DEP Mom question of the day

[Michelle (EOD Mom)]

I got this idea from Molly on the wall. I thought it was a good idea. You can either post a question that you know the answer to and just want to make sure others know the answer to or you can ask a question and someone will answer. Anyone can make the question(s) of the day. So if you have anything at all big or small to ask go ahead and ask away!

[Patricia B. Paul's mom]

This is the first I heard of in regards to paying for the uniforms. Is that true, they have to pay for them?

[JM(Aub'smom)]

Yes, they have to pay for their gear our of their first paycheck and anything they need to get from the PX (deoderant, underwear, socks, razors, shave cream) You get the idea. Even stuff like the swimsuit they use in BC.

[Hillary]

so we wont need much money? I figured it wasnt neccessary to have much but ive been wrong before.

[Hillary]

ok. that sounds like it makes sense. thank you very much. :)

[Patricia B. Paul's mom]

When saliors go to the Dr or for dental work do they also pay for that? Like a co-pay?

[JM(Aub'smom)]

I do know that when they get to BC, if they still have their wisdon teeth, the will be pulled right away and then heal while they continue with training. So if they aren't out a suggestion would be to have them removed before you go.

[SueS (ABF Mom)]

Make sure there is enough time for COMPLETE healing. Our recruiter said that the doc at MEPS sends people back for ANY thing and that the gums must be healed. I know this doc and altho he is in the reserves he's not really "military friendly". TRICARE covers alot but I think it is for dependents or military that don't have a MTF (Military Treatment Facility) nearby.

[Patricia B. Paul's mom]

Thanks for the info. I think my son had his wisdom teeth pulled before his braces went on, I will have to look back in my files.

[Arwen]

Recruits do pay for their initial uniform issue, but they are reimbursed later. It takes a few months for that reimbursement to come through and their first paycheck is severely depleted.

That first reimbursement will be $1,157.21 for men and $1,371.69 for women.

After that they get a smaller amount each year to replace worn or damaged uniforms.

http://www.dfas.mil/navy2/militarypay/clothingallowance.html

[Michelle (EOD Mom)]

Thank you Arwen :) I am going to repost this on the wall since it was mentioned...I didnt know this and now that I do I will pass the info along :)

[Stephanie]

Wow! My head is swimming! I just read through this whole thread and am a little overwhelmed with information right now! This is a good place to be!

My son won't leave until after Graduation in May - so far his ship date is June 23. I think he only needs 4 more college hours to go up in rank - I don't remember if he would have E2 or E3. He is counting on 4 of his buddies signing up to get the rank he wants. So far one has and one more is thinking about it - or her mom is, anyway. She wants to go! Anyway, the job he got at MEPS was Aviation Electronics Technician. He wasn't too excited about that - he wants to be a diver and do underwater welding - but everyone has told him that is an awesome job. He can't really make up his mind what he wants to do - it changes from time to time. He was thinking that this job would be great then he started talking about doing Air Rescue and now he is saying he really wants to go into the SEALS. I know he can't go in as a diver but I do wonder about the job he has. We've been told that he can change before he leaves, also that October is the month that a lot of jobs open up and he can change then, too. Is that true?

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. I am also wondering about how to motivate the child with his preparations and as far as his E2/E3 status. All he sees is the light at the end of December - when he will finish High School - and isn't looking much beyond that. I think he thinks he's got all the time in the world for working out and studying his book.

Thanks for being here!

[Michelle (EOD Mom)]

Ok very important here...Dont sign unless it is the job you want! I hear all the time that once in you cant change your contract for 2 years...If he goes in July he more than likely willl not be able to change jobs in October..My son is EOD which is part of the specops community (SEALS, SWCC, Rescue Swimmer, EOD)...All spec ops have to go through Pre-dive and dive school...You said that he cant be a diver...Is that because the underwater welding wasnt available or because he physically cant do dive? If its because there were no jobs available in welding go to this web site http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjob1/a/navyjobs.htm there may be other jobs underwater that he may like and have him call his recruiter about a job change..The Navy (due to economy) is not hard up for folks enlisting unfortunanly (or fortunantly LOL depends on who you ask) ...My son and I went to about.com and looked for specific jobs...wrote down 10 jobs that interested him and took that list with him....He went down the list with the job counselor at MEPS and all the jobs were taken except #10 LOL...The thing is this...and I have heard this 1000000 times on here...The Navy will enourage Navy needs...What that means is the counselor will not go through all the jobs with someone...There isnt time...There are alot of folks at MEPS and if they spent that much time on each person they would not have time to take care of everyone....they will lay out a list of jobs that the Navy needs someone in..Dont be fooled by this...There may be other jobs that have openings but it is not a desperate need..The Navy will encourage the jobs that are in need of filling...Its all about the needs of the Navy..Going in prepared allows a future Sailor to be informed of what they want...Dont sign any contract even with a promise of "When an opening comes up we will let you know"..If its not in your contract that you sign it isnt binding!!! Nothing that anyone says is binding unless it is in the contract! Unfortunantly there are recruiters out there that just want recruits and will say anything to get someone to sign on the dotted line. Your future Sailor does not have to take any ole job...It may mean waiting to sign up till that job is available but it will be worth it to do a job that you like for 4-6 years than to do a job that you dont like for 4-6 years..
Also have your recruiter get in touch with the local SEAL motivator in your area..If you have a problem with this send me an email and I will talk to Craigs motivator and get a number for you....They have to take a physical fitness test called a PST in order to get in specops..Its a very hard test physically and all specops jobs have to take this same test only some of the finish times maybe different..There are other qualifications that you have to meet as well...So talking to a motivator will benifit him...check out this web site http://www.military.com/navy-seals/join.html ...

Unfortunantly alot of our children that are in DEP have to find out on their own by trial and error about motivation...Nothing we can do to fix that other than to be informed and pass that information on to them...Thats what N4M's does for a parent/spouse..You will be able to wade through this site and be informed and pass that on to them...I will tell you though and I am sure that you know this by now lol...Parents are dumb and dont know nuttin LOL...So just be persistant about your information and if he takes your advise then thats great if he dont it will be an opportunity to say "told you so" ROFL...Just kidding :D

I hope that I was able to help in some way ...Please have him talk to his recruiter after looking at that about.com website and go back and sign for a job that he wants not a job that he just took to get signed up..Be aware though if he chooses another job and gets signed on his ship date may change...it could be earlier and it could be later depending on when the Navy needs someone for that job.

Michelle