Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Slynascar88 (ship 12 div 349) on February 5, 2014 at 8:33pm

Navymom1991 I totally understand what you are going through. At this very moment my Daughter is somewhere between CA and Tokyo. She is also being stationed at sasebo. It is totally terifing but I lie to her daily saying it is all good and it will be a great experience. I really hope it is for both our Sailors and the time goes by quickly.

Permalink Reply by DramaSoul on February 5, 2014 at 8:35pm

Check out the Navy 4 Moms group Japan Moms.  I just joined them as my son will be headed out toward the end of the year.  They are awesome!

Permalink Reply by Mary (Chris' mom) on February 5, 2014 at 8:41pm

Navymom1991, I understand your apprehensions...I was that was several years ago when my son's orders were changed from DC to Korea. I do not know about the Sasebo base (mine is attached to a ship at Yokosuka) but most of the sailors like their time in Japan. To address your concerns on Korea, the South China Sea and the islands between China and Japan that are a source of contention between the two nations...1) Your sailor could be crossing the road in San Diego and be hit by a truck and killed, he is as safe in Japan as most anywhere in the world. 2) Along those same lines, you can count him as lucky that he was not ordered to Afghanistan, or fighting pirates, trying to help keep peace in Africa or the Middle East or fighting drug runners in South America. 3) Korea has been a sore spot on our backside for years...thankfully they are crazy but not totally stupid enough to believe they could actually win a war between the US and the multi-national forces based in South Korea. 4) If your sailor will be serving at shore duty most of his enlistment he will be able to call/Skype/Facetime with you pretty regularly.

I know I sound pretty of matter-of-fact now (I didn't 5 years ago) but you do put up a little buffer after a while. I had to. My son would get upset as soon as I would begin to cry, so now I must put on my big girl pants when he comes home or calls. I remind him that at least he knows he is loved and missed. :-) Best of luck to your sailor and you know where there is lots of "mom support".

 

Permalink Reply by Mary (Chris' mom) on February 5, 2014 at 8:42pm

By the way....my son LOVED Korea and would like to move back there with his family someday.

Permalink Reply by angeldi999 on February 5, 2014 at 9:27pm

My son was upset to be assigned to Japan too...he is on base at Yokusaka...until he talked to an officer shortly after he got his orders and the officer gushed about how much he enjoyed his time in Japan!  It is for most a much loved assignment.  There are a lot of other sailors stationed there too, Mom, so relax and trust that all will go well.  It has been a very maturing experience for my son as well and he has enjoyed his time in Japan immensely.  He has bought skis and him and his friends go skiing several times during the winter...he bikes in the summer and has enjoyed visiting many sites in Japan.  He went out with the George Washington shortly after he got there for 3 months and got to see Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.  The people of Japan are wonderful, very polite...he says they will chase you down the street if you leave a tip on the table at a restaurant, so they can give it back to you!  Be happy for him!  It is truly an opportunity of a lifetime!

Permalink Reply by Janai'sMom on February 5, 2014 at 9:34pm

Hi Navymom91, I was in your shoes last October, when we thought my daughter was going to Virginia, and she ended up in Sasebo, Japan. She was so nervous at first, and of course, so was I.  She absolutely loves it. She was shocked to find so many sailors she already knew from both BC and A school, including her recruiter.  I bet your son will see many sailors he already knows, and they will become close friends.   To be honest, I will not watch the national news, war movies, or listen to negative people who say things like "Aren't you scared?" or try to downplay my emotions.  I've been on Google Earth millions of times to see what it's like over there, and it's lovely.  The moms on here are wonderfully supportive,  I tell myself, and others, that my daughter is seeing, and will see, parts of the world that many people only dream of, and get to experience a world full of cultures.  It is bittersweet, and your emotions are absolutely normal. In a weird sort of way, I have found Japan easier than boot camp. I think it's because I know she knows her stuff, and is with young men and women who have her back.  You'll be okay, he'll be okay.  We're all in this together, and I thank God every day for the moms on this site, you included. 

Permalink Reply by navymom3 on February 5, 2014 at 9:54pm

My son has been in Yokosuka for just over 2 yrs now. He has been to Sasebo and said it is a small base but still nice. He spent 30 days there before heading out to sea. There were plenty of fun things for him to do. He loves Japan but also cant wait to get to choose new orders soon. Your son will love his time there. He will also learn alot out the culture. Skype, facetime and free texting apps are your friends. We both now have iphones so it works out better. Mine has been back to the states twice in the last 2 years and will be coming back again in April/May. Not exactly sure. They do get extra money for cost of living. If he spends wisely he can end up with a good sized bank account when he is done. Hang in there and vent here if needed. I would have him get his passport before he leaves. Not needed to travel on orders but just in case he wants to explore.

Permalink Reply by Anti M on February 6, 2014 at 7:41am

I was stationed in Yokosuka, and my husband was in Sasebo... he ended up in Yokosuka too, for a couple sets of orders back to back.  That only happens if you try really hard to stay there, so don;t worry!

As others have said, it is a beautiful country with lovely people.  Very safe on a personal level.  The history and culture are simply amazing.  I love Japan a great deal, my experiences were positive.  I get homesick for Yokosuka quite often.  And the food is terrific.  Perhaps the biggest "hazard" is many sailors end up with Japanese wives!  LOL, just kidding, but kinda not.  

He should certainly explore, and there are a lot of opportunities for that.  A passport is a good idea, and get one for yourself too.  You never know when you may want, or need, to go overseas.

As for the politics... things were tense when I was there decades ago.  When Soviet Russia shot down the civilian airliner, things got really, really tense.  Most Americans have no idea how edgy we were those few days.  There's always something somewhere, you just have to breathe and keep the faith.  So far, so good.

Welcome to the group.  These ladies are always here for love and support.

Permalink Reply by Blondie on February 6, 2014 at 9:14am

HUGS We have all been there. My daughter joined right after she turned 18 by her 19th birthday she was in the Middle East.  Elected to stay the second year and then went to Japan (because what was going on in Korea.....) for years 3-5 now she is finally stateside.   Being a mom isn't something we can shut off.  So we just ban together and Pray a lot!  It did help me to remember This is what she wanted and she was/is Happy.  Keep reminding yourself God Loves her and she's in good hands. Bad things happen here (on college campuses) all the time.  The Navy has safety nets and watches out for them.  Stay connected, is he assigned ship duty or land?  check on getting hooked up to his ship/command news, through Navy times, facebook, here.....Also we went to Japan to visit our daughter, it is one of the Cleanest, Friendliest, safest places.  So Study up on Japan, encourage him to explore, the bases design day trips and such.....Breathe.  Come to Japan Mom's and join in the discussions and vent all you want.  there is also a Prayer wall group you can join.  and what is his specialty?  they might have a group also, or his ship/base, join as many as you can and you'll find the right fit.  Good luck and I hope to be seeing you around the site.   It's okay, everything you feel ...is Okay, it's normal.  we all understand and share in it with you.  Hugs again.

Permalink Reply by Kim on February 6, 2014 at 11:10am

I see that I live close to you, so I sent you friend request.  My sailor just became a recruiter in Middletown, NY.  I think that is also close to you.  He was in Sasebo for 3 years and is married to a girl from there. 

Most sailors fall in love with Japan.  They also visit more foreign ports.  My son was to China, Australia, Viet Nam, Phillipines, etc.  With leave during most visits.  After Japan, he was in San Diego.  One long deployment and very few ports.  San Diego was like a ghost town during holidays.  Sasebo has festivities, food and was like one big happy family. 

I saw my sailor more when he was in Japan.  He came home every year.  He was married when he was in San Diego and didn't visit here.  They were busy exploring the west coast.

Most sailors get a little homesick at first.  That would probably happen if he was stationed in San Diego. 

Permalink Reply by Donna2d on February 7, 2014 at 10:12am

Hello navymom1991!!

I can't really add anything different from what others have already said except my personal experience. My Son just returned home yesterday from a 2 yr tour in Yokosuka and I felt the same as you do now when we first got the word that he was going to Japan. He wasn't happy about the orders and we weren't either. He is the baby of six kids and having him sooo far away from us was beyond worrisome! But.....you'll come to terms with it and so will he. Son was 23 when he moved there and the experiences he's gained in his personal and professional lives far outweigh any negatives that he might come away with! My Son wasn't crazy about Japan, but his leaving was still bittersweet because of the great friends he made while there. I don't know where your son will be living (ours lived off base) but the bases in Japan feel just like you're in the US. I know this because we were able to visit him for 2 weeks in early 2013. I would encourage you to save your $$$ and do the same! It was a wonderful experience made even better because Son was able to teach us so much that he had learned about the culture. He had done very little sight-seeing until we visited, so we took a bullet train to Hiroshima and Osaka, and the "regular" train (subway to us) to Tokyo....making memories with him that are once in a lifetime! The girls on here are your lifeline, and your Son's lifeline are his fellow Sailors. Anything you might have a question about can be answered here, and it's a great place to vent when your Sailor isn't calling or emailing as much as you'd like. If you even think of traveling to Japan start here with all your questions....every one of mine were answered...and I had many. My best advice is to embrace this as an opportunity for your Sailor, because that's exactly what it is and do your best to let him know the same. There are groups here that are specific to his ship and/or base and most ships have Facebook pages as well...they come in handy too. Hope you at least feel better having found this website. There is a wealth of information on here....as well as hope, encouragement, friendships, humor, strength, and most of all....a deep appreciation for, and love of our US Sailors! Rest easy Mom....all will be well...I promise!

Permalink Reply by NavyMomE57 on March 2, 2014 at 7:25pm

You have received really good advise already.  I am just writing to encourage you.  My daughter has been stationed in Yokosuka for over a year.  She really likes the area.  She has been impressed with the honesty of the Japanese people.  I pray for her often.  She can Skype, send me messages on Facebook as well as text messages.  The phone calls are always the highlight of my week.  The command will take good care of him.  Check out the commands Facebook page and the family support group.  Hope this helps.