Undesignated...What's Up With That?

Chris doesn't know what rate he is! He called yesterday, and said the PTBs at Sasebo are telling him he's already an E-2. But no one told him this before, and he should have a couple of weeks to go before his time-in-rate promotion. He doesn't know when or why he might have already become an E-2. He doesn't remember anyone ever telling him he got a promotion at either of his schools.

Has anyone else had this happen?

My daughter came out of Basic Seamen class as an E-2, she didn't know she was. The day she left Great Lakes was when she was told, she became an E-2 before PIR but never knew it.
I don't know...go figure. I guess it happens.

ok...my sailor is not undesignated, but I have a feeling he's going to be - so I am looking for others' stories that may be similiar. He's struggling in A school to be a corpsman. He just failed his third test by one question and goes before the Academic Review Board on Tuesday morning. Anyone ever have any experience with this? thanks!

PTBs is the "powers that be," aka anyone who is in charge, whomever makes the decisions regarding the subject.

What we're trying to figure out is why they say he made E-2 *before* his time in rate date. When did he get it, and why?

Cheryle, it's nine months from E-2 to E-3. Six months after making E-3 they can take the next E-4 exam.

sjr, my son timed-out of IT A school (had less than a day's worth of work remaining to graduate when he hit the final deadline). They offered him two other schools, Aviation Electronics and Yeoman, but he didn't want either of those jobs. He was in holding for 2 weeks waiting for the paperwork, then was sent to basic seamanship school for two weeks, came home on leave, and is now in Japan.

He wants something more active, such as gunner's mate or Seabee. He doesn't want to sit behind a desk or crouch under a plane for his whole Navy career. Choosing undesignated is his way of exploring his options.

Well, we just heard that our sailor has now been disenrolled from corpsman school. He said he'll be moving to the other side of the base for a couple weeks until they find him a spot to go to the fleet as undesignated. So, now it is a new learning game for us. We support him regardless of where or how he serves - we are just proud that he has chosen the Navy. So, now I have a couple questions: I've been reading that there is an undes school. Where is this located and did I read correctly that it is two weeks long? Then, do they ship straight to the fleet or do they have any time off and then ship? How long is the wait in general before they go? Thanks for those of you who have already commented when I thought we were heading toward undes. It helps so much to have others who have been there before share a little of what it was like!

My son recently finished undes school at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois, it was about 2 weeks long. I am not sure if there are other undesg schools?

My son is going through the classes now at GL also and will finish next week. It ends up being about 2 weeks total. He has earned a few days of leave so he will get to stop off for a visit before heading to his base.

Hello.....I am new to this group. I was shocked when my son called home and said that he might give up his Seal contract and there might not be a job for him. His fall back contract after Seal was MA, but he said there were no jobs right now. A Mom from another group pointed me towards this group and I am glad. I am still happy he is in the Navy. He still really likes the idea of spec ops, but wants to have time for other things as well. Maybe he heard that he might get some time at home? I think he has really missed some friends and the animals here at home and us also. I want to stay up and read more of your posts, but my eyes are giving out and I am about ready to let my face crash down on the keyboard. So nite all and I will look in on you tomorrow.

Hi Pammie!

Thank you and I will go and read past posts for sure. I will make sure that I let him know he is still AWESOME. Sorry to hear about all the work stress Julie. Things are starting in where I work. I do direct care for folks with Developmental Disabilities in April I left the kitchen to come to the direct care side and now the lay offs have started. A friend who had left 2nd shift and was in the workshops (days) is now back to 2nd shift, but still working I might add. Not sure how long it will take before the lay offs would get to my spot or if they will. Everyday I tell myself that at least I have a job for today.

Hey great to see the ol gang here. It's almost like we were on summer vacation. Welcome Pammie, and all others glad you found us.

Hi Ladies,
I am confused now. My daughter is undes, and i thought the school was 4 weeks? She is being assigned to San Diego on a cruiser. I don't understand being on "hold" in GL for months before reporting? She is just now in day 2 of orientation so maybe answers will come soon?

Not sure but I'm answering what you want to know.....day two of orientation, not school, right? Sometimes they are put on hold till a space opens up for class. School is usually just two weeks, then she should get to come home for about two weeks before reporting for duty.

You are correct, she has not started any classes yet. Not sure when anything else starts

Hey OregonMom - my son and your daughter may end up knowing each other - we'll have to stay in touch a little. He is currently in GL waiting for a space for the undes class, I think (need to talk to him myself - hubby's translation is sometimes a little fuzzy) and then going to come home and then report to San Diego, also. I know he moved this morning out of corpsman housing - not sure where he moved to? I don't have any idea where his undes school will be? Is there anyone with any info on that? Do they do the indoc days there like they do in other A schools? Thanks!

sjr23, if he is undes seamen he will stay in GL for school, if he goes undes airmen then he will go to Pensicola Fla for school.

Well the adventure continues for my son. He called last night from GL after Battle Stations and while that all went well, they've pulled the assignment to the USS Constitution - something about his required service being 2 years and the assignment being two years and they didn't want that to be his only service. It's a big disappointment but it was also too good to be true. Says he's got orders to Coronado with the Seebees but thinks that has to be wrong since he's an undesg seaman? No idea but I suppose it will all unfold in the fullness of time.

If my son had a job when he went to bc and then decided to give that job up and he is undesignated does he do BS with the DIV he was in when he had a job or does that change? Wow...I know nothing and haven't heard a word from my son. Waiting for news is a very hard job in itself. You think? Oh and good morning to all.

Oh, so when did this go into effect? My son finished undes school in July after getting pulled from "A" School. Now he is out to the fleet.

Pammie, I'm pretty sure your son will still do BS with his DIV. That shouldn't make a difference.
But after reading what Angie has written.......who knows? :)

Very interesting, too bad he had to go to undes school he hated it. He decided he wanted to go into another area, so I guess pulled wasn't the right word.

Regarding my question I think I will find out for sure when I find out for sure. lol I am not in control and I need to just relax and things will happen when and how they are supposed to happen. (Okay way easier said than done, but I sounded good huh?). Just like at work we are all wondering how soon the layoffs are coming and if we are going to be involved or safe? Can't control what happens so what will happen will happen when it is time. Maybe I should start looking for another job? Just so much going on right. Guess life is not at all boring. Right? Sweet Dreams everyone.

Okay, that brings up a similar question. On Chris' orders it says that when he has completed these orders (3 years) he gets choice of INCONUS coast (east or west). His ship will be decommissioned about a year before he "completes" the assignment according to the dates on the orders.

Would he still get "choice" since he didn't do his whole 3 years, or would he simply get random orders again?

Ray Ray, I believe that is what Tara did. While she was on deployment in 2009 she took the test for BM and to advance to 3rd class. I don't think you can take a test to get in every rate. But they can usually take test for advancements while on deployment.

I'm sure someone like Angie or Pete can give you the correct info.

Yes Tara did that on the same deployment. I believe they go in a group before a board and are ask questions. It's a lot of studying for qualifications. But it is a good thing to have.

I copied the below from Navy.mil

"The Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) qualification designation signifies that a Sailor has achieved a level of proficiency in surface ships."

"Qualifying for ESWS requires Sailors to complete Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS) and be knowledgeable in the areas of ship's maintenance and material management system; advanced damage control; deck watches for inport and underway" and an ESWS core and platform specific PQS."

Hi everyone. I am a new member of the Navy family. I have so many questions but very little answers. My husband went in to be a diver and after long consideration of the job, he has decided it's not the career for him. We have now discussed him either going undesignated or corpsman. Which would be the best direction? Can anyone explain to me what exactly happens when you go undesignated? He has given me the basic outline, but it's still rather confusing :/ Thanks for your help!

As of right now he is in "IN DOC" not really sure how to spell it or what the correct acronym is but he said it's an introductory course. The actual prep class doesn't begin until next week. He just transfered over on Wednesday from BC. He has been told that they will give him a list of 3 jobs to choose from and if he didn't like them he could go undesignated. There have been 3 similar situations that did this just recently and they were allowed to choose undesignated and are now stationed in San Diego, Florida, and Hawaii. He said he would be required to do a 2 week course at GL then would get his base and "on the job train". Then he would be able to "strike in" to a job and test to become whatever that job is. I get the basic part of all that. I still don't understand what he would actually do if he went on a tour and what his everyday job would be. How many different jobs would he get to test before choosing one? Again these are all things he has told me and they may not be accurate, but this is the impression we have been given of the choices he will have once he changes.

Manda - my son is in the same boat and I'm discovering its just a whole lot of unknowns so I'm learning how to roll with it. He entered boot camp undesg, did PIR Sept 10 and has been assigned to a Seabee command in Coronado CA. No idea what it is he'll be doing there. As far as I know he's in GL for the next couple of weeks, then has leave, then reports to his command in Oct. His 'dream sheet' of places he'd like to be stationed included anywhere in the Pacific, West Coast, or Florida so hopefully he'll be happy enough being in CA. I'm frankly a little nervous about Seabees just because I know those units go to Afghanistan, but I don't have any say in the matter ;-)

LynB- My husband graduated 9/10 also, but in Div 819. The biggest concern we have is he went in with a contract for Second Class Diver. So if he changes his job, his entire contract as well as years of enlistment change. He is supposed to speak with a Petty Officer tomorrow and find out the process of changing his job and contract before they actually begin the Diver Preparation. I'm trying to be patient and go with the flow of things, but it's tough after you've had plans for one thing and now they are all changing. I suppose I will have more answers tomorrow after he talks to the PO. Eventually I plan on taking a class about the Navy so I have a better understanding of how the system works and what to expect throughout his service. Good luck with your son! Coronado is beautiful so he should enjoy it!

Manda, I feel your befuddlement :-) My kid washed out of OCS (admittedly mostly his own fault for not realizing what was at stake) and so became enlisted. He then worked in the local recruiting office and waited over 8 months for nuke school assignment, then got sent with no warning to boot camp undesignated. Nothing he'd ever thought would happen. Then in boot camp they assigned him to the USS Constitution as a historical interpreter (he's got a history degree) after an interview process which he won out over 60-70 other guys...a month later they pulled that because of his time of enlistment remaining not being long enough...and now here he is with Seabees. A great organization but one he's got no experience, training, or particular aptitude for.

The point being, even when they tell you stuff is settled, it still may not be. I do hope it goes really smoothly for y'all and your husband gets a great assignment.

My son just called! He made it to Japan safe and sound. His shjp is out at sea, so he isn't really sure what he will be doing. He will find out this week whether or ot they will fly him to the ship. Anyone have a similar situation? I don't know all the terminology, but he will be striking for a job (?) in March....I think! It's all Greek to me!

I don't think it would take him off the deployment schedule if he is striking a rate by testing, he can take the test while on deployment. The results of the tests would not be out for a few months.
If he is striking a rate by approval for an A school, then I'm not sure. I suppose it may depend on when the school starts.

Does anyone know, is Gunner's Mate one of the jobs you need a school for, or can an undes strike for it without leaving his/her command?

Don't quote me...LOL, but I do think that they can strike by testing for Gunners Mate. Julie may know the for sure.

Hello everyone. My daughter just left for bootcamp this week and I really didn't know what her rate was...she kept trying to tell me, but it was not anything specific. I came across this group last night and read some of the posts and started hoping that she chose to be undesignated (since she doesn't know exactly what it is she wants to do in or out of the Navy). Her recruiter confirmed this morning that she is undesignated and I am so proud that she chose undesignated (and especially on her own without any suggestion from me). So thank you and I am glad this group is here.

So, how do undes take an exam for a rating where they have limited experience and no school? How do they gain the other knowledge they need to pass the exam?

When Tara took her BM test she had a ton of stuff to study. Plus study guides for advancement test. She studied for months before.

Ugh. Study is not my son's strong suit. He, along with the rest of my family, learns best by doing, not by reading about it (although we are all strong readers). Nothing beats hands-on experience for fixing information in the mind.

does anyone know....once on their ship, do they have access to the internet or phones? Will it be months before I hear from my son? He got a brief call today saying he is there. He mentioned getting a calling card. Anyone have any idea???

Some ships have phone and internet access, others don't. It depends on the age of the ship, and the type.

The calling card is probably for a cell phone, or just an international calling card to use from pay phones. Let him know that when he is on most overseas bases, the USO has skype phones sailors can use to call home for free.

Thanks Arwen,,,I just wrote to you on a differnt page. My son is on the Denver too! He sounded very nervous when I talked to him tonight. We talked a lot over the weekend, but today he met up with the ship. Have you heard from your son?

Daughter is headed home from GL training next Friday. She said that she has talked to many people about being undesignated and having her orders for the Theordore Roosevelt. Since that ship is dry docked she says that she will be doing administrative work for the time being. Said everyone she talked to has told her that it is better to be on a dry docked ship as undesginated than on a ship that is going out to sea. I guess time will tell.

hi everyone, i just joined. i got a letter from my husband saying he doesn't qualify for him AM job anymore since he found out that he wears glasses, im guessing his sight is really bad to have the job. he's hoping there will be a opening for an IT job since his degree is IT which is what he really wanted but as of now he is a undesignated seaman. i dont really know what it is so im trying to find information about it, but he did say that he will be staying after PIR in great lakes for 2 weeks and he might get 2 weeks off and then he gets his first duty station. thats all i know for now. i wanted to know if that means he still has to return to his ship every night before 9pm on friday and sat and 8 on sundays? anyone know?

Hi Melodee - I didn't answer before because I really don't know the answer but did want to say HI and welcome you to the group. Hopefully you've gotten your question answered somewhere already!

I can tell you that my son is currently in Great Lakes doing the 2 week Seamanship course. I got to instant message with him briefly today and he said that they are keeping him very busy...this was the first free time he'd had in about 6 days and it was not much. So....I suspect your husband will be busy as well. No idea if they are allowed liberty on weekends or not.

Hey Everyone, Just figured I'd jump into this group. Son and GF s/have moved over to other side today. Both doing the Seamanship course . They thought they would be there until end of October. Does that sound about the right time frame, keeping in mind, Navy may + or - the plans? Both will head to VA,to diff cities and jobs.
TTYL w/Hugs,

Welcome MKL K'Bunk, that sounds about right, my daughter was there for about 3 weeks and then had a leave to come home for about a week before reporting.
Best of luck to the both of them.
Any questions feel free to ask we have all levels of experience on this site, and are always happy to share.

Hello my daughter is currently in bc and her recruiter has confirmed that she is undesignated, can anyone tell me what that means?

"Undesignated" is like undecided in college. They don't have a specific course of study or job in mind - yet. Undesignated sailors get some basic seamanship training, then go out to the fleet to work in a variety of jobs until they find their place. For some jobs they can step right into it, for others they need to find someone to recommend them to a school to get a rating.