Just wondering if anyone on here had a sailor that was on the Truman during the last deployment? I was just curious as to how long the deployment lasted and where they went, ie what ports they visited?
This is a diary of the activities online of the Truman. Its a public site, so I don't think I am breaking any rules. It's all "past" information. Very informative.
OMG - DenverNavyMom - that is awesome info! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to print it out for family members who always ask about what a deployment might be like. At least we can show what it's been in the past ;-) Thanks again!
Good morning everyone. I am wondering if any of our moms here have had a sailor deploy on a ship before? I am already starting to plan my care packages.
1st how long does it usually take for a care package to arrive on a ship???
2nd. What are the most requested items.
3rd what are the most practical items!!! (My mom is coming out here)
Considering their limited space I'm not sure how practical it is to send packages often. I would love some opinions.
If I want to send them often I probably need to start organizing them now. I can see filling one of those usps flat rate boxes could get costly.
I know my son is saying from being on the ship during their training that he really wants currents news. Said he felt out of touch with the world without his CNN. Lol so I know I will print out some news items to send but i told him he will have to share with his mates the news and any excess care items.
DenverNavyMom. I sent one care package a month for my Munchkin last time. I used mostly the Medium Priority squarish box. Can't speak for everyone but this was my experience. First off, he LOVED getting them.
At first, not knowing what he'd be missing, I'd send him fast food sort of stuff like his favorite small beef stew or pork and beans, like that. He asked me not to send him that stuff because he really had no place to store it.
I always decorated the inside of the box if it was a holiday....Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. He liked that. I sent him some good pens, a small stack of post cards from the post office (to encourage him to drop a line...ha), Some of his favorite junk food and candy. A box of Christmas cookies from our favorite bakery. Also send a dozen or so half masks, some small skeletons and some candy corn for that holiday. Cashews, A bag of lollipops, a few photos mounted really nice on poster board, a few assorted greeting cards like for birthdays and such...not a lot...but enough so he'd have a few if he wanted to give some one something. Some of those fold-out turkeys...the small ones he could open and hang round his bunk, a phone card or two, I always tried to find creative ways to pack the boxes while using every space available. Put the skeletons in the bags of candy corn, for instance. I send him a cassette tape I recorded for him with some silly songs on it....especially about the Navy..and the Marines.
Tried to include extra things that he could share with his buddies, too. So many of those Sailors have nobody to send them anything.
The packages were mostly delivered timely. From 10 days or so...but a few took WEEKS. Depends on where the ship is and what it's doing. I had no luck sending chocolate anything...but others did....
The most important thing seems to be anything with a touch of home in it. He loved the photos. For his birthday, I sent him some of his baby pictures and a few funny stories.
Good luck....
Always send them Priority Mail....and always make very sure your address is perfect.
Dear GrandmaBarB, I have never used Priority boxes from the USPS. Do you get them at the Post office? Do we have get the International boxes - they are $42-62! Thanks
Hope - the Priority boxes are free & you can order them online. Take a look at the link I posted. They will deliver the boxes to your home or you can pick them up at your local post office ;-)
Dear B'sNuke... thanks for the link and info, but not to be too stupid ... do you get charged by how much they weigh? Do we have to pay international rates? Thanks ... oh I am cracking myself up at how ignorant of this I am :) Well the funny looking camel asking we to guess what day it is, definitely cracks me up :)
I'm not sure if there is a weight limit for international. So far I've only shipped domestic and there is no weight limit on domestic....hopefully someone else who knows will chime in ;-)
Here's a little more info on the AFO/FPO shipping from the USPS website.
When we visited the ship last month I made a copy of this. It was posted by the mail room....make sure your boxes are addressed properly and don't forget to get the box # from your Sailor!
DenverNavymom my sailor wanted laundry pods, boot polish, books, granola bars, band aides, Tylenol, neosporin, granola bars, gum, shampoo. I would always wrap liquids in ziplock baggies so if they opened it wouldn't ruin everything. I made birthday cake & zucchini bread in jars. I know there was lots more cause I sent a box per month. Hope this helps
I called the number listed for the boxes, etc. They were very helpful. I order 3 sets... We will see how far they go. I would like to send something small for their September cruise... We'll see.
Hope. The boxes are FREE from the post office. You only pay when you mail them. No, there is no special box for International. What you will do is fill out a Customs declaration form when you mail it...and that will be attached to the box. PO also puts "international" type tape on the box. As you know, Priority boxes have no weight limits...just size limits.
Hello All. I haven't been on here since my son's PIR exactly one year ago. He just found out his squadron is assigned to the HST and leaves this week for a 30 day qualification cruise before deployment in November. He's excited. I'm anxious to learn as much as possible and support other mom's as we go thru all this!
Ginny - welcome back to the Truman! They've been very busy getting ready for deployment. Just a reminder though, please don't be too specific with time frames for underways or deployments....always practice OPSEC. Keep our sailors safe ;-)
too tall Joan - so glad you got to spend time with your sailor! Ugh, the goodbyes are so hard, but glad you had a good time!
My son said they DO get mail on the quals. He is sad to leave as this qual is now one week longer/later than originally expected so he will NOT (most likely) make it home for the birth of his first son. Baby is due the 26th... He thought they worked this out so he would be home and not deployed, but didn't know to factor in underway. Sad for him. But he said the good thing is that when he gets off the Truman next time, someone will hand him his brand new son. Always looking on the bright side, especially when there is absolutely nothing he can do about it.
Oh BoomMom - sorry that the delays will cause your son to miss the birth :( But it's good to see he has such a positive attitude & how exciting that his new baby boy will be waiting for him after the underway! It gives me chills just thinking about it ;-)
It's good to know that they can get mail while out on an underway. I might try to ship a "practice" box so I know what I'm doing when deployment rolls around lol!
Thanks B'sNukeMoM for your kind words. I felt good today since just yesterday he confirmed his Box # and today I got his first small priority flat rate box out to him. Just contained Bison bars, protein bars, juju coins (gummies), cashews, 2 cookies which may or may not be in crumbs when it arrives, a letter and a small (4x6) photo of our family together. Only $5.75. Figured it would be a good test box. Might send one more in a week for this underway... but just wanted to see if it gets there ok and let him know we are thinking of him. I suggested he ask others who have already been on a deployment what kind of things are useful (and good for bartering) on the ship. I hear bartering is helpful for those who need signatures, etc., and have something to trade/barter for. Interesting, isn't it? Have a great Thursday, all.
I would love to send something but he never got around to sending me a Box #. I guess if he wanted something from home he would have let me know! lol !
I'm in the same boat, so to speak, waiting for my sailor to send me his box#. Hopefully he'll get it sent soon so I can do a practice box. I've spent the last 2 1/2 years sending him boxes while in school but this will by my first "deployment" box.
DenverNavyMom - fingers crossed he gets you his box# soon. Scroll down a little & you'll find the mailing address for the Truman that I posted earlier.
BoomMom - fingers crossed that like 1Bodyprof said, maybe the baby will hold off a bit ;-)
My son said he had to get his number from their post office (of sorts) on the ship. I had it before, but the ship's address changed some. For those of you who don't have it:
Last name, First name, Initial (of sailor) USS Harry S Truman CVN 75 Unit 100255 Box _____ (each sailor has a personal box #) FPO AE 09524
My understanding is that this address has to be labeled line for line like above.
They should be able to get their box # while on the ship and get mail during this underway. We shall see. It's a good trial box (small and inexpensive). And yes, 1Bodyprof and B'sNukeMom, maybe the baby will be a week late (not unheard of), or a few days late and the ship a few days early (they came home last time a day early). Thanks for all the kind replies.
I hope you all have a nice Friday and long weekend.
BoomMom, congrats on your grand baby.Hopefully daddy can be back on time to witness the miracle of life. This will also be my son's first deployment. I have not send him a care package since A school. But you gave me a good idea to send one now. Hopefully they will receive them. I have a question. Did you have to fill out a customs form at the post office?
Yes, letyrod24, you will need to fill out a customs form. For those who do not have this USPS site... you can call them and they will send you Military packets of priority boxes, customs forms, tape, etc. All for free. I just ordered 3 sets. DenverNavyMom... I started as BoomMom because my son started the Navy with things that go "boom." After he got married, he/she/they decided that running toward something that might explode was probably not in their best interest. I never changed my name.
Letyrod. Yes, customs forms are required. Do yourself a favor; next time you are in a PO, grab a handful to keep at home. Fill them out there....will save you aggravation when you are ready to mail.
Hi, Gang. This came across my Gmail where I'm plugged into Truman for updates.
I guess when we get to feeling blue and perhaps a wee bit sorry for ourselves because our sailor isn't communicating well or some such, we should remember what they are doing....and what the Navy is for.
Here, shots of some activity from the Truman Strike force. Sort of brings it all home.
Be safe, sailors....and my Munchkin.....and Yours, too.
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 13, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
We've got a heat wave heading our way (SoCal). Doing my best to stay cool ;-)
Aug 14, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 17, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Just wondering if anyone on here had a sailor that was on the Truman during the last deployment? I was just curious as to how long the deployment lasted and where they went, ie what ports they visited?
Aug 18, 2015
DenverNavyMom
This is a diary of the activities online of the Truman. Its a public site, so I don't think I am breaking any rules. It's all "past" information. Very informative.
http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn75history.htm
Aug 18, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
OMG - DenverNavyMom - that is awesome info! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to print it out for family members who always ask about what a deployment might be like. At least we can show what it's been in the past ;-) Thanks again!
Aug 18, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 19, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 20, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 21, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 24, 2015
Coach Shelia
Aug 25, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 26, 2015
DenverNavyMom
1st how long does it usually take for a care package to arrive on a ship???
2nd. What are the most requested items.
3rd what are the most practical items!!! (My mom is coming out here)
Considering their limited space I'm not sure how practical it is to send packages often. I would love some opinions.
If I want to send them often I probably need to start organizing them now. I can see filling one of those usps flat rate boxes could get costly.
I know my son is saying from being on the ship during their training that he really wants currents news. Said he felt out of touch with the world without his CNN. Lol so I know I will print out some news items to send but i told him he will have to share with his mates the news and any excess care items.
Aug 26, 2015
GrandmaBarB
DenverNavyMom. I sent one care package a month for my Munchkin last time. I used mostly the Medium Priority squarish box. Can't speak for everyone but this was my experience. First off, he LOVED getting them.
At first, not knowing what he'd be missing, I'd send him fast food sort of stuff like his favorite small beef stew or pork and beans, like that. He asked me not to send him that stuff because he really had no place to store it.
I always decorated the inside of the box if it was a holiday....Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. He liked that. I sent him some good pens, a small stack of post cards from the post office (to encourage him to drop a line...ha), Some of his favorite junk food and candy. A box of Christmas cookies from our favorite bakery. Also send a dozen or so half masks, some small skeletons and some candy corn for that holiday. Cashews, A bag of lollipops, a few photos mounted really nice on poster board, a few assorted greeting cards like for birthdays and such...not a lot...but enough so he'd have a few if he wanted to give some one something. Some of those fold-out turkeys...the small ones he could open and hang round his bunk, a phone card or two, I always tried to find creative ways to pack the boxes while using every space available. Put the skeletons in the bags of candy corn, for instance. I send him a cassette tape I recorded for him with some silly songs on it....especially about the Navy..and the Marines.
Tried to include extra things that he could share with his buddies, too. So many of those Sailors have nobody to send them anything.
The packages were mostly delivered timely. From 10 days or so...but a few took WEEKS. Depends on where the ship is and what it's doing. I had no luck sending chocolate anything...but others did....
The most important thing seems to be anything with a touch of home in it. He loved the photos. For his birthday, I sent him some of his baby pictures and a few funny stories.
Good luck....
Always send them Priority Mail....and always make very sure your address is perfect.
Aug 26, 2015
Hope
Dear GrandmaBarB, I have never used Priority boxes from the USPS. Do you get them at the Post office? Do we have get the International boxes - they are $42-62! Thanks
Aug 26, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hope - the Priority boxes are free & you can order them online. Take a look at the link I posted. They will deliver the boxes to your home or you can pick them up at your local post office ;-)
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=free...
Aug 26, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 26, 2015
Hope
Dear B'sNuke... thanks for the link and info, but not to be too stupid ... do you get charged by how much they weigh? Do we have to pay international rates? Thanks ... oh I am cracking myself up at how ignorant of this I am :) Well the funny looking camel asking we to guess what day it is, definitely cracks me up :)
Aug 26, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
I'm not sure if there is a weight limit for international. So far I've only shipped domestic and there is no weight limit on domestic....hopefully someone else who knows will chime in ;-)
Here's a little more info on the AFO/FPO shipping from the USPS website.
https://www.usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-dpo.htm?pov=international
Aug 26, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Aug 26, 2015
too tall Joan
Aug 26, 2015
Hope
I found this helpful website concerning shipping to military personnel. http://www.military.com/discounts/how-to-get-free-supplies-to-ship-...
Aug 27, 2015
BoomMom
I called the number listed for the boxes, etc. They were very helpful. I order 3 sets... We will see how far they go. I would like to send something small for their September cruise... We'll see.
Aug 27, 2015
GrandmaBarB
Hope. The boxes are FREE from the post office. You only pay when you mail them. No, there is no special box for International. What you will do is fill out a Customs declaration form when you mail it...and that will be attached to the box. PO also puts "international" type tape on the box. As you know, Priority boxes have no weight limits...just size limits.
Aug 27, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday & an even better weekend ;-)
Aug 28, 2015
too tall Joan
Aug 29, 2015
too tall Joan
Aug 30, 2015
Ginny
Hello All. I haven't been on here since my son's PIR exactly one year ago. He just found out his squadron is assigned to the HST and leaves this week for a 30 day qualification cruise before deployment in November. He's excited. I'm anxious to learn as much as possible and support other mom's as we go thru all this!
Aug 30, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Ginny - welcome back to the Truman! They've been very busy getting ready for deployment. Just a reminder though, please don't be too specific with time frames for underways or deployments....always practice OPSEC. Keep our sailors safe ;-)
too tall Joan - so glad you got to spend time with your sailor! Ugh, the goodbyes are so hard, but glad you had a good time!
Hope everyone has a great week!
Aug 31, 2015
Tricia51
Its getting closer & closer until the long journey begins :(
Aug 31, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Sep 1, 2015
Tricia51
My sailor's birthday is next week & wondering if they get their mail when the ship is out for quals?
Sep 1, 2015
BoomMom
My son said they DO get mail on the quals. He is sad to leave as this qual is now one week longer/later than originally expected so he will NOT (most likely) make it home for the birth of his first son. Baby is due the 26th... He thought they worked this out so he would be home and not deployed, but didn't know to factor in underway. Sad for him. But he said the good thing is that when he gets off the Truman next time, someone will hand him his brand new son. Always looking on the bright side, especially when there is absolutely nothing he can do about it.
Sep 1, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Oh BoomMom - sorry that the delays will cause your son to miss the birth :( But it's good to see he has such a positive attitude & how exciting that his new baby boy will be waiting for him after the underway! It gives me chills just thinking about it ;-)
It's good to know that they can get mail while out on an underway. I might try to ship a "practice" box so I know what I'm doing when deployment rolls around lol!
Sep 2, 2015
Tricia51
Woot, woot, HUMP DAY!
I now have to get his address to get to him on the ship; can you tell that he tells me nothing. He was on a different ship on his last deployment.
Sep 2, 2015
BoomMom
Thanks B'sNukeMoM for your kind words. I felt good today since just yesterday he confirmed his Box # and today I got his first small priority flat rate box out to him. Just contained Bison bars, protein bars, juju coins (gummies), cashews, 2 cookies which may or may not be in crumbs when it arrives, a letter and a small (4x6) photo of our family together. Only $5.75. Figured it would be a good test box. Might send one more in a week for this underway... but just wanted to see if it gets there ok and let him know we are thinking of him. I suggested he ask others who have already been on a deployment what kind of things are useful (and good for bartering) on the ship. I hear bartering is helpful for those who need signatures, etc., and have something to trade/barter for. Interesting, isn't it? Have a great Thursday, all.
Sep 2, 2015
1Bodyprof
Where do they get their box number?
Sep 3, 2015
DenverNavyMom
@Boom Mom
I would love to send something but he never got around to sending me a Box #. I guess if he wanted something from home he would have let me know! lol !
Sep 3, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
I'm in the same boat, so to speak, waiting for my sailor to send me his box#. Hopefully he'll get it sent soon so I can do a practice box. I've spent the last 2 1/2 years sending him boxes while in school but this will by my first "deployment" box.
DenverNavyMom - fingers crossed he gets you his box# soon. Scroll down a little & you'll find the mailing address for the Truman that I posted earlier.
BoomMom - fingers crossed that like 1Bodyprof said, maybe the baby will hold off a bit ;-)
Sep 3, 2015
BoomMom
My son said he had to get his number from their post office (of sorts) on the ship. I had it before, but the ship's address changed some. For those of you who don't have it:
Last name, First name, Initial (of sailor)
USS Harry S Truman CVN 75
Unit 100255 Box _____ (each sailor has a personal box #)
FPO AE 09524
My understanding is that this address has to be labeled line for line like above.
They should be able to get their box # while on the ship and get mail during this underway. We shall see. It's a good trial box (small and inexpensive). And yes, 1Bodyprof and B'sNukeMom, maybe the baby will be a week late (not unheard of), or a few days late and the ship a few days early (they came home last time a day early). Thanks for all the kind replies.
I hope you all have a nice Friday and long weekend.
Sep 3, 2015
letyrod24
BoomMom, congrats on your grand baby.Hopefully daddy can be back on time to witness the miracle of life. This will also be my son's first deployment. I have not send him a care package since A school. But you gave me a good idea to send one now. Hopefully they will receive them. I have a question. Did you have to fill out a customs form at the post office?
Sep 3, 2015
DenverNavyMom
Thank you BoomMom for posting the address information again! BTW - Everytime I read your name BoomMom --- in my head I'm reading BoomBoom! lol
Sep 3, 2015
BoomMom
Yes, letyrod24, you will need to fill out a customs form. For those who do not have this USPS site... you can call them and they will send you Military packets of priority boxes, customs forms, tape, etc. All for free. I just ordered 3 sets. DenverNavyMom... I started as BoomMom because my son started the Navy with things that go "boom." After he got married, he/she/they decided that running toward something that might explode was probably not in their best interest. I never changed my name.
http://www.military.com/discounts/how-to-get-free-supplies-to-ship-care-packages.html
Happy Friday, all!
Sep 4, 2015
GrandmaBarB
Letyrod. Yes, customs forms are required. Do yourself a favor; next time you are in a PO, grab a handful to keep at home. Fill them out there....will save you aggravation when you are ready to mail.
Sep 4, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Sep 4, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Sep 4, 2015
Hope
Sep 4, 2015
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Sep 4, 2015
letyrod24
Hope, happy birthday to your son.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend everyone.
Praying for a safe return. God bless all our sailors.
Sep 4, 2015
GrandmaBarB
Hi, Gang. This came across my Gmail where I'm plugged into Truman for updates.
I guess when we get to feeling blue and perhaps a wee bit sorry for ourselves because our sailor isn't communicating well or some such, we should remember what they are doing....and what the Navy is for.
Here, shots of some activity from the Truman Strike force. Sort of brings it all home.
Be safe, sailors....and my Munchkin.....and Yours, too.
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/2160797/harry-s-truman-strike-group-...
Sep 7, 2015