Current Job Availability

[StephJoeysMom]

My son will find out the jobs he's qualified for and the jobs that are available tomorrow. I've heard there are a shortage of available jobs? How long of a wait is it to be assigned a job & get your shipout date on average?

thanks - very new to the Navy & very excited for my son :)

[Chris A.]

Steph, you're right, there's a shortage of jobs in the more popular fields. So many young people are wanting to enlist (because of the economy) that the Navy is overwhelmed with would-be sailors. If your son is qualified for a certain rate (job) and they have openings, he should sign up right away. It doesn't mean that he'd leave right away. They could put him in in the DEP (Delayed Entry Program) for several months until they have a spot for him. That's not a bad thing, it gives them time to prepare for boot camp, and it's SO much easier if you go in mentally and physically prepared.

Make sure that he signs NOTHING until he's happy with it. Don't let the recruiter talk him into signing up for something he doesn't want with the idea he can change it later. Doesn't happen! The only time that can happen is if he signed up for, say, SEALS and then didn't make it all the way through, he could drop down to Rescue Swimmer. But to totally change rates.....he'd be stuck with what he signed up for. If he does get something he likes, make sure he gets everything in writing. If it isn't in writing, it doesn't count. Verbal promises don't count. It must be official and in writing and signed off on.

Welcome aboard! and hold on tight, it's going to be bumpy ride..........but you'll meet a lot of Navy moms who can tell you almost everything you'll need to know.

[AT1(AW/SW) Morganti]

He can change his job after he signs his contract. I have had recruits that have changes 3 or 4 times after they DEPed in. It is all up to the recruiter to submit the paperwork. If he has a job shipping out in a month then more then it would be really hard to change but if he is not leaving for 6 to 12 months then it should not really be that hard for him to get his job changed. The important thing is that he has to qualify for the job that he wants. If he doesn't then he will not be able to change into that rate.

[Pam - Grant's proud Mom]

My son is currenlty is in week 4 of boot camp. When he started talking to a recruiter, I guess he wanted to feel independent (he is 19) and wanted to do it all on his own. Had I known that me or my husband could have attended meetings with his recruiter, we would have. When he went to MEPS and took his ASVAB, he said they started looking at career options. He REALLY wanted to be in firefighting and I don't have a clue if there are any fields for that. He was so anxious to join, he went ahead and signed up as Airman Career Track (APACT).

From what I have learned on here, that means he is undesignated. His recruiter told him he would be in A school (probably in Pensacola) for 8 weeks. He just found out that they will send him to Pensacola for 2 weeks and then straight to the fleet. I imagine this means he is going to be a "grunt". I would really like to hear some encouraging words that all is not lost for him. I'm wondering how long will he be at sea, where he is going, and all that. But, I'm really wondering when will he have the opportunity to test or get into a field that interests him. Can he request to get into a field now while he is in boot camp? Any advice would be appreciated.

[AT1(AW/SW) Morganti]

I know the program that you are talking about. I came into the Navy under the same program 8 years ago. No matter what he does he will be getting some sort of firefighting training. Some jobs are going to deal with firefighting more than others but they all get training on firefighting. If he gets stationed on a ship then the chances are that he will be working with the ABH's. They are the flight deck firefighters/crash and salavage.

Depending on which paygrade he went in as it could take him 6 to 18 months before he can strike his rate. Depending on manning and which type of command he goes to he might be able to start working in which ever rate he wants but there is no way to know how that will turn out until he gets there. I think that the program is really good because it allows you to see just what all you are going to be doing after you get into the Navy before you have to pick that job. If I had it to do over again I would have came in under that program again. Some people will disagree with me and say that everyone should have a certain job in their contract before shipping to boot camp but as long as he keeps his eye on what he wants to do then he should be fine.

[Pam - Grant's proud Mom]

Thanks for the reply. It makes me feel better about what he is doing. Once he makes up his mind about something, he is usually committed to that. Thanks!!

[mindy the seabee mom]

I am not sure if that means that he will be a grunt or not. I do know that we were looking at our son as going in as undesignated. A friend of mine who was a Captain said going in that way has its bad side but the good part of that is that they can see all the different jobs and decide what he or she wants to do. So many go into the job and realize later that it was not what they wanted. This way they know.

[JLC5046]

Hello-
My husband has recently re-enlisted, and he has left for our new location. We will follow in approximately six months. I am going to find a job before we transition over. Do you all know if there is any help for jobs for spouses? I didn't know if there was a website with available jobs, or a specific department that actually addressed these sort of questions?
Thanks,
jen

[About2bNavyMom(Jody'smom)]

My son is about to take the ASVAB this week...he is wanting to look into gunner's mate...is there a lot of people in this field???

[angie1270]

Hi About, my daughter took test in April and picked gunner's mate job (one of the jobs she was offered), she was told that she will be able to go to BC in January, about two weeks ago she switched for electrician's mate and was send to camp on May 13th. I hope it helps. Best of luck to you and your son.

[Tanya]

Go to the FFSC [fleet and family support center] they have job postings around the area and things such as that, can help with resume writing etc.. they are a godsend!!
unless u actually meant lke u be in the navy as well


on that note..


Tell your sailor to volunteer for submarines if qualified.. my husband loves being a submariner

[fly 2]

From what I understand your testing score has to be real high for this job. So let him know to score high. I do believe there is alot of guys who do apply for this. My son wanted to do this job 2 years ago but it was a long list to get in. So he took his second choice and he loves his decision.

[Barbara (Derek's Mom)]

Those taking the ASVAB should try to score as high as possible even if they want to have a job that doesn't require it. Later on they might decide they'd like to crossrate and that score comes into play again, as far as I know. You can retake it later if you think it will help.