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Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 14, 2009 at 6:58pm

Molly, as I read your post I got goose bumps, I could even feel those darn tears of pride creeping up. The last few days are just a special time together. Sometimes I can't remember what I had for breakfast, but mention the day they walked out the front door and left for BC and it is just like it happened yesterday.
Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!

Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 14, 2009 at 1:57pm

I'm here Molly, wow 4 days to go. I remember the feeling.

Tara never said anyone treated her differently or looked down on her.
Tara's case is a little different (thats how it always is for Tara). :)

Why? I have no idea, but she was assigned to Camp Pendleton, the Marine base. There's a small Navy section thers, she was assigned to the amphibious assault craft unit working with the LCACs. When she first got there she worked as a gofer maintaining the hover crafts. There is no painting or chipping on those, but lots of oil. Then from asking around she thought she wanted to strike MA and get in the with the canine unit, so she wheedle her way into working with the security. But it was a desk job. She sat in on Captain masts which she thought was really interesting, but ultimately realized a desk job was not for her. When she heard that her LCAC group was going on deployment, she ask if she could go back there and go out with them. She had to get qualified in a few things in order to do that. So she did, and loved deployment.
Because she is part of the LCAC's, and not assigned to a ship, I can't say what her experience would have been like being undes on a deployed ship.

My biggest fear for Tara going in undes was that she wouldn't know how to navigate (sorry for the pun) the system to strike for what she wanted. But she has proved me wrong. Tell your sailors to make the best of it, and just ask a lot of questions, and use the career counselor, Tara is always going to hers.

In fact there were some jobs that she thought she would like to strike for, she would ask those in that rate about the job and how they liked it, most times she changed her mind after finding out what it really entailed. So for Tara being undes has been a good thing. She is always changing her mind.
But then again she is a woman. :)

By the way today August 14 is her 2 year anniversary leaving for BC. Wow where as the time gone?

Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 13, 2009 at 7:57pm

I did did wonder why the hard PT for AT. But when you mentioned the trouble down there it makes sense. I remember hearing something about Pensacola and their problems a while back. But your right I can't figure out the switch.

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on August 13, 2009 at 7:52pm

Right now, I'm not sure where Victoria stands. I will pass along what you have said. I think there are a lot of things going on and at least she is doing some homework. I honestly think AT would be preferable to AO and do not understand why the switch. it has gone back and forth ever since she had her PIR.

Scuttlebut: At one point I heard that the sailors at P'cola were having problems with alcohol and drugs ... hearsay ... no basis to this at all. Victoria says they have really cracked down on the sailors. I don't understand all the ins and outs. I gather that they are having them work out with the Marines. When you add everything up, she is overwhelmed.

As I told her, I'm here for her to vent to. That's my job. Her job is to remember that this, too, will pass. What's her long run goal? She claims it is to go to grad school. Okay, then do what is necessary to get there. Believe me there are many job situations that are not a piece of cake. She needs to rise above it. This is the learning process.

Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 13, 2009 at 5:48pm

I don't know if I came across this way or not, but yes in a long run I do think it is best to go in rated. Especially now with jobs being overmanned now. I know these kids think 2 years is to long to be in a job they hate, but it really isn't.

Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 13, 2009 at 5:41pm

FIrst of all welcome to Paige and Dori.
Dori can not believe that MC is similar to AT, except that MC should go in aviation, unless that changed. AO is basically loading amo in aircraft carriers. It is more hands on in a different way then AT. And both jobs are on ship, so she would get out to a fleet. I don't know why undes equals a ticket to Iraq. Unless they are talking about just out on deployment.
As far as I know once you are in a rate you are in for 2 years before you can change. The only way that I'm aware of going undes is going in that way or not being able to keep up with school, or behavior problems. I really wish I had something to tell you that would help. She just needs to ask questions of her career councilor. I hope things work out.

Comment by DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor on August 13, 2009 at 4:54pm

Hi, I'm here at the request of my granddaughter. When she first visited with the navy recruiter, she was told that she could go Mass Communications. This suited her fine because she has a degree in technical theater and could use her sound background. Then when she went to MEPS, she was told the MC rate was not available. Now she should have backed off but she let a Capt. convince her that aviation electronic technician (AT) was very similar.

After BC she did her basic electronics course at Great Lakes. She did well but hated it. She found out that she could not apply for OCS at this point in her career ... her recruiter had said she could. She could not change rates. Basically, she is stuck.

She has just gone to Pensacola and although she has not classed up, she totally hates the situation and the rate. They are having them do 6-mile runs which is destroying her knees. She said she had no problem with the PT at GL but this new routine is similar to the Marines. Her remark is that BC was preferable to where she is now.

Anyway, she has asked about going undesignated and is being told that is an immediate ticket to Iraq. Even this is not scaring her at this moment. Shoot she could be sent to Iraq after A school anyway. She feels she would like to get out into the fleet and see what the different rates do. She knows that it will be dirty work and that does not scare her. She just does not want to be AT. Oh, yes, they have now switched her to AO, which is ordinance so not even working with the circuit boards, which can be stretched to being similar to a sound board.

I am at a loss of how to advise her. I did tell her that she doesn't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire. Changing rates at this point may make something worse, even if she could do it. Personally, I think the idea of being undesignated is a good idea. She is a hard worker and bright.

Could you give me some feedback for her? Please.

Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 9, 2009 at 2:24pm

Molly the story of your son is kinda similar to Tara's. She didn't score enough points for the job she wanted, and didn't want the jobs she qualified for, so she decided to go undes. Then she took the ASVB once she was in, hoping to get a better score. But it really didn't help. She actually scored a little lower. Hind site I wish she didn't take it again. But, that's water under the bridge now.

Chantay, good to hear from you. Your daughter sounds like she will do fine, tell her to keep her mind open and check everything out while she can. Then in 18 months she will know if MA is for her or maybe she will find something else.

Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 7, 2009 at 1:25pm

That's a new one, Diego Garcia! I didn't realize we still had a base there.

Comment by CrackerjackMom on August 7, 2009 at 1:04pm

Sounds like a plan. I like "So long Tucker" not good bye. LOL!

I don't think i could have been any prouder walking around Great Lakes at Tara's PIR with two sailors. I was a great feeling.

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