Welcome

The Navy Ombudsman
Navy Family Ombudsmen are a critical communication link between the Commanding Officer and family members. They must be the spouse of an active duty or Reserve member of the command. Once appointed as the command Ombudsman, the volunteer receives standardized Ombudsman Basic Training (OBT). OBT provides the basic knowledge and tools necessary to be an effective representative of the command and an advocate for family members.


Contact Our Ombudsman:
Mrs. Gwendolyn Matranga (757) 707-4585
Care line: sterettombudsman104@gmail.com

A Relocation Checklist for Military Personnel
Very good checklists can be found at your local Family Service Center Relocation Office. These are usually the best source of information to make your move as painless as possible. However, this page may serve to remind you of some of the important items that are sometimes overlooked.

Have you...

• Received your orders?
• Completed sea-duty screening within 30 days of receiving hard copy orders?
• Obligated service for the duration of your new assignment?
• Received a signed transfer evaluation and filed it in your service record?
• Notified your sponsor of flight information? Arranged ground transportation?

Keep your important documents (birth certificates, passports, orders, medications, insurance, etc.) separate. If possible, keep them locked in your car trunk during the pack out so they don't get accidentally packed. You should, at a minimum, keep the following items with you prior to AND during transit to your new command:

• PCS orders.
• All military records.
• Keys.
• Address Book.
• Moving documents.
• Household valuables inventory.

Complete a Change of Address card at the local post office. You can also fill this out on-line at www.usps.com/moversnet.  Remember, this changes your address at the post office, not with whomever is sending you mail. You must notify individuals, companies, and any magazines you have subscriptions with separately. Most companies, including magazines, have a toll-free number you may call to change your delivery address.

Provide all relatives (spouse, parents, etc.) with a copy of your PCS orders. If there is an emergency requiring them to contact the American Red Cross (ARC), your orders will allow the ARC to quickly determine your location and contact you.

Make arrangements to cancel utility services and pay final bills. Most utility companies will forward a final statement and receipt of payment to your new address if you ask. Ensure you take care of ALL of the following, as necessary:

Water Company
Electric company
Natural gas Company
Trash/waste services
Telephone (including CELL phones)
Any maintenance-related fees you may have incurred.
And of course, ensure you sponsor is aware of your arrival date. They can also confirm temporary lodging, ground transportation, pet reservations, etc.

Your mailing address will be:
Your Name and Rank (SR John Doe)
Your department/division
USS STERETT DDG-104
FPO AP 96678-1310

If you are reporting and STERETT is underway proceed directly to the Naval Base San Diego
Transient Personnel Unit (Dry Side). They are manned 24 hours a day and can be found at:

Transient Personnel Unit:
BLDG 3142 Brunton Hall Naval Base San Diego
Quarterdeck number is (619) 556-3182.
2475 McKean St
San Diego, CA 92136


Obtained a passport?
It’s highly recommended that all military members get a tourist passport prior to departing the United States. Active duty military are not eligible for a "no-fee" passport, but their family members are - ensure they have one! A passport makes it easier and quicker to depart some of the various countries we visit. You never know when you will be required to return to homeport or the U.S. to attend a school or go TAD.


When You Arrive

1. Transportation
Airport
The local airport is San Diego International Airport, it’s located 6.8 miles (14.4 km) from Naval Base San Diego dry side. Travel time to NBSD dry side is approximately 15-20 minutes by car during non-rush hour. Your sponsor will most likely be the one greeting you at the airport and will help you get settled into your initial accommodations. If no one is there to pick you up, please go to the USO in the airport and they will assist you in contacting the duty driver.


Directions
Reporting to STERETT will be easy! Naval Base San Diego is located in southern California and is homeport to the Pacific Fleet Surface Navy. It is approximately 20 minutes southeast of San Diego International Airport and is divided into the Wet-Side, Dry-Side, and Fleet and Family Complex. If driving, you may enter Naval Base San Diego at the main gate, Gate 6. Gate 6 is located at the intersection of Harbor Drive and 32nd Street. For access to base, you must have a valid military ID.  To avoid travel costs, be sure to ask your sponsor to arrange to have the command pick you up.

Uber
Approximately $25 from the airport to NBSD dry-side during the non-rush hour period.

Rental Cars
SATO Travel office also has cooperative agreements with local commercial car rental agencies. Prices range from $28.00 to $58.00. For current information, call your local SATO Travel office or call the San Diego office. The minimum renter age for both is 21 years with a valid driver’s license.

2. Where to Report
If you require travel assistance, please contact either your sponsor or the ship in advance to let us know your travel intentions.  When you arrive in the area contact your sponsor or the ship for our current berth.

Check-in:
Report directly to the ship on Naval Station San Diego.  Communicate with your sponsor early to ensure your rack/barracks room is ready and/or scheduled. 

Always check in wearing your seasonal dress uniform. When you check in, the Officer of the Deck should sign your orders and your sponsor will be called to the quarterdeck to meet you if they are not at the airport. You should also meet with the Command Duty Officer and Section Leader who will ensure you have a place to sleep and inform you when to report for work in the morning. If you arrived in San Diego alone, make sure to call your loved ones.

Checking in your records
Your first day on the job should be focused on turning in your service records. This starts the process of pay and entitlements. You will need to update your Page 2 and turn in your travel claim. The administrative office will assist you in filling out these documents.



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Where do I report?
If the ship is in port, report in the Uniform of the Day to the STERETT quarterdeck. The Officer of the Deck will endorse your orders. Your sponsor will arrange for berthing and will show you around the ship. Normal working hours are from 0700 to 1600.  If the ship is at sea, reporting personnel should report to the Transient Personnel Unit (TPU), Bldg. 3142 Naval Station San Diego CA. The telephone number is (619) 556-3182. The uniform of the day is the Service Uniform for E-6 and junior and Service Khaki for E-7 and senior. Personnel attending schools will conform to the uniform policy of the respective training organization. Coveralls are not authorized off the pier.

When does my sea pay start?
Upon checking onboard. For amount, please visit  www.dfas.mil.

When do we get underway/deploy next?
Please contact your sponsor or the sponsor coordinator.

May I get a tour of the ship prior to my report date?
Absolutely, please contact your sponsor to make arrangements to ensure the ship is in port.

Is there a gym onboard?
Yes. We have a Weight Room and Cardio Workout area aboard.

Where should I look for a place of residence for my family and I?
Please contact you sponsor, they should be able to point you in the right direction. An abundant amount of information regarding schools, crime rate, amenities, community, price range, etc. can be found online.

What pier is the ship berthed at?
Contact your sponsor for up to date information or security upon entrance to Naval Base San Diego as they have a current listing. 

What items should I bring with me to the ship if it is pierside or I'm being flown out to meet the ship?
Bring a full seabag and any personal hygiene items you may need. For more ideas or questions about specifics, please contact your sponsor.

If something happens to a family member while I'm underway and they need me, what should they do?
Have them contact the American Red Cross. They are able to contact the ship if the service member’s family is in distress.

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://navyfamily.navy.mil

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.


Family Resources

1. San Diego Information
Information on getting to San Diego and area information is contained on the Navy Region Southwest Web Site at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/SanDiego/index.

2. Getting Around in San Diego
For information on other routes to get around in San Diego, please refer to the Navy Region Southwest Web Site http://www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fsc/resouceGuide/Getting%20Around%20San%20Diego.

3. Housing and Lodging
Bachelor Housing: Combined Bachelor Quarters (CBQ) is located at Naval Base San Diego. More information on Bachelor Housing in San Diego can be found on the Naval Station Web Site at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/sandiego/fighters/CombinedBachelorHousing/index.

Housing Welcome Center: The Navy Housing Welcome Center is the central resource for community housing. The Housing Referral Office (HRO), part of the Welcome Center, maintains up-to-date listings on available rental and sales units in the community. OPNAVINST 11101.21 directs all military personnel to report through the Housing Referral Office (HRO) prior to negotiating any agreement for community housing.

This requirement was established to assist you, on an individual basis, in locating suitable nondiscriminatory housing within a reasonable price range and to advise you in advance of those places where occupancy by military personnel is not authorized or recommended. Housing information can be found on the NAVBASE San Diego Web site at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrsw/OperatingForcesSupport/OperatingSupport/index.

Temporary Family/Bachelor Housing: The Housing Referral Office also maintains listings on temporary accommodations for occupancy during house-hunting trips or for brief periods (motels, trailers, efficiencies, and apartments are available for weekly or monthly rentals, including utilities). AVAILABILITY IS LIMITED.

4. Household Goods
The Personal Property Office is located in Bldg. 3376, Naval Base San Diego next to Military Family Housing up the hill from the commissary. For information on household goods shipments, call (619) 556-MOVE (6683). More information can be found at the following web site https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrsw/OperatingForcesSupport/MilitaryMoves/index.

5. Medical / Dental
Medical care is available at Naval Base San Diego and Naval Medical Center San Diego for active duty personnel, military retirees, and their dependents.

Dental care for active duty military personnel is available at the Dental Clinic, Naval Base San Diego.

6. Fleet & Family Support Center
FFSC San Diego CA, provides numerous information and referral services. These include crisis intervention and after-hours Navy Relief assistance. In addition, relocation and spouse employment assistance are also available. The FFSC’s Hours of operation are from 0800 to 1600, Monday through Friday. Telephone: (619) 556-7404, AUTOVON 526-7404. Information is also available on the following web site http://www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fsc/fsc.

 

---

 San Diego Homeport Change Guide pdf

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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.