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USS Port Royal (CG 73)
The Will to Win
To Newly Reporting Officers and Your Families.
Welcome to the USS PORT ROYAL, congratulations on your orders to the best homeport in the Navy! We look forward to you joining our wardroom. As a leader in PORT ROYAL, you are a role model to our Sailors: therefore you must take advantage of every training opportunity that your pipeline presents; my expectation is that you will report onboard ready to do your job and complete your required PQS qualifications as efficiently as possible. First and foremost, we need you qualified in Damage Control and 3M. As the Captain of this great crew and ship, I need your support to ensure the safe execution of our mission. Therefore, your professional level of knowledge of Surface Warfare must continue to grow on a daily basis whether a new ENS, a Fleet LT, or experienced DEPT HEAD. The concept of "Forceful Back Up" cannot occur unless we all work to enhance our knowledge and skills everyday. Your training track is the foundation we will build on together; we will train on a daily basis. Study on your own is expected and required for us to be successful!
In USS PORT ROYAL, we execute "Back to Basics" throughout our daily routine. As a leader in PORT ROYAL, you will be out on the deck plates, flash light in hand, in coveralls on a daily basis. I am a 100 percent believer in use and knowledge of references and procedures. Please ensure you read the Command Philosophy prior to your arrival. You must know my "top three" on your arrival: qualified watch standers, use authorized and current procedures, and never bypass or disable safeties.
Additionally, I believe that as leaders we must know and take care of our most valuable asset—our people. Please make sure that you take the time to prepare your family for the rigors of sea duty prior to your arrival. Specifically, powers of attorney, wills, dependent care plans, and family financial management. Your sponsor will get a hold of you prior to your arrival to Hawaii. If for any reason that does not occur or you have unanswered questions (by the way the only dumb question is the one not asked) please contact the XO here or myself here. For spouses with Family or Hawaii questions, please forward your email address and questions to the email addresses above and our spouses will open email contact directly with your spouses. Thanks for supporting our great nation and the Navy! I look forward to your arrival.
Senior Enlisted - Before reporting please contact our CMC.
Junior Enlisted
Check In
Make sure that you go to Admin and have all your processing completed. If you have qualifications from previous commands, be sure that they are entered into the computer system by the Admin Office. If they are not entered into the computer system, then they do not exist.
Liberty
When you receive your orders
When you receive orders to the PORT ROYAL, please email the enlisted sponsor program manager: Enlisted Sponsor. Officers should contact the Officer Program Manager by clicking the following link: Officer Sponsor Email. PORT ROYAL will arrange for every sailor to have a sponsor. If you have not been contacted by your sponsor and your detachment date is soon, please email the Command Master Chief . The purpose of a sponsor is to make your transition to PORT ROYAL and the Honolulu Area as easy as possible.
Command Sponsor Coordinator: (808) 471-3235 Command Master Chief: (808) 471-9260
When you arrive
Honolulu Airport is the hub of air transportation on the island of Oahu. Please provide your sponsor flight information so you can be met at the baggage claim area. Here are useful links for the airport: Airport Terminal Map
If you arrive at the airport and no one is there to meet you, call the following number:
PORT ROYAL Quarterdeck: (808) 474-9298 If no one responds on the quarterdeck, the ship might be at sea. If the ship is at sea you must report to TPU (Transient Personnel Unit) on Pearl Harbor Naval Station upon arrival.
Naval Station Pearl Harbor Transient Personnel Unit: (808) 471-9581
To avoid loosing leave days you should report to the USS PORT ROYAL when you arrive on the island of Oahu to avoid losing excess leave days. In addition when you check in you should make sure that you have the following documents:
The piers in Pearl Harbor have unmanned security gates. When you arrive,if you don't know your CAC card PIN, proceed to Pass and ID at the Nimitz gate to reset your card. You will need this to get onto our pier .
Temporary Lodging
If you are bringing your family with you, please be aware that you must check into the command or TPU first in order to start your TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) which will help cover your hotel bill. Your Welcome Aboard kit contains information on many TLA approved hotels, but you should check with your sponsor before making reservations. If the ship is at sea, contact the Command Ombudsman for assistance -- she can be reached through the PORT ROYAL CARELINE number listed below. A full explanation of TLA requirements is contained in your Welcome Aboard kit.
Useful number: PORT ROYAL CARELINE: (800) 690-0847 Permanent Housing Government Housing
Families can expect to receive government quarters within 60 to 180 days. To speed up housing assignment you should submit a copy of your orders, along with a completed housing application (DD Form 1746) to the Aloha Center, 988 Spence St., Bldg 2652, Honolulu, HI 96818. Include a copy of your detaching endorsement if you have already checked out of your command.
DOD referral is a website designed especially for assisting military with finding suitable housing. www.dodreferral.com
Other links: Military Family Schools Point of Contact for the above link is Ms. Kathy Wooldridge, Navy Region Hawaii School Liaison / Number: (808) 474-1999 x 6316 She has been a very valuable resource for military families. It is worth your time to contact her. PSD Pearl Harbor
Household Goods
Household goods is difficult to reach by phone in Hawaii. Therefore, be sure to provide an email address. They generally will respond to your questions the same day. Be sure to set aside one work day for the shipment because they only deliver during normal working hours of 9-5 on weekdays.
JPPSO and PPD are both located in the Navy Aloha Center. The address of the Navy Aloha Center is 4825 Bougainville Drive, Honolulu, HI 96818.
Automobile (The information from this section comes courtesy from the HSL-37 Easy Riders website)
Each service member is authorized to ship one privately owned vehicle at government expense. Check with your current Household Goods Officer for information regarding shipping times and locations. Before shipping your vehicle, you must have permission from the lien holder to transport the vehicle to Hawaii. If the vehicle is co-registered, you must also show that person's permission to ship the vehicle. If you are shipping a privately owned vehicle (POV) it will require approximately 60 days from the East Coast or 21 days from the West Coast to reach Oahu. All personal vehicles must be safety inspected within 10 days after arrival on the island.
NOTE: The "10 day" rule applies only to vehicles with valid and current registration and license plates. Otherwise, the vehicle must be registered immediately.
To register your car in Hawaii, your are required to have the following documents:
Once you have all these forms, you may obtain your registration by presenting the documents to any Satellite City Hall (Ala Moana Center, Downtown, Kailua, Kalihi/Kapalama, Kaneohe (Windward Mall), Wahiawa, Waianae, Waipahu) Monday through Friday (7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.).
DOD Decals
To obtain DOD decals, you have to go the decal office right next to the main Nimitz gate. You will need the following documents:
1) Registration 2) Hawaii no fault insurance (mentioned above) 3) Safety Check 4) Driver's License 5) Military ID.
Hawaii no fault insurance is different from insurance in other states, but it should be offered by most nationwide insurance companies.
Pets
If you intend on bringing a pet, be advised that Hawaii has strict quarantine laws. Contact your sponsor, or the following numbers:
Division of Animal Industry directly at (808) 483-7100
Quarantine Station : (808) 483-7151 for more information.
Pet Quarantine is a big issue here in Hawaii -- and quarantine can last for up to 120 days -- or it can be zero -- it all depends on how much "legwork" you do with your pet's veterinarian BEFORE you arrive in Hawaii. If you have a pet, please be sure you contact the numbers above and you have a complete understanding of what is involved in transporting a pet to Hawaii -- doing so will save you A LOT of headache later on down the line. If you do not have housing waiting for you, your pets will need to be kenneled once they clear customs at the airport.
MWR runs a very good kennel that is five minutes from the base. Call to make a reservation at (808) 368-3456
The following information about life in Hawaii is solely the personal opinion.
Places to Live
One of my first concerns about the transfer was which community in Oahu I should look at for housing. Here is a breakdown of some of the more popular areas to live:
Waikiki and Downtown Advantages: Downtown, convenient Disadvantages: Price
Kaneohe and East Oahu Advantages: Easy access to the beach and an easy drive along Highway H3 Disadvantages: Distant geographically from much of life on Oahu
Pearl City, Pearl Ridge, Waipahu, Aiea, Salt Lake (Central Oahu) Advantages: Economical and close to the base. Close to many shopping centers Disadvantages: Crowded and not always the best price to living area ratio
Ewa Beach and West Oahu Advantages: Suburbia living, quiet Disadvantages: The traffic can be awful on Highway H1.
Mililani (North of Pearl Harbor) Advantages: Nice, quiet, close to Highway H2. Disadvantages: More rural and isolated
1. What is an Ombudsman? Every Command has an Ombudsman who is a spouse of a sailor at the Command. The Ombudsman serves as the liaison between the command and the families. The Ombudsman is the point of contact for the families. He or she can assist families with navigating through Navy life through resources and information.
2. How can an Ombudsman help me? Navy Family Ombudsmen are key resources for family members, particularly during deployments. Ombudsmen maintain current resource files with information on military and civilian community agencies that can help families solve a variety of problems, and successfully meet the challenges they face before, during, and after deployments. In addition to providing referral information, Ombudsmen can facilitate communication between the Command and family members. Ombudsmen may publish or contribute to command newsletters or maintain care lines, which have recorded messages with information for command families that can be accessed 24 hours a day. Ombudsmen can also assist families in contacting the Command for a variety of reasons.
3. What is the role of the COMNAVSURFPAC Force Ombudsman? The Force Ombudsman provides oversight and guidance for all the Surface Ship's Ombudsmen in the Pacific Fleet Area of Responsibility. You can contact the Surface Forces Ombudsman at (619) 301-6983 or send an email to surfaceombudsman@gmail.com
4. What is an IA assignment or tour? An IA is an Individual Augmentee. A Sailor may receive orders to go IA and this means that he or she will deploy as an Individual, not with their command. Sometimes an IA will deploy and be stationed with another branch of the Military. http://www.ia.navy.mil/
5. What is NFAAS? Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System. This is how the Navy will track your family and assess your needs during an emergency. https://www.navyfamily.navy.mil
6. How can I find out more about medical, dental or Navy family resources? Contact your Command Ombudsman. He or she will guide you to your resources.
UNIT 100162 BOX 1 FPO AP 96675 (808) 474-9298