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Comment by Arwen on November 15, 2010 at 11:27pm

Ladypinkhatter, can you explain a little more? Did she get dropped out of a school for some reason, or do you mean she is in seamanship school?

As long as a sailor is "undesignated" they can work toward a job, but they can't become a "designated striker" for a year, when they can be accepted into a rating. In some ratings they have to go to a school, in others they can be accepted by recommendation.

For example, right now my son is undes, in deck division, but is hanging around the IT department, helping out with computers and other tech stuff, hoping that one of them will "sponsor" him to IT school. His complication is that IT school is the one he failed out of, so he has to wait 18 months to reapply (with recommendation) instead of a year.

Taking a college class or two always looks good on evaluations, but keep in mind that it is extremely difficult to take classes while at sea. They work 18-hour days and have little or no "personal time." So any classes she takes will have to be extremely flexible for time, so that she can work on them while in port and not be penalized for not doing much while she's at sea.

My son was also very bummed when he was kicked out of school (failure to finish on time) and became an undes. However, he's discovering that what he's doing is pretty fun. He gets to do things like steer the ship (helms), be part of ship-to-ship transfers, and all sorts of things like that. He says he spends very little time "chipping paint."

However, it's only a matter of time before he starts mess cranking (takes his turn to do the dishes), which ALL sailors E-3 and below (and on some ships, E-4s too) do, whether they are designated strikers or not.

Comment by Andy's_Dad_Eric_CVN-69 on November 15, 2010 at 2:47pm

MY son is in APACT until 12/3 then he flies home for 10 days and reports to the IKE on 12/13. I am looking forward to seeing him big time!

Comment by ladypinkhatter on November 15, 2010 at 2:41pm

Thanks Sheila. I needed to read that and put this whole experience back into perspective.

My sailor just graduated bc and is in A school. She is undes and very upset. She was told that during A school they were going to let her take the ASVAB again and when she gets to her duty station she cannot strike for a rate for one year (I think that I read that in this group) and that she will be going out to sea for months at time. Can anyone confirm this for me? Can she go to school while she is undesignated and out to sea and would that help her for when she does strike for a rate?

Comment by CrackerjackMom on November 15, 2010 at 2:33am

Thats great Julie, yea I bet that it will be a little cooler there.

I got some great news the other day, Aaron will be home for Christmas. Didn't think he would get the time. Now the only problem is....Tara is possible going to the boy friends family back in Ohio. Ugh! But they have not made any concrete plans yet, so I have to hope they will change there minds and come here. Have not had my kids them home together in 4 years. Keeping fingers crossed that it goes my way. :)

Comment by CrackerjackMom on November 13, 2010 at 2:00pm

Welcome Andy's Dad, can't help you with that specific question. But I'm sure someone will be a long shortly.

Hi Shelia, good to hear from you. Glad things are moving right along with the wedding plans. It will be here before you know it.

Comment by Andy's_Dad_Eric_CVN-69 on November 13, 2010 at 12:42pm

My sin is APACT starting Monday. ANyone elses kid in that? Please share how it went with your sailor please.

Comment by msmom on November 10, 2010 at 11:34am

So sorry LynB.

In these last few years things seem so uncertain whether we are talking about the navy or civilian life when you refer to jobs. I view the navy as my sailor's job for now and he is not doing what he prefers to do either.

Your sailor has dealt with many challenges and has already achieved so much in life!

Hold on to your pride in him. Send him your love and support. The only thing we can do is talk to each other here and stay positive when we talk to them.

I am sending you hugs and prayers that this crooked road we share leads to something that our sailors will be truly happy and fulfilled doing.

Comment by LynB on November 8, 2010 at 8:07pm

Well here's a twist I just realized. Any input appreciated. He'd be mad at me for saying it all too.

Because my son was in the BDCP, he was considered 'active' for his last 2 years of college and remained active for the 14 months after his college graduation that consisted of delay after delay, messed up paperwork, then failure of the run time at 2 PRTs back to back due to flu/bronchitis, dropping from the officer program as a result, and finally assignment to boot camp last July undesignated - where he was given a plane ticket by his NRD that had him arrive after the USO closed - he took a taxi and walked in to boot camp on orders that he received from his NRD the day AFTER he was supposed to report to GL. (That caused a stir!)

Still he was the only guy selected from this 770 person PIR group for the USS Constitution while in BC - but that was pulled because his commitment remaining is less than the 2 years billet would last. Thus, he is where he is now in Coronado with the Seabees trying very hard to stay positive and still wanting a career with the Navy.

But, his official end date is now Jan 10, 2012 - 14 months from now. That is not enough time to get accepted back to the officer program (which I understand takes about 2 yrs) and logically he won't be accepted for a rate if he's supposed to get out in 14 months. Am I making this up or do you think this is the probable outcome too?

I'm pretty sure he's out of options with the Navy mostly because of bureaucratic nightmares. Eagle Scout, 99 ASVAB, high school and college grad with honors, passed the Nuclear exams, security cleared, challenge coin at BC, keeps his nose clean, etc etc etc and right now it looks like the Navy is going to use him to chip paint for 14 months and then kick him out. I find it really sad that this is the best use they can find for him.

Comment by CrackerjackMom on November 7, 2010 at 5:08pm

Julie, once a Navy Mom always a Navy Mom!!! We have been with ours sailors every step of the way, I think our title should stick with us.

Yup, that girl has made me hold my breath and cry more tears ever since she decided to join the Navy. And I fear it its not over yet. She has a good head on her shoulders most times. ;)

After all she went through to get where she is I hope she stays at least 2 more years. Right now it seems she will but with Tara you never know. It's never a dull moment with her. Her brother and her are soooo different. But that is a good thing, if they were both....how should I say this?......as exciting as Tara, I would have been in the loony bin a long time ago. LOL! But I love them both and wouldn't trade them for all the money in the world.

Comment by CrackerjackMom on November 7, 2010 at 1:27pm

Oh Julie sorry to hear of Cory's troubles. Hope it all works out for the best for him. It is a little scary to think of them getting out in this economy. Tara's PTS was approved, as of now she does plan on reenlisting. But with her you never know. My son still have 3 1/2 years to decided.

Have a great time in Virginia for Cory's birthday, should be a little cooler there then you are used to. :) Will he Cory be able to get home for Christmas?

Sheila!!!! Were are you our fearless leader? Hope all is well.

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