Military Families
I may belong with you ladies soon..
DH is to be sworn in to the Navy sometime within the next month. I am super excited but nervous at the same time about all of this. I think it is an amazing opportunity for him to do what he loves and serve his country, but I'm also nervous about being on my own with DD(she is a little over 3 months now). Of course I know I will survive everything, it's just such a new experience for me.
Any Navy families on here with some tips? I look forward to getting to know all of you! Thanks in advance.
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Re: I may belong with you ladies soon..
Hello! My DH is Navy Submarines, which is a different experience from Surface Ships, I'm told. What will your husband be on? I've only been stationed in CT and NH because of this, but I've visited st mary's, GA.
It's hard with DH on submarines, because you're only allowed to email them, with no pictures, but when they're on 6 month or longer deployments you can send tons of packages! Surface ships I think can email and call more freely, I think. The good thing is they only go out on 6 month deployments, never any longer, and never more than one 6-month in a 2 year period. They do do little ones so they can be "out" 9 months out of the year, just broken up into smaller underways. But that's just for subs, I don't know much about ships!
There's tons of family resources!! We're at a smaller base, with a command that's on the "older" side, so family support isn't as good as other boats, but I still feel like there's tons of resources!! You'll meet the ombudsmen, who is a wife volunteer and the main communication source with the navy that you'll have. Make sure to get her number and email! The Navy is slow about things, like different moving reimbursements, clothing allowances/pay, etc. and dates and things change all the time with them, so just be prepared to be flexible and you'll be fine!!
That's all I can think of right now, but feel free to PM me or ask the board with any questions! The women here are soo helpful!!
I live in st. mary's, DH is a Marine though.
Welcome
DH is Navy, but neither on Ships nor Subs. We are stationed in San Diego. The Navy has been great to us, but like a pp, they can be slow about things. It took 4 months to get our reimbursements for our partial dity move. Also, definitely get in contact with your Ombudsman. They are the link between the command and families and will be sure to pass on valuable information. As well, while the boys are deployed, they typically (at least ours did) have get-togethers for the families. Really is a great support system.
Again, Welcome and Go Navy!
Def have your DH ask around about the true lives of the different jobs. My DH is an ETNav on subs and gets home really late, when i know my friend's husbands, who are in different divisions, get home around 4 or 5 most nights!! Each job does get a different enlistment and re-enlistment bonus too, and the difference can be tens of thousands of dollars!! Two good things to ask about when he's deciding!
Hey I'm a Navy wife too! DH is at A School right now, he finished basic in June.
I second getting info from people who are in the Navy about various jobs. I have a few friends who retired and AD Navy and DH asked them a lot of questions, some jobs they flat out said, you don't want to do. Some jobs are just a better fit for different personalities. DH did not receive any bonus and it took him about a year to even get in, he was part of the DEP program.