Japan Dads

Comment

Comment by Ed A on June 15, 2010 at 6:54pm

My son is on the Shiloh, sister ship to the Cowpens. He loves it over there and likes the cruiser. If your son hasn't e-mailed the Cowpens yet he should. He can get a lot of advance info that will help bring some light to a big change in his life. He can simply go to their website and find the contact links.

Comment by Maureen Frey on June 15, 2010 at 6:16pm

my son is onboard the GW and I need to send him a care pkg. He is an electrician's mate; I have his box #. Could someone onboard give me his address plz?

Comment by Brad on June 15, 2010 at 6:08pm

Leroy, I think to get to the stop close to Atsugi, he needed to take a certain group to make the right stops for the change overs. Yokosuka probably is a straighter shot.
Gary, your son will quickly find some buddies and learn the area from them while you wait for the repairs to be completed. Make sure you both get Skype so you can see him online while he is in port.

Comment by Gary Jensen on June 15, 2010 at 6:01pm

Brad and Leroy - thanks so much for chiming in. I really think it will be a great experience for my son and I'll pass on the words of advice regarding AOB/ICR. Change is always difficult and getting oriented to a new base and ship in a foreign country will take some time.

Comment by Leroy Gutierrez on June 15, 2010 at 5:53pm

Brad the difference in time was probably the type of train you were riding. There are 3 types of trains in Japan. The "Black" Label train makes all stops (Takes forever to get anywhere), the "Red" Label train which makes the Major stops, and the "Green" Label which only stops at the major interchanges (Quick Trip). Tell your son to make sure he leaves the base and explores the sights in Japan as well. He will have a blast.

Comment by Brad on June 15, 2010 at 5:48pm

I agree with Leroy to learn what he can when he gets there, but I know the trip from Toyko was almost 3 hours by train, including changes to the stop we took for Atsugi (the Naval Airbase close to Yokosuka). USS Cowpens is also the potential ship for my son who is an AW/rescue swimmer and they do the sonar (sub hunting) when up in the Helo assigned to the ship. Small world! Garrett enjoys it out there, so I am sure your son will become close to his shipmates. Currently the Cowpens is in drydock for repairs. Garrett thought it may be awhile for it to be ready, so his group of 4 AW's may get re-assigned to the USS Shiloh if they need them first. If not, maybe he will get to see you son, Gary!

Comment by Leroy Gutierrez on June 15, 2010 at 5:18pm

USS COWPENS is a good ship, she is homeported in Yokosuka Japan which is about an hour south of Tokyo by train. Your son should have a good time there. When he arrives he should try to get into one of the AOB/ICR (Area Orientation Brief/InterCultural Relations)classes as soon as possible. It will help him understand some of the culture and customs in Japan plus how to use the train system

Comment by david r. frey on June 15, 2010 at 5:15pm

thank you mark for starting this site,glad to see so many other parents of sailors making posts.
a great big B Z for you.

Comment by Gary Jensen on June 15, 2010 at 4:47pm

My son is currently stationed in Point Loma and was in holding after completing A-School as a Surface Sonar Technician. I just found out yesterday that he got his orders and has been assigned to the USS Cowpens (CG 63). I'm both nervous and excited for him. I think the new orders are just sinking in for him also. I'm looking for some input and encouragement from anyone here.

Comment by Brad on June 14, 2010 at 9:45am

Thanks Mark for setting up a group for those of us with sailors in Japan. Atsugi is a special place, and I know those that serve there and at other Japanese sites, have a special bond with one another being so far away. I know because when I was out there, they told me! Thank you for giving us now a special place to bond as well. Mark, I hope your son is doing well out in Atsugi.

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