailors in a home playing board games and eating home cooked meals, we would love to invite him over on the weekends. We get together on saturday evenings from 5 to9 and Sundays from 1 to 5.

Yvonne and John

No Hazardous areas for the Navy?? Oh really? Definitely not accurate. 

Article regarding hazardous duty pay, from the Navy Times 7 January 2014 - http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140107/BENEFITS/301070019/Troops...

Kay M we were just there to watch the ship come in for my son. He got us security pass to park on base also we had his twin with us who in also Navy. So you should ask your sailor to make sure you are on his LIST to be there.

Welcome Kay M!  Here is information on how to locate and get in touch with your son's command Ombudsman and Family Readiness Group (FRG) - http://navyformoms.com/group/whatsanombudsmanandhowtocontactthem/fo...

Too late to send hand warmers, so sending warm thoughts to Norfolk sailors!  

Winter Storm Warning  - The National Weather Service Wakefield VA has issued a winter storm warning that remains in effect from 10 AM this morning to 4 PM EST Wednesday. 

Areas affected included southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina. Expect 6 to 12 inches of snow; at times blowing snow. North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. 

Snow will begin around noon today and become heavy at times through Wednesday morning. The period of heaviest snowfall will occur tonight. Roads will become snow covered and icy due to temperatures below freezing and accumulating snowfall. The combination of snow and gusty winds will produce areas of blowing snow that will reduce visibilities below one half mile at times. Travel conditions will become dangerous, especially during the heaviest snowfall.

A winter storm warning for snow and blowing snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Further information will be posted throughout the day, to include on the Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Facebook and Twitter pages.

Hope all ours sailors stay safe during the snow storm !

A snowman on USS Theodore Roosevelt; Norfolk's Granby Street, and Doumar's Drive In on Monticello  :)

Thanks for posting the pictures Marcy. Was just asking DIL about their weather there in Va Beach.

mariab, that's too funny - hopefully he gets to stay home and in one place right now! :)  There are more photos here http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/snow-brings-midweek-break-norm.  

My son was enjoying the snow, he has a 4 wheeldrive pickup.  He called his dad and said it felt like he was back at home on the farm. lol   He was helping everybody that were getting stuck.  Loved it!

One of the sailors who comes over to our house on the weekends was out yesterday having fun in his 4 wheeldrive pickup truck also and helped 5 people who were stuck in the snow!  :)  He is also from a family who has a farm. :)  

Speaking of the sailors, I think most of you know that we open our home on the weekends and sometimes during the week for them to come over and eat, play board games and just fellowship together. And this year, thanks to one of the Marines and his wife who were here last year before they got transferred, gave us a big screen TV.  So if any of your sailor sons or daughters( or marines) would like to join us, please let them know they are welcome. And we are planning a SuperBowl party with lots of good snack foods. :)

Yvonne and John Wagner

Yvonne and John-  Does that sailor have a Dairy Farm?   It's wonderful what you do for the Sailors, in Norfolk. 

I'm not sure ckmom, I know one of his family members worked on a dairy farm for a while but I don't think the family member who has the farm has a dairy farm. Why?

:Yvonne

John and Yvonne-I sent you a friend request; my husband and I would like to help support your ministry.

Coming up Wednesday!  Open House with on-base colleges and universities.

Glad it finally worked itself out Josh'smom. You'd think this was the first time the Navy ever dealt with a situation like this huh? Amazing sometimes how we screw up the easiest things...

Hi, Just received the phone call from My Son that he has landed in Virginia. And was really happy that the sponsor that met him at the airport was a buddy from boot camp.

I am so proud to be a NavyMom, my Son has grown into such a amazing man ( always thought he was amazing, but now He is AMAZING). Just have the mom worries. But oh well.

I am so thankful for these sites I learn so much. Thank you.

Have a good day. S.

my son graduates from a school today and is headed to norfolk Im so proud of him and so sad i cant be with him today he will be on the uss san antonio anyone else here on that ship? or have family on there ?

to momofc.r.15 and sassymom9503,

Just noticed that your sons are stationed here and wanted to let you know that my husband and I invite the sailors(and soldiers and marines) over to our house on the weekends to give them a place to hang out, eat, play board games,etc. We meet here at 5 on Saturday evenings and on Sunday from 1 to 5. If you think either of your sons would be interested in joining us, we would be happy to invite them over. You can let them know about us and we would be willing to give you our phone number or you can give us theirs. Either way is ok.  

Yvonne and John Wagner

Hi my son graduated from A-school on Friday, and is now getting settled in at Norfolk today.  I am happy that we were able to share another great milestone in his navy career.  It seems to get harder to leave him each time I go visit. I need to send him a package, he is on the USS Marshall. Would anyone be able to direct me as to an address of where the mail is sent? or where he would go to pick up packages.  As for right he seems to be clueless.

Sunshinefam, I totally agree with you on it getting harder to leave them each time.  When my son went back at Christmas, I knew we wouldn't see him for awhile since he was heading to Norfolk.

 Luckily though we got a condo in Virginia Beach and get to go see him the end of April.  I wish both of his sisters could go too, but they are both in college. Next week he will turn 19 and his sister 21 on the same day.  He is in Norfolk, and she will be in Chicago for school business.  Now that is a double wammy because it will be the first birthday without either of them. :(  He will have duty and he said he didn't care because your 19th birthday isn't that big of a deal. ha

Sunshinefam, I'm not aware of a current US Navy ship by that name?

Very good point Marcy, I don't see a ship by that name, that is still in active service, either.

From the USS Eisenhower group...

Mailing Address:
Sailor's Name
Sailor's Department
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)
FPO AE 09532-2830

USS Eisenhower- IKE Family