Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

Here is the link for the group - https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/uss-gerald-r-ford-cvn78

Sorry, I haven't figured out how to get the blue hyperlinks to correctly copy and paste in comments. 

I talked to a Navy Mom and she said that your Sailor has to give your name to the Ombudsman and then she will contact you to be able to see a ship off and for the homecoming. Hope that helps any Moms who aren't sure. 

Have a fantastic day!

Our sailor is deployed.  We just got his address on his ship.  What kind of things are we allowed to send in care packages?  Does it take a long time for things to arrive?

Cat123 - I don't know much about deployment and this site seems to not be followed as well as I was hoping. B'sNukeMom is currently on vacation.  - Did you get on the Ombudsman's list? I believe for Subs they have to get their packages to the Ombudsmen before they deploy but not sure about surface ships. 

Here is the link for the Care Package Ideas group 

https://navyformoms.ning.com/group/carepackageideas

You might be able to search through the discussions and see if you can figure anything out or post on there with your questions. 

Chipmunk - Thanks for the information.  I'll check out the link you sent.  

Cat123,

As far as sweets, most anything can be sent...except don't send fudge and chocolate ..it melts.  And if you send cookies, I usually individually wrap them and put them in a container. It's wise to put strong tape around the container so that the cookies don't end up out of it. Snacks are good, like nuts and trail mix. Some send some of the personal things like deodorant and things like that if they can't get them themselves. As far as how long it takes...sometimes a month and sometimes much longer, depending where they are. One suggestion from me: if a birthday is coming up, rather than try to send a cake, I make peanut brittle in the microwave, put it in a cake pan to harden after I've put a candle size hole in the middle. Then I send the candle, some balloons, a funny movie,  Dollar Tree games, etc, Let your imagination run away with you. :) Sometimes candy one usually gets at the movie theater too. :) I hope that helps!! Have fun. Oh, and if they are out on a holiday, I try and send things related to that holiday, even a very small Christmas tree with little decorations. they usually share some of those things with others. :)

Yvonne and John 

John and Yvonne - Thank you for all the suggestions!  I didn't realize packages would take so long to arrive.  Is that true of regular mail too?  I may have to send some documents and wonder if there's an expedited way to mail to an FPO address?  Thanks again for all your good ideas.  

Hello Cat123.

It all depends as far as how long care packages take and where they are. There have been times when the Sailors have gotten them much earlier than I expected. Concerning regular mail-I would think that it would get there earlier, but I'm not sure. I'll have to ask around. 

Yvonne and John

Very excited that we got an email from our sailor!  He doesn't think he will receive any packages or letters until they get to port in some months.  Does anyone know if we send him mail or packages if they will be held or do they get returned if they're not in port?

You can mail him letters and packages to his FPO/APO address and he will get them at sea. They deliver them at RAP (replenishment at sea).

Thanks for the information.  I'm learning a lot.

Anyone know of good motels near where the USS Gerald R Ford is located at? Thanks!

Chipmunk,

I have no idea of motels near there. If it was for where we live I could recommend some. Sorry. I would suggest googling them. You should be able to find some good ones. 

Yvonne

Yvonne, Thank you! I also needed to know specifically where the Ford was moored, so I could decided which was the best location. My sailor was finally able to call me this afternoon and by the time I got done with the other reservations and started on the hotel ones, things were already booked!! 

But I found something that will accommodate the family and not toooo expensive. This trip is one expensive birthday present. Now to figure out how to get a cake made for him. Not sure if I can make that happen. 

Chipmunk, glad you found what you're looking for!  how many people are coming for your sailor's birthday? Sounds like a big group!  Do you belong to Sams or Costco ? I know they make cakes. My daughter bought a cake at Costcos and it was delicious!  If you do belong to either of them, you could google the ones here and put in an order. Hope that helps. :)

Yvonne

Yvonne there are just four of us coming, but that makes 5 in a room with our sailor, so I was trying to find adequate space and beds. Thanks for the suggestion to check out Sam's. 

His favorite cake is an orange cake with caramel frosting. Duncan Hines use to have a premade one, but at least in our area, they have quit carrying it. So in the past, I have made from scratch.   

Chipmunk,

Are you driving or flying? I'm guessing driving?

Sams might be able to make that kind, or You could make the cake at home  and put in an ice chest so it would stay fresh. Just a suggestion. :) How long will you be here? We would love to meet you if you have the time.

Yvonne

Fleet Week - my husband just shared this information with me. https://www.pilotonline.com/military/vp-nw-aircraft-carrier-tours-f...

Does anyone know if you have to have your sailor with you to attend these activities? I am sure you do for the discounts?

Just a reminder - today is when you can visit the Aircraft carrier at Norfolk if you would like. the information is in the link from my last post. Unfortunately, our time last week in Newport News was occupied with other activities for our son's b'day and we had to be back home, but I would have enjoyed doing the tour, even if there was a crowd!!

AnnieKay, I am sorry no one has replied to you. This site does not seem to have a lot of active responders on it, despite the number of members. I am still fairly new to all of this fleet stuff and my son is not deployed, so I am going to just give you general info. 

I would check with your local post office. I don't even know how you send packages to a ship, but they might be able to help you. Are you on your ship's FB page, if they have one. Did your son give your contact information to his Ombudsman? The ombudsman should be able to help you out as well. 

Let me know if you are still needing more help with this. 

* I meant this group, not the site in general.

AnnieKay - hope this helps. It is from the usps website.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving Day!

Hello fellow Navy Wives, 

I need your advice!

My husband just got stationed in VA a week from today already. He is staying in barracks. I didn't move with him to VA because we wanted to get a house already. 

We wanted to get a house already because we wanted to invest early while we can. (Thinking that properties could appreciate in value in the next years to come). And as much as possible we wanted to maximize the use of BAH by using it to pay mortgage. 

With that, we may have a house but there might be less time he'd be able to go home because he still have to travel (from his duty station).

Another option is we buy a house, and if we plan to be together where he is stationed at, then we will rent out the house. 

Anyone, please advice or share any pros and cons. 

Thank you. 

Jarj - Hopefully, you will have some responses in the next few days. My son is stationed in Norfolk but he is assigned to a carrier that has full berthing facilities. I believe that the married couples are able to either buy a house or rent. I will say from my son's comments about the commute time you will want to keep that in mind when looking for a place to live.

As to buying or renting there are a lot of factors involved, hopefully some others will share their experiences. 

Hello All Navy Moms in Norfolk

My son just left back Saturday he stayed with his brother and family who is a Veteran.  My other in Norfolk, has been in 24  years now, always on a carrier so he will retire 2021 c how the jobs out in the real world are.

Blessed New Years to All of You

Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope our sailors are able to enjoy some time with their family or friends!

My husband just sent this link to me, a video from the Navy Chief of Operations regarding the current situation. I appreciated it.
https://news.usni.org/2020/03/19/video-cno-message-to-the-fleet-on-...

Hey everyone - 41 days until the election.  Please remind your Sailor's to vote - they can go to FVAP.gov for information.

If you have a sailor on the Ford (CVN78) here's the link to the group:

USS Gerald R Ford CVN 78

Hi all - Happy Wednesday!

27 days until the election - remind your Sailors to vote!  They can go to FVAP.gov for information.

I saw this in one of my facebook groups – “if you have Verizon as your phone carrier they have rolled out a program that automatically takes the Unknown and Potential Spam calls and sends them to your voicemail.  This has already been placed on your account.  You can call Verizon or use the My Verizon app to opt out of this services.  If you have the app you can go to Contact Us and choose We’ll Call You and put Other as reason and choose Call Me as soon as possible.” 

This is especially important if you have an SR in bootcamp or a sailor deployed.  You don’t want to miss any calls!

I don't know about other carriers but I can vouch for this happening with Verizon as I have Verizon.

Remember to set your clocks back one hour, for those of us that have to.!

As of Wednesday (today), Hampton Roads installation is going to HPCON Charlie 

B'sNukeMom - Thank you for sharing this information. I missed it the other day but saw it on my son's ombudsman page. I am learning to go to the source though with each and every new change!

oneals88 - were you trying to post something?  Nothing shows up.

Oneals88 - I also saw you were trying to post something. I have to be away from my computer most of the afternoon but I do have a sailor in Norfolk if you need to ask a question. Feel free to post a comment on my page (just click on my chipmunk) and you can post. I have my comments set to be approved so if you need to post something private, I can see it but no one else. 

As long as it is in the comments on My Page. 

I just realized that it has been almost a year since I posted anything on this group page. I just wanted to update and let anyone looking for information to know that I am still available. 

I know that the Norfolk area is possibly going to receive snow again this weekend. For any of you wondering about your sailors, be sure to see if they have a new schedule update from their command. Many things are taken into consideration, and the safety of our sailors is foremost. 

Good Morning everyone!! I seem to be about the only one posting on this group anymore but I am sharing this anyway, since I have people reaching out to me privately (which is fine, I just can't always spend a lot of individual time - although I enjoy doing it.)

I see there is some information in the discussions above but I have been asked about housing in the area. I found this link 

Naval Station Norfolk (navy.mil)

while hunting for information on PPVs (Public Private Ventures). Privatized Housing (navy.mil)

I don't know if all of these are apartments, but I have a female sailor friend who stayed in one prior to receiving her E-5 and BHA. Hers was like a small apartment with a shared bathroom. From what she shared, as with regular military housing, the Navy will issue the sailor their BHA (Basic Housing Allowance) for the area, but then they will take all of that BHA back to pay for their rent. 

If you are not familiar this is different than someone who receives BHA and uses it towards a private apartment or house mortgage. Those the sailor either will have a little left over for utilities and such or will need to pay extra out of pocket depending on what housing they choose, and the allowance given for the Norfolk area. 

I don't know what the average is for apartments, but I know some sailors who are paying around $1200.00 / month for rent plus some extra fees for a 2-bedroom apartment, if that helps with some ideas of cost. 

Fleet & Family Support Programs - Naval Station Norfolk

Norfolk (navymwrnavalstationnorfolk.com)

Fleet and Family Readiness (several in the Norfolk area)

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (navy.mil)

Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads (navy.mil)

Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg (navy.mil)

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic

Naval Station Norfolk (navy.mil)

Some information that might be helpful to those with sailors headed to the Norfolk area. 

Wow Chipmunk. You were right. Thisis a quiet board!

Good morning everyone! 

I don't know who still follows this group much, as we have very little activity on here. I rarely post on this N4M site when I see headline news about incidents that occur, because I never know who may not know information or how it will affect others.  So, I will just say this.

No matter what ship your sailor is assigned to, whether it is in Norfolk, or over in the shipyards at Newport News, we are Navy family here. If you are hurting, struggling, feeling like you are alone with things, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

If we can help you get connected to the ombudsman associated with your sailor's ship, or one of the ombudsmen for the Norfolk area, please ask for help. If you just need to share something privately, know that you are not alone. It can be hard to be part of the Navy family, and yet be a long distance from your sailor, especially those that are our children, but who now are adults and free to make their own decisions and choices, with or without our knowledge. 

There are several of us in various groups on this site as well that are still active. And my comments are moderated so if you need to post there feel free to do so. 

If you need help finding other groups on this site, please post here in the comment wall. 

Thank you! I follow and am a new mom with sailor in Newport News at the moment. I have many concerns about things and look here for information. I hope we can keep group active. 
Thank you Chipmunk!!

~MAV

Thank you Tabitha!! He graduated in January and recently came to Newport News, been there maybe 2 months. I’m actually coming to visit him this weekend to help him straighten out some issues he’s been having. At least I hope I can help. Nice to hear back from someone already!!

Blessings to you and your family as well!!