Going Undesignated

[EMC (SS)]

Ma'am, 
I wanted to clarify what it means to be undesignated. Many people will tell you that it is a horrible thing. I wanted to dispel this as some of the happiest Sailors that I know have started off undesignated. It gives them the opportunity to go to sea on a ship right away rather then coming into the Navy and sitting in a school for 6 months to 2 years. It also provides them the time to see and experience what each of the divisions actually do before picking their rating rather then hear about it from a someone else and guess that it sounds cool.

- What is it? Being undesignated is just that you currently have no rating. This could be for a variety of reasons ranging from failing out of an "A" School to actually signing up for the Navy as an undesignated striker. 

- Will you have to clean and paint? Yes, however so will every single enlisted sailor in the US Navy. I'm a Chief and I am still cleaning and painting. 

- Will you work in the Galley and have to clean dishes and help the cooks? Yes, however this is the same for every E-4 and below reporting to a Ship for the first time. It is known as being a Food Service Attendant (FSA) and every Sailor will do it for somewhere between 30 - 90 days.

- So what is the difference then? As an unrated person when you get to your ship you won't be directly slated to a division. (Electricians (EMs) go to electrical division; Cooks (CS) go to mess division) Instead you work directly for the Command Master Chief (CMC/COB). You will normally be assigned to Deck Division. They are responsible for all of the topside equipment (changes on the size of the ship for specific breakdown) but they normally have the very important job of taking care of anything needed to work on the deck, damage control gear for man over board issues, the ship's quarterdeck and general condition of the exterior of the ship. You will spend your time working on your divisional work load and learning Navy basics like seamanship; flag signals; rule of the road (navigation); damage control; warfare qualifications; using the PMS (preventative maintenance system) and you will be given the opportunity to work with several other divisions onboard. 

-Then what? Well, the standard first sea tour is approxamatly 18 months and then the Sailor will pick a rating that their ASVAB score (it can be retaken with a request to attempt a better score) qualifies them for then they will go to "A" school and will gain a rating. The Sailor's performance will go into the CO's recommendation for what school that they get to attend. So, encourage them to give their level best everyday and have a positive attitude.  After this they may go back to the same ship or be sent to another depending on their desires and the needs of the Navy. There are a few jobs that do not require going to an A-school, the rating Boatswain Mate (BM) would be one example. 

Very Respectfully,
EMC (SS) 

[sunshine1]

I've heard the Navy is discharging men if they don't pass "A" school because they are overcrowded is that true? I think most of the people in the service would rather be transferred to another situation like undesignated. The person in charge also said if they are discharged they wouldn't be able to get a job at McDonalds. Just because you weren't able to pass a test? Please explain.

Thanks

[navynuke04]

haha, thats ridiculous. First of all, the whole job at McDonalds thing applies to getting a dishonorable discharge from the military, which stays with you for the rest of your life. Any company (McDonalds) that has a government contract is not supposed to hire you. Second, they can not just throw you out of the Navy if you don't pass a test. When you join, you sign a contract. The Navy is responsible to uphold that contract just as the person who signed it is. If you sign a contract saying that you will be put into this job but have to pass this school to get it and fail out, you will be given some options. You will be given the choice to pick 3 jobs. Papers will be filled out, letters sent, people called, and eventually that 'community' will make a decision if they will accept you into that job rating. If so, you will go do that. If none of the jobs you pick out will take you, then the Navy will give you one, usually what ever job is the most needed at the time. Thats when you will have the option to accept or deny. If you accept, you will stay in the Navy and sign a new contract laying out your new job. If you deny, then you will be separated. If you do get separated because things didn't work out, and you didn't get in trouble, you will get a General under honorable conditions. This is how I remember is from instructors in A school. If you would like to read more, I recommend reading http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/l/aadischarge1...

[sunshine1]

Thanks...I'm wondering if they are just trying to stress the guys out to study hard...kind of backfiring with my son. He is a great student but seems so worried because of what the leaders are saying.

[proudtobehismom-Ship 10/Div 333]

Wow...Thank you for this. My sons leaves in August for BC as undesiginated and I have struggled with this since he signed his contract. He took the contract to get his feet in the door ( per the recruiter) His ASVAB was a 69 which I was told was very respectable and of course as his mother, I know he has tremendous potential. This " undesiginated" classification just seem to put him him the lower end of things, but maybe I should be looking at it as an opportunity to explore the Navy and find the job that really suited for him.!

[ET3Puck]

As an undesignated seaman recruit your son will end up working with the BMs until he has about 2 years cleaning, painting, chipping, sanding, washing, and generally being the ships janitorial service. Don't get me wrong - BMs are an asset but with a 69 on his ASVAB he could get a better job without all the hassle. And since he won't be rated he's pretty much the lowest on the totem pole until he picks a rate. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone honestly.

[Beth'sMom2.0]

I agree with ET3 here. I saw undesignated striking to become hospital corpsmen. When you are undesignated... You never know what may come open and when. You also have to have a lot of support from your command that is willing to give you up and basically loose you. They took my A school away from me in bootcamp because of a MEPS mistake. I had to fight to get another A school. Of course mind you this was in 1988 when they would take almost anyone in the Navy. It isn't that way now.

[John]

In some cases, an undesignated Sailor will have an opportunity to spend time with another division. He'd probably do it on his off time because his regular divison expects him to be with them during working hours. He can learn some things about the other division and impress the CO with his initiative if/when the time comes for him to ask for a full-time change. It's no guarantee but it's often helpful.


The majority of Sailors I've known were happy to have an interested visitor ffrom somewhere else on the ship. Most people (your son, I'm sure) are smart enough to be a visitor without becoming a pest ... and that's all there is to it.

[Ashleysmamaluciana]

Please help!! My daughter left for bc on 2/14 and her contract says she enlisted in the airman(PACT-AN) program because she was unsure what job she wanted to choose.She is 22 and sighed on her own and now I'm trying to figure out what this means.She scored 72 on her ASVAB and her recruiter told her enlisting this way she can get an idea of what job she wants.Can you please give me some insight of what this means....thank you,any info. will help.

Lucina

 

[John]

When recruits are enrolled in PACT, they get a general overview of one part of the Navy -- in your daughter's case, the Naval Air Force. Usually, it's a three-week orientation after Recruit Training (Boot Camp).  When she arrives at her first duty station, she will already understand the basic functions of the division to which she's assigned AND she'll understand how they interact with the rest of the crew.  It beats getting dumped onto a ship or Naval Air Station with no idea who does what.

 

Believe me, the Navy wants to get as much out of your daughter as they can and they want to have her do well. If she shows intelligence and initiative, she will be advanced, possibly getting a Class "A" school later.  She just can't sit around and wait for something to happen.  She has to make it happen after she gets settled on her ship or station.

 

On this website, go to the tab called Groups.  You can find a group called the A Pact Program which may be a place to post further questions.

 

It's here -->  http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/qawitharecruiter/forum/topics/a-p...

 

John

[Ashleysmamaluciana]

Thanks John,

 

I really appreciate your info. and the link..thank you.I'm full of anxiety wondering whats going to happen.My daughter Ashley is intelligent and not afraid of hard work.I just hope and pray it will all work out.

Take care,

Luciana  

[John]

Hi, again.

 

I was away last week with limited Internet, so I didn't see your note.  Now, I see Ashley's been sworn in and you're more comfortable.  Good!

 

Just in case I didn't make it clear before, Navy Leadership has many of the same functions as Management in a business.  The managers at a store, for example, all have requirements they have to meet, whether it's supplies, production, shipping or something else.  The Navy's a lot like that, with each division having its requirements.  Just like being a good employee has its rewards at the store, so also does the Navy value its Sailors who contribute to the mission.  PROMOTION$!

 

The way you describe Ashley, she has what it takes to be a success -- in or out of the Navy.  Best of luck to her -- and her Mom!

 

John

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

howarki    here are a couple of groups for you to join to help you know what to expect http://www.navyformoms.com/group/leavinforbootcampinmay and http://www.navyformoms.com/group/undesignatedsailors