Reinbow-thanks for that info. He went into A-school as an E3, and in the engineering school. I'm not really sure why he couldn't grad in that program-paperwork, he said. So now he is on a ship doing whatever-he works at the bottom of the ship-not liking it a whole lot, but dealing ok. I am reminding him of the positive things and he seems to be in good spirits most of the time when we talk. He is new on the ship so I told him he needs to give it time. He said he is going to work on being able to test up the next time the opportunity comes up. Pretty sure he wants to stay in the engr program, we'll see. He said he's not a quitter so I think he's going to do the best at what they give him right now.
It sounds like your son has some disappointment he must deal with surrounding the engineering. Since my son didn't have an expectation of a specific rate I think it makes it easier for him. He does a lot of "grunt" work. There is also the adjustment of life aboard a ship and making new friends. He is on a destroyer which has fewer people so I think perhaps that provides some opportunities he wouldn't have if he was on a carrier. The undesignated path doesn't seem to be as straight forward, but sometimes its the detours in life that provide the most adventure. It sounds as though your son is adjusting. It sounds like he has a good attitude. I told my son 2 types of people get noticed in the Navy. The top performers and the slackers. As long as he is doing his best at the task he is given he will at least be getting positive attention. I know it probably won't help but remind your son that even in the civilian world he may be doing "grunt" work. I own a small business and I have to do whatever needs done. If that means cleaning the bathrooms, taking out the trash, scraping paint and repainting then thats what I do. Life is a journey, not a destination. Good luck to him on his journey.
thanks, reignbow. he is on an assault ship--still new to the terms--don't think that's a destroyer--ha ha it also says lhd-do you know what that stands for? that's good advise about those who get noticed. i want him to be "sailor of the day" as i see they post that on FB. i haven't told him that, b/c i don't want him to think i expect too much. i do hope he's doing his best, though. :)
A word of caution to you new Navy/Undes. moms - taking the rate exam DOES NOT guarantee a better rate or advancement, & know that if taking the rate exam & passing gives your son/daughter the rate they strike for then they are in that rate for 2 yrs., also they become more "stuck" on their assigned ship & less likely to be released for another job. Right or wrong - it's all about the needs of 'Big Navy' not necessarily what makes the most sense.
noni-thanks for that info, too. so, will he get higher than an E3 just by doing what he's doing now or does he have to test up to get a higher rank too?
My daughter was on the Boxer, which is an LHD. The letters are actually not an acronym if you can believe that. I got this off of a Navy site.
She worked with the LCAC's (landing craft air cushion)
Amphibious Warfare. All ships having organic capability for amphibious assault and which have characteristics enabling long duration operations on the high seas.
Very true...just time until its official....if you have Sailors shooting for the BUDs program that have already DOR'd or had a medical issue or whatever, tell them to get their paperwork submitted ASAP.....the times are a changin!
BUDs is the first training (6 mo I believe) that Sailors get to become a SEAL....actually second, first they go to Great Lakes for "Pre BUDs" for about 2 months or so....BUDs is here in Coronado on the Amphib Base
Hi. Oh boy do I have a lot to learn. My son DOR'ed from BUDs, now a SAR, assigned to a ship that he's heading for at this time. He says he's undesignated. What does that mean for him on a ship situation?
Yes this is true, but if you want to get back into BUDs after being dropped you need to have that paperwork ready ASAP to submit right when your 24 month waiting period is up, the quicker the better....
Noni, that's exactly what Angie and I were talking about in previous threads....just a matter of time until its official.....believe me, I know.....
TexasMom, you are so right, so many guys going through BUDs are such good, hard working young men, and some just get injured or sick at the wrong time, and its like, sorry, your bad luck!
My son was med-dropped due to being rolled twice for shin stress fractures from pre-buds and I believe is considered undesignated because he did not go in with any other classification except SEAL. Now that he was dropped he's been sent to do corrosion control (in his words, spraying WD-40 on rust spots) on a carrier. He's angry and discouraged but NOT giving up on his dream to get back into BUDS. Apparently he can't do that for another 24 months, yet he said some guys he knows have gotten back in sooner? Maybe he's not getting the right info. Very confused....
Fredabee - I don't want to bring you or your son down but read the previous posts about "1 & done". My son also went in with that same classification & is now Undes. after much checking, talking with everyone he can-peers & higher ups, there are too many new recruits coming in to take the DORs back. Advise your son to hound his CC for job options. PS. join the DOR group.
Can anyone help....my son has been discharged after failing a pulmonary function test. They gave it to him because they said they had found in his med recs that he had been treated for asthma, or bronchitis, at some point in his life. When he was young, probably from ages 6 thru 8 or 10 he did have bronchitis occasionally. But come on, being discharged because you have had bronichits? He had 1 week of boot camp left, and had passed everything except the final 36-hour simulator, which he had not gotten to yet. He's supposed to go through legal today and is going to ask for a medical waiver, or a reassignment of position. Anyone have any suggestions?
Probably my last update y'all. My son has reached the end of his commitment and goes on terminal leave (goes on leave and doesn't come back) on Nov 11. In brief, he was recruited and joined as a Naval Flight Officer, waited over 6 months after graduating from college to go to OCS, got bumped from OCS for missing a run time while suffering the flu, spent over a year 'working' at MEPS in Nashville then got sent to BC undesignated (on expired orders), then got selected to join the USS Constitution, then had that pulled because he didn't have enough time left on his assignment, then got sent to Coronado to a Seabee unit where he's been for the past 18 months. What a ride it has been.
But here's what I want to share - as frustrating and painful as it has been at times, I will always say it has been the making of him. He is a genuine man now, not a boy playing at being a man. He's learned how to deal with defeat in a way that he'd never had to before in his life and it has made him stronger. He's figured out how to work hard, even at lousy jobs. He's learned that sometimes life isn't fair so you just have to pick yourself up and get over it.
He's got some goals now that he'd never even considered before - he'd like to pursue a life at sea in the merchant marines and is going to work on getting his marine certifications from the coast guard when he gets out. He can drive a big old tug boat, and I was so impressed last May when someone was having trouble docking a boat we were on and he just took over and zipped her right in on the first try.
He's made, I'm sure, life long friends, and he's reasonably optimistic about his future despite the bad economy. He's got the GI bill if he needs or wants it, and he's got medical coverage for the next year. He's earned his own way and learned how to be self supporting.
So regardless of the bumps and hiccups along the way, the tears and the rage, it has indeed all turned out fine in the end. (Well, as long as nothing happens in the next 2 weeks anyway!! :-) Keep your chin up Moms. It'll be ok.
LynB-Good luck to your son in his future endeavors. This is a great example of one of my life philosophies: Life is a journey not a destination.
I try to enjoy the journey because in the end the destination is the same for all of us. Another thing I believe is the best places I've visited were found when we deviated from the planned route, i.e. were lost.
Once again Good Luck to your son, may the journey continue to have a positive impact on him.
Good luck, LynB. I wish your son much luck also. I wish my son would have had this chance. Yesterday they lined 20 SRs up for legal review, told them the way it was going to be, gave them no choices, made them sign papers by telling them if they fought it they would get them for fraudulent enlistment, and booted them out the door. Discharged. It is a medical discharge, but still, it was unfair and unrighteous. I'm very angry with the Navy right now.
Thanks LynB for a great post! Good luck to your son! Skyhawk's mom - my heart goes out to you & your son. Angry - to say the least! He could try another branch but the medical waiver process is a long 1(been there, done that). Best of luck!
Thank you Noni. I just talked to him and he said he's done. If the Navy doesn't want him, he doesn't want the Navy. He may decide to try another branch later, but as for now, I think he's ready to try something different than military service.
Skyhawk's mom - my sincere sympathies for you and your son. That feeling when watching your kid forced to give up on their goal or dream is horrible. Hopefully he'll find his next path quickly.
Even despite all the ups & downs my kid is seriously considering the Army Reserves now - he found out they have 12 boats and need crew :-)
does anyone know anything about bremerton washington. Of all the place for my sailor to be ship to me it seems like no mans land. I think we are both scared to death.
@heard: i live in the portland, oregon area, and no, bremerton is not no man's land. it's quite populous and in the middle of things. puget sound's nearby. you shouldn't have any worries, i assure you. in fact, i was hoping my sailor would not be assigned to bremerton because it's too close to home!!! google bremerton and put your mind at rest. :-)
wow, skyhawk's mom, how long has your son been in the navy? i had a son that got medically discharged from the air force guard and wanted to join the navy, but his discharge code was that of one that said he couldn't join another military branch. he fought it for a few years and has yet to get the final say, but the last letter said don't expect anything different and the next letter should be the final say. my other son joined the ohio army guard. he is doing well, just had his 1 yr anniversary. i just don't understand the Navy's way...had my son got discharged, i think he and my soldier at least had jobs when they finished their schools, would be and are doing fine. i just don't know if i'd recommend the Navy to anyone right now. i love my son and will totally support him in his decision and wear my Navy shirts proudly, etc...just too many unknowns for me. ok, i'm done. :)
I know the military isn't taking just anyone these days. I am thankful my 2 were able to join. I will support them all the way! I hope this part of their lives is a great one. I am so honored to be a military mom! I get choked up every time I sing our National Anthem and put my hand over my heart. I would wear my Navy or Army mom shirts every day. I am sorry if I upset anyone, last thing I wanted to do. Just venting.
Hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH, thanks for your comments. My son was one week away from boot camp graduation. That's why I don't understand all this. He had already passed all his requirements, except the final 36-hour simulation, which would have came the last week of boot camp. I asked if he had been having breathing problems and he said no. What really gets me, is why they didn't do something like this during MEPS, instead of waiting til now. I just feel like they are trying to downsize, and after someone has put in all the effort of 7 weeks of boot camp, barring ijury, that they should be allowed to stay.
I work with lots of people who are from Washington, and they love it out there. Good luck! I hope you and youor sailor do well. I think the Pacific Northwest would be an awesome place to go.
LynB thank you. I thought about suggesting the Army National Guard. My husband was in and I have a cousin who was Navy for years and is now a Chaplain in the Army National Guard. I just feel so bad for him. He had just gotten his orders to be stationed on the Aircraft Carrier Theodore Roosevelt, stationed in Norfolk, where he wanted to be. Oh well, i'm sure it's all part of God's plan for him. He said he's been thinking that. I appreciate your comments, though.
Thanks everyone for the Washington infor, she is going to be on the Stennis. Im just a little nervous about her adjusting to the weather and a new ship of people.
Angie, how long should it take my son to get new orders once dropped from BUDs, it's been a month and he has not heard anything yet? He understands he will be going to Pensacola soon but no date and no official orders about after?
LisaCC - How does your son know he's going to Pensacola? Was that a job he picked after leaving BUDs? Tell him to keep bugging his CC. After my son signed Undes. he was told 2wks for orders but got them in 1.
Thanks Noni and Angie...he tried the BOL on his laptop but nothing would come up? He left today to go back to SD so maybe something is waiting for him. :)
He finally got his orders... Pensacola on 11/13 for 18 days and then 12/12 onto the USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan. So what's an undes airman to expect on a huge carrier? And how soon can he strike for a new rate?
I live in Kitsap County, 3 miles from Bremerton. Any questions, feel free to message me. Lived up here since 1977, and VERY familiar with the base, having been a Navy daughter, now Navy mom, and TriCare/TriWest provider. Nice area. Safe area, and SO CLOSE to Seattle! Your Sailor(s) will like it when they can get out and explore! Have them message me too!
@Silkoutwest Hi Hope your sailor is doing well! My daughter PIR 9/9 and she is undes. This is how her schedule went from there, She stayed in GL for 10 days came home for 10 days which was wonderful!!!! Then went to her ships home port which is in Mayport, but the holding (waiting on orders) was in Jacksonville. So she stayed there for about 3 wks had lots of down time, made friends , walked on beach and that was about it. Then she left states met up with her ship and is now aboard her home for the next several months. She sends emails about every other day. The only time I went long days without talking to her was when she was on her way to ship. Everybody's orders are different so I hope this helps a little knowing out experience. By the was she LOVES LOVES the Navy!!! Only complaints are normal work too hot too tired my hair is always a mess:) Hope your sailor enjoys next journey too!! take care!!
Silkoutwest, My son PIR was 10-01. He spent 2 weeks at Great Lakes, then was home for 10 days.. He went right to his ship in San Diego and has been there for 1 week now and hasnt really done much yet. He said he has duty starting this friday.He is spending a lot of time roaming the ship and the base getting to know everything.. Good luck to your SR!
My son PIR in June. He joined his ship in July in the Middle East. He has spent time scrapping and painting the ship, doing other general ship maintenance, stand watch, drive the ship, qualify on additional guns, and now he is doing his least favorite thing, "cranking", waiter/busboy in the galley. He has gotten to visit 6 countries, jump off the deck of the ship and swim in the ocean, go camel riding, see the largest mall in the world, and other stuff he can't tell me about on the internet. Undes is a path with lots of variation for each Sailor.
Do your UNDES sailors discuss "striking" for a new rate? Is that even an option for them out of BC? I'm just wondering how competitive it might be on a ship and who decides if they can or not?
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 12, 2011
reignbowtopia
Oct 12, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 12, 2011
Noni
Oct 12, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 12, 2011
CrackerjackMom
My daughter was on the Boxer, which is an LHD. The letters are actually not an acronym if you can believe that. I got this off of a Navy site.
She worked with the LCAC's (landing craft air cushion)
Amphibious Warfare. All ships having organic capability for amphibious assault and which have characteristics enabling long duration operations on the high seas.
Amphibious Helicopter and Landing Craft Carriers
Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) LHA
Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose) LHD
Amphibious Transport Dock LPD
Landing Craft Carriers
Dock Landing Ship LSD
http://www.nvr.navy.mil/class.htm
Oct 12, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Oct 14, 2011
johnnasuzanne
question ladies...what is my SR allowed to take with him down to Pensacola for his short a school?
Oct 14, 2011
TexasSailorMom
Oct 14, 2011
TropikalParadize
Oct 14, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 14, 2011
TropikalParadize
Oct 14, 2011
cocojazz
Hi. Oh boy do I have a lot to learn. My son DOR'ed from BUDs, now a SAR, assigned to a ship that he's heading for at this time. He says he's undesignated. What does that mean for him on a ship situation?
Oct 15, 2011
TropikalParadize
Oct 15, 2011
Noni
Sorry Trop - "1 & done" is the motto now. Too many new BUDs recruits. Unfortunately they don't tell the guys that before they drop.
Oct 16, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 16, 2011
TropikalParadize
Noni, that's exactly what Angie and I were talking about in previous threads....just a matter of time until its official.....believe me, I know.....
TexasMom, you are so right, so many guys going through BUDs are such good, hard working young men, and some just get injured or sick at the wrong time, and its like, sorry, your bad luck!
Oct 16, 2011
Noni
Oct 16, 2011
fredabee
Oct 24, 2011
Noni
Oct 24, 2011
Skyhawk's Mom
Oct 24, 2011
LynB
Probably my last update y'all. My son has reached the end of his commitment and goes on terminal leave (goes on leave and doesn't come back) on Nov 11. In brief, he was recruited and joined as a Naval Flight Officer, waited over 6 months after graduating from college to go to OCS, got bumped from OCS for missing a run time while suffering the flu, spent over a year 'working' at MEPS in Nashville then got sent to BC undesignated (on expired orders), then got selected to join the USS Constitution, then had that pulled because he didn't have enough time left on his assignment, then got sent to Coronado to a Seabee unit where he's been for the past 18 months. What a ride it has been.
But here's what I want to share - as frustrating and painful as it has been at times, I will always say it has been the making of him. He is a genuine man now, not a boy playing at being a man. He's learned how to deal with defeat in a way that he'd never had to before in his life and it has made him stronger. He's figured out how to work hard, even at lousy jobs. He's learned that sometimes life isn't fair so you just have to pick yourself up and get over it.
He's got some goals now that he'd never even considered before - he'd like to pursue a life at sea in the merchant marines and is going to work on getting his marine certifications from the coast guard when he gets out. He can drive a big old tug boat, and I was so impressed last May when someone was having trouble docking a boat we were on and he just took over and zipped her right in on the first try.
He's made, I'm sure, life long friends, and he's reasonably optimistic about his future despite the bad economy. He's got the GI bill if he needs or wants it, and he's got medical coverage for the next year. He's earned his own way and learned how to be self supporting.
So regardless of the bumps and hiccups along the way, the tears and the rage, it has indeed all turned out fine in the end. (Well, as long as nothing happens in the next 2 weeks anyway!! :-) Keep your chin up Moms. It'll be ok.
Oct 24, 2011
reignbowtopia
LynB-Good luck to your son in his future endeavors. This is a great example of one of my life philosophies: Life is a journey not a destination.
I try to enjoy the journey because in the end the destination is the same for all of us. Another thing I believe is the best places I've visited were found when we deviated from the planned route, i.e. were lost.
Once again Good Luck to your son, may the journey continue to have a positive impact on him.
Oct 25, 2011
Skyhawk's Mom
Oct 25, 2011
Noni
Oct 25, 2011
Skyhawk's Mom
Oct 25, 2011
LynB
Skyhawk's mom - my sincere sympathies for you and your son. That feeling when watching your kid forced to give up on their goal or dream is horrible. Hopefully he'll find his next path quickly.
Even despite all the ups & downs my kid is seriously considering the Army Reserves now - he found out they have 12 boats and need crew :-)
Oct 25, 2011
heard t
does anyone know anything about bremerton washington. Of all the place for my sailor to be ship to me it seems like no mans land. I think we are both scared to death.
Oct 25, 2011
chris'smom ship 14 div 200
Oct 25, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Oct 25, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 25, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 25, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 25, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 25, 2011
Skyhawk's Mom
Oct 26, 2011
Skyhawk's Mom
Oct 26, 2011
Skyhawk's Mom
LynB thank you. I thought about suggesting the Army National Guard. My husband was in and I have a cousin who was Navy for years and is now a Chaplain in the Army National Guard. I just feel so bad for him. He had just gotten his orders to be stationed on the Aircraft Carrier Theodore Roosevelt, stationed in Norfolk, where he wanted to be. Oh well, i'm sure it's all part of God's plan for him. He said he's been thinking that. I appreciate your comments, though.
Oct 26, 2011
heard t
Thanks everyone for the Washington infor, she is going to be on the Stennis. Im just a little nervous about her adjusting to the weather and a new ship of people.
Oct 26, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Oct 26, 2011
Noni
Oct 26, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Oct 27, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 29, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Oct 29, 2011
kathyann
I live in Kitsap County, 3 miles from Bremerton. Any questions, feel free to message me. Lived up here since 1977, and VERY familiar with the base, having been a Navy daughter, now Navy mom, and TriCare/TriWest provider. Nice area. Safe area, and SO CLOSE to Seattle! Your Sailor(s) will like it when they can get out and explore! Have them message me too!
Oct 30, 2011
hunter's mom kyann HOOYAH
Oct 30, 2011
silkoutwest
Nov 6, 2011
K2011
Nov 7, 2011
Horselover SHIP 11 DIV 322
Nov 7, 2011
reignbowtopia
My son PIR in June. He joined his ship in July in the Middle East. He has spent time scrapping and painting the ship, doing other general ship maintenance, stand watch, drive the ship, qualify on additional guns, and now he is doing his least favorite thing, "cranking", waiter/busboy in the galley. He has gotten to visit 6 countries, jump off the deck of the ship and swim in the ocean, go camel riding, see the largest mall in the world, and other stuff he can't tell me about on the internet. Undes is a path with lots of variation for each Sailor.
Nov 9, 2011
Lisa FLNavyMom
Do your UNDES sailors discuss "striking" for a new rate? Is that even an option for them out of BC? I'm just wondering how competitive it might be on a ship and who decides if they can or not?
Nov 9, 2011