USS Carl Vinson Family

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Comment by MaggieG 2 hours ago

Petty Officer Stoelton,
I don't want to turn this ship /boat thing into an argument but I did want to clarify so there is no confusion. I was in the Navy for 8 years but it was 5 years ago that I got out so I e-mailed my husband who is on the Nimitz right now and will be going to the CV next year. My husband has been on ship's continuously (except for a 9 month IA tour in Afghanistan last year) since 1996 so he knows his ships pretty well. The Navy as you know is steeped in tradition, and even though the submarines are officially listed as ships the tradition of calling submarines a boat still remains. The SEL of the Sub is called the Chief of the Boat. Another tradition that a few people have had trouble letting go of is the Captains Gig or the Admirals Barge. Several ships still have a Captains gig and some of the big decks still have an Admirals Barge. Many ships are leaving them behind when they go out because of space and also because they have to have several sailors assigned to maintain the boats and those sailors can be more productive elsewhere. Also traditionally whatever boat the Captain is assigned to on the Watch, Quarter and Station Bill is called the Captain's Gig even if it is just one of the RHIB's. I hope that clears things up a little. The Navy loves tradition so sometimes it takes a while for new ideas to catch on.

Comment by Pettyofficerstoelton 2 hours ago

Navywife. I would be happy to take him to and from work if he needs a ride, PM me and we can talk.

Comment by Marianne T 6 hours ago

navywife 34, Sorry, to hear about the accident. Thankfully, you are both OK. My son will be in a similar situation with the car as they will be shipping his truck very soon to Cali. We are about 4 hours from base and I was getting used to him just driving home about once a month. Trying to get rides is tough. Hope things get better for the both of you.
Your husband is right about the size of that ship too. I had been on my younger sons ship about 3 or 4 times for tours and for some reason when I stood next to that thing to board for the Tiger cruise I think it grew another 20 feet wide and long!!!!!!LOL

Comment by navywife_34 8 hours ago

My husband has been on the vinson going on almsot three years now and he's still getting adjusted, lol. When pick him up from the shipyard i never see half the people he talks to on the phone or has on his profile, but i remember when he first got there he said omg it didnt look all that big at first til i stood next to it and was mini-sized by the enormous size of it all! (Giggles) They've been busier in the last few weeks then before, i think im dropping him off earlier and earlier lol. Now im just worrid about trying to find a way to get him to and from the ship after this next wed, our car accident on thursday morning left us without a vehicle and really sore. The few people hubby has as friends live on the norfolk side of things and seemed a lil put out when we tried to get a ride home an hor or two after the accident and we were lietarlly standing on the corner, lol. The one day everyone was at the stand down we have an acident, there was nobody to call. Eeps. Stay safe and well everyone!

Comment by Marianne T 16 hours ago

Agreed, Cathy!!!!!
gbwnavymom, You are not nosy in my book! I do the same thing. Sometimes I get a reply and sometimes not. Glad your son has adjusted. Ship life is not an easy one as I found out, but they do adapt very well as the days go. I think getting around the ship is the hardest if you ask me! I used to think getting around the huge high school that my boys went to on "Back to School Night" was bad, until I got on an aircraft carrier and had to find my way. No comparison!!!!!!!

Comment by Cathy (Chris's Mom) 19 hours ago

I agree! I only wish he would stop smoking!!! I can't throw stones, I used to smoke until I was 27.....but I know better now.......What we used to do in our 20's is scary!
It's scarier seeing our kids go thru it!

Comment by gbwnavymom 19 hours ago

hello all, I just talked to James my son that is on the CV he is on a 3 day weekend off, so he and his buddy are hanging out in town, we talk and or text every day several times, I'm kind of nosy that way!! LOL!!! he just got there on the 15th so has not said to much about the ship. sounds like he struggled the first couple days but is settling in now, so glad his buddy made it there with him.

Comment by Marianne T 19 hours ago

Cathy, You are lucky! I have one son that calls more often and the other not. So I guess half is better than nothing! They do have several, actually nice gyms on board those ships. I got to take a spin class even on the RR and it was a tiny room, but had the same bikes as the gym I go to here. There was even a mini gym set-up on the hangar bay that I used. Jake tells me the CV's spin classes are held on the hangar bay??? I think it's great that Chris likes to work out. It is good for the body and soul! When they are underway it will be a blessing!

Comment by Matthew's Mom (Laura) 23 hours ago

Stoelton, how ya doing? Been thinking about you...

Comment by Cathy (Chris's Mom) 1 day ago

Marianne,
I am very lucky, Chris calls me almost twice a week and we text even more. He's really having fun and can't get over the accomodations. He said the Navy does not want them to get bored and they have so much on the ship. He said the gym (if that's what they call it) is great! Chris loves to work out. It's funny because he so skinny! He's 6'4" and weighs about 150!!!

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