Undesignated...What's Up With That?

A place for Moms of Undesignated Sailors to share concerns and support each other.
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  • iamuptolate

    my son is undes and pir is 10/07 then 4 weeks a school  , then home for 2 weeks but 5 of those days he will work with his recruiter , we are not sure where his 1st duty is yet .
  • LuvMySailor!~Michelle

    Anita my son is also going to Norfolk. Going to be on the Iwo-Jima! Undes, leaving Oct 11! He is in GL now until the 30 then comes home for a little bit. :)
  • Anita n Ohio

    My daughter will be on "The Bush".  We are from the Cincinnati area.  She'd LOVE to be assigned to Japan.  She has to arrive in Norfolk on Oct 23rd.
  • hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH

    Hi all. Japan was not one of hunter's choices, but he'll be fine. He will be a pacific fleet for 4 years. Would love to go see him sometime but pretty costly so who knows.
  • hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH

    Yeah he knew that. So he gets to see some of the world he would probably not get to see otherwise. I'm sure he's going to have some good stories and share some beautiful pictures! :)
  • Noni

    Hi Anita~I'm also from Ohio, up on the Lake. My sailor is Undes. out in San Diego.

     He got 'on the job' training - painting, scraping, hauling & drills, drills, drills. Carriers have ALOT more personnel so she'll meet lots of others.

     

  • reignbowtopia

    Hello to all the new members.  I don't know if this will help those with doubts about their Sailors being undesignated, but I'm including a picture from the USS Truxtun's facebook page of a Boatswain Mate (a Sailor with a rate) doing the same type of work my undesignated Sailor son told me he was doing a few weeks ago.  Maybe this is part of the Boatswain Mate regular duties I don't know, but it shows the undesignated Sailors are not the only ones grinding and painting. 

     

  • Anita n Ohio

    Well, I told my SA she's going to learn the ship from the keel up (and I literally meant it!)  She'll learn the Sailor's slang talk quickly and hopefully the Boatmates will strengthen her up - mentally and physically (although - all that extra IT time her division got during BC will help her now).
  • heard t

    Hello Everyone, My SR graduates on Friday 9/30. She will be undesignated, going to Pensecola for 27 days, home for 2 wks, and then assigned to Washington State. Originally I was very worried about the undesignated, but this site has helped so much. Ive come to realize that shes young and in the Navy everyday is going to be a new learning experience for her. And experiences are what make up a lifetime. Thanks for all the help.

     

  • K2011

    @heard- I agree it has helped so much too! That is so exciting about her going to Washington, My sister in law is a chief there! my daughter really wanted to go there, it is so beautiful! Maybe down the line she will go!

     

     

  • ddsweety

    My husband has been accepted into the Corpsman A school in Feb. He will be leaving undesignated if he passes. He will have been undesignated for almost 2 years when he goes to school so I'm very excited for him to get a rate!
  • 1stlove (02/946)

    That is great ddsweety congrats
  • reignbowtopia

    ddsweety- how wonderful
  • ddsweety

    Thanks! :)
  • Gcjp

    I am new to this. My daughter has been a DEP since February. She leaves for boot camp on October 26. Was is undesignated? She was given a job of a Seman Apprentice is that considered undesignated?
  • Gcjp

    Thanks for the info Angie, I greatly appreciate it. I don't know if this is a good thing or bad thing. She really wanted Corpsman but it was not available at that time and she did not want to wait.
  • ddsweety

    Thanks kk! I hope so!
  • Anita n Ohio

    That's SWEET, ddsweety!

     

    Well, nothing is written in stone (esp in the Military).  My SA told me she is graduating from A School a week earlier.  Everything has been moved up a week.  She now has a Boatsmates Class 2 as her mentor who is currently on The Bush, has been in contact with her giving my SA pointers on what to pack.

     

    I'm thankful she will have someone take her under their wing and show her the ropes (no pun intended...lol).  Sounds like she's going to be flown out to her ship so she'll get a bird's eye view of her new home.  GOD, do I envy her!  Extremely proud (to say the least).

  • iamuptolate

    That is wonderful news Anita ! We still dont know whats going to happen after my sons 4 weeks in "A" school in Great Lakes... Destination unknown ???
  • reignbowtopia

    Anita - My son recently joined one of the destroyers that is part of the GW Bush group.  He is enjoying getting the hands on experience.  He's only seen 2 ports, but thats 2 ports he wouldn't have seen if not for the Navy.    If you haven't already check out the Facebook page for The Bush.  They post pictures so you can see a glimpse of what they do and if you're lucky you might get to see a picture of your daughter.
  • Anita n Ohio

    Reignbowtopia - yeah, I found that.  Did you see the pictures from their Steel Beach party?   OMG, jumping into the sea from what looks like the flight deck!  Amazing! 

     

    Iamuptolate - well, one thing, even if he knew - it might be changed.  Ask him if he's had a chance to see his first assignment.  I was shocked when my SA told me she had seen hers and knew where she was headed.

  • hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH

    My son just flew to japan then I guess he took the bus to the ship as it was in port at that time. The ship has been underway for about a week now.
    By the way, all I changed my screen name. Hope nobody objects.
    Have a great day, all!
    Kyann
  • reignbowtopia

    I did find the pictures from the steel beach party and jumping off the deck.  Thats why its fun to check out a couple of different type of ships fb pages.  My son flew to Bahrain and joined the ship there.  The undesignated is a different path, but my son is enjoying it so far, only 3 months. 

    He passed his 2nd level swimmers test.  This is a requirement for what he wants to eventually do.  No guarentee, but at least he is passing the requirements.

  • Sunset Watcher 11/318

    Hi ladies, my sailor just graduated on sept 23rd and is still at GL for A school.  She will be posted in Wash state too.  She is really looking forward to the experience.  any advice for her would be appreciated.
  • reignbowtopia

    Welcome Sunset Watcher

    When my son gets a little down because of some of the less glamorous jobs he gets assign I remind him to enjoy the journey,  keep his eye on the long term goal, and the fact that his future here was less than glamorous.  Good luck to your daughter.

  • kathyann

    Hello Sunset Watcher... I am in Washington (Bremerton/Port Orchard). I am near all the Navy Bases (right next door practically). If you like, please do not hesitate to contact me, and I can give you more contact information in the event your Sailor needs something while up here in my neck of the woods. My son ships to San Diego on the 8th, having just finished his training at GL last week.  Tell your Sailor good luck, and that she will LOVE Washington when she gets used to the wet weather :)
  • johnnasuzanne

    hello ladies...i'm brand new. just got my first call! (cried like a baby) and also found out my SR had been dqed from Aircrewman for medical reasons and had been reassigned as Airman Undesignated. from my understanding, 3 weeks in pcola then home for a week or so and then to duty station. we had planned to get married during his long a school before, obviously this is no longer an option. also before i had a general idea where to expect him to be stationed. he made out his wish list...my questions are 1. when do you recommend getting married and is it even possible at first? 2. any particular stations that airman undesginate go to often and 3. i know it is a wish/dream sheet but did your SR's list get used and also do they typically get stationed overseas first? sorry for all the questions. just feeling a little lost and confused :(
  • kathyann

    Hey there suzanne -

    My son just finished his school for UNDESIG. The Airman Undesignated who finished with him stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, WA. There are many bases however that are NAS. 

    As for getting married:  A question that only you and he can answer really. There are no "rules" that would stop you from getting married earlier than planned. Remember, unless you are a spouse or family member, you are not entitled to get any info from the Navy in the event of an emergency, etc. Personally, I'd get hitched as soon as you can, that way you are a Navy Wife, and can get support from the other wives at his command, benefits, etc.  I think overseas may be highly unlikely. He could get assigned to a carrier, as well.

    Hope this helps...

    Hugs,

    Kathy

  • johnnasuzanne

    thanks for the info kathyann! and we were both thinking the same thing, sooner rather than later. also thanks for the hugs..they are greatly needed right now :)
  • johnnasuzanne

    yes, after reading i see that they have their orders before PIR. now just praying for state side...
  • Skyhawk's Mom

    Hey johnnasuzanne, i'm sure praying for state side for our SR too.  Hmmm...could we be seeing a wedding this November?
  • johnnasuzanne

    of course angie...i'm determined to be his rock. glad he doesn't follow n4m posts! he would know i'm secretly a wreck! and yes Skyhawk's Mom :) you have no idea how much it just made me smile to see you on here! and yes mom and I were just looking at dresses!
  • johnnasuzanne

    Angie you nailed that one on the head! and you have all kinds of Navy experience :)  I really appreciate all the moms/wives/gfs who are on here. You guys keep me going!
  • reignbowtopia

    Welcome aboard johnnasuzanne and skyhawk, we've all been wrecks during this journey.  its nice though to have a place like this to help us through those times to help us through and to allow us to help others.
  • TropikalParadize

    johnnasuzanne, my sailor got where he wanted to be stationed at...he picked SD first and got it...so it could happen to you guys too!! San Diego is a huge naval area, with a whole bunch of bases, so the odds are better if you want a place like SD or Wash or Virginia I would assume!
  • johnnasuzanne

    his first choice was virginia!!! maybe we will get lucky too!! i should be finding out within the next few weeks since his PIR is 10/28...i'll praying of course and will let you know as soon as i find out!

  • TropikalParadize

    I hope you guys get Virginia! I think you have a pretty good chance, seems like Norfolk is a huge base...I'll pray for you guys too! :-)
  • johnnasuzanne

    thanks for your prayers TropikalParadize!
  • reignbowtopia

    This question is for Angie or anyone with advanced experience.  Once a Sailor has a rate if they realize they made a mistake how can they make a change, even if it is to undesignated?
  • Skyhawk's Mom

    Johnnasuzanne, I just saw your post that you were looking at dresses.  If you are making any plans and you want help, i'd love to help you in any way shape or form that you need me!!!!  Oh, and btw, I have something old for you.......(old, new, borrowed, blue). 
  • CrackerjackMom

    I believe they have to stay with that rate for 2 years before they can cross rate.
  • TexasSailorMom

    It depends on the rate. When it is something in spec ops, like rescue swimmer is, they can drop and then they are given a few choices to change to. Other then the spec ops programs, they may be stuck unless they don't pass something that they need for that rate. They probably need to check with their COC for the rules to their particular rate.
  • LuvMySailor!~Michelle

    Son leaves for Norfolk on Tuesday. Let the fun begin!
  • reignbowtopia

    Thanks everyone for the info.  I told the Sailor to talk to their Career Counselor, but being young and inexperienced sometimes you don't know the right things to ask or words to use so I thought I'd ask for any information.
  • Anita n Ohio

    Daughter leaves for Norfolk, VA on Tuesday...processed the off to the big sandbox towards her ship...
  • Anita n Ohio

    My sailor was suppose to graduate from boot camp as an E3 - someone screwed up the paperwork on her.  Gotta love the military!
  • heard t

    My daughter just finished bootcamp, in florida know but will be station in washington state, she is dredading it. Anyone know anything about up that way6?

     

     

  • hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH

    angie-can you give me some positives about being undes, please? 

    i thought they could test 2 times per year to try for a new rate? 

    thanks for all help.

    kyann

     

  • reignbowtopia

    hunter's mom- i don't know if you consider this a positive.  One of the Sailors that PIRd with my son had a rate when she went to A school.  Something happened during A school and she had to make a rate change.  Her options were undesignated or culinary specialist.  She is now assigned to an air craft carrier and apparently hates being a culinary specialist, but it seems she is stuck.  My son on the other hand enlisted as undesignated and has had the opportunity to get an idea of what some of the jobs actually entail.  He has decided that one of the rates he was interested may not be what he wants to do.  I consider the opportunity to experience the rates a positive.   He knows there are no guarantees, but at least when the time comes he will be better prepared to make an informed decision.

     

  • Linda (Proud Navy Mom)

    heard t - Where will your daughter be stationed? I have lived in the Seattle area for 16 years. My son has been on Whidbey Island now since August at the air station base. If your daughter is going there I would be happy to give you more information. There is also a Washington/Oregon site here that has local area information too that you might find helpful.