New to Navy, ODS, Portsmouth-need any help?

Specialties Government

Published

Hi there,

I've been a nurse since 2010 and graduated from University of Portland, Oregon. I worked in mental health and with the red cross for a year before applying for the Navy. 13 mos later I found myself at Officer Development School and graduated this February. I'm stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth now and living in Norfolk. I wanted to offer myself as a resource to any of these topics since I felt like I was at a loss for information prior to coming in. Feel free to ask anything about the nursing, the Navy, the application process, duty stations, ODS, Norfolk, etc. Good luck to you and thank you for considering service in the US military.

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

navyRN1790 No worries about the questions-everyone has lots, that's why I started this. I would move your HHG before you leave for ODS. You have a lot going on once you are in and it's nice to already have this taken care of. I had mine shipped and then they will put it in storage until you find a place. Then you just call and schedule it to be delivered. You will have time to stop in New Jersey for a night-Friday. The '10 days of leave' from RI to VA is earned leave-leave you haven't even earned yet. I do not recommend using is unless you really need to.

It is not a bad idea to bring your own bedding to ODS. I did.

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

carolinakate88,

It is your responsibility to maintain one, active nursing license (from any state) while in the Navy. Don't let it expire.

Specializes in Psych, Critical Care, ER, Military.

aksayre,

There is no reason you can't complete your interviews over the phone. Just schedule them this week. Do you have your letters of rec and physical completed? Ask your recruiter to set you up for success and turn in your packet in time for the boards-or you will have to wait another year.

My application took months and it actually took me 2.5 years to come in. I decided I wanted to join in September-just after the boards met so I had to wait a year to even submit my packet. Once you are in, you will then receive your orders which state where your assignment is and when you should arrive and when you should go to ODS. I was selected in September and received orders in December. I left for ODS in February.

Keep the questions coming. Bust out the rest of your packet this week! Having prior nursing experience will help you out. Go Navy!

Sw88tpea,

I just sent in my HHG shipment application and the required paperwork in and they are scheduled to pick up my stuff before i leave for ODS. Hopefully that is officially squared away.

I contacted the sponsor command in portsmouth via e-mail on who I am and when I am expected to arrive and they said they would give me a sponsor later on. Should I call them and touch base or wait?

NavyRN1790 & carolinakate88,

I'm also going to sept ODS and will be relocating to portsmouth after as well! Glad i wont be alone. I have been researching some of the same living situations as you have. I've been told to stay away from living directly in portsmouth and to look into ghent or suffolk. So will hopefully be loking into the ghent/norfolk area with whoever i hopefully meet at ODS.

Woohoo! Can't wait to meet you! NavyRN1790 how in the world did you get your HHG set up? I have had the hardest time figuring out the online deal and when I called for help it was a short road to nowhere. I have a feeling they're going to have to come pack me after I leave, I'm a little behind in the game and just got the information on Wednesday when I swore in.

robsrn888 looking forward to meeting you soon! NavyRN1790 how in the world did you figure out the HHG deal? I feel a little late in the game and just swore in on Wednesday. But that's also the first time I saw hard copies of my orders and got information about moving my belongings. I tried registering for the dps site but I feel like I'm just on a short road to nowhere with vague instructions.

Wow. Struggle bus. I didn't think that first post went through!

carolinakate88 & robsrn888: go to http://www.mov.mil (make sure you have a good internet browser that allows pop-ups so take off the pop-up blocker I used internet explorer). Also make sure you have printing available because there are MANY forms to print, which isn't a surprise haha. Once you go to http://www.mov.mil click DPS registration. (it's in the top left corner & it's blue). After you click DPS registration it will take you to another page. Click the grey button that says DOD Service Member and Civilian Registration. After clicking that it will bring you to and the top in green says ETA Electronic Transportation Acquisition (DOD registration). Fill out the form which includes your name, SSN, e-mail, branch of service and 7 different security questions. After you fill that out it will generate a login name and password. WRITE THESE DOWN AND KEEP THEM IN A SAFE PLACE! you will need it for the future. DO NOT LOOSE THEM!!! Once you have a login name and password you can log in to the ETA system. Once logged in click on Defense Personal Property System under My approved applications. After you click that it will bring you to another page that has light blue letters. Hit self-counseling in the top left corner. Fill out the application. You do need a hard copy of your orders because it asks for the order number. If you have any issues call this number 1 855 444 6683 then hit 0 for operator and tell them you need help with filling out the packet. they are available M-F 0800-1700. If you want to ask me any questions my e-mail is [email protected]

I hope that helps! On that note I am very excited to meet both of you in Newport :). The Ghent is very nice and I would love to live in the area if the opportunity were to arrive. It reminds me of where I'm from a little. Portsmouth itself is pretty boring. I went to check out the area twice and there is not much to do besides the 4 or 5 restaraunts in olde town and parts are kind of sketchy. Robsrn888: where are you from and where did you go to school??

also on http://www.mov.mil there is a tutorial that walks you through the process on the application, which is helpful but I also called the number because I like to talk to a human being. Good luck!

when you call the number tell them you need help with the self-counseling packet. Also make sure your current duty station is listed as your home address or where ever you want your HHG picked up from. your Permanent Change of States (PCS) is Portsmouth, VA. Your stuff is put in governement storage for up to 90 days FREE so that gives people enough time to find a place to live.

Awesome! Thanks for being so thorough! I'm heading up next week to hopefully secure a place to live! Woohoo!

+ Add a Comment