Seeyasoon, most Navy bases have huge parking areas where sailors can park their cars while they are at sea. Unfortunately, they are usually in a location near the water, they get terrible rust and other problems from exposure to weather and salt air.
If his car is a nice one, I recommend your sailor rents a storage unit to store the car while he's at sea or send it home to be garaged - or it will be a beater before long.
He should also call his insurance company to let them know the car will not be driven for X months. They should reduce his insurance to the bare minimum for that period of time.
Hi
Does anyone know what happens when a sailor goes undesignated?
Do they get shipped out to where ever the Navy needs them?
Do they stay undesignated for the rest of their time in the Navy?
If not, when jobs come up, do they have to take what is available or can they wait and see for awhile?
Most sailors who go undesignated are sent to a ship for sea duty to start.
That's be best way to explore jobs, and while they're exploring, they do a lot of just plain work. Oh, and their paycheck just almost doubles if they get sea duty overseas (Hawaii, Guam, Japan, Italy, Bahrain).
Sailors are supposed to be offered a job or a school within one year after arriving at their duty station, but it could be longer before there is an actual opening in the school they are offered.. They can only be undesignated through E-3. Promotion to E-4 requires a designated rating (job).
Julie, from experience, tattoos aren't really "self expression" anymore. It's just plain fashion. Rather permanant fashion, but fashion all the same.
My foster-daughter, who was semi-goth when she arrived, cracked me up when she said she didn't want a tattoo, all the "popular kids" have them and she didn't want to be a sheeple. Her form of rebellion was in NOT getting a tattoo.
All sailors earn 2.5 days of leave for every month they serve. Once they earn it, sailors can take that leave when they want to - mostly. They do have to request their leave-time in advance, but not too far in advance. If there are too many requesting leave at that time, or if the ship can't spare them at that time, they can request a different date.
Most sailors take about 10-days leave after seamanship school, but before reporting to their first duty station. It takes about 6 months after that for sailors to accrue enough leave time to be worth it. Then they just have to find a time-slot that suits them AND the command.
It's a bit harder when they are stationed overseas. Tickets home are expensive and they lose 2-4 days of that leave to travel time. Many sailors stationed overseas take two leaves per year. They take their first two-week leave somewhere near where they are stationed for half the price of a flight home. A week at a foreign resort is fun and adventurous. Their second leave is a trip home.
Most commands rarely approve leave for longer than two weeks at a time, unless there is some really special reason for it.
Arwen- doe being on a fleet mean that she will not be drydocked?
Julie- my recruit wanted tats at 14. I told her she had to wait until she could sign consent for herself (that gave me 4 years to drill in her head that she needed to put them in discreet places for employment purposes and future opportunities). Before she joined the Navy, my god-son (who is in the Army) couldn't even get in the Navy because of his tats (he has them all over) so that will deter my recruit from putting tats in undiscreet places. From what I understand, and Arwen you could help me with this, there are certain ratings in the Navy where full sleeve tats would not be acceptable such a recruiter. Good luck.
It's possible that she could end up on a ship that is in drydock, but that's pretty unusual. Unless you mean shore duty. Shore duty for undesignated sailors is equally unusual.
The "fleet" is the ships - sea duty. Most undesignated sailors begin with the simple tasks of making a ship do what it does. This is where the vast majority of undesignated sailors end up, doing the many simple tasks that must be done to keep a ship going.
Shore duty is the support roles on land bases, everything from supply to technical to mechanical to management (someone has to do the paperwork!). There aren't a lot of "unskilled labor" jobs available on shore bases, so undesignated sailors are rarely assigned there.
Here's the official Navy regulation regarding tattoos:
(a) Tattoos/body art/brands. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck, or scalp. Tattoos/body art/brands elsewhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Navy are prohibited. For example, tattoos/body art/brands that are excessive, obscene, sexually explicit or advocate or symbolize sex, gender, racial, religious, ethnic or national origin discrimination are prohibited. In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that advocate or symbolize gang affiliation, supremacist or extremist groups, or drug use are prohibited. Tattoos/body art/brands will not be visible through uniform clothing. Waivers may be requested for prior service and existing tattoos from the Chief of Naval Operations.
In the "old days" all uniforms had a long-sleeve option, sailors with "sleeve" tattoos would simply wear long-sleeve uniforms all the time so that their tattoo did not show. But recently the service dress uniform underwent a change, it is only available in short sleeves. Since no tattoos can show while in uniform, that means that tattoos cannot be below the elbow, because it would be visible when wearing the service dress uniform.
Hey, We were told that the Theodore Roosevelt is drydock'd for re-fit process. Sons girlfriend, an undesignated sailor, will report to that ship in norfolk after A school in GLakes. Will she be re-issued orders to different ship or wait it out with duty around the re-fir process?
No, if she's assigned to a drydocked ship, she will serve "on" that ship. When ships are drydocked the crew is assigned to barracks on base, and many work out of an office building, usually near the ship. Most of the work on the ship is done by civilian contractors, but some sailors continue performing basic maintenance on the ship itself.
The only undesignated sailor I know of who was assigned to a drydocked ship ended up doing yeoman (secretarial/filing/office) duties.
Oh, regarding tattoos, I forgot one thing. Sailors who had "sleeve" tattoos before the new uniforms were introduced are likely "grandfathered," - they got the tattoo before the uniforms, and therefore the rules, were changed. So your son will still see some sailors who have below-the-elbow tattoos, but he will not be able to get a new one.
Thank you Arwen. I was getting a funny feeling that being an undes was a little frowned upon (in and out of the military). Were you an undes at one time? Where did you get this knowledge and wisdom about undesignated and thank you again for sharing it with us.
I was in the Navy a LONG time ago, but I wasn't undes, I was a Hull Technician and cross-rated (changed jobs) to Damage Control. My son is undes, and I'm the "research queen" to learn what I don't already know. My general Navy knowledge plus my research produces a lot of answers.
As far as undesignated sailors' "social status," you're right. I'm going to be brutally honest here, from the point of view of former sailor.
Undesignated status is very much looked down upon by most sailors. That's because historically many undes were "dropped" from schools and walk onto their ship with a "failure" already under their belt, or they were very low-scoring individuals who were looked down on for their perceived lack of intelligence. There are nicknames for every group in the Navy, and the undes (and boatswains' mates) have a particularly unflattering nickname.
Frankly, on my ship, the undes deck crew members seemed to always be on "restriction" or being outprocessed due to alcohol or drug use, general attitude problems or, ahem, sexual misbehavior. Most of them (whom I knew better than I wanted to because DC division shared a berthing (sleeping) compartment with them) got in the Navy on legal waivers or had other problems *before* joining the Navy. The Navy was a lot more desperate for sailors back then, most of them would not even get past the recruiters' office these days.
However, with the lack of space in schools, in recent years the average "undes" sailor is a very different kind of person. With so few slots available and the Navy's standards so high, the quality of the undes sailor has improved dramatically. Many new sailors choose undes because they want the adventure that goes with it, or they are high-scoring, upright individuals who are simply looking for any way to get into the Navy. It's not as much something to "fall to" as it once was.
But it's still the Navy's social equivalent of getting a GED instead of a diploma.
For the motivated sailor, it's a temporary affliction. Such as sailor can earn his or her way to a more respected slot in a year or less. Undes isn't forever.
Arwen, thank you for being so straight forward. You answered many of my ???? I more understand why my son is feeling so blue after his med drop from buds.
Thanks Arwen....I too am a "research queen"...lol...I hope people realize that the previous stereotype of Undes have changed. Our recruiter says that the ASVAB scores to even get in the Navy are changing (going up). There's a whole generation graduating from high school with no idea what they want to do with their lives and it doesn't mean they are "problem" kids or not "smart" enough.
My recruit is a good kid, working since she was 16, has work ethics, wanted to be a Pastor (not a whole lot of opportunity in this profession for young adults), and has the loving support of family, friends, and church. I hope this opportunity will encourage my recruit to find out what she (else) wants and loves to do and go for it and not be moved nor concerned with "social status". Now with this information I can help her stay focused.
My son is an undes by choice. He was in IT school and washed out, not because of low grades, but because he literally ran out of time. He had less than a day of work remaining when he hit the final deadline. Two hours later and he would be an IT working in Washington DC (that's where his orders were going to take him).
When he was washed out, his initial reaction was stung pride and disappointment, but he realized quickly that it was an escape, not a punishment. He wants to keep computers as a hobby to enjoy, not a job to be stuck at. He also wasn't looking forward to a desk job in a high-stress atmosphere. They offered him two other schools, Yeoman and Aircraft Electronics, but he still wanted something more physical, SeaBee, or Gunner's Mate, etc.
As a mom, I agree with him. Getting IT is a bit of a status thing, so I was proud of him, but from the beginning I had my doubts about IT as an appropriate place for him, and his other choices were equally unsuited to him. So it wasn't hard for me to accept undes in the same spirit he did - as an escape, not a demotion.
So he was thrilled when his next set of orders had him going to a ship in Japan. It helps that he is also a bit Japan obsessed. He's been into anime, manga and other Japanese pop culture for most of his life. This is his wildest dream come true.
Arwen, I sit here smiling and inspired as I read your story and hoping that my daughter gets that same clarity and peace as your son got....she's off to a good start. Thank you for sharing with me and have a great weekend.
Thanks for that Arwen. I think we all want the assurance that it's not the end of the world.
RE: IT career - my son went to college to major in Computer Science and realized after 2 years that the last thing he really wanted to do with his life was become a code jockey. He ended up graduating with a BS in History - BS because of all the math and science he took while studying computer science. Now of course, history is not going to pay the bills as well as IT would, but better to figure that out early on rather than later when you're too invested in that career path to make a change.
Japan sounds wonderful too - what an opportunity for your son. And as my son said, "I may be chipping paint the next two years, but at least I'm doing it in San Diego and getting paid to be there" :-)
My son's PIR is 10/8/10, and his orders are for USS Ashford. He is supposed to report 11/8/10 to Little Creek. We are also looking for any information.
Thanks, Julie, for sharing what you do know and Lori, we'll have to stay in touch. Our sailors will be serving together with the same job status. I'm glad you responded!
Alrighty - kid has graduated from GL Seamanship school and is on his way to Coronado CA to join Seabee Battalion 1. He thinks he'll be doing base repairs for the rest of his enlistment unless he manages to distinguish himself in some way. He did at least get Distinguished Military Graduate and a challenge coin. Ready to see how the rest of this adventure as undesignated turns out :-)
Yes, you are allowed to say the name of your ship, and any information that is publicly available.
For example, if the Navy has already released that information as a press release, or photos of the activity, you can talk about anything the Navy has already released.
For example, the Navy has put out press releases about the fact that the USS Denver (my son's ship) and other ships in his group are currently in the Philippines doing exercises with the Philippine Navy. They posted it with pictures and details about the operation. It's a major PR event for the Navy. The Navy even posted pictures of the ships at the Subic Bay pier. You can find details here.
Similarly, if the Navy has announced that certain ships will be at Fleet Week, etc, that's okay.
I simply do a Google news search each day and check the 7th Fleet website to see if there is anything about the Denver. You would check the 3rd Fleet website for San Diego-based ship news.
Anything you find on official Navy websites you can talk about.
However, if you haven't already seen it in the news and can't find it on the ship or fleet website, you can assume you should not talk about it.
Just use common sense.
Re: USS Cleveland
The USS Cleveland is scheduled to be decommissioned next year (2011). At some point he will be asked if he wants to be on the decommissioning crew (which is hard work but it would keep him ashore until all of the work is complete) or go to another command.
The USS Denver is also scheduled for decommissioning, in 2013.
Thanks Arwen! Checked out the site and regained a bit of my comfort level that some news is available. Even if the news is not about my sons ship today._
Does anyone know how long a sailor will be at GL after PIR before they are sent on first assignment? Also any recommendations for sailor to strike for a job? I'm still trying to understand how this works and I don't think my sailor does either. He feels he's in limbo and not getting much communication yet. Maybe it's to soon after PIR.
Welcome Lori, If your son is staying in Great Lakes for basic Seamanship he will start when a class has space. Then he would be there for about 2.5 weeks of school, and then be home for a leave before he is to report to where ever his orders are for.
As far as striking for a job, he will have to stay undesignated for a while and then it all depends on what he is eligible for and what jobs are to him. He should get together with his counselor when he gets to his command. They will give him all the information.
Hi Lori - my son just went through this. He did PIR on Sept 10, stayed in GL for Seamanship School and is on his way to his first station in Coronado CA even as I type. He did have 5 days leave in there, and has been given 10 days to get from GL, to TN to pick up his car and arrange his affairs and collect some stuff, and is driving out to CA to report on Oct 26th. So...all told 5 weeks from PIR to on the road.
Also, fyi, my kid moved ships 3 times in that 5 weeks at GL due to logistics, so if you're still sending mail you may want to stop till he's somewhere more permanent. I'm waiting till he makes it to CA to send any more mail.
Hi, my son is at BC right now and is scheduled to PIR on11/12. My question: he is A-PACT and we are hearing of delays for A school at Pensacola. Will this apply to him as he is only suppose to be at A school for 3 weeks? .
Does anyone know if this is accurate? My son dropped from BUDS and is now undes. I heard that if he stays undes for 2 yrs the Navy will consider his 4 year committment finished. Right now he has 2 yrs 8 mos left (roughly).
Thanks :-)
I am looking for information. My son was processed and signed for an AO job in Jan. His vision is 20/200. They changed the requirement in May to 20/100. He is in his 5 week of boot camp and they told him he would be undesignated and can be placed in a job in 8 months. My question is : If he asked will they not grandfather him in due to the fact he was processed before the change occured? And why didn't they tell him sooner so he can change jobs before he went in?
Thanks Pete and LynB!! My son is scheduled to start class (class up) Friday. He has sent email to the career counselor in Little Creek, but hasn't heard back.
Lori - hopefully it will all go well for your son. I had a nice chat with my kiddo on his (hands free) phone as he was crossing New Mexico yesterday and he's feeling optimistic. He's talked to his new petty officer out in CA and learned more about what he'll be doing and where his group may be deployed and while it'll still be hard work it's vastly more promising than just chipping paint :-) He's still feeling motivated to do his best and is being realistic about how to manage his career if his plans don't all work out. Lots of weird and incomprehensible things have happened to get him to this point, but somehow, it's still all ok. Very okay.
I FINALLY heard from Chris - he called before dawn this morning. He sounded very mature, the tone of his voice has changed, and the way he talks. What boot camp and A school didn't do, the fleet has finally done.
He said that he is sometimes helmsman (steers the ship) and more often paints the anchor chain, LOL. He's not too thrilled with either job and has lost his interest in gunner's mate. Now he has decided to go for IT again. He's been hanging out with the ITs and may already have a sponsor among them. They told him that if he waits 18 months he can try for the rating again (he washed out the first time, with less than a day's worth of work to complete). By that time he should have matured even more, and things should go far more smoothly.
Gah! I actually had a nightmare about my son this week....dreamed I got a call from him saying that nobody told him that as an undesignated sailor he isn't allowed to wear the uniforms he bought...he can only wear coveralls. Just goes to show that even making the best of it doesn't allay all the fears. They can still get you when you're asleep!
Pete - I hope the guy above you likes his posting!
Hi all,,just got back from son PIR this past weekend..and after some confusion (on my part) find that he is undesignated...so now I am lurking around for some info and am waiting to hear from him as to what is next?! THank you already for all the great info.
Hi Arwen, I'm waiting for the same thing, A school and boot camp didn't really produce the changes I had hoped for. My son is on his first deployment and I'm hoping that the fleet will produce the mature and respectful man I know my son can be. Heres to keeping my fingers crossed!!!!
Arwen
Sep 30, 2010
Arwen
If his car is a nice one, I recommend your sailor rents a storage unit to store the car while he's at sea or send it home to be garaged - or it will be a beater before long.
He should also call his insurance company to let them know the car will not be driven for X months. They should reduce his insurance to the bare minimum for that period of time.
Sep 30, 2010
ProudMomof4
Does anyone know what happens when a sailor goes undesignated?
Do they get shipped out to where ever the Navy needs them?
Do they stay undesignated for the rest of their time in the Navy?
If not, when jobs come up, do they have to take what is available or can they wait and see for awhile?
Sep 30, 2010
ladypinkhatter
Sep 30, 2010
lori_proud mom
Sep 30, 2010
Arwen
That's be best way to explore jobs, and while they're exploring, they do a lot of just plain work. Oh, and their paycheck just almost doubles if they get sea duty overseas (Hawaii, Guam, Japan, Italy, Bahrain).
Sailors are supposed to be offered a job or a school within one year after arriving at their duty station, but it could be longer before there is an actual opening in the school they are offered.. They can only be undesignated through E-3. Promotion to E-4 requires a designated rating (job).
Sep 30, 2010
Arwen
My foster-daughter, who was semi-goth when she arrived, cracked me up when she said she didn't want a tattoo, all the "popular kids" have them and she didn't want to be a sheeple. Her form of rebellion was in NOT getting a tattoo.
Never mind that I have three... lol.
Sep 30, 2010
lori_proud mom
Sep 30, 2010
Arwen
Most sailors take about 10-days leave after seamanship school, but before reporting to their first duty station. It takes about 6 months after that for sailors to accrue enough leave time to be worth it. Then they just have to find a time-slot that suits them AND the command.
It's a bit harder when they are stationed overseas. Tickets home are expensive and they lose 2-4 days of that leave to travel time. Many sailors stationed overseas take two leaves per year. They take their first two-week leave somewhere near where they are stationed for half the price of a flight home. A week at a foreign resort is fun and adventurous. Their second leave is a trip home.
Most commands rarely approve leave for longer than two weeks at a time, unless there is some really special reason for it.
Oct 1, 2010
ladypinkhatter
Julie- my recruit wanted tats at 14. I told her she had to wait until she could sign consent for herself (that gave me 4 years to drill in her head that she needed to put them in discreet places for employment purposes and future opportunities). Before she joined the Navy, my god-son (who is in the Army) couldn't even get in the Navy because of his tats (he has them all over) so that will deter my recruit from putting tats in undiscreet places. From what I understand, and Arwen you could help me with this, there are certain ratings in the Navy where full sleeve tats would not be acceptable such a recruiter. Good luck.
Oct 1, 2010
Arwen
The "fleet" is the ships - sea duty. Most undesignated sailors begin with the simple tasks of making a ship do what it does. This is where the vast majority of undesignated sailors end up, doing the many simple tasks that must be done to keep a ship going.
Shore duty is the support roles on land bases, everything from supply to technical to mechanical to management (someone has to do the paperwork!). There aren't a lot of "unskilled labor" jobs available on shore bases, so undesignated sailors are rarely assigned there.
Oct 1, 2010
Arwen
(a) Tattoos/body art/brands. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck, or scalp. Tattoos/body art/brands elsewhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Navy are prohibited. For example, tattoos/body art/brands that are excessive, obscene, sexually explicit or advocate or symbolize sex, gender, racial, religious, ethnic or national origin discrimination are prohibited. In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that advocate or symbolize gang affiliation, supremacist or extremist groups, or drug use are prohibited. Tattoos/body art/brands will not be visible through uniform clothing. Waivers may be requested for prior service and existing tattoos from the Chief of Naval Operations.
In the "old days" all uniforms had a long-sleeve option, sailors with "sleeve" tattoos would simply wear long-sleeve uniforms all the time so that their tattoo did not show. But recently the service dress uniform underwent a change, it is only available in short sleeves. Since no tattoos can show while in uniform, that means that tattoos cannot be below the elbow, because it would be visible when wearing the service dress uniform.
Oct 1, 2010
MKL K'BUNK ~ Mom Of Bill
Oct 1, 2010
Arwen
The only undesignated sailor I know of who was assigned to a drydocked ship ended up doing yeoman (secretarial/filing/office) duties.
Oct 1, 2010
Arwen
Oct 1, 2010
ladypinkhatter
Oct 1, 2010
Arwen
As far as undesignated sailors' "social status," you're right. I'm going to be brutally honest here, from the point of view of former sailor.
Undesignated status is very much looked down upon by most sailors. That's because historically many undes were "dropped" from schools and walk onto their ship with a "failure" already under their belt, or they were very low-scoring individuals who were looked down on for their perceived lack of intelligence. There are nicknames for every group in the Navy, and the undes (and boatswains' mates) have a particularly unflattering nickname.
Frankly, on my ship, the undes deck crew members seemed to always be on "restriction" or being outprocessed due to alcohol or drug use, general attitude problems or, ahem, sexual misbehavior. Most of them (whom I knew better than I wanted to because DC division shared a berthing (sleeping) compartment with them) got in the Navy on legal waivers or had other problems *before* joining the Navy. The Navy was a lot more desperate for sailors back then, most of them would not even get past the recruiters' office these days.
However, with the lack of space in schools, in recent years the average "undes" sailor is a very different kind of person. With so few slots available and the Navy's standards so high, the quality of the undes sailor has improved dramatically. Many new sailors choose undes because they want the adventure that goes with it, or they are high-scoring, upright individuals who are simply looking for any way to get into the Navy. It's not as much something to "fall to" as it once was.
But it's still the Navy's social equivalent of getting a GED instead of a diploma.
For the motivated sailor, it's a temporary affliction. Such as sailor can earn his or her way to a more respected slot in a year or less. Undes isn't forever.
Oct 2, 2010
msmom
Oct 2, 2010
ladypinkhatter
My recruit is a good kid, working since she was 16, has work ethics, wanted to be a Pastor (not a whole lot of opportunity in this profession for young adults), and has the loving support of family, friends, and church. I hope this opportunity will encourage my recruit to find out what she (else) wants and loves to do and go for it and not be moved nor concerned with "social status". Now with this information I can help her stay focused.
Oct 2, 2010
Arwen
When he was washed out, his initial reaction was stung pride and disappointment, but he realized quickly that it was an escape, not a punishment. He wants to keep computers as a hobby to enjoy, not a job to be stuck at. He also wasn't looking forward to a desk job in a high-stress atmosphere. They offered him two other schools, Yeoman and Aircraft Electronics, but he still wanted something more physical, SeaBee, or Gunner's Mate, etc.
As a mom, I agree with him. Getting IT is a bit of a status thing, so I was proud of him, but from the beginning I had my doubts about IT as an appropriate place for him, and his other choices were equally unsuited to him. So it wasn't hard for me to accept undes in the same spirit he did - as an escape, not a demotion.
So he was thrilled when his next set of orders had him going to a ship in Japan. It helps that he is also a bit Japan obsessed. He's been into anime, manga and other Japanese pop culture for most of his life. This is his wildest dream come true.
Oct 2, 2010
ladypinkhatter
Oct 2, 2010
LynB
RE: IT career - my son went to college to major in Computer Science and realized after 2 years that the last thing he really wanted to do with his life was become a code jockey. He ended up graduating with a BS in History - BS because of all the math and science he took while studying computer science. Now of course, history is not going to pay the bills as well as IT would, but better to figure that out early on rather than later when you're too invested in that career path to make a change.
Japan sounds wonderful too - what an opportunity for your son. And as my son said, "I may be chipping paint the next two years, but at least I'm doing it in San Diego and getting paid to be there" :-)
Oct 2, 2010
sjr23
Oct 4, 2010
lori_proud mom
Oct 6, 2010
sjr23
Oct 9, 2010
LynB
Oct 13, 2010
ProudMomof4
Oct 15, 2010
CrackerjackMom
Yes, It is alright to say the name of your sons ship.
Glad everyone else seems to be doing well here and moving along in the right direction.
Tara got her PTS approved, so she can reenlist next year. She was very happy to get that news, and so was I. Big sigh of relief!!!
Oct 15, 2010
ProudMomof4
Oct 15, 2010
Arwen
Yes, you are allowed to say the name of your ship, and any information that is publicly available.
For example, if the Navy has already released that information as a press release, or photos of the activity, you can talk about anything the Navy has already released.
For example, the Navy has put out press releases about the fact that the USS Denver (my son's ship) and other ships in his group are currently in the Philippines doing exercises with the Philippine Navy. They posted it with pictures and details about the operation. It's a major PR event for the Navy. The Navy even posted pictures of the ships at the Subic Bay pier. You can find details here.
Similarly, if the Navy has announced that certain ships will be at Fleet Week, etc, that's okay.
I simply do a Google news search each day and check the 7th Fleet website to see if there is anything about the Denver. You would check the 3rd Fleet website for San Diego-based ship news.
Anything you find on official Navy websites you can talk about.
However, if you haven't already seen it in the news and can't find it on the ship or fleet website, you can assume you should not talk about it.
Just use common sense.
Re: USS Cleveland
The USS Cleveland is scheduled to be decommissioned next year (2011). At some point he will be asked if he wants to be on the decommissioning crew (which is hard work but it would keep him ashore until all of the work is complete) or go to another command.
The USS Denver is also scheduled for decommissioning, in 2013.
Oct 15, 2010
ladypinkhatter
Oct 15, 2010
msmom
Oct 15, 2010
lori_proud mom
Oct 18, 2010
CrackerjackMom
As far as striking for a job, he will have to stay undesignated for a while and then it all depends on what he is eligible for and what jobs are to him. He should get together with his counselor when he gets to his command. They will give him all the information.
Hang in there, we are here for you.
Oct 18, 2010
lori_proud mom
Oct 18, 2010
CrackerjackMom
Oct 19, 2010
LynB
Also, fyi, my kid moved ships 3 times in that 5 weeks at GL due to logistics, so if you're still sending mail you may want to stop till he's somewhere more permanent. I'm waiting till he makes it to CA to send any more mail.
Oct 19, 2010
Tammy-Andrew's Mom
Oct 19, 2010
Tammy-Andrew's Mom
Oct 20, 2010
ProudMomof4
Thanks :-)
Oct 20, 2010
ProudMomof4
Oct 20, 2010
Floss89
Oct 20, 2010
lori_proud mom
Oct 20, 2010
LynB
Oct 21, 2010
ladypinkhatter
Oct 21, 2010
LynB
Oct 21, 2010
Arwen
He said that he is sometimes helmsman (steers the ship) and more often paints the anchor chain, LOL. He's not too thrilled with either job and has lost his interest in gunner's mate. Now he has decided to go for IT again. He's been hanging out with the ITs and may already have a sponsor among them. They told him that if he waits 18 months he can try for the rating again (he washed out the first time, with less than a day's worth of work to complete). By that time he should have matured even more, and things should go far more smoothly.
Oct 30, 2010
LynB
Pete - I hope the guy above you likes his posting!
Oct 31, 2010
momof3
Nov 1, 2010
micheles3
Nov 2, 2010