My Fiancé is an Undesignated Sailor

[Taylor's Girl]

My fiancé and I are both in the Navy. I am currently stationed in Monterey, CA, and he is in San Diego as an undesignated sailor. He absolutely hates it, and it hasn't even been 2 months. It's quite stressful on him and it's making the both of us a bit down that he is in that situation. Is there anything that he can do or that could potentially be done for him to make it so he does not have to wait a full year before striking for a rate? His ship goes on deployment in December, and he really wants to strike for a rate before he has to spend 6 months at sea as undesignated.

 

Also, he knows what rate he wants to strike for, and he is more than qualified to be sent to the school for that rate already. Is it difficult for an undesignated sailor to strike for the rate they truly want, or is it more of a "we need these jobs on the ship, so you're going to strike for one of these jobs" kind of thing?

 

Thanks for any feedback. I know he's a hard worker, and he says his chief and petty officers have taken notice of that. I really want him to be out of his current situation. He's talked to his career counselor a few times already, but sometimes I feel like those guys are just as bad as recruiters. He originally told him that he could get out to an A-School in 6 months, but now he is saying a year. I don't really know what to believe anymore.

[Angie]

Not trying to sound rude, but if he is in the USN already...he MUST talk to his CCC about getting a rate.  People don't always like what they are told by the CCC as it isn't what they want.

 

It doesn't matter what he wants to be, it is up to what is open for him to try and strike for.  His CCC has to look at his info in FLTRIDE to see what is open and what he qualifies for.  Some rates, people can just take the test for (after getting approval from PERS) others they must go to "A" School for.

 

He must be on board at least 12 months before he can even request an "A" School, than even if approved, he could have to wait another year before going to the school.

 

R/

Chief

[Taylor's Girl]

Yes, he's talked to his NC1 several times. I don't know if that's his "CCC", as I've yet to go on a ship so I'm not as knowledgeable on who is what, but I do know that he has talked to that guy. I know that some rates require schooling, and I know that every rate he is interested in requires that and a top security clearance (that he already has).

 

Is there absolutely no way for him to request A school before 12 months is up, even if he works his ass off? That's his main stresser now, honestly. There are many slackers in his deck division, so he often finds himself doing their job once he's finished his. He gets to watch them slack off all day with little to no repercussions. That and being told by his command that as an undesignated sailor, he does not have time to take college classes. He's a smart guy, he got a 96 on his ASVAB. He hates not being able to take school classes.

 

If not another A school, is it at least possible for him to be reassigned to work with another rate? Recruiters always like to preach about undesignated getting to try all kinds of different jobs, but I've only ever heard of them working with the boatswain's mates...

[Angie]

The way it works on a ship, when they get an undes the ship puts them where they need the person.  As for trying all different kinds of jobs, that is up to the sailor to do on their off time.  If the ship wants to put them in a different job that is up to the ship.  Your sailor can put in a request chit to move to work with another rate, but it doesn't have to be approved, and they normally aren't if they are needed where they are now.

 

It doesn't matter if he is the #1 jr person on the ship, regulations are regulations.

 

Best thing for him to do is go to the other work area's on his off time, if he makes it known that he really wants to learn ____ job...and the senior people in that work area think he is doing a great job and would be good there.  Than they may try to get him in that area. 

 

Yes...CCC is the NC1 on his ship.

[Angie]

(1) Fleet applicants may submit request after completion of 12 months on board permanent duty station.
(2) Members assigned to first duty station must have a minimum of 12 months on board prior to submission of requests
for temporary duty under instruction (TEMDUINS) or duty under Instruction (DUINS) assignment to Class "A" Schools, and must have a minimum of 18 months on board prior to transfer.

 

Above is from the MILPERSMAN 1306-602...which states "request after completion of 12 months" and "must have a minimum of 18 months on board prior to transfer".

 

Everything in the USN has an instruction...

[BunkerQB]

Taylor's girl,

Please tell your fiance to stay patient. With his score, he'll eventually get to the area he should be in. I am just curious - why did he go undesignated instead of waiting for a rate to be available?  On the other hand, having A JOB these days is good - no matter that it is undesignated. Try getting a civilian job!  My 22 year old is going through that right now.

Here are some postives:

1. You are both in CA - only 5-6 hours from each other.  San Diego is beautiful, so is Monterey. 

2. Assuming YOU like your job, one of you has a rating - so that is good. With dual careers, over the length of your relationship, you will find that at some point, one of you will be experiencing a "down" point concerning your career.

3. It's only 6 more months - he can do. Keep encouraging him.

BTW,

There are a number of young wives, gf in SD. I know one couple both in Navy and another she is Navy, he reserves. Has he made friends?  I am in Santa Clara County - 1.5 hours from Monterey - we are planning a South Bay meet and greet. Please come and meet some of the others families - there are a few in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. I left the link to the San Fran Bay group on your page. Click MY PAGE, scroll down to my comment and click on the link. Which language are you taking?  Last year during Fleet Week, a young sailor (at the DLI) and his wife were our guests for dinner at the Marine's Memorial Hotel in SF.