The major bases we have in Japan are Yokosuka, Misawa, Iwakuni, Okinawa, and Sasebo.
Japan is a safe and friendly country, with tons of stuff to do and see. The bases have great facilities for the most part, with gyms and shops and entertainment. The barracks are fairly nice, and if they need to live off base, they will be guided on how to do that. Everyone goes through Intercultural training.
Cat443, six months? Sounds like he is with a squadron. My bet is Iwakuni or Misawa for his base.
Moms, get a passport for visits, just in case. Encourage your sailor to get a civilian passport because some wonderful travel opportunities may come up, and for emergency travel.
Thank you Anti M
My son is going to Kadena Okinawa. He is AWO3, he just got informed today that he is pushed back a week. I'm sure I will have more questions.
Thank you
catt443 - my son works on Kadena AFB but lives on Camp Shields.
We mostly chat via FB messages - it's a 13hr time difference for us (I'm in EST) so I catch him as he gets up in the morning and then again when I'm getting up in the morning - otherwise one of us just messages and the other gets it when we wake up. He got a Japanese cell phone but I don't know if that would be worthwhile for just 6m - my son will be there 3 years.
Hi, My sailor just arrived in Japan this week. We are still trying to figure it out. I'm so glad to see an active page for this group. I hope to learn how to support my sailor and be the best Navy Mom I can.
BLONDIE such a beautiful touching story about Nicholas congrats
Please think of me and my family my 21 year old daughter passed away sept 19 2010... Won't be a good day for me, but I know she wants me to be happy.. I'm tryin
@Alicia ... yes, she should apply for the passport while on leave, and it will be on her own dime. Well worth it. You can mail it to her if it comes in after she leaves.
Welcome Aboard new Moms. Keep jumping into the water - that means - share about yourself too. us Japan Moms or we call our selves the Pan Moms ( share that story later).
Promise your sailors will be fine in Japan. And soon - you will be too. When you have a rough day - just come her. We will listen and share hugs.
Please take Anit M's advice and encourage your sailors to get those civilian pass ports. They will nee them. And when getting records to keep - make copies. It just helps to have what happens in a file. And this will sound silly - but if they are going to Sasebo and duty on ships too - pack long johns! It does get cold there and on those ships! Plus, the NEX sometimes runs out and trying to purchase long johns in a Japanese store - very hard to do - if your sailor is tall and large shouldered. My sailor called home when he was there and begged us to send his long johns - he was freezing. We sent three pair and luckily - the mail bird was on our side - delivered in two week !!! That was just unbelievable but true.
Also, you will know when it is your sailor calling. somehow the ring on the phone will let you know. And you have the right to push anyone out of the way to get to that phone.
Wishing new moms a good day and weekend.
And everyone else too.
Blondie !!! Oh how fun and funny was that time at the wedding. And Karma really had justice with the MOB! I was in stitches laughing. luckily didn't pee my pants this time. How is Blondie Junior doing? And the first thing I saw on this page - Conor and his little brother. Made my day!
Hey - maggs - anymore pictures from nature to share? And h ow is family? plans for the wedding too please. You need to jump in the water girlfreind.
And Miss and Josh Mom - check in!
i am getting back into the swing with working with cub scouts again. Boy, am I out of shape! My backside just drags into home.
Riker is doing well at day care too. He is playing better each day with others and by him self. And EATS very well. Crying still a bit after dada and mama drop him off - but that is getting less and less.
Onnly thing - the last two weekends - Riker brought home a bug to share with all of us. Not fun. so fingers crossed this weekend - all is WELL!
I would LOVE to send long johns or anything else, Unfortunately, I have NOT HEARD from my son since he left on the Ronald Reagan. The Navy won't release his e-mail address or ship address. What can I do? His birthday is this month too!
My son goes to sasebo in late October. My question if we wanted to go visit him say next summer, are we allowed to stay in the Navy Lodge like we did in Great Lakes for boot camp graduation? Just trying to figure out how much money I will need to save and how much stuff I will need to sell to be able to go thanks so much for any advice.
My daughter has been in Japan for 3 weeks now. She is hinting about a care package. I am new to this and am wondering what kind of things are good to send overseas. I want to send her some things for Halloween. I know that sending chocolate may not be good but what else could I send?
Dutchess, A friend of mine whose husband has been deployed many times told me that there are many great ideas on Pinterest. Put in care packages for Navy Deployment or Military Care Package ideas. Lots of fun stuff... Now if my son would only get in touch.... sigh...
Navy Lodge was hard to get into when we were planning our trip to Yokosuka. Sailors transitioning home ou to their next duty station tend to fill the Navy Lodge up. Have your sailor try to make the reservation as soon as you know when you want to go, you never know.
Have fun it's a beautiful country.
@Wheatonpup ... google the ombudsman or chaplain for your son's ship, see if they can give you the address or if they can lea on him to contact you. The FPO address for each ship is publicly posted, you just won;t have his department/division. He should get mail without that ...
One idea for care packages ... little bottles or packets of hot sauce, powdered drink packets. Chocolate is okay once the weather cools. Instant noodles, tuna packs, beef jerky. More salty than sweet, there's lot of candy onboard a ship and in Japan.
Pack everything into ziploc bags, and do not pack food and scented items like deoderant in the same box.
I always sent my son an "at sea" care package when he was home, so it was ready for when he left.
It included water flavorings, a deck of cards (they didn't always make it back), or a card game like UNO, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, trail mix, cliff bars, already shelled (a must be) nuts, hard candies, and battle rolls.
For those who don't know what a battle roll is, it is toilet paper. I would buy either camper toilet paper, or travel toilet paper, the kind that doesn't have the core. I know an interesting thing to send, but he always said there was "nothing worse than going to the head on ship only to find the toilet paper was empty,". It isn't that they ran out, it was just that had not yet been replenished. :)
Sasebo?......
Son just finishing A school in Pensacola
Got soft orders for sea duty in Sasebo ?
Any info good or bad he is bummed out out it
Do they change ? 3 years sounds like a long time
Sasebo is a great base, smaller than Yokosuka. Why is he bummed? True, the operating tempo of ships there is pretty high, they do stay at sea a lot, but Japan itself is very enjoyable. Three years is not an eternity.
Heavenly Father, I come before you with a solemn heart and in need of your intercession. I pray that the cancer that has come into Maggs husbands life soon fades into a quick remission.
I believe in your capacity for miracles, and ask for this on our behalf. As we grow older, I know we become closer to the day you accept us back into your kingdom. I ask that you delay that holy union if it be your will. In your name I pray
Amen
(((HUGS))) Drew
Adding my gentle hugs Maggs. And always on the Positive List !
Blondie - crossing everything I have! Keep us posted and YIPPEE you told her you are retiring. Now only if that retirement you would slow down. but we all know that will never happen. but maybe when you retire - you will doing the stuff you LIKE to do. hugs
Sailors stationed in sSasebo will need long johns! Hope you hear from them soon. And yes - 3 years feels like a long time - but honest they will have a great time.
mine is assigned to a cruiser out of Yokosuka - so I follow it on FB because pics get posted from time to time and I've been able to see my sailor in a few, and also just see the view from their "boat". kind of cool.
Hi Drew. Most tours are about three years in one place. This allows the sailor to settle into the workplace and be effective, and saves the Navy money by not moving them around a lot. Two years used to be standard for single sailors, but not so much anymore. The exception is for isolated or arduous duty, but most sailors never see that.
Hi anti m - my son is in Yokosuka working at the Naval Hospital he said he's there for two years but I don't know I think 3 years like you said. He just didn't want to hurt my feelings being gone that long lol. So it's normally three years and not 2 huh. Ugh miss my boy but thanks
Drew, Most of the Corpsmen have been 2 years on this site. My son was 3 year orders in Japan, 2 years San Diego, 3 years shore duty and now 5 year orders in San Diego.
I am so glad that we are back together. I only have a few of you on facebook and private emails.
Maggs, do you still do the "laying of the wreaths" in D.C. We should try a new "meeting of the N4Moms". I would love Gettysburg more, but D.C. sounds like it would work.
Have you all heard that they are changing the Navy Rates. They are eliminating the "man". I thought we all knew 40 years ago that man meant women too. They are coming up with great alternatives.
They are also changing the abbreviations. My son hates it. He was FC1 and now PO1.
Kim, they are not getting rid of the "man", because they still use Seaman. They are switching from word designations which are abbreviated (Electronics Technician or ET). to numeric designators (NOS) similar to the MOS used in the Army and Air Force. Yes, it throws all tradition out the window and is greatly annoying and just plain dumb. The supposed reason is to help civilian employers know what a sailor was trained to do. I'm sorry, Electronics Tech was pretty self-explanatory, and we had NECs for our specialties. Change for the sake of change. Our tax dollars wasted.
Anti M, Hello, was wondering when and for how long your son was able to go home for visits? My daughter will be almost a year in Japan and I was hoping she would get a Christmas break but she said it's not gonna happen, the earliest is around April for maybe two weeks. I miss her terribly and I know it's a sacrifice military families make but I am so ready to see her. :/
I was the one stationed in Japan, not my sailor (my nephew, who is a nuke). Christmas can be difficult for them to take enough leave to go all the way home. A lot depends on what the command or ship is doing,what her job is and who else can do it, and who else needs to take leave. The people who have been there longer and have leave on the books which is about to expire are given priority.
Honestly, the only time I got a full 30 days was when transferring between overseas commands. My parents loved Japan though, and came to visit several times. Two weeks is about all they let them take at once. April is better traveling weather though!
Virgo mom I know how you feel my son is stationed in Yokosuka Japan he left for Japan in August 2015 he did not come home for Christmas or Thanksgiving in 2015 so I didn't see him all of that year. he did come home finally in July 2016 so it was almost a year before I saw him and I was like out of my mind crazy but he came home in July for two weeks those days go by fast because I think you gain a day when you come to the states and then you lose a day going back to Japan so technically he was only here for about 12 days or so but anyway he wants to come back for Christmas of this year he's going to put a chit in. I don't know how that's gonna work but I hope you get to come back and get to come back for Christmas if he does I'll see him twice this year. I know how you feel I know you miss your daughter but remember she's in good hands and she will be OK you will too because last Christmas in 2015 I was so depressed but I did talk to him. If there are any errors please excuse them because I'm talking I'm not typing technology nowadays wow good luck to you and your daughter Drew
I don't write on here often, but I receive your comments through my email...and I truly missed all of you while the sight was down. I felt lonely. Isn't it intersting that you don't even know me, but I feel so connected to all of you. The Navy Mom bond is strong.
Momof2 - hang in there. It really does get better. the hardest part for me was waiting to hear from her once she got to Japan. Once I knew she was there, I trusted that she was taken care of. We Skype every week when she is on land. When she is on the boat, she emails me when she can... sometimes I don't hear from her for weeks, and then sometimes I hear from her a couple of times a week.
I need emergency advice!!! My son just got to Japan a few hours ago. Of course it's the middle of the night there. He lost his wallet. He last had it for sure at Customs in the Tokyo/Narita airport. He reported it lost when he got to Sasebo and has filled out the paperwork for a new military ID, however, his drivers license AND his social security card were in there. He was told to bring his Social Security card and I was against that to begin with, but the military mak...es the rules. I can cancel his bank card and his credit card, but I thought I could call the airport and see if it was turned in? I've never called international so the number is: +81(0)476-34-8000. Do i just call all those numbers or do I have to use the + key too? I'm freaking out here and I will also call the airline in case it fell out on the last plane ride to Fukuoka airport. Please help. He's 18 and in a foriegn country now with no money or ID.
((((Hugs)))) It will be OK. If your son is a sailor, then he's an adult (I know, he'll always be your baby) and HE can handle this - and there is Navy support to help him. You don't need to - your job is to reassure him that it'll be okay and to let HIM take charge.
Thanks but he asked and they told him to cancel everything (which he did already), and that these things happen. Which of course I know, but while he may be an adult that doesn't help when it's the middle of the night in a foreign country and his sponsor nor anyone else at least at the moment is available to help him. Thanks for your reminder though.
If he's cancelled his bank/credit cards and reported the loss to the bank/credit card companies/military, then there's really nothing else to do until morning anyway. He can call the airports/airlines in the morning (business hours) to check lost and found. He can contact Social Security and DMV once he gets to base and it's business hours stateside. At this point, he needs to get to base, get some sleep, and start the indoc for the base. The lack of money/id isn't nearly as big an emergency for a Sailor as is for a civilian - he still has a place to sleep (barracks/ship), a place to eat (galley) and people to help him out (sponsor, chain of command etc...).
Hello Sailor Moms! Thanks for your reply's concerning when sailors can take time off, Momof2, my daughter is in Yokosuka and has been there for a year come January. I will be very happy if she does get to come home in April. I will take any amount of time I can get. Now, when they return to the States, do they book and pay for their flights? Do they need a passport?
The good news is that a lost wallet in Japan is almost assuredly going to be returned. While another American might make off with it, or some other international traveler, any Japanese national will likely turn it in. Have him call the airport during business hours, and let them know.
I just phoned my son who is currently stateside as a recruiter for his shore duty. His wife is from the area.
He should call his CDO (Command Duty Officer) immediately. They will tell him what to do. At this time of night, he is the only one answering phone calls. He should be traveling with that phone number. If not, find the main number on the base website.
There are free buses than run from that airport to the base 3 times a day. If he has missed the last one, he can find a warm place to sleep until morning. That airport closes at night, but there are some indentations outside that should be warm enough.
My son had to do that one Christmas.
His CDO may agree to pay for a cab or bus when he arrives. My son does not think that he should take a cab because it will be around $200.00. He will have to ask the bus if they will agree to payment at the base. My DIL thinks that they might do that.
Either way, someone is going to have to meet him at the gate. His CDO will make all the arrangements.
Anti M
The major bases we have in Japan are Yokosuka, Misawa, Iwakuni, Okinawa, and Sasebo.
Japan is a safe and friendly country, with tons of stuff to do and see. The bases have great facilities for the most part, with gyms and shops and entertainment. The barracks are fairly nice, and if they need to live off base, they will be guided on how to do that. Everyone goes through Intercultural training.
Cat443, six months? Sounds like he is with a squadron. My bet is Iwakuni or Misawa for his base.
Moms, get a passport for visits, just in case. Encourage your sailor to get a civilian passport because some wonderful travel opportunities may come up, and for emergency travel.
Sep 14, 2016
catt443
My son is going to Kadena Okinawa. He is AWO3, he just got informed today that he is pushed back a week. I'm sure I will have more questions.
Thank you
Sep 14, 2016
NavyMum
catt443 - my son works on Kadena AFB but lives on Camp Shields.
We mostly chat via FB messages - it's a 13hr time difference for us (I'm in EST) so I catch him as he gets up in the morning and then again when I'm getting up in the morning - otherwise one of us just messages and the other gets it when we wake up. He got a Japanese cell phone but I don't know if that would be worthwhile for just 6m - my son will be there 3 years.
Sep 14, 2016
NavyMum
Cat443 - yes, the iphone will work on Wifi and the apple messager works on Wifi - we do that also
Sep 14, 2016
Chewy's Mom
Hi, My sailor just arrived in Japan this week. We are still trying to figure it out. I'm so glad to see an active page for this group. I hope to learn how to support my sailor and be the best Navy Mom I can.
Sep 14, 2016
DREW7062
Please think of me and my family my 21 year old daughter passed away sept 19 2010... Won't be a good day for me, but I know she wants me to be happy.. I'm tryin
Sep 15, 2016
Anti M
@Alicia ... yes, she should apply for the passport while on leave, and it will be on her own dime. Well worth it. You can mail it to her if it comes in after she leaves.
Sep 15, 2016
T-Lynn
Welcome Aboard new Moms. Keep jumping into the water - that means - share about yourself too. us Japan Moms or we call our selves the Pan Moms ( share that story later).
Promise your sailors will be fine in Japan. And soon - you will be too. When you have a rough day - just come her. We will listen and share hugs.
Please take Anit M's advice and encourage your sailors to get those civilian pass ports. They will nee them. And when getting records to keep - make copies. It just helps to have what happens in a file. And this will sound silly - but if they are going to Sasebo and duty on ships too - pack long johns! It does get cold there and on those ships! Plus, the NEX sometimes runs out and trying to purchase long johns in a Japanese store - very hard to do - if your sailor is tall and large shouldered. My sailor called home when he was there and begged us to send his long johns - he was freezing. We sent three pair and luckily - the mail bird was on our side - delivered in two week !!! That was just unbelievable but true.
Also, you will know when it is your sailor calling. somehow the ring on the phone will let you know. And you have the right to push anyone out of the way to get to that phone.
Wishing new moms a good day and weekend.
And everyone else too.
Blondie !!! Oh how fun and funny was that time at the wedding. And Karma really had justice with the MOB! I was in stitches laughing. luckily didn't pee my pants this time. How is Blondie Junior doing? And the first thing I saw on this page - Conor and his little brother. Made my day!
Hey - maggs - anymore pictures from nature to share? And h ow is family? plans for the wedding too please. You need to jump in the water girlfreind.
And Miss and Josh Mom - check in!
i am getting back into the swing with working with cub scouts again. Boy, am I out of shape! My backside just drags into home.
Riker is doing well at day care too. He is playing better each day with others and by him self. And EATS very well. Crying still a bit after dada and mama drop him off - but that is getting less and less.
Onnly thing - the last two weekends - Riker brought home a bug to share with all of us. Not fun. so fingers crossed this weekend - all is WELL!
Need to spllit - have a good day all - hugs
Sep 16, 2016
Wheatonpup
I would LOVE to send long johns or anything else, Unfortunately, I have NOT HEARD from my son since he left on the Ronald Reagan. The Navy won't release his e-mail address or ship address. What can I do? His birthday is this month too!
Sep 16, 2016
Momof2
Sep 18, 2016
Dutchess
My daughter has been in Japan for 3 weeks now. She is hinting about a care package. I am new to this and am wondering what kind of things are good to send overseas. I want to send her some things for Halloween. I know that sending chocolate may not be good but what else could I send?
Sep 18, 2016
Wheatonpup
Dutchess, A friend of mine whose husband has been deployed many times told me that there are many great ideas on Pinterest. Put in care packages for Navy Deployment or Military Care Package ideas. Lots of fun stuff... Now if my son would only get in touch.... sigh...
Sep 18, 2016
2tymeNavyMom
Have fun it's a beautiful country.
Sep 18, 2016
Anti M
@Wheatonpup ... google the ombudsman or chaplain for your son's ship, see if they can give you the address or if they can lea on him to contact you. The FPO address for each ship is publicly posted, you just won;t have his department/division. He should get mail without that ...
http://www.uscs.org/cover-collecting/about-collecting-naval-covers/...
Sep 19, 2016
Anti M
One idea for care packages ... little bottles or packets of hot sauce, powdered drink packets. Chocolate is okay once the weather cools. Instant noodles, tuna packs, beef jerky. More salty than sweet, there's lot of candy onboard a ship and in Japan.
Pack everything into ziploc bags, and do not pack food and scented items like deoderant in the same box.
Sep 19, 2016
ellen0502
I always sent my son an "at sea" care package when he was home, so it was ready for when he left.
It included water flavorings, a deck of cards (they didn't always make it back), or a card game like UNO, a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, trail mix, cliff bars, already shelled (a must be) nuts, hard candies, and battle rolls.
For those who don't know what a battle roll is, it is toilet paper. I would buy either camper toilet paper, or travel toilet paper, the kind that doesn't have the core. I know an interesting thing to send, but he always said there was "nothing worse than going to the head on ship only to find the toilet paper was empty,". It isn't that they ran out, it was just that had not yet been replenished. :)
Sep 22, 2016
Momship12
Son just finishing A school in Pensacola
Got soft orders for sea duty in Sasebo ?
Any info good or bad he is bummed out out it
Do they change ? 3 years sounds like a long time
Sep 23, 2016
Classycalicat
Blondie, any word about what is going on? Asking for prayers sounds like something scary is going on.......... : (
Sep 23, 2016
Anti M
Sasebo is a great base, smaller than Yokosuka. Why is he bummed? True, the operating tempo of ships there is pretty high, they do stay at sea a lot, but Japan itself is very enjoyable. Three years is not an eternity.
Sep 24, 2016
DREW7062
Heavenly Father, I come before you with a solemn heart and in need of your intercession. I pray that the cancer that has come into Maggs husbands life soon fades into a quick remission.
I believe in your capacity for miracles, and ask for this on our behalf. As we grow older, I know we become closer to the day you accept us back into your kingdom. I ask that you delay that holy union if it be your will. In your name I pray
Amen
(((HUGS))) Drew
Sep 25, 2016
T-Lynn
HI
Adding my gentle hugs Maggs. And always on the Positive List !
Blondie - crossing everything I have! Keep us posted and YIPPEE you told her you are retiring. Now only if that retirement you would slow down. but we all know that will never happen. but maybe when you retire - you will doing the stuff you LIKE to do. hugs
Sailors stationed in sSasebo will need long johns! Hope you hear from them soon. And yes - 3 years feels like a long time - but honest they will have a great time.
Need to get along - take care and hugs
Sep 25, 2016
scully_the_skeptic
aww, maggs, I'm so sorry. will be praying.
mine is assigned to a cruiser out of Yokosuka - so I follow it on FB because pics get posted from time to time and I've been able to see my sailor in a few, and also just see the view from their "boat". kind of cool.
Sep 26, 2016
Anti M
Maggs, sending you and yours all my love.
Sep 26, 2016
s.m.r.
Oct 17, 2016
Anti M
We're back!
How is everyone?
Oct 17, 2016
DREW7062
Oct 17, 2016
DREW7062
Oct 17, 2016
Anti M
Hi Drew. Most tours are about three years in one place. This allows the sailor to settle into the workplace and be effective, and saves the Navy money by not moving them around a lot. Two years used to be standard for single sailors, but not so much anymore. The exception is for isolated or arduous duty, but most sailors never see that.
Oct 18, 2016
DREW7062
Oct 18, 2016
Anti M
Drew, it could be two years. Be pleased if it is two!
Oct 18, 2016
Kim
Drew, Most of the Corpsmen have been 2 years on this site. My son was 3 year orders in Japan, 2 years San Diego, 3 years shore duty and now 5 year orders in San Diego.
I am so glad that we are back together. I only have a few of you on facebook and private emails.
Maggs, do you still do the "laying of the wreaths" in D.C. We should try a new "meeting of the N4Moms". I would love Gettysburg more, but D.C. sounds like it would work.
Have you all heard that they are changing the Navy Rates. They are eliminating the "man". I thought we all knew 40 years ago that man meant women too. They are coming up with great alternatives.
They are also changing the abbreviations. My son hates it. He was FC1 and now PO1.
Oct 18, 2016
scully_the_skeptic
i wondered why i wasn't seeing any posts. was missing this group.
my son is in yokosuka. he's assigned to a cruiser and his orders are for 2 years. if that helps.
Oct 18, 2016
scully_the_skeptic
i believe they do a laying of the wreaths in Hawaii too.
Oct 18, 2016
Kim
Scully, I was looking into us doing the laying of wreaths together.......If I win the lottery, we will all go to Hawaii.
Oct 18, 2016
Anti M
Kim, they are not getting rid of the "man", because they still use Seaman. They are switching from word designations which are abbreviated (Electronics Technician or ET). to numeric designators (NOS) similar to the MOS used in the Army and Air Force. Yes, it throws all tradition out the window and is greatly annoying and just plain dumb. The supposed reason is to help civilian employers know what a sailor was trained to do. I'm sorry, Electronics Tech was pretty self-explanatory, and we had NECs for our specialties. Change for the sake of change. Our tax dollars wasted.
Oct 18, 2016
DREW7062
Oct 18, 2016
VirgoMom904
Oct 19, 2016
Anti M
Hi VirgoMom,
I was the one stationed in Japan, not my sailor (my nephew, who is a nuke). Christmas can be difficult for them to take enough leave to go all the way home. A lot depends on what the command or ship is doing,what her job is and who else can do it, and who else needs to take leave. The people who have been there longer and have leave on the books which is about to expire are given priority.
Honestly, the only time I got a full 30 days was when transferring between overseas commands. My parents loved Japan though, and came to visit several times. Two weeks is about all they let them take at once. April is better traveling weather though!
Oct 19, 2016
DREW7062
Oct 19, 2016
DREW7062
Oct 19, 2016
Suzan
Oct 19, 2016
Momof2
Oct 19, 2016
Suzan
Oct 19, 2016
Momof2
I need emergency advice!!! My son just got to Japan a few hours ago. Of course it's the middle of the night there. He lost his wallet. He last had it for sure at Customs in the Tokyo/Narita airport. He reported it lost when he got to Sasebo and has filled out the paperwork for a new military ID, however, his drivers license AND his social security card were in there. He was told to bring his Social Security card and I was against that to begin with, but the military mak...es the rules. I can cancel his bank card and his credit card, but I thought I could call the airport and see if it was turned in? I've never called international so the number is: +81(0)476-34-8000. Do i just call all those numbers or do I have to use the + key too? I'm freaking out here and I will also call the airline in case it fell out on the last plane ride to Fukuoka airport. Please help. He's 18 and in a foriegn country now with no money or ID.
Oct 20, 2016
NavyMum
Momof2
((((Hugs)))) It will be OK. If your son is a sailor, then he's an adult (I know, he'll always be your baby) and HE can handle this - and there is Navy support to help him. You don't need to - your job is to reassure him that it'll be okay and to let HIM take charge.
Oct 20, 2016
Momof2
Thanks but he asked and they told him to cancel everything (which he did already), and that these things happen. Which of course I know, but while he may be an adult that doesn't help when it's the middle of the night in a foreign country and his sponsor nor anyone else at least at the moment is available to help him. Thanks for your reminder though.
Oct 20, 2016
NavyMum
Momof2
If he's cancelled his bank/credit cards and reported the loss to the bank/credit card companies/military, then there's really nothing else to do until morning anyway. He can call the airports/airlines in the morning (business hours) to check lost and found. He can contact Social Security and DMV once he gets to base and it's business hours stateside. At this point, he needs to get to base, get some sleep, and start the indoc for the base. The lack of money/id isn't nearly as big an emergency for a Sailor as is for a civilian - he still has a place to sleep (barracks/ship), a place to eat (galley) and people to help him out (sponsor, chain of command etc...).
Oct 20, 2016
VirgoMom904
Hello Sailor Moms! Thanks for your reply's concerning when sailors can take time off, Momof2, my daughter is in Yokosuka and has been there for a year come January. I will be very happy if she does get to come home in April. I will take any amount of time I can get. Now, when they return to the States, do they book and pay for their flights? Do they need a passport?
Oct 20, 2016
Anti M
The good news is that a lost wallet in Japan is almost assuredly going to be returned. While another American might make off with it, or some other international traveler, any Japanese national will likely turn it in. Have him call the airport during business hours, and let them know.
Oct 20, 2016
Kim
Momof2,
I just phoned my son who is currently stateside as a recruiter for his shore duty. His wife is from the area.
He should call his CDO (Command Duty Officer) immediately. They will tell him what to do. At this time of night, he is the only one answering phone calls. He should be traveling with that phone number. If not, find the main number on the base website.
There are free buses than run from that airport to the base 3 times a day. If he has missed the last one, he can find a warm place to sleep until morning. That airport closes at night, but there are some indentations outside that should be warm enough.
My son had to do that one Christmas.
His CDO may agree to pay for a cab or bus when he arrives. My son does not think that he should take a cab because it will be around $200.00. He will have to ask the bus if they will agree to payment at the base. My DIL thinks that they might do that.
Either way, someone is going to have to meet him at the gate. His CDO will make all the arrangements.
Oct 20, 2016