Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

For families and friends of Sailors who are stationed at Norfolk; for either Sea Duty or Shore Duty Sailors. Just make sure to keep OPSEC issues in mind and not disclose ship movements in advance.

Weather - Norfolk

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  • Forever proud

    Cawin123 wearing my red shirt and my R.E.D. bracelet today with your daughter being one in my thoughts and prayers
  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    cawin123 - hugs to you momma - definitely praying for your daughter & her fellow shipmates - Fair Winds & Following Seas to them.

    Happy Valentine's Day!

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

  • mariecb

    HeyMa - I'll have to learn my Navy Terms to know what your son does.  My son is a MM3 (Machinest Mate who works with propulsion of the engine).  He joined the TR last March so has been there almost a year.  I'll have to talk with you on the TR group since I will be leaving this group soon. Will your son stay in SD with the ship when they return?  Ours will - it will be a nice place to visit.  We will be there when they leave Norfolk - will you?

  • mariecb

    HeyMa - thanks for the clarification.  I was going to ask my son on the phone tonight!  I will hope to meet you in SD at that glorious day...however, we may try take the tiger cruise from Hawaii to SD so maybe I'll be coming off the ship with our sons!  Have you heard about this?!

  • John and Yvonne

    Hi everyone!  Well, it snowed here in Virginia Beach/Norfolk! And we're suppose to get more today. I have to say I love the snow! We lived in Maine for 5 years and that's where I learned to love it. (Especially since the majority of the year was winter!)  lol I hope your sailors are enjoying it as well. Have a blessed day!

    Yvonne

  • Forever proud

    mariecb and HeyMa - the tiger cruise is a MUST! You will be so glad you did it! HeyMa even if you go without your husband, you should try to go. The food is awful, the hours are horrendous (they reveille at like 5:30 am for breakfast - you CANNOT sleep through that), the water does not run constantly when showering - you have to hold the shower head direct the water with one hand and push the button for water with the other which third hand do you use to soap with?, if you don't get a bottom berth and are over 40 years old, you can pretty much forget being able to get in
    But the stuff you get to see! We got to ride in an LCAC, tour forbidden places in the ship, there was and F18 aerial show and the offload of all the helicopters, LCACs and other craft before coming into port. And my favorite part: the manning of the rails for the cruise in. Breathtaking!!!
  • mariecb

    Forever proud - You description of  the tiger cruise is a little scary for a 50+ age menopausal mom - lol!! 

  • Forever proud

    mariecb - I am a 50+ menopausal mom too! It was exhausting but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. My 67 year old Aunt went as well and though she didn't participate in all the activities, she did quite well! She had fun
  • mariecb

    Forever proud - thanks for the information and inspiration!  It is a once in a lifetime experience!!  I hope all 3 of us in our family can go.

  • HuffyMom23

    Happy Birthday to my two youngest today! My daughter is 22 and my Navy son is 20.  I am happy to have my daughter home from college for her birthday.  But we are sad to miss sharing it with our son.  Second year in a row missing his birthday.  But we all understand and are extremely proud he is serving our country.  Hopefully his Aunt and Uncle out there in Norfolk will take him out for his birthday tonight.  I hope everyone is staying safe and warm in all this crazy winter weather.  We are suppose to get snow again today and tomorrow.  But we are not experiencing the craziness of some of these other states. 

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Happy Friday All!

    HuffyMom23 - Happy Birthday to your kiddos!  I'm glad you can at least spend it with your daughter - and I'm sure your sailor knows you are thinking of him! 

    My sailor & his roommate are heading to VA early (2am) tomorrow morning.  He made it back to NY last night - whew!

    The Tiger Cruises sound amazing - I sure hope the Truman does something so my hubby can go (and maybe me too!).

    Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ;-)

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Monday!  My son & his roommate made it to VA on Saturday.  They got their apt rented - now just waiting for the movers to get their furniture delivered.  They both report to their ships on Thursday so are really hoping furniture comes today or tomorrow.  I guess they don't deliver on the weekends so if it doesn't get delivered they are going to have an issue!  Fingers crossed it all works out.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Hey all!  Just a heads-up to share with your sailors from Naval Operational Security (OPSEC) posted today:  "Be aware of a spear phishing campaign targeting users with a Navy Federal Credit Union account. There are multiple senders and the subject line of the malicious emails vary, but appear similar to "Account Alert", "NFCU Notification", "Notification Alert", or "Account Notification". The email contains an attachment that links to a phishing page.
    OPSEC Best Practices: Verify links and sources of emails."

  • Leach73

    Thank you Marcy! I sent an email to my sailor to let her know!

    have a great day!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

    Thanks for sharing that Marcy - I've forwarded it on to my sailor too.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Happy Friday!

  • Michelle

    My sailor needs an auto mechanic in Norfolk that will treat him fair. Any suggestions?
  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

    Michelle - my son just got to Norfolk last week so unfortunately I can't offer any suggestions for a mechanic, but I am going to make note of suggestions you get!

  • LadyDi

    Hi Michelle!  I'm checking with my son who is stationed there to see who he used for some recent car work. He did ask if there is something specific your sailor needs or is it just general mechanic work?

  • DARmom

    Mechanic Info:  Here is info posted by another member a while back (a 2nd member also had work done there) "

    Accurate-Tune Plus 757-226-8863, JT is the gentleman to talk to. My son had several things done there and I talked to him personally.  They also have great reviews and we were referred to them."  Good Luck!

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    DARmom, awesome you could dig that up!  I just made a new Discussion and called it "CAR FAQs for sailors" with a compilation of moms' recommendations and other info, so we'll have one place to add good info when the subject comes up again, as it often does!  

  • Michelle

    Thank you ladies so very much!!! I don't know what I'd do without you!

    LadyDi, my son's car window will not roll up. He's driving around with a trash bag on it for now. :(
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Michelle, tell your son to take it to Maaco in Portsmouth.  They fixed my son's driver side car window when it went off the track.  Charged very little too.  Phone 757-335-6490 and they are open Saturdays till noon.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    ps I think they were extra-accomodating as he was about to deploy for a few weeks  :)  Anyway they were great about taking care of it.  

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Monday!  This was my beautiful SoCal sunrise this morning on my way to work.  Just had to share....

  • LadyDi

    Hi all!  I almost never post since I don't have a lot to share about the Norfolk area since I live in Florida even though my sailor is in Norfolk.  With that said, I am looking for advice.

    My son said he will be shipping out for the very first time in his 5 years with the Navy soon, (I have not asked for dates, details etc, as I know I won't get them) so I was hoping I'd get some pointers from the mom's who've been there done that.

    I have his ship address, and he said I could follow the Facebook page of his ship to get any other details, but are there any other tips or things I should know as he heads out?

    Thanks so much!

  • CO-TwinSalorsMom

    My sons ship Facebook page is wonderful. Captain writes posts and they post lots of pictures while underway and on deployment. Helps Mom a lot to see these things. Always pour over pictures to see a glimpse of my sailor. Such a thrill when I see him.

    I put his phone on Military hold while he is gone and he gets no charges the whole time. He can use the ship phone and we can FB message and email. 

  • abuon18

    LadyDi - make sure your son adds you to the FRG/OMBUDSMAN email lists. They are the official source of information so if communications go down, or when it's time for homecoming, they will be the ones to relay that information, as well as any official communications from the Captain or Chaplain (like when my husband's deployment got extended, the Captain wrote a letter to tge families which was sent through the ombudsman.)
  • abuon18

    PS - they are 2 separate email lists.
  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

  • CO-TwinSalorsMom

    I believe my son had an iPad or his laptop on board. 

  • abuon18

    They can only use their personal devices while they are in port, there is no internet on the ship except for the work computers that are hardwired. But they have access to use those computers when they're not in port. Depending on their work center how often they can use them for personal use may vary but that's how they check emails and get on Facebook chat when they are at sea.
  • LadyDi

    Abuoun18 - I know my son has added me to the OMBUDSMAN email list, but not sure about the FRG one. (what does that stand for?) I've asked him to make sure he adds me to that as well.

    CO-TwinSalorsMom - We gave him an iPad recently so hopefully he'll remember to take it with him.  He also mentioned he would be able to bring his Xbox with him, does that seem reasonable?

  • abuon18

    The FRG is the Family Readiness Group, they are supposed to hold meetings throughout the deployment to update families and answer any questions, help families get through. And they will email minutes of the meetings so if there is any pertinent information you will receive it even if you are not able to be present.

    My husband's ship had a couple of spaces where they were able to have an Xbox & PlayStation. In their barracks room they have a common space that is like a lounge with some "couches" and tables so he can use it there, and he might also be able to keep it I'm his workspace if it is large enough but by know he will know what he is allowed to bring, so if he says it's okay I'm sure it is! An iPad is great to have on deployment vs a laptop because it's much less bulky. Since they won't have access to internet on the ship, you may want to suggest that he downloads some movies, books, games, TV shows, whatever he likes, to it before they deploy so he will have it to keep himaelf entertained during their time at sea. He won't be able to download anything until they hit a port so it's great if he downloads it before he leaves.
  • juliw

    Good morning everyone! I don't post very often but I do read everyone's posts. I'm wondering if anyone else has a sailor deployed on the USNS Arctic. The Arctic doesn't have a group here or a Facebook page. Apparently, it's crewed by civilians. 

  • CO-TwinSalorsMom

    I have no idea about an xbox. My son is an IT so it makes sense that he has access to FB and text mom.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy 1st day of Spring!

  • LadyDi

    Thanks everyone for your great ideas and suggestions for when my sailor goes underway.  I appreciate it!

  • TwoForTheNavy

    HI John and Yvonne. I have sent you a private message regarding your Sunday get togethers for the sailors. Please let me know if you get it. My daughter would like to know about it. She is an officer stationed in Norfolk.
  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    Welcome batmom90!  You're in the right place.  This group covers the Hampton Roads area, which includes Norfolk (largest base in the world), Newport News, Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek, Oceana/Dam Neck, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Williamsburg and Yorktown.  Interesting fact:  Hampton Roads is home to over 20% of the entire US Navy!  

  • oneproudmamma

    I don't post often, but I do read your comments. I just want to give an update on my sailor. She is happily married for just over a year and is expecting my first grand baby. She is a bit bumbed she had to miss her first deployment, but is excited to extend their little family. She came home for a short visit in February with her husband and we were able to do a baby shower for her. Her husband is also a sailor.
  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

    June - congrats to you on becoming a grandmamma!  My hubby sooooo wants to be a grandpapa lol! (I'll admit, I'd like it too, but don't see it happening anytime soon.)

  • oneproudmamma

    Thank you ladies!! We are excited to welcome not only the first grand baby, but the first great grand baby in the family. We would have liked for the kids to wait a bit longer, but God had other plans. :)
  • Cat123

    My son is going to be at Naval Base in Norfolk.  Don't know anything about the better & safer areas and good apartments.  Any suggestions are welcome.

  • Melinda

    My sailor is looking also.
  • LadyDi

    My son & his girlfriend have a nice place on Lakeshore Drive in Hampton. They have an easy release clause in case they transferred before the lease is up.
  • Cat123

    Thanks, Tonya M.  Is your sailor in an apt complex?  

  • abuon18

    Cat123 & Melinda: are they single or married, if single will they be receiving BAH?
    Granby St is considered the Ghent area and one of the nicest in Norfolk to live in, downtown, walking distance to restaurants, shops, entertainment, so it's a great location but cab be expensive.
    Most people live in Chesapeake or Virginia Beach because they're generally safer. Generally the farther away from base you get the nicer the living area is.
  • Melinda

    Married with a one year old. I think they want to find a house to rent one with an extra bedroom for Nana. Lol