Undesignated...What's Up With That?

Thank you Julie, I'm feeling better already! What a process...his whole life I prepared for him to leave for college...but never really wrapped my mind around this! Although, I knew with 100% certainty that this is a great choice for him, I just need to find the strength and courage to follow thru with letting him go, so he will come back to me! Along with you and this site, I'm sure I will succeed! Thanks again!

Hello everyone and welcome to all the new members. I have skimmed over what I missed while I was away. I hope I haven't missed anything huge.

But let me start by wishing Julie a belated Happy Birthday, and glad that you are going VIrginia. Sheila, I'm so happy to hear that your Sailor is coming home for a visit. I know you are on cloud nine.

Also glad that everyone is off to a good start in Japan. Sheila you are right in saying that most sailors will have to "crank" (working in the galley) at one time or another.

proudtobehismom, my daughter went in undesignated, it has been a pretty good experience for Tara so far. If your sons ASVAB scores are pretty good he should have no problem finding a rate he is interested in. Tell him to become best friends will be the Navy Counselor once he is gets his assignment.

Our trip down to San Diego was great, all of us being together was just what was needed. Not much sight seeing, just a lot of family time. The tearful good bye between Aaron and Tara was pretty hard to watch, Tara looks up to her big brother so much, she hates to see him leave.
I'm still hoping I find out what Aaron was talking to her boyfriend about when he shook his hand good bye. I hope he put the fear in him of the big brother watching out for his sister. LOL!

We got home yesterday, Aaron is staying an extra two days, he met with his buddy that he lived with in NY and went through Nuke school with, he will fly home home tomorrow.

Ok, now to catch up on the home front.

Ordinance is working with military weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

Oh dag nabit Shelia!!!!, hang in there, I hate that when the plans change, been there several times. Try not to pace the floor to much. It will all work out and once you see him it will all be forgotten.

I know sometimes they send them to where ever the ship is. Other then that I'm not sure maybe someone else has another answer.

Hey everyone! i haven't been on this site for awhile, and decided to drop in.
I found out on Monday that my husband will deploy next month =( He is still in Pensacola for schooling,and right after that, he has 14 days of leave, and then he has to report to SD. It's happening all too fast, and this is going to be my first deployment! We had plans to move to SD, but we will be holding it off until he comes back. ::sigh:: How has everyone else dealt with deployment? Any pointers would be helpful!

Sorry about that... been busy lately :D ok here it is:

I am a young Navy wife who arived in CA in Jan, 2010. Came from IL really really close to Great Lakes Navy base, I miss it. Husband is undes now after dropping from BUDS. He and his friends in the same stiuation are being pushed around and lied to over and over again and they are all getting tired of it. I'm scared for him because he loved the Navy sooo much before he joined and said they would be so good to him. Now he dispises the Navy and it makes me sad. He now is on the ship the Boxer and it seems like he is getting happier....

Julie, thank you. Thats helpful, and I will... I figured things would get better. Things just take time. I really hope he does make good friends like you say :)

Just stopping in to wish you all a Happy Mothers Day.
I have been checking in here, but way to much has been going
on in my life to even think straight. Things are calming down now, I hope.
Enjoy your weekend.

Oh yea, Molly, I forgot to mention that I have been voting everyday since I first found out about the pepsi refresh.

Hey there Julie, so glad you got the call, I just hate it when we miss a call.
Nine days will be here before you know it. I know you will have a wonderful time.

You go Girl!!!

Just saw you on TV Molly!!! Can I have your autograph?
You did a great job and continue to do a wonderful thing. Thanks.
Going to do my daily vote now.

I also did a mass e-mail to my friends and family. Lets get this up to number one.

Woowho, when I voted this morning it was 85, so 79 is great to hear!!

oops a little late here, but Julie have a fantastic time with Cory, I know I don't have to tell you that cuz I know you will.
Can't wait to hear all about it. Give him a big NFM hug from us all.

Hey everyone! i have been m.i.a. for awhile. Hubby came home for two weeks and just left this morning to San Diego. Two weeks went by waaay too fast! ::sigh::

He will be deployed soon and it will be a long 7 months.

Alright Julie so glad you had a great time with Cory. 3 days are better then none.

Sorry I'm so out of it lately, just a lot of stuff going on in Tara's life. Boy friend issues. It's been almost like an ugly divorce. :) And who is left with the dog???
You guessed it.....Me!

This is a great place to be, I am only on two other groups on N4M's, But this is my far the best place for a quick response and understanding.

Yes, food was the number one thing Tara wanted, that and small towels for when she worked out in the gym.

You always have to fill out the customs form for an FPO going to a ship on deployment. Is the FPO the same address you have for him even when he is in port?
My son is stationed in Hawaii, did you mean you had to fill out a customs for a box going to Hawaii, I never had to do that.

Molly will know. :)

Always something to learn on here, it's great.

pls someone tell me what is this unasinged my daguther is that but i have no clue help pls !!

OMG!!!!!! I am sooooo excited.......The advancement results came out today.
Tara called me this morning, SHE DID IT....she is now rated..... as
BM Petty Officer 3rd class.

This has been a long hard struggle for 2.5 years for one reason or another, but all that is behind her now.

I'm going out and get a bottle of champagne !!!

Oh Sheila that is great news on both counts. Please pass along big Congratulations from me. I know how over manned BM is, the percentages were way down, so I was very concerned. I'm so proud of both of them, especially since i got to see first hand the kinds of things that they needed to know. Helping Tara study was a real eye opener. I'm very impressed. I don't think I could have done it.

What fun you will have planning a wedding.

Patty, great news for your Sailor as well. Tell him Congratulations!!!

Msvines, Tara went in undesignated, I don't think Tara is the example, she had some other circumstances going on. Which I hope were unique to her and her command. BM is a pretty closed rate so it's not easy to strike, if a rate is not way overmanned it makes it easier to strike I believe. Plus the first time she took the test she didn't make the percentage. So she had to wait 6 months before she could take it again.

I'm sure Pete would have more of a general explanation, mine is just from Tara's experience.

Welcome Landlockedmom, Yes there is a lot of information in the past post so kick back and read on.
I know there are a few BUD's moms on here. We are a great group. Undes has it's reputation but don't all rates? Sounds like you are doing exactly what your son needs, support and a listening ear.
Ask your questions.

Here is our new BM Petty Officer 3rd Class

Also welcome to Alaina, I see you are just live not to far from me. I'm in Wilton.
If we can answer any questions let us know, we are all a helpful group.

Welcome Navy Mom in MD, and Mojo glad you joined our group. It's a great group, lots of information here already, but ask anything you would like, someone always has an answer for you.

It is hard on anyone that gets put undes that was trying for another direction in the Navy, but it will all work out. At this point we just be supportive and patient for our sailors.

Hi Grace, Bud/s stands for Basic Underwater Demolition/Seals

Here is a cool site.

http://www.seal.navy.mil/seal/buds.aspx

Hey Pete good to hear from you.
See why this group is the best. Lanlockmom, I know you just can't wait to put your arms around your sailor. Best of of luck to him and you. Keep us up to date.

Dawni, I believe you are correct in saying a lot of it depends on you ASVAB scores as to what rate you can actually go for. Then it depends on what jobs are available. I know Tara was only able to test into jobs that she qualified for and only if the fleet ride program accepted it. I know Tara tested one other time and passed but due to overmanning she was not able to get rated. This past time she passed with a high enough score to beat the percentage. Over manning is making it a little more difficult in certain rates.

As far as how long you can remain undesignated I think Pete will have to answer that. In fact I know he will explain it a lot better then I can.

Hi, Dawni, Tara always had to go to her Career Counselor to find out what rates were open.

Dawni, I have a friend that is a retired CTI, he still does work with the Navy though, if you would like "friend me" and I will give you his information. He is a wealth of information, and very helpful.

Sounds good, hope all goes well for him and for punko son.

Great news Grace!

As undes, when the 12 months is up and it comes time when they can choose to rate, is it like all kids going to MEPS that they can only choose from jobs they qualify for with their ASVAB scores and whats available at the time or can they choose from any school their scores qualify them for?

To answer some of the question posed to me, my son is just starting his sixth week in BC. He is going in as E2 because of having some college so E3 should not take him long to get I would assume.

In a letter he said his A school now is at great lakes so I am not sure what undes he is assigned to such as airmen, fireman etc.

Ultimately because of his plans for a civilian career with the Federal Gov't, Forest Service to be exact, he wants to do MA.

From replies in the forum section some have said he can apply for any A school his ASVAB scores allow him to and that there are seats left open in schools for fleet members while another said its like when at MEPS, that he will only be able to pick from jobs there are openings for. So if MA is not open he could not go to MA school.

Too, I am not familiar with all of the jobs out there in the Navy but aside from MA I would assume he would also be interested in jobs that allow him to teach weapons training etc. as he is an excellent marksman with all weapons types and has very natural ability.

Welcome Poolbear, I believe E2 to E3 is an automatic promotion in 6 to 9 months. If his school is in Great lakes, it must be for seamen.

Hi, I'm new to this group my son just became undesignated. He will be going back to great lakes for training for 10 days and then ships to San Diego for his mission. Can anyone explain what the new training is for undesignated sailors at Great Lakes?

Yes, that is another question, he is going to San Diego in 4-6 weeks. How do I find out what ship?

He does have his orders but has given me limited information. I know what class of ship he will be on but not the name or exact date. I believe sometime in July he will deploy. Does anyone else have someone going out around this date?

Actually my sons school in Great Lakes is for fireman. And to the best of my knowledge there is no "automatic" advancements to another pay grade. There are various things that are required for each step one of which is a written test.

I have a question and will try and phrase it so it makes sense. As an Undes I understand that as with anyone else you have to take a test to go from E3 to E4. That test is related to your rate for most people. So as an Undes my son is going into the Fireman program but he still wants to become an MA. My understanding is that the test he takes will be related to MA. Something he has had no experience or training in yet he is expected to pass it just as with someone who has already gone to the MA A school and put time in on the job. How is that fair? Isn't that a punishment if you will to an Undes who wants to strike for something different than a job in the Undes program for which they went to school? Seems to me is a Sailor is doing well as Undes, getting good reviews etc and wants to strike for a job they qualify for they should let them.

Thanks Pete that was great, I believe it said it all. Attitude is everything in life, it's one of those emotions that is contagious, so only pass on the good ones to our sailors that need it for any reason. I know it's hard sometimes, but for their sake it is soooo important at this time.

Yes, Molly that is exactly what Tara did, she studied for the BM as well as the advancement for PO4. Last year she passed for BM but due to overmanning in in both BM and BM3 she didn't get either, this year she passed and there was a spot for her. She's rated and advanced. Hallelujah!!!!

Msvines, I'm sure Pete can explain it much better then me, but I believe it is the over all needs of the Navy, not just the needs of the ship. Career counselors' advise and find out what is open, but have no say in the final out come of what test can be taken, it all has to be approved from.....I don't know.....from that big Navy computer of numbers. :) Help Pete!

A school, again they will have to wait for an opening and approval.

If you strike for an open rate, and get it, then you must stay in that rate for 2 years before being able to cross rate, and I'm not sure how easy that is do with a lot be overmanned now.

Hope I have help some.

Ray Ray, The advancement tests are given twice a year, usually in March and September. If approved he can take a test to strike and advance at the same time. That is what Tara just did. When he takes the test a few scenarios can happen, he can become rated and not advance or he can become rated and advance, or nothing will change and he will have to try again in March. It all depends on scores and manning of the position.

No, he does not have to have a deployment under his belt before being able to strike a rate or take a test. Hope I have answered some of your questions.

-waves- Hi ladies. Im Miranda. Not a Navy mom but a Navy wife. My sailor is Undes. & currently assigned to the Bataan. Its nice to meet you all!

Wow, that is so exciting Cheryle.

Yes, they can strike for a rate before they are E4. Yes, they can strike for a rate and take the E4 test at the same time. Sept. and March are advancement tests.

I know there were some sailors that were sent to Tara's ship when they were well into the deployment, but I bet there is a late date cut off, Pete can probably answer that one for sure.