Japan Moms

He will have a .mil email address.  These are on ship computers, shared by the crew, so his access may be limited.  Emails are screened.  He may have limited access to the internet, such as FB, depending on the ship.  He can pay to use the satellite phone, if his ship has one.  There are usually lines for that and it is expensive.  He can skype when he is in port.  Do not expect to use his phone in port, the roaming charges are killer.  And then there are letters, old fashioned snail mail.

Saying Prayers Blondie.

Cooleigh, I have told this story a few times:

My son was on a ship deployed on the other side of the world.  There was a 'man overboard'.  The captain contacted the Ombudsman and had them email everyone on their list to tell them that there was a 'man overboard' and it was not their sailor.  It was a visiting sailor who was not part of the crew.  The procedure is to discontinue all outside communication during the search.  We were informed that it would be several days before we would receive an email from our sailors and not to worry.  Several days later a mom posted on Navyformoms that it was her son.  They were contacted within hours of it happening and the navy kept in touch throughout the search.   It was not a happy ending, but we were able to 'attend' the funeral by watching the webcam.  A mom that I knew on another N4M site lived near the town and attended the funeral for all of us.

The Ombudsman can contact your sailor in emergencies and can pass information from the captain in emergencies.  Otherwise, "NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS", they will find you quickly if there is bad news.  Don't worry!  I hope this helps.

Blondie, sending love and light for everyone.  

@coolleigh ... the ombudsman is a volunteer spouse.  They receive training, and work with the ship/command to provide official information about what is going on, help new spouses with information about resources, and much more.  If there is something to be known, they know it, from where to ask about benefits, to how to get in touch with deployed sailors during emergencies (Red Cross).

There may or may not be wifi in every port.  Wifi is common worldwide, so probably. Free?  Maybe.

Also, have you memorized his SSN yet?  You'll need it at some point.

Blondie - we will be praying!  Keep us posted.

coolleigh, the ombudsman would not have anything more than generic information about command sponsorship, no more than anyone else would. Maybe an estimate of how long it has taken other spouses in similar situations, but even that varies by available funding.  

No one can tell you anything for certain until he has checked into his command and has filed the paperwork requesting command sponsorship for you.   No matter what anyone has said verbally at A school, he has to get his command in Japan to say yes or no, in writing.  Is he in Japan yet?

Then when he gets his request in, and begins the paperwork, they should be able to give him an estimate.  I have seen as little as three months up to six months or more.  I worry because there is no money to ship new recruits to boot camp, and I don't know what shape his command is in with their budget.  I really wish I could give you a concrete answer, but I don't think anyone can.  Hang in there, it is difficult and frustrating to wait without knowing when the waiting ends.  I hope it is speedy, and you are with him again soon.

Also, has he told you to begin your overseas screening?  You have to be checked by medical, and there's a form.  

Drew, no, they do not take chits so early.  Also, with Christmas being busy season, and everyone wanting to take leave, his command will tell them what leave periods will be open so they are never undermanned, and they have to look at who hasn't had the chance to take leave recently, and who might have leave days expiring.  Even the hospital tries to have a generous holiday liberty policy, so many with families don't take leave, and many of the single sailors will take up the slack for those with children.  it is a very complex "big picture" time of year for them.

Usually, leave chits go in a month or so ahead of time, a little more at overseas commands.  For the holiday, they tell them when leave chits will be accepted, so no one gets to "cheat" and jump ahead of everyone else.  

coolleigh, the medical part of the screening can expire, so wait until he lets you know it is time to begin.  The ombudsman should be able to help you find the forms, or a nearby military facility which can help you.

Have you applied for a passport yet?

THANKS ANTI FOR ANSWERING QUESTION ON LEAVE TO COME HOME AT CHRISTMAS MY SON HAS BEEN IN JAPAN SINCE FEB AND NOW DEPOYED I PRAY HE CAN GET OK TO COME HOME BUT REALLY DONT KNOW IF HE WILL PUT IN FOR IT BUT IF HE DOES I PRAY HE GETS IT

@Maggs ... duck d'awwww!

@tnmom50 ... fingers crossed!  But really, anytime they can come home on leave it is Christmas!

HI

KIM !!! I knew something was up with you. Dear friend- Reiki healing coming for the next 7 days. hugs And Shark loves the pictures. How cute! Hope your Dil has a great trip to visit her relatives.

Maggs- you take such awesome pictures. How sweet is that picture and yes - makes my heart feel so good. Please consider sending in your pictures to nature magazines. REALLY you are great! How is hubby and Angel? Hey - wedding plans - you need to share.

Fingers crossed for sailor to get to come home for Christmas. But as AntiM stated - when they come home its every holiday!

So glad you are having fun even watching your sailor sleep. And the dogs  licking him. Hope you can share a picture soon.

Congrats to the new bride!!!! and fingers crossed all works out for you. Keep us posted.

Blondie - you and that boss! Really - asking you WHY? Glad teh bad weather was not too damaging for you.

Will be sending Reiki Healing energy to Melissa and your daughter. Melissa to heal and your daughter not to worry about her classes and test. Blondie Jr. will ace them!

Sorry this is so jumping. I am a bundle of nerves. Packing to go see my son in three days!!!!!! Hubby adn I have not had a vacation for years - and sailor gets to celebrate with his dad - its dad's birthday!  And then also - we will be with him for our 39th wedding anniversary. He is taking us to Disneyland :).

Will try to get some contact here or just save up all my stories and pictures. 

Wish all a wonderful week and weekend.  hugs

Father, I pray for all the Sailors and their family represented on this site.  I pray for healing in all aspects of their lives.  I pray for peace and understanding. I pray for celebrations (with and without loved ones). I pray for travel mercies. I pray to spend time with our loves ones soon. Please put your loving arms around everyone and let them feel your presence and love.  In Jesus Holy Precious Healing Name! AMEN!

DREW7062 I would like to know the same thing. My son is there and I want to send him stuff from home but don't want any food items to be spoiled.

Thank you in advance

I touched the Care Package discussion for you to read.

Many pages back we discussed how long our packages took.  I think the longest was 28 days, the shortest was 4 days and the average was 10-15 days.  My son seemed to get packages quicker when underway (come with supplies), but others had the opposite experience.

I used a sealer things like fudge and boxes or cookie tins for things like cookies.  Someone saved Pringle containers.  I'm not that talented to get all my cookies the same size.  Many times my son got cookie crumbs.  He told me "cookie crumbs are the best". 

My daughter in law leaves today for 6 weeks in Japan with my grandson.  He is 19 months old and they didn't buy a ticket for him.  I am really worried about this trip.  She is flying from New York to Sasebo.  I didn't get to see them before they left because my back is out.

Kim ... that's a long flight with a baby in her lap.  Hopefully the flight is not full, which is usual for an international flight, and she can get a row to herself.  Nice if the baby can nap.  

There's a reason I donate to the USO when I can.  Love them!

hey drew7062 - we use whatsapp - free text and phone calls and receptions is really good.  we have a marine in Okinawa and a sailor in Yokosuka - we use it with both of them and you don't need an iphone. just so happens we all have iphones.  Also, they use facetime.  hope it helps. 

Drew7062, my son and I use Messager from Facebook.  We can even use the video to have some face time. We have Samsung phones - not IPhones.  It doesn't cost any data if he uses wifi.  You can even use it on computers/laptops.  We love it!!!

OMG Maggs - will be praying.  I LOVE THE USO!!!!!

My son and his wife use line.

I spoke to him 2 hours ago.  His wife and son just arrived in Fukuoka.  They are staying overnight in a hotel and her sister is picking them up in the morning.  The baby did not sleep on either flight.  There were no empty seats.  The baby just fell asleep, so she phoned him (on line) before crashing herself.  She will phone him after sleep to tell him the stories.

We use the "Line" app as well.  We can text or call for free.

Facetime on Facebook and Facebook Messenger are good as well.

Wanna touch base on the packages - ugh, mine from Ft Lauderdale to Atsugi usually take 7 days comfortably - sent two while son was on deployment on Reagan and he is still yet to get them - he's back at base now, so I hope he finds his goodie boxes soon. We spoke yesterday and he said he would get so sad when mail would come on ship and nothing was for him. It's a hit/miss.  Over the past year I've sent about 10 boxes and this is the first time it's ever happened - last Christmas he got his box in 4 days.  The two boxes in question are going on a month now since I've sent them. 

Sometimes care packages take the scenic route and have adventures.  It makes for good stories years later.