Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

1316 members

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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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!

Mar 3, 2015
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?

Mar 3, 2015
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!

Mar 3, 2015
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!

Mar 4, 2015
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. :(

Mar 4, 2015
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.

Mar 4, 2015
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.

Mar 4, 2015
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....

Mar 16, 2015
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!

Mar 16, 2015
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.

Mar 17, 2015
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.)

Mar 17, 2015
abuon18

PS - they are 2 separate email lists.

Mar 17, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

Mar 17, 2015
CO-TwinSalorsMom

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

Mar 17, 2015
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.

Mar 18, 2015
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?

Mar 18, 2015
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.

Mar 18, 2015
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.

Mar 18, 2015
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.

Mar 18, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

Hi all - Happy 1st day of Spring!

Mar 20, 2015
LadyDi

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

Mar 20, 2015
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.

Mar 20, 2015
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!

Mar 21, 2015
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.

Mar 24, 2015
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.)

Mar 24, 2015
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. :)

Mar 24, 2015
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.

Mar 24, 2015
Melinda

My sailor is looking also.

Mar 24, 2015
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.

Mar 24, 2015
Cat123

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

Mar 24, 2015
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.

Mar 24, 2015
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

Mar 24, 2015
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Here's the link with contact info for the Navy Housing Welcome Center for Norfolk, a good resource and they can help with leases. I'm with abuon18 - like Ghent very much too and the commute is easy - no freeway needed, and no tunnels or bridges in between. Old Dominion University is there too. Wherever your sailor looks, be aware that commuter-hour traffic is a real concern, and tunnel and bridge blockages can ruin your day :(

Mar 24, 2015
abuon18

Melinda, I would suggest Chesapeake fornyoue daughter's family. It's a really family friendly area and to be honest the commute is almost always going to be a nightmare if you're not in Norfolk. If they are looking for a house over an apartment I would suggest a Realtor to help them look - they can help your daughter find safe areas & have first hand access to what's available for rent. It would have been a nightmare if I would have had to do it without help, lol!

Mar 24, 2015
Cat123

My sailor's single.

Mar 24, 2015
Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

Try joining this group - "Navy Home Search" on Facebook. A mix of Navy people posting their needs/ISO's, and Realtors posting listings both for lease and for sale. People share a lot of good information there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/137720826328215/

Mar 24, 2015
Melinda

Thank you so much.

Mar 24, 2015
abuon18

Cat123 - does your son/daughter receive BAH yet? (I believe they have to be an e5 to receive BAH as a single Sailor.) If not I suggest they look for a roommate. It would be very expensive to live on his/her own without BAH or a roommate.

Mar 25, 2015
abuon18

Also, as a follow up to Tonya's response about her daughter's rent in Ghent, my husband and I pay $1,000 a month for a 2/2 in Virginia Beach.

Mar 25, 2015
abuon18

It's just the way the area fluctuates! Ghent is known for being pricier. We live in a safe area, and we have a house with a yard, our own garage, etc. But Ghent is very in demand and as far as living in Norfolk goes, it's really the only place that people think of as "safe"... Ghent & Larchmont. So you definitely pay for that!

Mar 25, 2015
abuon18

Obviously priorities are different for everyone - if she's single and her main concern is being close to work then it's perfect for her. It sounds super safe, and she can walk to restaurants, stores, theaters, bars, coffee shops, gyms, anything and everything! We looked in Ghent too but to find a 2 bedroom with parking (plus we have a dog) was just outrageous. So we ended up in VB, which is much more budget friendly but we would prefer to be in Ghent. When we decided to buy, we looked in Ghent again but ultimately ended up in Chesapeake.

Mar 25, 2015
Cat123

I'm not sure if he receives BAH yet. I appreciate knowing that Larchmont and Ghent are the areas that are considered safe in Norfolk. Are they the only safe areas? I think he'd rather not have a long commute or have to deal with traffic, but would want something safe.

Mar 25, 2015
Melinda

I found out last night my daughter will be stationed in Norfolk and her husband in Oceana. So they want to try to find something in between. I don't even know where Oceana is. Any suggestions?

Mar 25, 2015
abuon18

Melinda, Oceana is in Virginia Beach. They are about 20-30 miles from each other.

Cat123, I would not live anywhere else in Norfolk knowing my husband is going to be gone often and I will be alone a lot.

Mar 25, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

Happy Wednesday!

My son lives in Virginia Beach - has a roommate (they were roomies together in NY too). They rent at Midtown @ Town Center. They've only been there for about a month now, but so far they like it. He's also an E-5 so he gets housing allowance (BAH).

Mar 25, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

BAH=Basic Allowance for Housing

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/basic-allowance-for-h...

Mar 25, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

Hi all - Happy Thursday!

Navy Mom Deanna - good luck to your son at his new home port!

Mar 26, 2015
scubagirl

I am new to this group. My son arrived in Norfolk the first week of March and is a MM on a fast attack sub. We live in GA and have 3 children. Youngest one (23) is our sailor. His PIR was 7/25/14. He was in Groton until mid Feb and now in Norfolk for 3 years. He just left on his first underway this morning. He was being flown out to his boat, the USS Newport News. I have not been able to find anyone on any of the sites I belong to with a sailor on this sub, I guess my son is doing it all. LOL. Hoping to connect with other moms or wives with fellow sailors on this boat. Have a great day.

Mar 26, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

Hey scubagirl - nice to see you over here! I can't help you with being on the sub - mine's on the USS Truman (carrier), but hopefully someone here can. Mine just got there the end of February....

Mar 26, 2015
scubagirl

Thanks B'sNukeMom. I just find this site today. I have someone helping to find out more info regarding my son's sub as alot of the groups are secret. He called and we spoke so quickly that I did not ask all the questions I should have. Thank goodness this is a short underway and I know I will ask tons of questions before they deploy at the end of the year. My had to report the first of March so our sailors got to Norfolk about the same time. My is living on base and has a roommate but has never met him as he is out to sea at this time. Just hoping my son remembered to lock everything up before he left today since he does not know when roommate will return and has not met him. I read about too much theft.

Mar 26, 2015