Norfolk Sailors - Family & Friends

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!!

Congratulations Mav, what a huge accomplishment for him. Good luck to you and best wishes. 

Hi everyone!  I’m here too. My son has been in Norfolk since December 2020. 

Wiffer peanut - Please tell your daughter thank you for her service from us. I hope that you are able to enjoy some time with her after she has been gone overseas. 

Please do not remove or delete your account as we lose all information that was previously shared. You may simply turn off the notifications, both in your settings on your profile page and also by clicking below this comment window. 

Tabitha, it is good to hear from you as well. Please also, tell your sailor thank you for their years of service. 

MAV & Shanny - Hi!

I'm still here also. 

Since the explosion of fb, it seems that this site doesn't get a lot of activity. I still read all the comments though !!

I had to rest my password as It has been so long since I logged in, I forgot what it was !! Lol !! 

My son now has 11 years in. He has changed his rate. No longer IT. He has gone EOD. 

Pits been a wild ride these past few years !

Chipmunk, Thank you, I most definitely will. 

Maryland mom, one of the reasons I love this site is because I'm not on Facebook. So I am definitely glad it was here, especially when I needed answers 

Shanny, Hello glad you are here to 

Hi! i'm still here. I do utilize Facebook more, but I do check this site periodically. My son has been stationed in Norfolk since January and is currently deployed. NBMH to all you guys!! :)

Good Morning Tigermom98, Tabitha, & MarylandMom - I had full intentions to get back over to this group on Wed & Thur and say hi to you all but I have a lot going on here on the homefront.  

My mornings have also been usually blessed with a phone call from my sailor gal (my sailor's wife)  - which just occurred and delayed this posting by over an hour. 

I am glad you all are sticking around and responding here. I do not have a FB account and personally like the atmosphere of our group here. I do have a private paged group on this site that I started over a year ago for anyone that has an enlisted sailor. We are much more active and just do what we can to support each other and ask or answer questions. If you are interested in joining that group, please comment on my page and I will connect you with the information.

May you all have a wonderful day!

MAV - I hope you are able to help your sailor get settled. Thinking about you today!

Thank you Chipmunk!!! Heading down now. Can’t wait to hug him. Thank you for everything!!! I’ll let everyone know how things go and I’m excited to see the area. I’ve been to a few tourist areas down there but never near the ports. 
Hope everyone has a nice weekend!!

MAV - You are welcome!

Finally visited my Sailor this past week.. It was rainey, cold, and windy on Monday in Newport News.. but the hugs and time spent were warm and sweet... He even bought us all t-shirts and gave challenge coins to his brothers.. He is doing well. Iam very thankful to be able to visit him for a little bit. 

Dawn - I am so glad that you were able to spend some time with your sailor! I find it very helpful to me to see my sailor where he is at in each of his various locations. I have a picture in my mind, I know his surroundings, & I generally meet one or two of his shipmates which gives me more of a sense of what life is like for him. 

Hello All - I just saw this in my MSN news feed when I opened a new tab on my computer - Norfolk Naval Shipyard hiring with up to $5K sign-on bonus (msn.com) - I don't know if anyone has someone who has completed their enlistment period and looking for a job in the area, but I thought I would share this. 

Good Morning Norfolk & Newport News families!! I hope all is well with you and your sailors.  

Good Morning Everyone!! I hope things are going well for our families. 

Hello, not exactly sure if this is where I need to be. My son mentioned Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Oceania. I know he will be with a squadron on the Harry Truman as soon as he finishes his school in Lemoore as a Aviation Electronic Technician. If I am in the wrong place please let me know, sometimes the information he gives me confuses me more than it should.