Job on Hold

[Sharon]

Hello everyone. I was hoping to get some feedback from some of you. My son graduated from boot camp recently and has been in "A" school in Mississippi. We live in Maine. He has worked extremely hard to make Honor Graduate. If he keeps his grade point average he will make it. He only has technically 9 days left. He has never been away from home and being a single mother we have a very close relationship. He has keep me informed all through this process. I have been extremly supportive as I am former active duty Air Force. So finally to get to my question. He has just been informed that his position and squad have been placed on "hold" and he may have to stay in Mississippi for an additional 5 months. Basically doing ground maintenance. He basically had the wind let out of his sails and is extremely discouraged. He seems to have lost his motivation to keep working as hard as he has been. He was so looking forward to graduating and going to his perminant station in Viriginia. Any words of wisdom that I can give him to keep his chin up? Thank you!!

Thank you so much for the feedback. My son has graduated (with Honors) and is home on leave. He will be going to his perminant station in Norfolk in two weeks. All your thoughts and wishes certainly did help. I wish you all well and thank you for serving this country.

[krobb9706]

Sharon,
This time of year it is not that unusual for orders to be placed on "hold". It's the beginning of the last quarter of the fiscal year and money is tight (as usual). Both you and he need to have faith. He won't be hanging around that long. If his command allows it he can wander over to what we used to call the Educational Services Office and possibly pick up a rate related correspondence course that he will eventually have to do for advancement.

[Navy11years]

From a military member, as of right now, all PCS orders have been placed on hold until the next fiscal year which is in October. This is probably the reason your son was placed on hold. Other reason's could include clearances and medical issues. Other than that, from what you are saying, I am sure this is the case with your son and being on hold due to the Navy's current funding issues.

[Sarah]

Hi, as far as I know my husbands recruiter has told us that since "A" school is constant and there are graduates from basic going all sorts of place for "A" school that sometimes the students have to wait for a full class to start. My husband was told if that happens some commanding officers will allow them to take leave, but otherwise they stay and work around on base. But 5 months seems kind of odd. I hope this helps...take care!!

[Melinda Q]

Tell him not to take it personally and to keep up the good work. It will pay off in the long run. The hold issue is a money thing for the Navy. We heard a while ago that they had run out of money to move people, then a few weeks later people did start getting orders. One thing he does need to learn about the Navy (and basically everything in life) is Hurry Up and Wait!!

[LindaF Navy Vet]

I went to A school in Mississippi and graduated with honors. Doing that advanced me to E-4 with the ability to test for E-5 in the next cycle. My husband was on hold between schools and that's how we meant, so good things can happen while their in the "Hurry up and wait" mode.

[Tanya]

It's like that across the board.. after graduating a school there have been a lot of people that have had to wait on PCS orders to their new duty station.. it's because lack of funding from what i have gathered.. it was going to happen to my husband but then they are getting orders i guess b/c they really need to fill the spots of his job and som eof the others in his field.

[Carol CGB]

My son has been in since April of 08 and has been on hold 3 times during his schooling. Each one has lasted 3 weeks to 2 months. During his down time, he worked as a volunteer for both Habitat for Humanity and the VA hospital and earned another ribbon. They never have time to just sit around and get bored, they do maintenance, help new recruits and can earn ribbons working on things like sharpshooting and special classes. My son signed up for a firefighter class and really enjoyed it.