1.  Where is the Ship?

It is home when it’s home, and not when it’s gone. 

2.  What is OPSEC?

OPSEC is the shorthand term for OPERATIONAL SECURITY.
Major OPSEC Rules:
Do not discuss future destinations or ports of call!
Do not discuss future operations, exercises, or missions!
Do not discuss dates and times of when the Ship be in port or conducting exercises!
Do not discuss readiness issues and numbers (ie. make-up of the crew)!
Do not discuss specific training equipment or lack thereof!
Do not discuss people’s names and billets, or regiments in conjunction with operations!
Do not speculate about future operations!
Do not spread rumors about operations!  If you hear rumors, contact the Ombudsmen.
Do not assume the enemy is not trying to collect information!
Do not discuss Security Procedures, movements, or arms!

DO NOT make posts on social websites that will violate any of the preceding rules. 

Also MYSPACE Tickers are NOT allowed.  If you have a ticker on your MYSPACE page, kindly remove the ticker.  Notify your friends to do the same.  This is in violation of OPSEC.  Even if the ticker just says “X Amount of days until my heart is whole”, this is a violation.  And this kind of giving out of bits and pieces of information makes it very easy for a person who wants to harm our Ship to do their job.  Use common sense and due diligence when on the web, phone, or out in public.  If you are unsure, contact the Ombudsmen.

FOR THE ENTIRE FILE, please email Apryl she will be happy to email it to you.

3.  How do I send mail to my Sailor?

Rate/Rank/Full Name (ex: FC1 Johnny F. Appleseed)
Division                     (ex: ZX DIV)
USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68)
FPO AA 34093-1287

Did you know you can get a military discount from the USPS?  Yes!!  When mailing to FPO addresses, you can receive a discounted mailing flat rate on some priority boxes!!
To order, dial 1-800-610-8734, press option 1 for English and then option
1 again for Express/Priority and ask for CAREKIT04.

4.  What if we have to evacuate? (EX: Hurricane)

CONTACT THE SHIPS' OMBUDSMEN ASAP!  They will direct you from there.

5.  Can my Sailor call me from the ship’s telephones?  Can I call
the ship to speak to my Sailor?

While it is home ported, you may call the Ship and your Sailor may use Ships phone to call you.  The number to the QD is 904-270-7981. 

When the Ship is not at home, you are not allowed to call their SAT phones.  It is up to the Command if your Sailor will be able to use the SAT phones to call you. 

If you need to get a message to your spouse or loved one on the ship, CONTACT YOUR OMBUDSMEN. 

6.  When and what kind of events are taking place for families?

Keep checking the Upcoming Events section of the website.  Also, read the newsletters that we email out because these are full of information.  These are emailed out once per month.  The current month’s newsletter can be found here on this site as well. 

7.  I heard the ship is pulling in to California on July 22, is that true?

This is a hypothetical question!  This question involves RUMORS! 
For ship’s movements refer to numbers 1 and 2!  If someone tells you something that their spouse told them, kindly ask that person to keep it to themselves next time.  We all need to do our share in rumor control.  If you have heard a “rumor”, which is defined by a statement you do not know to be true or false, CONTACT YOUR OMBUDSMEN!!  They will be able to tell you if this RUMOR is true or false. 

8.  Does THE SULLIVANS have an FRG (Family Readiness Group) or an FSG (Family Support Group)?

At this time, there is NO Command endorsed FRG or FSG, so if you are invited to become part of a group claiming to support our Ship within those parameters, know that you do so at your own risk and that the Ombudsmen, Command and Crew of THE SULLIVANS will not be responsible for the activities or outcome of said groups.

This FAQ (frequently asked questions) has been provided by the Ombudsmen
If you have any more questions, please contact the Ombudsman.