Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by abuon18 on August 13, 2013 at 9:25am

I am following this discussion because I am curious for answers as well! My husband just deployed but I am living in San Diego during his deployment and his duty station is in Norfolk, so I'm also not going to be able to attend FRG meetings and find out information in person! Hopefully someone will be able to help us :)

Permalink Reply by Anti M on August 13, 2013 at 9:54am

The ombudsman is supposed to have a way to keep all the distant families in the loop though newsletters and emails.  

Permalink Reply by abuon18 on August 19, 2013 at 12:02pm

Even information regarding homecoming dates? That wouldn't be violating OPSEC? I guess that is my main concern because I thought that type of information was not supposed to be given through email or phone calls.

Permalink Reply by Anti M on August 19, 2013 at 3:00pm

The ombudsman is given information she is allowed to share from the CO.  Ombudsmen are trained in OPSEC as part of their duties.

Permalink Reply by Anti M on August 13, 2013 at 9:53am

If you do not hear back from the ombudsman, your sailor might need to sign you up with her because you are not a spouse.

The ombudsman/FRG is how you learn when the ship is coming back, that is always a flexible date. It can, and does, change.  There is no set timeframe for notification.  Usually families have a good idea throughout the deployment, but because of OPSEC, it isn't put out as public information until very soon beforehand.  Usually a week or two, possibly more.  No way to know much more in advance, so booking a flight may be expensive.    

You can't get on base without an ID, so the ombudsman/FRG makes arrangements for the homecoming access for family members who are not dependents.  

Part of the reason there is no real information is for OPSEC reasons, ship's movements are classified.  The other reason is the ship's mission is dynamic and subject to change.

Permalink Reply by Molly on August 13, 2013 at 12:37pm

Hi, thanks for your reply, it was really helpful! So, from your experience, since return dates obviously aren't "announced" and can change, would you recommend even trying to fly down? It sounds really difficult to know for sure when they'll return, so what would your suggestion be for trying to be there when they do?

Permalink Reply by meagan5220 on August 13, 2013 at 12:02pm

I just recently went through a homecoming at the Norfolk base so to add to what Anti M said, for our homecoming the ship asked the sailors to give them names of anyone that would need base access for the event, and the main gate had the list and all those people that didn't have mil ID had to go on the base through that gate. If you have a rental car be sure to have the rental agreement and all that paperwork with you just to be safe they don't always ask for it but they do sometimes. :)

 

For my husbands ship everyone had to be approved by a sailor before getting information from the ombudsman. Even spouses had to be approved. Your sailor might need to be on the lookout for an email from them asking him to approve or deny your request. Even then though, sadly most of my information I had to get personally after I moved to VA because most of it actually came from the beach detachment emails instead of the ombudsman.

 

As far as finding out a return date that will be a little trickier as your sailor cant actually email you return dates (ok well he can but he can get in a lot of trouble if he is caught) My husband and I used a date significant to us to let me know changes. For us we picked a special date that is only important to us. I think we used our dating anniversary or when he proposed. so he would say he was coming home 5 days and 3 months after the day we started dating, you have to hope you both remember that date lol because if you mention the date in an email then its no longer a secure form to communicate. Don't use your birthday or anything you have posted all over fb you know?

 

I hope I helped you a little feel free to ask any other questions and I will try to answer them!

Permalink Reply by Molly on August 13, 2013 at 12:20pm

Hi Meagan, this definitely helped a lot! I totally understand about the OPSEC issues, and I like the idea of using a personal date. We're you living on base at the time of your husband's return? My biggest worry/question now is how to figure out plane tickets, etc. Thank you for all your advice, though - I appreciate it! :]

Permalink Reply by meagan5220 on August 17, 2013 at 1:14am

We always had a personal date or even just a random date we decided before he left. but we didn't use it often. I knew all the port dates and I wasn't too concerned about when he was pulling into port. I only cared about when he would be coming home s we only used it then that way it didn't get overused and figured out. :) No I didn't live on base. The base housing in Norfolk isn't on base anyways. Its all over the Hampton Roads area. Definitely get tickets that you can move the date around. :)

Permalink Reply by Anti M on August 13, 2013 at 1:36pm

The emails are screened, which can include being read by a third party.  Never think your emails are secure or private.  Be quite careful using "codes".   The sailors who could be screening the emails are pretty good at their jobs, they're in intelligence.  Even if you aren't using the specific date, they can tell if the sailor is giving it out.  Still can get into trouble that way.

Also, they're on the same ship, they may know your sailor.  Be mindful.

Permalink Reply by meagan5220 on August 17, 2013 at 1:18am

I agree! My husband and I always used the date sparingly. and some underways we would even pick a random date with no special significance at all, that we decided before he left so we could have some reference for return. I didn't ask him to tell me when they would be in port (I knew anyways from the video conferences with the captain usually) so that way it wouldn't be overused and become easy to figure out. That's what our ombudsman's and some other guys from the ship told us we could do before deployment. They also told us they were fine with us using a code system for each month and date but idk if that varies by ship. I just remember they had a sit down before deployment about emails, OPSEC, and what was allowed and whatnot. :)

Permalink Reply by andrea d on August 13, 2013 at 12:09pm

Hi Molly,

I am a newbie at navy life and this is my first deployment as well. Here is what has helped for me. I had my sailor email the ombudsmen's when I hadn't heard back. I then got an email from her the next day stating that my email some how made it into her spam. The FRG and the Ombudsmen help keep you updated by email and news letters. My sailor is on the Truman I was told that he will be asked who should have access to the base for homecoming. Once you are on the list you will have to show idea when you get to base. Also, is your sailor in a squadron? It was easier for me to get in touch with mines squadron FRG then the ships FRG. Also check facebook your husbands ship has a page, I keep up with it because it is in mines fleet, they should also have a FRG facebbok page. When on facebook remember OPSEC. don't ask specific questions there.

Good Luck hope some of this helped. If you can get the info that you need ask your husband he might work with someone who knows. You can also message me directly if you want and I will see if I cant help you find the information. Keep your head up. I know how you feel about homecoming so I will help you any way that I can 

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