Tips for being stationed in Yokosuka
My son survived boot camp (at the end he said it was easy) and A-School. He's currently on his way to Yokosuka for service aboard the USS George Washington as I write this. He's going to be doing Launch and Recovery (which makes him a little nervous since it's a dangerous job). I told him just concentrate on his job and not to be careless. I really couldn't think of anything else to tell him to ease his mind. He told me that once the Washington returns to base, he'll be living aboard the ship. Since he won't have the comfy setup he had in Pensacola (dorm-style rooms) and space is limited, obviously, there's not much he can have there. He has 4 boxes of civilian clothes sitting in my basement which I'll probably have until he gets stationed stateside. :)
I've been doing some research regarding phones and it looks like his best option is wifi using Skype (on his phone) and KIK (wifi messaging from his phone). Softbank is supposed to be a decent carrier over there for regular mobile service? Any other suggestions regarding communication with family?
The trickier thing is I'm going to get him a laptop (assuming he's cleared to have one...I heard it isn't an issue). What is an issue is that I've read elsewhere that laptops are stolen from locked lockers on all of the ships. Since I planned on getting him a good gaming laptop AND I'm a computer geek for a living...I can lock this thing down. The problem is that I've read there's only wireless access in the common areas which will limit the effectiveness of any tracking software. Other than installing a physical lock, a STOP sticker (theft-prevention sticker), CMOS password (the password when the system first boots up), and tracking software (LoJack for laptops is one I'm researching)...is there anything else I can do to reduce the odds of it being stolen? Part of me thinks a physical lock will be most effective since even if they pick the lock, they'd have to break the lock off the laptop. Of course, that assumes that there's a place he can loop it around in his locker. Any ideas?
Finally...and something where the information I've received is spotty. I'm having the laptop shipped to me so I can prep it and load it with Skype, movies, MS-Office (for college classes he plans on taking) and a few games. What is the best way to ship things to Yokosuka?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on
-
you need to touch base with our Japan group...track down Brad as his son was a rescue swimmer as well http://www.navydads.com/group/japandads
-
Permalink Reply by john taylor on
-
my son has been stationed in Yokosuka for almost 2 years he in an MA seems the best way to talk to him is with his cell plan that he has unlimited data on his end and he has I phone 5 which enables him to face time to his moms ipad or i phone and uses no data or i use voxer to talk to him internet over there is very expensive and he has a dorm style room doesn't spend much time there has 12 hr shifts does everything through phone even uses it as hot spot for his lap top hope this helps hard with them being 8000 miles away but can't help being proud of what there doing.
-
Permalink Reply by Richard Scherman on
-
My son was aboard the GW for a couple of years and is now back here in SD getting set up on a new platform - he is an AW (AO?) and was attached to the Chargers who were sent back home to Coronado. When he go there the best thing that I had to keep in touch with him was facebook...
The time difference is 15-16 hours...there is a fb group for the GW as well. Great fun was had at looking at the updates that were put up, looking for his pictures...He will get used to it quickly...they integrate fast over there. Does he drink? They can turn into fish as well.......
If he is with and adventurous group, they can (and will) travel through the Island - all sorts of things to see there...
hopefully fukushima does not let anymore crap out - when it did the GW took off and the Chargers were left behind helping the people in that area. All had to wear rad suits...
face to face talking via skype is also a good thing - remember the time difference though.
Hope that this helped you a bit. Kinda rushed for time
MISSION STATEMENT:
NavyDads mission is to Provide Support, Encouragement, and Knowledge to Sailors and their Families throughout their Journey together in the United States Navy.
NavyDads can only succeed with your help. We receive no outside funding and every dollar you donate helps us cover operating costs and helps keep this site running.
KEY INFORMATION
Community Guidelines
How To Get Started
Boot Camp Group
Navy Enlisted Rates & Non-Commissioned Officers Rates
Navy Lingo & Slang
Navy Links
U.S. Navy Ships
Delayed Entry Program
Red Cross Services for Military Families
Google-Based NavyDads Search
Events
-
• Event: Sarge's Meet & Greet
January 8, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm – Lakehurst Event Center
0 Comments 0 Likes -
• Event: Sarge's Meet & Greet
January 8, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm – Lakehurst Event Center
0 Comments 0 Likes -
• Event: Sarge's Meet & Greet
January 15, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm – Lakehurst Event Center
0 Comments 0 Likes -
• Event: Sarge's Meet & Greet
January 15, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm – Lakehurst Event Center
0 Comments 0 Likes -
• Event: Sarge's Meet & Greet
January 22, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm – Lakehurst Event Center
0 Comments 0 Likes
Blog Posts
Question about communication....
Posted by Scott Shiley on June 21, 2024 at 8:44am 5 Comments 0 Likes
Phishing for Info
Posted by Michael J Conway on April 18, 2023 at 4:08pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
USPS MILITARYKIT - **FREE**
Posted by Joseph Hernandez on January 28, 2023 at 11:54am 1 Comment 1 Like
Before A School
Posted by Philip Steinert on January 2, 2023 at 2:10pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
My little sailor
Posted by william joseph wolfcale on December 3, 2022 at 4:08pm 2 Comments 2 Likes
my dad skII Wolfcale
Posted by william joseph wolfcale on December 3, 2022 at 4:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Off to A School
Posted by Michael J Conway on November 13, 2022 at 9:55pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Son leaves for San Diego
Posted by Jeff J Sperekas on June 25, 2022 at 7:33pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Requesting a re-assignment
Posted by Wesley Scott Phillips on January 5, 2022 at 11:37am 3 Comments 0 Likes
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER
Posted by John W Hensman on October 9, 2021 at 4:21pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Form letter
Posted by John D O'Rourke on September 16, 2021 at 5:58am 2 Comments 1 Like
Boot Camp
Posted by Mark F Durovka on March 22, 2021 at 8:46pm 2 Comments 2 Likes
RTC
Posted by Thomas ODonnell on January 10, 2021 at 3:00pm 7 Comments 0 Likes
Bittersweet Happiness
Posted by Jim Lisi on December 13, 2020 at 1:21pm 3 Comments 1 Like
Pride and Honor
Posted by Elliott Peigen on September 7, 2020 at 9:56am 2 Comments 0 Likes
Introducing Myself
Posted by John Lillyblad on March 18, 2020 at 4:38pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
Mail problems
Posted by Fernando Bolano on March 17, 2020 at 2:36pm 3 Comments 0 Likes
SHIP 06 DIV 100
Posted by Chris Koning on February 9, 2020 at 3:54pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Ship 10 Div 114
Posted by Mike Cunningham on February 3, 2020 at 2:15pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Day ONE
Posted by Mike Cunningham on January 15, 2020 at 1:23pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
© 2024 Created by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin.
Powered by
