Commanding Officer(pw), Integrated Support Command, 4000 Coast Guard Blvd. Portsmouth, VA 23703
Welcome Aboard. In Hampton Roads you will be joining the largest concentration of Coast Guard personnel in a single geographic location, plus over 108,000 other active duty military personnel from other branches of the Armed Services. We are happy to welcome you and acquaint you with the area and facilities available for use in the Hampton Roads area. We sincerely hope your tour of duty here will be enjoyable and rewarding.
If you are in receipt of PCS orders, you should receive a Relocation Package within two weeks. If you have not received a package, please contact the Relocation Assistance Manager to request one. If you have any questions while planning your move or after arriving in Hampton Roads, please feel free to contact Relocation Assistance Manager at 686-4030.
The Navy Relocation Assistance Program offers a variety of welcoming services that include an orientation workshop known as "Welcome to Hampton Roads". "Welcome to Hampton Roads" is specifically designed to initiate military spouses new to the area and new military spouses in Hampton Roads. Ask about the "Info Fairs" or "Gator Fairs", offered by Family Service Centers in the Hampton Roads area. These programs will provide insight into the facilities, services and benefits provided by the Navy and Hampton Roads communities.
If you have "hard copy" orders and you have not been contacted by a sponsor, contact your gaining command to request one. It will take you, your new command, and your sponsor to make sure the sponsor works for you. Your sponsor will be the primary point of contact at your new unit, providing you with important information about your new unit and the surrounding communities. In addition, talk to friends at your present duty station who have recently been stationed in Hampton Roads, so you can get the clearest picture of areas in which to live, schools, child care, night life, medical care, etc.
The Fifth Coast Guard District encompasses the states of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its geographical area includes the entire Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, and the U. S. Atlantic Coast from Tom's River, NJ to the South Carolina border.
Maritime Safety, law enforcement, and military readiness are the Fifth District's primary missions. These missions are carried out by 2900 active duty Coast Guard men and women, 1700 reservists, 626 civilian employees and 7775 Auxiliarists. The District has 7 groups, 4 marine safety offices, 38 cutters, 10 aids to navigation teams, 2 air stations and 1 long range aid to navigation station.
Marine Safety Offices in Baltimore, Hampton Roads, Philadelphia and Wilmington, monitor vessel traffic and pollution incidents in District ports and waterways.
The district's shipping channels and waterways are marked by more that 6700 aids to navigation. District personnel maintain these devices and structures which range from floating buoys to lighthouses, and many are critical to commerce and national defense.
Almost every unit in the District is involved in the Coast Guard's law enforcement mission, the service's original reason for creation in 1790. Coast Guard units in the District, supplemented by resources from a variety of federal, state and local agencies, enforce federal laws and regulations through a program of surveillance, boardings and inspections. These efforts are focused primarily in the areas of fisheries conservation, environmental protection and drug interdiction, but can extend to nearly every aspect of maritime activity.
In 1984, Coast Guard Area Commanders were given responsibility for coastal maritime defense. In this military readiness role, the Fifth District commander becomes the deputy Commander, Maritime Defense Zone, Sector five, and the Fifth District plans and participates in joint-service military readiness exercises each year. These exercises test the Coast Guard's ability to protect shipping lanes and major ports such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Hampton Roads, Morehead City, and Wilmington. The Coast Guard provides this protection through mine countermeasure operations, convoy escort duty, patrols, and port security operations, surveillance and interdiction.
The timely and calculated judgments and actions of Fifth District Personnel in the past - Knowing the limits of their equipment and themselves as they met the challenges of the sea - have led many to feel that the heart of the Coast Guard came from the Fifth.
1996 was an exciting year for the U.S. Coast Guard in the Hampton Roads area. Two Major commands, Atlantic Area and Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic, relocated from Governors Island, NY to Portsmouth and Norfolk in the spring and summer. As part of streamlining several administrative functions combined to form the Integrated Support Command Portsmouth, located at Support Center Portsmouth. These changes brought an influx of several hundred new Coast Guard personnel into the Hampton Roads area.
History
The term "Hampton Roads" is a centuries-old reference that originated when the region was a struggling British outpost nearly 400 years ago. Designated in the 17th Century as the name of the largest natural harbor where the James, Nansemond and Elizabeth Rivers pour into the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Hampton Roads honors one of the founders of the Virginia Company and a great supporter of the colonization of Virginia, Henry Wriothesley, the third Earl of Southampton. Signifying the safety of a port, "roads" in nautical terminology means "a place less sheltered than a harbor where ships may ride at anchor."
Since 1983, Hampton Roads has been recognized by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget as a group of communities having economic and social integration. At that time, the two areas that constitute Hampton Roads - South Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula - were combined to form the Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hampton Roads has grown from just over one million residents and the nations 34th largest market in 1983 to the country's 28th largest metro area with over 1.4 million people.
The first British colony in the New World was established at Jamestown in 1607 in the western area of Hampton Roads. As the colonists explored the area, they discovered the Sewell's Point area of Norfolk and in 1620 the first shipyard in Hampton Roads was opened. The shipbuilding industry, the British Navy and merchant ships from around the world made Hampton Roads' ports a center of trade, transportation and military activity. During the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Hampton Roads area ports proved to be of invaluable strategic importance. During the Civil War, the site of the battle of the Monitor and Merrimack occurred off of the Northwest corner of the city known as Sewell's Point. Established in 1917 on 474 acres of land on Sewell's Point, Norfolk Naval Station and Norfolk Naval Air Station, together with numerous other related facilities in the area, have become the largest naval complex in the world. The complex consists of 36,000 acres of land and 6,750 buildings within a 50 mile radius of the base.
Access to Coast Guard Units
Hampton Roads lies approximately 90 miles southeast of Richmond. To the north are Washington, D.C., (185 miles), Baltimore (210 miles) and New York City (330 miles). Norfolk is about 18 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and is bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads Harbor. Norfolk serves as the nucleus for the metropolitan area of approximately 1.4 million people.
From Richmond
Take I-64 East through the Peninsula consisting of Williamsburg, Newport News, and Hampton. Interstate I-64 will continue to the Southside through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. To reach downtown Norfolk, take the I 264 West Exit, and continue to the Downtown Norfolk exits. To reach downtown Portsmouth, take the I-264 West Exit, and follow the Portsmouth signs through the downtown tunnel, and exit at the Crawford St. exit.
An alternative route to the Southside of Hampton Roads is to exit off I-64 to I-664 in Newport News, travel over the Monitor-Merrimac bridge/tunnel. To get to the ISC Portsmouth, take the Route 164 East exit to Portsmouth. Take the Cedar Lane exit and take a right at the top of ramp. Cross the Railroad tracks and turn left at light on West Norfolk Road. Go about a mile and make a left onto Coast Guard Blvd. If traveling to downtown Portsmouth or Norfolk, continue on I-664, then take the I-264 East Exit. Travel about 5 miles. For Portsmouth, take the Crawford St. Exit. For Norfolk, continue through the Downtown tunnel, then take the downtown Norfolk exits.
From North of D.C.
Pick up route 13 South on the Southside of Wilmington Delaware. Follow 13 down the length of the DelMar peninsula to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. Cross the Bay Bridge and Tunnel and you will be in Norfolk. The cost of the Bay Bridge and Tunnel system is $10.00 one way.
From the South
Take interstate 95 North into Virginia to route 58 in Emporia. Route 58 will bring you into Norfolk.
Newcomer Orientation/Indoctrination: WELCOME TO HAMPTON ROADS!!
Are you new to the Hampton Roads area? Then plan to attend WELCOME TO HAMPTON ROADS at the Navy Family Services Center, Norfolk. This program will provide an orientation on community resources, medical care, pay and allowances, legal assistance, spouse employment, housing, and military benefits. This program is designed for newcomers to the Hampton Roads area. Some of the information is unique and specific to Navy personnel and their families, but Coast Guard members and their families will find much of the information very valuable. Call 1-800-FSC-LINE or 322-9169 to register for this program.
CONSUMER AWARENESS AND PROTECTION - When relocating to another state, it is important to acquaint oneself with the local consumer protection regulations. Virginia is a Commonwealth, and as such its residents are subject to different standards and laws than what may be in effect in other states. Be aware of your legal rights. Virginia does not have Plain English Contract Laws and it may take a lawyer to explain some contracts. VIRGINIA DOES NOT HAVE A COOLING OFF PERIOD, so any auto contract you sign is binding from the moment of signing. There are only a few contracts that the state allows you to cancel after a specified period of time. It is usually never longer than three days from the date of the contract, and, Saturday is considered a business day. Door-to-door sales, telephone solicitations, home improvement (if your home is pledged as security), and health spa memberships are each allowed three days, from the date printed on the contract. Campground memberships and time shares are allowed seven days. Condominium sales are allowed ten days.
THE VIRGINIA LANDLORD TENANT ACT: Before signing a lease it is advised to have your lease reviewed, either by the Coast Guard legal office or the Navy Housing Welcome Center Office. They will also assist you in determining what you can afford to pay for rent or mortgage. Any lease a military member signs must have a military clause, allowing for a PCS move of 50 miles or more out of the area. Make certain your lease has this clause. Landlords are also required to return your security deposit to you within 30 days after you vacate the rental unit. If they withhold any money due to damages, they must provide a list of damages and how much they charged for each repair. Most leases are written to renew automatically if you do not give the landlord sufficient notice.
HELPFUL HINTS: Never make impulse purchases and never sign anything without reading carefully, asking questions, or letting a lawyer review it. If the salesperson does not want you to leave with a contract, then you should think about doing business somewhere else. A good rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Always shop around carefully for the best deal; never buy at the first place you go. Take time to look around. Do not just look at monthly payments, but at total debt, especially when shopping for cars, furniture, electronics or appliances. Find out what the total cost to you will be with the interest and any hidden fees included. Most sales people can make your monthly or weekly payment look attractive, but the time it takes you to pay it off may not be very pretty. Rent to Own dealers should be treated with great caution. You usually end up paying far more than the actual value. You could go out and buy immediately for a far better deal than what the rent to own will cost you. Figure "all the angles" before committing yourself to any major purchase.
CREDIT CARDS: If you are living on a limited income, a credit card is not your answer. Do not buy anything you cannot pay off within a month or two at most. If you are unable to save money, that is a clue that you cannot afford another monthly bill. If you do acquire a credit card, get the lowest fixed annual percentage rate possible. Do not take a card that does not have a low fixed rate. Some companies offer very attractive low rates the first year and then charge you around 21% the next year. At this time it is possible to find cards with as low as 12.5% fixed APR. Revolving debt (debt that follows you every month) is a quick way to find yourself in financial difficulties.
LOCAL RIPOFFS: Be aware of local scams. Military personnel are very enticing marks for companies looking to make money in less than responsible ways. The local merchants know that everyone in the military has a steady paycheck and that they can cause you serious trouble with your Commanding Officer if you fail to pay on time. Used and new car sales, photo clubs, magazine and encyclopedia sales, insurance salespeople in the malls, check cashing outlets, buying clubs, store financing, and rent to own are the most usual rip-offs active in Hampton Roads right now. Malls are the happy hunting grounds for many of the scam artists. Be smart, don't fall for their "great" deals.
SOURCES OF HELP: Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board - investigate consumer complaints involving civilian companies, and has the authority to declare establishments "off limits" to Armed Forces personnel.
COAST GUARD LEGAL OFFICES: Will read and explain contracts, offer advice free of charge, and explain local consumer laws.
COAST GUARD EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR NAVY FAMILY SERVICES CENTER: Consumer information and counseling referral is available on car buying, developing spending plans, debt management, financial education, local selling practices, consumer laws and ways to prevent having to file bankruptcy.
HAMPTON ROADS BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: A good way to check a companies references, but not fool proof. In order to be listed as a bad risk, a company must have had at least three official complaints lodged against them. Many people never bother to follow through with a complaint.
TRAFFIC - Seat belts are mandatory. State, local, and base officials can now stop and ticket for non-use of seatbelts. Virginia law states that seat belts are required for front seat passengers. Child seats/restraints are mandatory for children under 40 pounds or between the ages of 4 and 16. Radar detection devices are illegal in Virginia.
Pet Restrictions - No quarantines are required in Virginia, but pet tags are required.
VIRGINIA DRIVER'S LICENSE - If you are an active-duty member of the Armed Forces and stationed in Virginia, you, your spouse and dependent children who are 16 years of age or older may drive with a valid driver's license issued by your home state or country. Vehicles registered in your name may be driven with valid out-of-state license plates. If you choose to register your vehicle in Virginia, you do not have to obtain a Virginia driver's license.
NOTE: Your spouse and dependent children, if gainfully employed, part-time or full-time, in Virginia, will be required to obtain a Virginia driver's license within 30 days. If you possess a valid out of state license, take the license to a DMV office, surrender it and take a visual exam to obtain a Virginia license. The fees range from $7.20-$16.80 depending on the month and year of birth. NEW LICENSES: Those 16 to 18 years old must take a written, visual, and road examination, as well as show a legal I.D.. 16 to 18 year olds must also have completed classroom and behind the wheel driver education courses. Those who are 18 to 19 years old must take the written, visual and road test as well as complete a classroom driver education course.
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL: You are required to apply for a Virginia Drivers license within 30 days after moving here. When applying for a VA Drivers License, you must present valid documents for proof of residency, identity and social security number. A valid document for proof of residency includes, but is not limited to - a Virginia voter registration card, a utility bill issued to your current VA address, a W-2 tax form issued to your current VA address (no more than 18 months old), a payroll check stub issued to your current VA address (no more than two months old), or a bank statement issued to your current VA address (no more than two months old).
If you do not hold a current driver's license, you will be required to take a written, road and vision test to obtain a Virginia Driver's license.
If you hold a valid out-of-state driver's license, you must surrender it when you apply for a Virginia driver's license. You will not be required to take the written or road test, but will be required to pass a vision test.
CURRENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION: Vehicles of Armed Forces personnel must be registered in their own names or in the names of their bona fide dependents.
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL: Civilian personnel are required to apply to register and title their vehicles in the state of Virginia within 30 days of moving here. Your vehicle must pass a state safety inspection as part of this process. You must present your current out-of-state vehicle title when applying for a Virginia title.
CITY ASSESSED TAXES: Each city in Hampton Roads assesses a Personal Property Tax on vehicles garaged in their city and registered in Virginia.
TAXES ON PERSONAL PROPERTY: Taxes are assessed at a rate between 3.5% - 4.0% of the value of the car. This tax is annual. The payment of THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX CAN BE AVOIDED BY HAVING THE AUTOMOBILE REGISTERED ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBER AND THAT SERVICE MEMBER IS AN OUT OF STATE RESIDENT. When the city decal is obtained from the city's Commissioner of the Revenue office, information will automatically be available to the tax assessor on the status of your car's registration. So, if you acquired your city decal as a military non-resident you will not receive a bill for taxes due. You will receive a notification that requires the signature of the military non-resident and this must be mailed back to the Commissioner's office.
NOTE: IF YOUR CAR IS REGISTERED, TITLED AND TAGGED OUT OF STATE AND YOU ARE AN OUT OF STATE RESIDENT ON ACTIVE DUTY, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY THE CITY PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX. IF YOUR AUTOMOBILE IS TITLED TO SOMEONE IN ADDITION TO THE ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER, THEN THE TAX WILL BE ASSESSED IF YOU REGISTER YOUR CAR IN VIRGINIA. ACTIVE DUTY OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS WHO REGISTER THEIR AUTOMOBILE IN VIRGINIA WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE CITY TAX, IF THE AUTO IS REGISTERED IN THEIR NAME ONLY. *** IT WILL BE FINANCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO ENSURE THAT THE AUTOMOBILE IS REGISTERED AND TITLED IN ONLY THE ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER'S NAME PRIOR TO ARRIVING IN VIRGINIA.
CITY DECALS: IF YOU REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE IN VIRGINIA, YOU MUST HAVE A CITY STICKER DISPLAYED ON YOUR VEHICLE WINDSHIELD. ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WHOSE VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN ANOTHER STATE (TITLE, PLATES, REGISTRATION) ARE NOT REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A CITY DECAL. ACTIVE DUTY NON-RESIDENTS of Virginia wishing to obtain a Virginia registration and plates will need to acquire a city decal. In this case, there is not a charge for the decal. To qualify for a waiver of the $15-$25 fee, a current LES, letter from his/her command stating non-residency, or a copy of the prior years income tax return must be presented to the city treasurer's office. ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WHOSE HOME OF RESIDENCE IS VIRGINIA WILL PAY A CITY DECAL FEE AND CITY PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX. Civilian Personnel are required to obtain city decals (if required by their city of residence) and pay all applicable fees.
EFFECTIVE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATES: All vehicles must have valid Virginia safety inspection stickers displayed on their windshield. Safety inspections in Virginia are required annually and cost $10.00.
INSURANCE: Applicants must present evidence or appropriate certification of compliance with the Virginia Motor Vehicle Responsibility Act. The insurance must cover the vehicle and the driver and be for the following minimum amounts: Public liability in the amount of $25,000 (injury or death of one person); $50,000 (injury or death of two or more persons); $20,000 (property damage). Lesser amounts of insurance are acceptable provided they meet the minimum requirements of the state from which the registered owner of the vehicle has been transferred. The lesser amounts will be acceptable only until the current policy has expired (in no case for a period greater than one year), at which time the previously listed Virginia minimum requirements must be met. An applicant's signature on the Vehicle Registration Form will be accepted as certification that the applicant possesses and will maintain these minimums.
Fishing License (state)
Virginia residents between the ages of 16-65 need a license to fish in freshwater and in saltwater. The cost is $12.50 per year per license and can be obtained at most sports and tackle shops, and discount department stores (i.e. K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc.) Saltwater and freshwater fishing from your own land requires no license but otherwise is required to fish in saltwater.
Boat License (state)
License applications for boats in the state of Virginia must be obtained from a marina or a retail boat dealership.
Hunting License
Members of the Armed Forces stationed in VA are considered residents for licensing purposes. Cost is $12.50 and can be purchased at city circuit courts. Call 253-7072 for more information.
HURRICANE INFORMATION: Hurricane Information is available from the Office of Emergency Services (427-4192) or Public Information (427-4111) regarding preparation for a hurricane and where your evacuation centers will be in case of an emergency.