Son is enlisting what to believe

[jodi]

My son is enlisting in a couple of hours. He has all these great hopes and dreams form listening to the recurter. Did any other son or daughters not get into where or what field they were promised? How much am I to believe will be true. ?


Concerned Mom

[Sues]

I have not run into any bad experiences with my son's recruiter and/or the Navy. Everything they said would happen exactly as described. My son paid close attention and we were with him every step of the way and his recruiter was a real stand up kind of guy. I wish I knew where he was now so I could thank him.

[Angela Steiner]

He will get out of it what he puts in. My son had to work hard, his recruiter worked hard to get him in so he was super motivated when he went in. He has been in for three years now and it has been a super positive experience for both of us. If he applies himself and break through those "brick walls" he faces he will come out as someone you can really be proud of.

[Beth]

My son entered the Navy being told that he would be in firefighting. he ended up in cargo. The good thing is that they can sometimes move into other areas. they need to be assertive and be willing to study and do schooling if possible. sometimes they cant becuase of the schedules etc. Even thought they may not get into the first thing they want, they should make the best of where they are, have a good attitude and try hard at what ever they do so they are seen as leaders.

stevesmom

[Angela Steiner]

My son wanted to be a MPO but we talked him into AET. The studies were hard but he needed the challenge and it worked well for him. Where he goes from here is anyone's guess. He intends to make a career of the Navy so he will more than likely have other opportunities.

[Carrol]

Hi Jodi!
I am new to this site as well. My son, Josh, when he was in OSC, wanted to fly jets. However, that did not happen and he was assigned to a helicopter squadron for helo training. He was disappointed but still remained positive. He now find helos and the varied opportunoities they offer really interested. He has decided he would like to do search and rescue. He has also figured out that, if he ever wanted to fly commercially in the civillian world, there are far more opportunities for helo pilots. If he really wanted to fly multi-engine jets, he could arrange to log the hours as he has had basic on jets.
No matter where your son ends up, he will find marvellous opportunities - some he never dreamed of. So he should remain positive and keep an open mind.
When one door closes, another opens....

[sparklecity]

the navy is the only branch that guarantees jobs. you have to pay attention and get the job that suits you. if after he joins he wants to change jobs in the DEP program he can. provided he qualifies for the new job and its open. he has to submit a DAR.

[Sue]

Well, first off,Hi! My name is Sue and welcome! My son signed up as a senior in HS and went to monthly meetings before actually taking his final swearing in in August of 2005. He definitely did get into what he wanted (a nuke) and got his first choice for his first station too. That doesn't necessarily mean that your son will get everything, everytime he's promised, but do get everything in writing. I know our recruiter was very straightforward and answered all our questions. What is your son going in for? I wish all the best to you and your family in this exciting time of his (and your life). Keep in touch!!------Sue

[Kelly Hussin]

The best thing to do is talk to the recurter yourself, thats what I did and everything I was told has happen. Plus about a month ago I got a text form my son thanking me for being there for him, and when I takl to him he seems so grown up the change in him is something else.

[Johnna,Lynettes Mom]

My daughters recruiter went as far as telling her bootcamp was easy, she wasnt to happy with him after she got there even though we tried to tell her he was yanking her chain.

[Pat L. in IL]

Jodi, My son's recruiter was great. Jeff is now a nuke down in South Carolina. His recruiter got him ready physically and told him very honestly what to expect in boot camp. They still talk occasionally and Jeff will get 5 extra days leave at Christmas for working with the recruiter those days. Pat

[Amber]

Michael did get what he signed up for but when he got to sub school he had to fight for it. He went in for FT and they assiagned him sonar training. He had to go to three people to get them to put him back in fire control.

So tell him to stick to his guns!

[Rhonda]

Jodi,
My son Josh enlisted in April of last year. He negotiated his enlistment as if he were shopping for a new car. He went and visited recruiters of all the armed forces branches. Living my entire childhood and part of my adult life as an Army brat and Army wife, I was concerned when Josh first selected the Navy as his choice. However, I now realize that it was the best choice he could have made. I believe and have had proven to me so far that the Navy is much more supporting to its new recruits than the Army was. Everything that Josh negotiated has been given. He enlisted as a AT and signed up for 5 years. He was promised a nice cash bonus which he did receive when he completed his A school. His dream duty station was Hawaii and he was told at the completion of his A school that there were only 2 slot open. He thought he was going to see his first dissapointment, but he was one of the two selected. Now as mentioned by others, he did keep his end of the promise. He studied hard and made good relationships with his instructors and chain of command. He has had a few adjustment issues but his command has supported him 100%. Josh's unit is being deployed to Southern Iraq next Tuesday. To say that I in fear for him is an understatement. However, the NAVY has gone to the ninth degree in preparing Josh for this tour. They have educated him financially, culturally, and emotionally for this challenge. He is looking forward to gettin the tour over with, but he has a positive attitude about what his job is and what he needs to do to serve his six months and then go back to Hawaii. I have to say that the NAVY has really helped Josh to grow as a young man. He is still the same Josh as he was before enlistment in personality, but his maturity has improved. His best friend joined the Marines four months before Josh and he is miserable. He was so gung-ho right after boot camp, but now when he comes home, he is angry and talks about how their is no support in his chain of command and that he feels like he is in prison. Now I am not saying that the Marines are a bad choice, but I am saying that I am proud of Josh for choosing the Navy and I am proud of the NAVY for supporting Josh. Good Luck to you son! God Bless him, your family and the USA!