I think its very common to put Sailors on destroyers straight out of undes school, its one of the Navy's major ships, and if they need more men, then they get sent there!! I have heard good things about being on destroyers (and cruisers!) though...much smaller commands than carrier commands, not so much of a "zoo" as carriers....I am really thankful my husb got on a cruiser! And in all honesty I think carrier, cruiser, or destroyer, they are all ships and all need deck hands!
I know everyone's experience is different, but my son seems to be enjoying doing the hands-on training route. He posts a couple times a week on facebook and sends me facebook messages. These communications are positive, just the normal adjustment type stuff, like missing friends and family. Only time will tell how it eventually works out, but at least on the front end the undesignated is working for him.
My son is testing for Yeoman but we don't really understand why since he's scheduled to be done with his commitment in Jan anyway. His command wants him to do it, and have also scheduled him for a special training class the last month of his commitment. Very confused since he's also been assured that since he's within six months of his release date and has no rate he won't be invited to re-enlist. Mysterious ways the Navy has.
You are correct KK, E3 should be an automatic advance after 6 months. Then he can be eligible to test the next cycle for E4 and a rate if it is not an A school rate.
My son is still at GL awaiting his training. He is UNDESIG, and will be going to the CV end of Sept. He is still an E-1.
His recruitor told him before MEPS, that since he scores so high on is ASVAB, that he would be an E-2 before the end of Boot. That, of course, did not happen. My son seems to think that if he uses his week off between "school" and reporting to his Command, to work with his recruitor and refer two names to recruitment office, that he will be bumped to an E-2.
I'm a bit worried that he is not getting a clear pic from his recruiter. I am actually certain of it. When he enlisted, he was called in to sign his contract for AE, but by the time they printed the contract out, the positions had already filled (this was over the course of 45 minutes). They then told him if he wanted to go in "today", he had to go PACT SEAMAN.
His dream is to work his way up like his grandfather (a mustang), and retire an officer. I'm worried that he won't even make rank by the end of his (was it 2 or 4) years active.
Is E-2 an automatic after so many months like an E-3 is?
Hi Angie - actually the class is Roll on Roll off vessel training - he's been working boats for the Seabees in Coronado. He asked for the Deck Supervisor class in June but was told he couldn't take specialized training classes because he is within 6 months of his release date. Then he took leave and came back to discover he's got RORO training in December? He met with his Career Counselor last week who assured him there is no hope of him being asked to re-enlist. So...totally perplexed. He hopes to use the GI Bill to when he gets out to go on to the CA Maritime Academy and go into the Merchant Marines. He has loved working at sea and still wants to make it a career.
TY Angie for the information. I did not want my Sailor "wasting" his few days of leave before going to his Command driving 300 miles to work with is recruiter in hopes of bumping up!
Great to know Angie! I'll pass that info on to him about the civilian contacts! The Maritime Uni doesn't start classes for new comers until the fall so he'll need to find work from Jan-Aug next year. If it could be maritime related work so much the better.
A fellow SR mom I know in BC with mine - her SR's job was pulled and now they are an Undes'. Mom is scared to death what will happend to them now. Me, mine went in as an Undes' and my gut tells me this is the best for her. She is still discovering herself as she matures through the Navy.
Thanks, Jojo. I feel my SR also has a guardian angel watching over her. Her great grandmother was born the same year GL opened. Cannot wait to see what the next 3 months brings my SR. Will keep everyone updated on what I learn (spread the news). Hope everyone has a good holiday weekend :-)
I have a procedural question. My son joined as undesignated and is currently deployed on a ship. He has only been with the ship for about 6 weeks. He sent me a message saying his name is on a list for schooling for a certain job when they get back to US port, it is a job he wants. I understand everything is fluid. I am wondering what the process/procedure is for approving undesignated to go to school? Are there things they can do to improve their chance of getting approved for school?
JoJo, I agree whole heartedly. I was angry when my son went Undesignated. I wanted to thoroughly thrash his recruiter for doing a "bait and switch". However, my son is very smart, scored very high on ASVAB, and still made the decision to go to MEPS after hearing "horror stories" from other Sailors, both active and retired. I got to hand it to him, he is determined, and wants to be a "mustang" just like his grandpa was. I think this experience will make him stronger at whatever he ends up doing in the future. So, I support him above and beyond. The "not knowing" what task he will have next will keep him on his toes :)
So my son is still sitting at GL...waiting for his basic training to begin. It has been delayed, again, and now he is fearful that he won't make his orders to a ship the end of Sept. I reassured him that his orders will be revised, however he has not been able to get in contact with his Ship sponsor...so that adds to the confusion and frustration. His PIR was 8/19, and there are several in the "same boat"...
Howdy! New to this group. Been on N4M, BUDS N4M, USS Essex N4M. but.....my son is now an undesignated airman, getty ready to go to Japan. He wants to strike for corpsman asap. I'd like to hear any advice any other Mom's in my situation can offer. Thanks! Ann
Two and a half months for the results? I just have to laugh. That being the case my son will actually be out of the Navy before the results come back. I guess they had him take the test just so they could say he was offered a chance to advance if ever questioned.
He's been totally snake bit the last 4 years but he's certainly learned a lot about life, the universe, and everything.
My daughter PIR date is 09/30/11. She originally went in as master at arms and when i received her last phone call she told me she had switched to undesignated airman. Everything I read about this title scares me to death. I am so scared for her success in the Navy with this rating. Does anyone have anything they can tell me to make me feel more secure about this?
Can I hear some positive stuff on here I almost don't want to belong to this group because most of the ones posting are the ones with bad expereinces with being undesignated. I hear its an awesome experience and my SR seems to be excited about being undes. But as a mom I am getting concerned so if there is a veteran on here that can tell me a coud outcome story that their child got to a-school and got a rank and wasn't put out after the first four years I would really liek to hear something.......to make me feel better....I like to look at glasses half full not half empty. thank you
I'll make it brief.....My daughter went in Undesiganted 4 years ago in August. She is now a 3rd class Petty Officer BM, just took her test for 2nd. She has been on a 6 month deployment and loved it. She had frustrating times, she has had great times. Its almost like any other job/school that way. Over all it has been a wonderful 4 years when she looks back.
No matter designated or undesignated each sailor has a path to what he/or she needs to do to get to where they want to go, and each one will have a different experience. Some good and some bad. I say a lot of it is attitude and patients. Which in the big picture is one of the best things to learn for life. Our biggest roll in this is to support and listen to our sailors to keep them moving forward.
My daughter just reenlisted for another 4 years last month and is on here way to a new duty station next month with a brand new ship. She is very excited and glad she is in the Navy.
My favorite saying that I have on my page is this.......
"Small skill is gained by those who cling to ease; The hardy Sailor hails from Storm Seas"
True this page can be a little discouraging at times but it is a great place to be and get answers. I still check in here and my daughter has been rated for over a year. I hope I have helped a little.
I'm far from an veteran, but my son went in as undesignated. He didn't want to spend months in school before actually experiencing life on a ship/sub. He PIR's early June and so far the undesignated is fitting him. He is currently on board a destroyer on deployment. When the ship was in port he did alot of cleaning, scrapping, painting, grinding, etc. Now the ship is underway again he is getting "hands on" training for what he wants to do plus some other jobs. He stands watch alot, which from what I can tell most of the Sailors stand watch.
I was concerned when he told me he was going undesignated, so I started reading about undesignated and although it may not work out for everyone it seems it works out for many. Its only been a few months so its too early to really know how its all going to work out. So far my son has pretty much gotten what he wanted. He wanted to join the fleet quickly and be assigned to a smaller ship. He left Norfolk end of July and is on a Destroyer. As with all jobs some days he isn't so fond of what he is doing, but overall so far he is happy.
Hopefully your Sailor will do well in undesignated. I think the main key is persistance and patience.
1stlove - It is absolutely a different experience for everyone. Just because my kid has not had a good experience doesn't mean everyone will by any means. I do think if you read back you'll see plenty of good stories.
My son's story is long (its been 4 years after all and I've been on this site for a couple of years) and I have written on here in the past where he messed up, and where, frankly, the Navy messed him up. But the end result is that he went in a kid and he's now a man. He's learned so much that will help him the rest of his life - and most of the learning has been from the bad stuff.
He still wants a career in the maritime industry, being with the Seabees and driving boats etc have cemented that desire for him and he's going to pursue Coast Guard certifications the minute he's out and may enter the CA Maritime University when their next semester beings in Sept. He's earned money, become completely self supporting, learned to man-up where he should, and I personally love how he stands so strong now. Even he will admit that if things had all gone super easy he wouldn't have gotten as much out of the experience.
Still it's been hard and not much fun getting to this point - there is no way to sugar coat that.
You may discover down the road that you also want a place to express your surprise at how things work and vent a little to others who might understand.
I'm sorry if I sounded mad mor mean I'm a very lovable person and sorry if I came across wrong you should vent that is exactly what this site is for I of all people have been emotionally wreck on othegroups.
I just get scared thank you all for explaining and giving me better understanding. I just wanted to hear some Cinderella stories to make feel better sorry if in process I upset anyone please except my forgiveness and thank u
Ok I have a question when everyone talks about testing for rank, what exactly is that? E1 E2 and so on or am I confused? My daughter is at GL now and has her orders to go a destroyer in about a month but as we all know it can change in a heartbeat!! I do have to say she is doing great and seems to love it!
kk that is exactly what I was looking for thank you hi ho hi ho off to work I go not I can picture the seven dwarf sailors marching along..no seriously thank you everyone. this boot camp stuff is nerve racking to say teh least...
Even though the undesignated sailors don't have a rank they still get to enjoy the benefits of the Navy, such as seeing other countries and educational opportunities. The picture I'm going to try to put in here is from a site that posts pictures from ships in the middle east. my son is not on this particular ship as an undesignated, but it shows the sailors having some fun, and even the undesignated sailors get to participate in this type of fun. how many people can say they jumped off an aircraft carrier and swam in the arabian sea?
Hello All! My son went in undesignated by choice. It was the only way he could get in NOW. He graduated 9/9 and is now hoping to be E3 by next week. He missed it in BC because of 10 sit-ups (lame). Anyway, he is positive about this as he wants to experience everything!
reignbowtopia, can you tell me what site you got that picture from? I think it will be neat to connect my son to that so he can see what he has to look forward to as an undes. Thanks!
There are lots of sites with pictures. My son is on the USS Truxtun so I am on the USS Truxtun facebook page which has pictures just for that ship, but it shows life on a destroyer. The picture of the Sailor jumping from the ship is http://www.dvidshub.net/. On this site I search specifically for pictures from my son's ship. This particular picture was in a group of pictures from several ships. It really is great that these types of pictures are posted to allow us a glimpse into a Sailor's life. Plus the Sailors in the pictures are someone's loved one so sometimes you get to see your Sailor in a picture.
Hello Group! Well, my daughter PIR on 16 Sept and is now at GL for her A School as an "undes". Wondered if anyone else here had a loved one from that group. She will have liberty after school and has to report to Norfolk, VA in October for her assignment on an aircraft carrier. Any clue as to what her training might be to serve on an AC?
Hello Anita! My son is just finishing his training in GL. His PIR was 8/19, but training was delayed. Training is pretty basic. He was LOL when he told me he just learned all there is to know about painting..
Training is about 10 - 14 days long.
What ship is your Sailor assigned to? Wonder if they will be on the same one...
TropikalParadize
Aug 28, 2011
reignbowtopia
Aug 29, 2011
LynB
Aug 31, 2011
CrackerjackMom
Aug 31, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Aug 31, 2011
kathyann
So this raises a question for me:
My son is still at GL awaiting his training. He is UNDESIG, and will be going to the CV end of Sept. He is still an E-1.
His recruitor told him before MEPS, that since he scores so high on is ASVAB, that he would be an E-2 before the end of Boot. That, of course, did not happen. My son seems to think that if he uses his week off between "school" and reporting to his Command, to work with his recruitor and refer two names to recruitment office, that he will be bumped to an E-2.
I'm a bit worried that he is not getting a clear pic from his recruiter. I am actually certain of it. When he enlisted, he was called in to sign his contract for AE, but by the time they printed the contract out, the positions had already filled (this was over the course of 45 minutes). They then told him if he wanted to go in "today", he had to go PACT SEAMAN.
His dream is to work his way up like his grandfather (a mustang), and retire an officer. I'm worried that he won't even make rank by the end of his (was it 2 or 4) years active.
Is E-2 an automatic after so many months like an E-3 is?
Aug 31, 2011
MJ (Dan's Mom)
Aug 31, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Aug 31, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
undes for 4 years??? LET'S HOPE NOT!!!
Aug 31, 2011
LynB
Aug 31, 2011
MJ (Dan's Mom)
JOJO....yes he signed up as undes....but i'm wondering if he should change that while in BC.
Sep 1, 2011
kathyann
TY Angie for the information. I did not want my Sailor "wasting" his few days of leave before going to his Command driving 300 miles to work with is recruiter in hopes of bumping up!
Sep 1, 2011
LynB
Great to know Angie! I'll pass that info on to him about the civilian contacts! The Maritime Uni doesn't start classes for new comers until the fall so he'll need to find work from Jan-Aug next year. If it could be maritime related work so much the better.
Sep 1, 2011
kathyann
Sep 1, 2011
Anita n Ohio
Sep 2, 2011
Anita n Ohio
Sep 2, 2011
reignbowtopia
Sep 5, 2011
kathyann
Sep 6, 2011
kathyann
Sep 14, 2011
lori_proud mom
Sep 14, 2011
reignbowtopia
Good luck to all the Sailors testing for a rate. May they obtain their desired rates.
Sep 14, 2011
AnnNgeorgia
Sep 16, 2011
LynB
Two and a half months for the results? I just have to laugh. That being the case my son will actually be out of the Navy before the results come back. I guess they had him take the test just so they could say he was offered a chance to advance if ever questioned.
He's been totally snake bit the last 4 years but he's certainly learned a lot about life, the universe, and everything.
Sep 17, 2011
heard t
Sep 17, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Sep 17, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Sep 17, 2011
heard t
1st love how long has your SR been in ? has he or she already graduated bc
Sep 17, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Sep 17, 2011
heard t
Sep 17, 2011
CrackerjackMom
I'll make it brief.....My daughter went in Undesiganted 4 years ago in August. She is now a 3rd class Petty Officer BM, just took her test for 2nd. She has been on a 6 month deployment and loved it. She had frustrating times, she has had great times. Its almost like any other job/school that way. Over all it has been a wonderful 4 years when she looks back.
No matter designated or undesignated each sailor has a path to what he/or she needs to do to get to where they want to go, and each one will have a different experience. Some good and some bad. I say a lot of it is attitude and patients. Which in the big picture is one of the best things to learn for life. Our biggest roll in this is to support and listen to our sailors to keep them moving forward.
My daughter just reenlisted for another 4 years last month and is on here way to a new duty station next month with a brand new ship. She is very excited and glad she is in the Navy.
My favorite saying that I have on my page is this.......
"Small skill is gained by those who cling to ease; The hardy Sailor hails from Storm Seas"
True this page can be a little discouraging at times but it is a great place to be and get answers. I still check in here and my daughter has been rated for over a year. I hope I have helped a little.
Sep 17, 2011
reignbowtopia
I'm far from an veteran, but my son went in as undesignated. He didn't want to spend months in school before actually experiencing life on a ship/sub. He PIR's early June and so far the undesignated is fitting him. He is currently on board a destroyer on deployment. When the ship was in port he did alot of cleaning, scrapping, painting, grinding, etc. Now the ship is underway again he is getting "hands on" training for what he wants to do plus some other jobs. He stands watch alot, which from what I can tell most of the Sailors stand watch.
I was concerned when he told me he was going undesignated, so I started reading about undesignated and although it may not work out for everyone it seems it works out for many. Its only been a few months so its too early to really know how its all going to work out. So far my son has pretty much gotten what he wanted. He wanted to join the fleet quickly and be assigned to a smaller ship. He left Norfolk end of July and is on a Destroyer. As with all jobs some days he isn't so fond of what he is doing, but overall so far he is happy.
Hopefully your Sailor will do well in undesignated. I think the main key is persistance and patience.
Sep 17, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Sep 17, 2011
LynB
1stlove - It is absolutely a different experience for everyone. Just because my kid has not had a good experience doesn't mean everyone will by any means. I do think if you read back you'll see plenty of good stories.
My son's story is long (its been 4 years after all and I've been on this site for a couple of years) and I have written on here in the past where he messed up, and where, frankly, the Navy messed him up. But the end result is that he went in a kid and he's now a man. He's learned so much that will help him the rest of his life - and most of the learning has been from the bad stuff.
He still wants a career in the maritime industry, being with the Seabees and driving boats etc have cemented that desire for him and he's going to pursue Coast Guard certifications the minute he's out and may enter the CA Maritime University when their next semester beings in Sept. He's earned money, become completely self supporting, learned to man-up where he should, and I personally love how he stands so strong now. Even he will admit that if things had all gone super easy he wouldn't have gotten as much out of the experience.
Still it's been hard and not much fun getting to this point - there is no way to sugar coat that.
You may discover down the road that you also want a place to express your surprise at how things work and vent a little to others who might understand.
Sep 17, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
I just get scared thank you all for explaining and giving me better understanding. I just wanted to hear some Cinderella stories to make feel better sorry if in process I upset anyone please except my forgiveness and thank u
Sep 17, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Sep 17, 2011
K2011
Sep 18, 2011
CrackerjackMom
E1, E2, E3.....ect are pay grades.
Rate is your job title.
Sep 18, 2011
iamuptolate
Sep 19, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
Sep 20, 2011
reignbowtopia
Even though the undesignated sailors don't have a rank they still get to enjoy the benefits of the Navy, such as seeing other countries and educational opportunities. The picture I'm going to try to put in here is from a site that posts pictures from ships in the middle east. my son is not on this particular ship as an undesignated, but it shows the sailors having some fun, and even the undesignated sailors get to participate in this type of fun. how many people can say they jumped off an aircraft carrier and swam in the arabian sea?
459079.jpg
Sep 20, 2011
reignbowtopia
Sep 20, 2011
LuvMySailor!~Michelle
Sep 21, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
love the pic, reignbowtopia!
good quote, julie.
kyann
Sep 21, 2011
LuvMySailor!~Michelle
Sep 21, 2011
AnnNgeorgia
Sep 21, 2011
reignbowtopia
Sep 21, 2011
Anita n Ohio
Hello Group! Well, my daughter PIR on 16 Sept and is now at GL for her A School as an "undes". Wondered if anyone else here had a loved one from that group. She will have liberty after school and has to report to Norfolk, VA in October for her assignment on an aircraft carrier. Any clue as to what her training might be to serve on an AC?
Sep 22, 2011
kathyann
Hello Anita! My son is just finishing his training in GL. His PIR was 8/19, but training was delayed. Training is pretty basic. He was LOL when he told me he just learned all there is to know about painting..
Training is about 10 - 14 days long.
What ship is your Sailor assigned to? Wonder if they will be on the same one...
Sep 22, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Sep 22, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Sep 22, 2011