Lots of questions about the Navy?

Question

My husband recently joined the Navy! So I have a million questions. We have two kids,my son is from a previous marriage and his father has no visitation so Im just wondering if he does get visitation in the future how will that work with us no where close to him? And what living on base is like,what bases are the best or should we live off base? Im just looking for any info on the navy life...so if anyone can offer any info i would appreciate it.

Answer 1

I'm a Navy wife... my family lives off base and we like it, We have friends who live on base and they all hate something about it, theres either too much drama (a lot of Navy Spouses are young, like 18, and 19) It's like High School, or there's is a list of things that need to be a certain way or you get in trouble (like the height of the grass for example). There's usually a waiting list for on-base housing (could be a week or it could be a month before you get a house). Now as far as your son, a court will work out how visitation would work (usually you each pay half for travel), judges are usually good with military families.

My advice to you is to make sure your husband has all of you and your children's info handy because he'll need it for paperwork.

Answer 2

First - the visitation is "his" problem not yours.... as for housing it's a mixed bag.  At some locations I would say get into housing...

Benefits

security (usually patrolled by DOD police/security)

free water & electric

closed community

easier to deal with someone to get repairs done (although I have heard nightmares about them too)

random home inspections - just to ensure you're in complaince

Drawbacks

normally a long wait time

regulations about what you can & can't do....

I'm sure you will hear more from others but those are the ones that stick out for me...longggggggg wait times normally.  We've always opted to live out in town for that very reason also gives you more flexibility about where you want to live too.

There is some base housing in Maryland that is in a questionable neighborhood...as it is in other areas too.

What bases are best.... his detailer will give him a few options if he's lucky. Needs of the Navy are #1 as it is with the other services too, you will hear lots of people complain about this place or that place... like Norfolk - I hated it during one tour there - the next time a few years later I loved it...

Welcome Aboard...