Thousands of families forced to readjust after USS Truman’s deployment delayed

The USS Harry Truman was supposed to be just two days away from pulling out from the pier and heading toward the Persian Gulf.

But that’s no longer.  Word has come from the Department of Defense that only one ship is needed in the Gulf, so the Truman is staying in Norfolk.

“The rotation has changed,” Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney said. “The Secretary of Defense made a decision that impacts now the missions of how we’re operating.”

The ship will be in a sustainment phase, training both pierside and at sea.

“I joined the military to deploy to go overseas, and travel and see things, so I was very excited to see that,” said Truman sailor Carly Grice.

Grice says she’s disappointed.

She’s fresh out of bootcamp and her dream of serving overseas is now on hold.

“Playing the waiting game right now pretty much,” Grice said. “It’s not very nice, not knowing when we’re pulling out because we want to tell our families.”

Related: 

Rep. Rigell makes statement about delay of USS Truman’s deployment

Sen. Mark Warner responds to delayed deployment of USS Truman

Navy cancels Friday’s planned deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman over budget cuts