Moms of IS (Intelligence Specialist) sailors.

ISs can also have more than one designation.  I know one sailor who had a long hold time for his chosen C school, so he did another C school while waiting.  Left DN with two NECs!!  My son went to C school with several ISs who were going back for a second C school after being in the fleet for awhile.

Yes, that seems to be the thing to want, more than one NEC. It helps because you have a wider range of places/ships to be stationed at.

Thanks all for the helpful information - a lot to process - just be glad when he is out of boot camp in 4 weeks!  

Ok folks, I need help/advice.  My son is worried. 

Rumor mill has it that the new NEC rate, HUMINT, becomes active in March.  This is interrogating prisioners, etc. & being in not so nice places.

He heard that sailors are not going to be given a choice and are going to be placed into HUMINT.  I thought they had to interview for it, like ground intel. 

He was also told that once you are in HUMINT or ground, you cannot switch to another inter NEC.  He is worried because he hasn't classed up for "C" school yet and definately does NOT want ground or HUMINT.  He is engaged and he is worried.

Anyone have info on this?  I don't know what is fact & what is fiction.  Neither does he because the rumor mill is quite active & no one is clarifying fact from fiction.  Thank you!

Laura,

I can ask my son if he has any info.  May take a day or two to get in touch with him.

DaSall.. that is very interesting.. while my daughter was there at DN, only those that interviewed were considered for ground... hmmmmmmmmm

Foreign Intel Officer,

Thank you for your post! We should always be reminded of safety and loose lips sink tight ships.

Your post is very appreciated!!

@Foreign Intel Officer - Thank you for you comments and I don't mind you being blunt. 

I have been an Army wife for quite a number of years and given my husband's job, not many things are discussed at home.

My son wants to be career Navy and is not in it just for the college money.  I know there are many who are and it makes me crazy. 

When I said that he was worried, I should have explained.  He is worried about being half a world away and not being able to make it home for his wedding, which isn't too soon.

My husband came home only a few days before our weddings and we weren't even sure he was going to make it home at all!  We had a big wedding planned and world events threw a monkey wrench into the mix.

I respect OPSEC and I thank you for posting reminders about it on this web site.  I am glad that details of the IS rates are kept under wraps.  Trust me, I don't want to know, scary movies keep me up at night.

As a mom, I am glad that you mentioned that, "If they don't want to do it, trust me they won't."  We all want our kids to be happy and I am no exception. 

Stay safe!

Has anyone done the whale watching tours in Virginia Beach?

Was it worth it?

No, just Mass. whale watching.  Unless you are REALLY good about not getting sea sick, I wouldn't waste the money.  I get sea sick and the trip just about did me in.

Sounds like you had some rough seas on your whale watching tour!  We are going to send my younger son to visit his older brother and we were looking for a few activities.

They both love to sail and they ride every crazy rollercoaster so they might be OK if they decide to do the whale watching trip.  Personally, I think I would pass.  Love sailing, don't love rollercoasters, or even tilt-a-whirls!

Rebecca,

They won't find out until pretty much the end of A school.  The instructors have to first make sure they will pass A school and also see what sub-specialty they might be well suited for.  Also it then depends on what billets are available and what sub-specialties are needed to fill those billets.  Always needs of the Navy comes first.

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this group a very excited to be a part of it.

My SR has PIR 4/13.  Does anyone know how many weeks A school is?

I think it is 13 weeks

We just found out my grandson is in going into the reserve IS field. While I am proud of him I am a little concerned - and confused about what that means so I am looking forward to reading everyone's comments and gleaning as much info as I can about what this in means in relations to how how long he will be gone from me!

My son just earned his Intelligence Dominance Warfare pin to add to his Air Warfare pin!!  Getting ready to reenlist for 6 more years and heading back to VA!!!

Anna, Congrats to Chris A! Chris M has been working on his pins for a while too. Maybe at his new assignment he will be able to accomplish them!  

Mary,

I understand what you mean.  Chris had to fight tooth and nail to get people in his command to help him and sign off on his stuff.  Now he wants to turn around and help the other sailors who are working on their pins.  At least until he leaves there in August.

I don't know. I know my dd was never allowed to wear her uniform off base.  Too much unwanted attention, esp. for an IS.

Depending on what the IS does, there is more or less that they can share.  I'm sure the sailors are told what they can share, and with whom.  Including relatives can be a big mistake.  In some cases, it could put them at risk as well as the sailor.  My son just pleads ignorance to me and to some superior officers.

We were on an AirForce base, and my son was wearing a fairly strange uniform with shoulder patches that were unfamiliar, and at the BX, a Brigadier Gen. came up and looked my son up and down and asked, "What the hell are you?"  My son responded with his name and rate, and when asked what his assignment is, answered, "I don't know, Sir."  The General got the message.

Remember OPSEC!!

IS Stephanie - being able to reside with your spouse has more to do with location and less to do with the type of jod he has.  Certain assignments are "unaccompanied".  No spouse, no family.  The region is either too unstable or there aren't any facilities to support family members.

Even if you are with your spouse, there are times that he may be gone on an assignment for a period of time.  You may or may not know where or for how long.

You are better off not asking.  Don't put him in an awkward position.  Silence is golden.  Been married for over 25 years and my logic is that since he can't divulge secrets, I don't want to know because I don't want to become a bargaining chip.  I can never be used against him because I honestly don't know.

IS Stephanie - Has your boyfriend signed a contract and swore in yet?  S-PACT is most commonly referred to as being "undesignated".  While this does give him a day to day overview of naval operations, it has some drawbacks.

Last I heard, an undesignated sailor has to stay as such for two years.  Someone correct me if this has changed.

Also, there are no promotions while undesignated.  A sailor needs a rate (job) to be promoted into once the qualification for advancement of that rate have been met.  Since he does not have a specific job (rate), he cannot be promoted.

Sailors with top secret clearances are highly sought after in the civilian workplace because it is very expensive and time consuming to obtain a TS clearance in the civilian world.  They are good for five years I believe.  The job he may qualify for depends on which job within the IS field he is assigned to perform.

I too must commend your post Foreign Intel Officer. (new to the site). I work for the navy, and what he says is true. Girlfriends, Mothers and friends, talk about what is positive to your sailor. They have enough to deal with right now. Oh and, what you post (loose lip conversation, questions and all that) will fall upon the very sailor that you are trying to find out about. They get into trouble for what you do, so please stop. If you were meant to know any of the information you seek, you would be in boot camp not your SR at this point. If they can they will tell you what they can, but you should never ask questions, especially in these fields. Let them have a grown moment, after all they were grown enough to make the decision to join this group. I am proud of my son and know he will share what he can and what he can't will not part his lips. I raised him that way.

DrewSwags Mom,

I hope you are not using your son's last name here or anywhere on the N4Ms website.  Last names are taboo and actually a breech of OPSEC.

Anna,

I have a question concerning that issue. You know we have always been careful here about posting such things as last names and we have devised ways around confusion which works for us. I followed Chris when he was on ship recently and even posted his pic here. It was released along with many others to the ship's facebook page by the Mass Communications folks. It not only showed him and one of the commanding pilots but tells their names and rates (ok, rank for the pilot) It was that way on most all of the photos released by the ship. So my question is, what is the difference? I don't have a problem with keeping our sailors safe but then the Navy goes and posts not just pics of them, but announces their names (first and last). Hmmmm.........

DrewSwags Mom, I'm going to assume that the Swags part is a nickname. It's all cool with me....welcome aboard.  

Anna, I meant to ask you also...your number still the same? I need to catch up with ya by phone sometime soon.....mine is still the same so you can text me n let me know. :-)

Mary,

I agree 100% but I don't know if N4Ms admin has changed their rules or not.  When I see new members join one of my groups I always see where admin and some other long time members send the welcome greeting which still enforces the rules of no last names.  And I have seen the same things you mention about navy pictures.  Sooooo I don't know!!!  That's a question we need to have admin address.  In the meantime I just still let new people know until admin says don't worry.

Yes, I still have the same number and yes, we do need to do some catching up!!!!  Lets try for early next week because then I'm getting ready for Jenn's graduation.

Hello All Moms,

Anna, no that is not his real name it is a nick name, thank you for your keen eye.

But as I stated, been working for the Folks a long time, and that I was married to it for 7 years. I see the things that you all see and question with regards to what they post, and believe me there are kinks in the system, but us as moms, know not to repeat what we see them do. I work in the IT department and you all is being looked at and when traced back, well let's just say it is not nice or pretty. I love my son, my family members and all the other kids that went to school with my son that have joined and want them to be safe. Mums the word as it iti typed for all that I love.

I send no bad thoughts his way as I know that he has to focus in his task at hand and can not be distracted by what is going on at home. I have seen to many that receive bad news that are unable to deal with it and soon begin to fall short. Tjis is of active duty members that are with in our sons/daughters age range. I don't want my son and or the rest to have to carry any guilt for not being home when things are tough. Besides our children are taking thier first steps into the world of being upstanding citizens. How proud are we to be the MOMs of them. Just like it was when they took their first steps and said their first word. (Smiles all the way). For all of you, I know it will be hard not knowing where they are or what they are doing, but remember, you did not tell them everything either when they were growing up, you had secrets. As long as you get an email, a call, or a letter from them you know they are alright. Leave it at that. Your heart will thank you, I know mine does, and it has had to 2 heart attacks to this day. So please spare yourself of the stress. They know you love them, even when they won't admit it, deep down in their hearts, they just like you KNOW.

When I was married to the service 14 years ago, or is it 15 now, I don't remember and my fingers are to busy typing this to count on, but if the service members immetiate (wife, kids) family got into trouble, the service member suffered because they did not control their family. Now that we have the web, it can extend to other family and friend, i fear, because it was their people who let the cat out the bag or for some let the dogs out. Hackers can get to anything you type out there and are watching, (our side is watching as well) how else to you think they know? This is a government site, think about it. This is a safe site for us all to support each other and calm the fears and help those that do not know.

As for the picture that displayed the names, rest assured it will be dealt with I am sure. No that is not supposed to be out there. But like i said, there are kinks in the system that will be worked out. Believe me.

I Hope all you MOMs have a good evening, me I have to go work on my truck at the moment, it just did not sound right comming home from the 2nd job to night.

As my son used to say when he was very young, if you don't smile before you go to sleep mommy, you will wake up with crabby patties under your eyes. Now I pass that to you MOMs. Smile before you sleep.

Oh Carl! So sorry to hear that things have been so dramatic on your front. Have not contacted you and Irene lately so it's nice to be updated on your sailor.

I am happy he will be close to you soon and I hope everything continues to go well during your treatment. I trust Irene is holding down the homefront...it is not easy when the family all must be so stretched out across a vast area. The bright side is that you are able to see your daughter! Congrats to her on her landing the part. Prayers to you all. Maybe our sons have met after all?  

My sailor graduated bootcamp on Friday and is now in Virginia for A school. His class starts next Monday and he graduates on 10 August. His class is very small 10 males and 2 females. Im so excited to hear from his everyday and cannot wait until he can graduate. He is not sure if he has a C school yet. We both want him back here.

Your son will go to "C" school, it is just a matter of which one he gets closen/placed in as a speciality.

It is common that sailors are "on hold" for 4 to 6 weeks between "A" and "C" school.  They cannot come home during that time.  They will still have duty/watches but not in school.  It is a great time to get a few clep tests out of the way and research eduction options.

One important thing, his mailing address will change slightly as he progresses through each stage.  It will be an exciting time for him!  Go visit him if you are able.

Ryansgirl- Some "C" schools are 6 weeks, some are much longer.  The active duty training is the same as the reservist training.  Since the job is the same, the training is the same.  My son trained side by side, reservist and regular navy.  No difference.

My son didn't get his 1st choice for "C" school.  He got his 2nd choice but he said that he is so glad that it worked out the way it did.  He is in the fleet now and he loves the job that he is doing and very happy that he didn't get his 1st choice. 

Things might have changed during the past couple of years since Chris was in school but actually the time between A school and C school may be a weekend up to a few months...depending on how many make it through the A schools and which C school a sailor will be going into. Some o f the longer more technical ones may take a couple of months for enough qualified students to make a class. Yes, reservistist, full-time entry, and fleet returnees all have the same schools and requirements. Generally speaking (though not always the case, lately), reservist are placed in OpIntel. As previously mentioned many do not become active duty (AD) so they are placed in the shortest school and the most generalized job of the rating. Why would the Navy pay to put a sailor in say, STRIKE school if they are going back home to Kentucky and will never be on a ship or near planes?

One way the reservists can continue their service after school is to maintain a good presence within the community. I know of one who almost full-time does Honor Guards at funerals, Color Guards for his city's pro football and baseball games (yes, I've seen him on TV!) besides being very active in his reserve unit (which is a 4 hour drive from his home). He is a real go getter though and has struggled with the Navy in an effort to become full-time AD. Just saying that there are things reservists can do with their time and training once they are finished with their school, so don't let the short school fool ya. Revisiting the time between schools...my son grad from A school on Friday and started C school on Monday but another from his class did not begin his C school until August (our guys grad'ed A school in April). It really does vary greatly. If they are on hold for a long time between A school and C school, they MIGHT be able to take leave for a week or two but be warned!!! They may likely not be able to get leave time before their first assignment if they come home between schools.

I look at it this way...as long as they are there, they are safe and available for communication. Besides, this time of year they are 1 block from the beach and a couple of miles from the resort area. How much more fun can a sailor have???

OPSEC

Just a reminder or for those of you who are new, a heads up.

With you Sailor in this specialty, and in C school for this specialty, you have the toughest job of any Navy Family:  you've got to keep your mouth shut.

You can't say what your Sailor is doing, or where they're doing it.  In this specialty, and just a very few others (NSW) this is very real.  Your sailors will be told about it, and they won't be telling you a lot, but YOU know their rating, and you're proud, and want to tell, BUT DON'T.

whate does it mean be rerated?

has anyone had a son or daughter go to cptains mast and if they do will this ruin their Naval Career?

Linda, It depends on the offense for which the sailor is going to the capt's mast for. Sometimes its a reprimand and an offer for some extra help to "get back into shape" or it could be as bad as being discharged for conduct, etc. I knew one sailor who began A school and had some trouble maturing into the job. About the time he was allowed back into a new A school class (was on hold during a few weeks between the classes), his grandmother died and he opted to go home for a few days to be with family. He of course did not have any leave time built up and given the fact that he had some previousl problems at the school, he was sent home unrated. I don't know about the full timers, he is reserves. Much later he was rerated and went to school successfully for the rating of IT. He is still doing well with it and is happier in the new rating. From what I have heard in the past, full timers basically become "needs of the Navy" and likely end up as ship's company. This means they may work in the kitchen, the Post Office, cleaning various areas of the ship or whatever that ship needs. I THINK they have the opportunity later to be rerated into a specific job but it takes time.

My information about all of this may not be totally accurate and you may find beter anwers at the Ask a Recruiter page here at N4M. They usually have been in long enough to know how it works for full time. and reserves. I'm going on memory from 3 years ago so...a bit rusty on the issue.

thank you so much Mary. My heart is broken for him He is a good kid that made a mistake! I wish this was just a bad dream!!

how do I find that page??

The hardest part for me, as a parent, is that my Sailor is no longer my kid.  He's an adult, subject to making adult decisions.  The hardest thing for me to get when I got grown up, was to realize that people take me seriously.  They think I mean what I say and do, even when I'm just messing around.  The risk that IS Sailors run is that what they say and do Needs to be believed, and recent events in the Army and the Navy has shown what can happen when they don't take this deadly seriously.  I'm speaking of extremes:  two intel analyst enlisted men who broke their word and betrayed their service and possibly their country.

It 's important that our Sailors realize the responsibility they are taking on.  It amazes me that my littlest, the baby of the family, is being trusted to provide information upon which momentous decisions are made.  He ain't my kid any more.  He's a U.S. Sailor.  Good or bad, that's up to him.  I've done what I can.

Linda, find it like the others. I believe the page is called Ask a Recruiter. You might even find something on a page where there are moms who have been in for a while and can give you the skinny on it. I still say though that much depends on the infraction and the record so far of the sailor. Chin Up! Will be thinking about you.

Sorry, I did not mean find it sarcastically...I meant you have to find it the way you found the IS page and your sailors PIR page if there was one, etc.... I don't have the link for it anymore.