Moms of Daughters who have a "Rate" of "Machinist Mate"

[Kimi (mom of Kriston)]

Hello:

I am wondering if there are any moms out there that have daughters who are either already working with a rate of "Machinist Mate" or have daughters in training or are planning to go in as "Machinist Mate." I really need to discuss this rate with those that already have an understanding of this field in the Navy. I have concerns about it and I am hoping to alleviate those concerns.

Looking forward to reading replies.

Kathy (kimi)

[Cora-Brooklyns Mom]

My daughter enetred the Navy last summer going in to be an AM (Aviation mechanic. She went in with the knowledge already on how to build engines as she rebuilt a few already and has a deep mechanical knowledge thanks to her Dad who was a Nascar Engine Tuner. While in BC her Rate was changed from AM to AD (Aviation Machinist Mate Aircrewman) She was not happy however she Graduates C School this week at Whidbey Island and then is off to her First duty station which is Austugi Japan. She has been working on Jet engines and has really enjoyed it. She was the ONLY FEMALE in the Squadron she was working with until she started C School this month. I am wondering what concerns you may have about this Rate? Do you have a daughter considering this rate? There is another Rate which is MM (Machinist Mate) which are you looking into?

[Kimi (mom of Kriston)]

Apparently they have changed her rate to Machinist Mate in the middle of boot camp. I've done some research on it and it seems like it's a job that is the boiler room. Hard, heavy, long hours type of job that most men seem to thrive in, not all but most, but for women, it seems like it'd be way harder on them. Maybe I am overreacting and worrying to much but I just want to know if there are other women in this field of work. SO that i could get a feel from those that are in it how it is. Aviation is simpler in my opinion than being down inside the ship below deck.

So I'm just seeking some information and maybe a little bit of positive feed back on maybe somebody that has a daughter actually doing this as a rate.

Thanks
Kathy (kimi)

[WSADJA]

You might ask if the "watches" can go up to 14 hour days. Similar classifications have "fairly routine" long watches. I don't know if the MM rate is similar, but I'm thinking it could be.

[Paula (Erica's mom)]

Oh my gosh, I so feel your concerns. Yes my daughter is an MMFA on the USS George Washington. She enlisted by herself without telling me and I guess that is what they needed that week. She had absolutely no knowledge of an engine or anything mechanical for that matter when she went in. I think she struggles more with staying interested than anything physical. She has only been on the ship since May 1. She got out of A school in April. As I said, the only thing she has said negative is that it's boring, but not too hard or anything like that. As a matter of fact she did well in school and so far on her quals, but I know she struggles with having any interest. She was told that she could change after 2 years by her recruiter. She now doubts that can happen or can happen as easily as he made it seem. I encouraged her to talk to a counselor in bootcamp and get it changed but she chose not to. Anyway, I hope this gives you some peace. I don't think it is as bad as the job description on the recruiting paper said, but I could be wrong. I will try to ask her more questions when I hear from her. I do know that the guys really give her a hard time and she is always working hard to prove herself.

[Dawg#Chief]

Hello Paula,
I'm in the navy and it is true your daughter can change her job after about 18mos, I have always said make the best of your job, or the navy I know when I joined I just wanted the navy and really didn't care what I did, the job she is doing like you said is really not hard some days maybe long but it is a job for both men and women.

Len

[Paula (Erica's mom)]

Len,
I am really glad to hear that. She mentioned to me that if she changes she may be asked to exten her contract. Does that sound right? She has enlisted for 8 years (5 active and 3 reserve) so she is not sure she would wnat to extend that. Thanks a bunch!

[Dawg#Chief]

Sometimes you may or may not , it depends on which job she chooses to due, and what the navy needs. Since she is already on a 5 year active enlistment then most likely she will not have to extend for another year. Most young sailor will have advanced to E-4 or E-5 by thier 18 to 24 month time in the navy. Just tell her to push forward and try her hardest to get advanced and qualified on all her job taskers. She has to be the driving force behind everything she does, if she is ready to cross rate she has to submitt all the paper work , then continue to follow up each week until it's approved or disapproved. If you have any other concerns let me know, I enjoy helping out my new sailors and thier parents.

[Paula (Erica's mom)]

Thank you chief! As you say, she needs to be the driving force and something very interesting has happened to her in the Navy. She is a very strong young woman and has always been very outspoken. Well, the Navy has taken care of the outspoken part (at least regarding Navy stuff). She appears to be scared to ask any questions and will wait for someone to give her information rather than ask for it. I worry that this will stunt her career. She has never been in trouble, but seems to worry a great deal about doing something wrong. I am just trying to be supportive from the outside and letting her make the decisions she needs to make. I really appreciate your input. Thank you.

[Melissa R]

Hi,

my daughter is leavinf for BC Sept. 20,2009. She is going into Aviation Machinist Mate. ( Mechanic i guess) . Did she receive the jod description when she enlisted? I found that very beneficial. I am still learning alot myself so as soon as I have info for you I will be more than glad to share it with you. I am supposed to meet with her recruiter next week so I will make sur e to get more info for both of us.

[Hoppi aka Angie]

I wasn't an MM, but I was an EN for 10 1/2 years. LOVED it!!!

[Molly mom of 2 + 330,701 sailors]

Hoppi you were a Snipe ? Woo-hoo !!! Love it ~

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Yes I was :~}