HELP!!!!! my son signed his contract as a GM and a scheduled leave date for BC of Sept 26....his recruiter called him today and offered him a early leave for BC as pact seamen....WHAT IS THIS???? Is this a good or not good choice for him???
my son is on his first deployment on the USS enterprise He also went undes and pact seaman , he tells me he loves it and tells his girlfriend he HATES it , that he gets no respect and is treated like a dog. But every individual is different.So im really not sure what kind of advice I could give.
gc, I don't know if there is a typical process, but my son's process went like this.
Couple of weeks at GL, very general training. He had requested to be assigned to a destroyer class ship in the Norfolk area. Shortly before GL training was over he received his orders. His ship was already deployed, so I don't know if that was why he was allowed a week at home before leaving for his ship. He spent about a week in Norfolk before He joined his ship in Bahrain. During this time he did his "cranking" galley stint. Apparently all noncommissioned sailors have to spend time cranking. He did multiple types of jobs on the ship and started completing his "qualifications", something all Sailors have to complete. The ship returned home in December. He continues to do mostly basic maintenance on the ship, but is looking forward to going to Coxswain school, think it is to learn to drive the ship, sometime in July. Shortly a movie will be filmed on his ship. They are going to use actual Sailors from the ship doing their jobs. My son thinks there is a good chance he may be in a background shot because there is apparently a scene with lowering the anchor and that is one of the tasks he does. No matter the rate there really are some unusual opportunities they are getting.
Good luck to your Sailor. I hope she has as positive an experience as my son has had so far.
Thanks ladies for the helpful info. I think my daughter will feel better once she starts some sort of training/school. Right now she is working security for PIR, driving around those being separated, and working yeoman's desk. Hope the basic training begins soon. She is ready to have orders so she will have an idea of what she will be doing and what ship/location she will be calling home for the next little while. The 'not knowing' is the hardest I expect. Thanks again for the info.
Its a little more to what I meant being treated like a "DOG" ....They are being singled out and doing things to them , that in my mind is not hardly humane, the hard work has nothing to do with it. My son loves painting for some reason and says he might choose to remain in the Deck dept... but some of the other stuff that goes on is not acceptable. : (
ps: he volunteered for this deployment.He is actually assigned to the USS Roosevelt, but they needed more sailors to leave with the USS Enterprise. so thats where he is today, after this 7 month deployment he will move to his assigned ship.
I am new here, I really need advice. My son got in some trouble in A school and will now be an Undesignated Seaman. Does this mean he will remain in this job for the rest of his time in the Navy? Has anyone's elses son been through this and what advice can I give my son. Thank you for all and any help.
My son is also Undes...I emailed him and asked him your question...he tells me that your sailor will remain Undes until he reaches E-3 after that he will be able to strike for another job,But most def keep his nose clean.Hope this helps .
He removed study material from the school so that he could study over the weekend while on duty. He had a huge test and I was going thru a Heart catherzation at the same time. He was so stressed and could not absorb any of the info he needed for his test.
Thank You Iamuptolate, did your son get in trouble or is that how he enlisted as Undes? I am a nervous wreck and I dont know how to fix this. He is a good kid and I feel responsible for this cause of my illness. I tried to keep it from him, but he found out. Please Please if anyone knows some how I could help him I would forever be in debt. :(
awww that really sucks for him, my son Enlisted as Undes....it has its downfall but he seems to manage, I heard horror stories, and then I have heard good stories, I guess it just depends on the person as to how fast they can move up the ladder...my son wont be E3 until March, so he does not like painting and chipping and taking out the garbage all day and he has to stand Watch a lot....he is suppose to be studying for a test that he has to take by Aug, but can not find the time, he feels frustrated but I have faith in him .Good Luck to you and your son .
does anyone have a child that has gotten in trouble and was on restriction for 30 days. Is it true they can not be rerated? do they go directly to a ship as a Undesinated Seaman or is there a chance they can find another job?
my son is undes but he enlisted that way.... he is on a volunteered deployment ....before he left he stayed near Norfolk but worked on his ship that was in dock ,he left on deployment on a completely different ship.
to be honest , I am not sure .....He tells me he loves it and tells his girlfriend he hates it.... I think that this deployment is just hard on him because of leaving not long after bootcamp, Im thinking hes just homesick due to him never leaving home before bootcamp...I guess he has good and bad days .
Wades Mom... My Mitch is undesignated and a PACT Seaman... He graduated on May 18th as a E3. Here is some of the answers to your questions...He will have to leave you quite quickly after PIR to move litterly accross the street and inprocess... You and your family will have only a few short minutes outside and then he will have to rush away. This inprocess will take about 4-5 hours so you will leave base and when he has been cleared he will be allowed to call you and tell you to meet him at the main gate. Once PIR happens he will be staying in GL for another 3 weeks so the answer to your question is yes he will be able to spend the weekend with you but will not be granted overnight stay. They are relieved from any time after 5am to 9am and must return to his new base NO later than 10pm. He is allowed to go off base and into town and do some sight seeing. Mitch did NOT want to do much of anything. They are so tired that just laying in the Hotel bed and talking about everything or watching TV is fine. They want to take a LONG HOT shower alone, use the bathroom alone, and Nap. We visited the the NEX and did some shopping with him and also went to the Gurney Mall... I hope that helps.. Please feel free to "friend" me on facebook and we can chatt throughout Wades time at GL. Misty Ellingworth, Mankto MN.. Keep the faith and be strong this is the time that he will be looking for encougment through this as there are some hard times ahead and he will be tested to see how strong and confident he is... Mitch said that the Navy is one of the greatest decisions that he has made in his life. He choose to be an UNDES versing going into a job that he really didn't want todo.. Because of being an E3 going in that has helped but is expecting to be able to Rate up to a job in the next 3 months or so... Tell me about Wade and his journey to the US Navy...
WadesMom - I agree with Misty regarding their desire to stay in the hotel room. I think each recruit is slightly different, but my son wanted some down time also. We did go out and do some sight seeing. One thing that really surprised me was when my son told us the Mall was almost overwhelming. After being isolated as they are during BC the lights and noise were overwhelming his senses a little. My suggestion, have a list of possibilities but allow your son to set the pace and decide what he feels like or wants to do.
I agree, my son's inprocess only took about an hour but afterward we just simply went and got something to eat...he had to return by 8 pm , luckily my sister lives in Chicago so the other 2 days of day liberty we just went to my sisters and out to eat, he wanted to nap and play on the computer a little bit, I think we went to Walmart once lol ...but mostly he wanted to nap. : )
most defiantly...My son was not due to go over seas until Dec 2013 but he volunteered to go out on the USS ENTERPRISE for its last cruise before it will be Decommissioned... but he still will go out again for deployment on his assigned ship.
Mitch will be in NF VA until Sept training.. We just found out that he will be going next weekend to "pratice" on the USS Enterprise for a week.. so he will have a chance to try things out a little before the real thing. Only 3 guys from his entire group got asked to go and he was one. He know that he wants to apply for his "Rate" in 3 months and has beena asking and telling his RDC's that he wants to get experience as soon as he can as it can only help with the testing and experience process when he does get to test so they asked him. He will be out for a week and is excited. Once in NF Va he will stay there we are told until September 23rd then will be shipping off to Mississippi for 3 weeks and then back to Va. He is then told that they will wait for the USS Arlington to port and will be boarding the Arlington to Hawaii and/or the Gulf...This momma is not too happy about the Gulf part but it is what it is... Better to be on ship in the Gulf then on land so a blessing there... Hope you all have a super weekend and i will peek in once in a while to see what all the chatter is... :>
Here is an example where the undesignated rate doesn't affect the opportunity of the Sailor. On the left is my son and on the right is Tom Hanks. A movie is being shot on my son's ship. He gets to meet the actors and participate in the events just like everyone else. Remember, the Sailor has as much impact on their opportunities as the rate.
So we have had a super weekend!.. Mitch called and walked us through the "Skype" process and we got to talk to him and see if sweet face! Skype what an amazing thing... He showed us his room. It is a cross between a college dorm and a small hotel room.. Very cool... Got to see and talk to his new roommate also... We have decided that we will Skype at lease once a week during the week just to check touch base and then on Sundays so that Grandma and Grandpa and anyother family member who want to chatt can do so. Hope all have a super week and as always will check in once in awhile just to see whats going on with you and yours.
Reignbowtopia: Very cool!! As your son exactly what he did while they were shooting the movie... Just another memory to chalk up to the expeirnce with the US Navy...
My daughter wants to join the Navy after attending college for another year. She'll have 30 or so credits, so I think she will be an E-2? She is interested in the MC, Mass Communication Specialist, rate. The recruiter told her its a hard rate to get into, unless she did the apprenticeship program. He said if she did it would be a much better shot. What would she do in the undesignated program? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.
I'm far from a Navy expert, but if she has a rate she is really interested in I suggest she get as much information about the criteria to qualify for the rate and ensure she can meet those criteria. She should try to get the rate when she enlists if that is what she really wants to do. Undesignated isn't a bad path, but if she can get the rate she wants at enlistment it will be better for her. I've heard multiple stories about what recruiters will tell people. Mostly it boils down to "tell the person what you think they want to hear to get them enlisted".
She should specifically ask if the rate is currently open. Rates are not always open for additional personnel at the time someone is enlisting. If she has time and the rate is not open she should develop a relationship with a recruiter she feels she is honest with her and check regularly so if the rate does open up she can decide if the Navy is really what she wants to do.
Hiya always a mom -- it's me again .. Ha! I just read on group about GL school (you can see on my page name of group to join )that my son should get 2 wks to come home after his 3wk school.. Then goes off to wherever.He is a seaman pact it's undesignated also.. Is that same program your sons in?
Sad to say but YES the recruiter's DO lie to our sailors and I don't think this is right that the Navy almost encourages them to do it to get their "numbers or quotas".. Mitch is upset that the whole story and truth was not told. Mitch didn't know what job he wanted todo so went in as an Undes... He now is sorry that he didn't take the many lists of jobs/rates that were offered to him after his asvab testing.. Tell your son to stay strong and continue to ask questions on how he can test for a rate and to continue to not complain much and just do the jobs that are asked of him for now.. Once he is done with basics he will be able to work on getting a rate but sadly to say it may take some patients hard work and lots of studying to get the rate/job he wants... as far as telling your sone that you questioned the recruiter that is totally your job as a mom to question!! DO IT!!
I Haven't been on here for a little while, so if I may step in for a moment.
My daughter will be in the Navy 5 years this coming August. She went in Undesignated by choice.....same story, she missed the job she wanted by a few points. In hind sight,....does she wish she had taken a rate instead of undesignated......Yes. But it has worked out, there were ups and downs on her way. But she survived, and reenlisted last year.
Do the recruiters embellish a little.....of course. Having some experiance watching my daughter go through the process, my thoughts are this......the recruiters don't lie. They give can only give your sailor a summary of how the Undesignated process can work. Once a person is out of Boot Camp and assigned somewhere everything is up for grabs. No two sailors path to becoming rated are the same. There are so many factors in the process the recruiter could never spell out how it will work for each one. There's the ship they're on, their chain of command, their counselor, the numbers, the needs of the navy, timing, sailors attitude etc.
The best line the recruiter told my daughter was.....The Navy is like a "smorgasbord", its all around you just have to go for it, because it won't come to you and it may not be easy.
The Navy is like any other job, full of people doing a job, some do it well others don't. you gotta weed through it all.
Linda, my son didn't get into trouble per se.....he went into boot camp Undes, and from there got into the ACRS rating (Air Crew Rescue Swimmer) and was sent to Pensacola for A-school. He "washed out" of that training (made the mistake of looking away briefly from a "victim" during a rescue exercise) so he was sent back into the fleet, again Undes. He did a couple of deployments with one ship and then struck for OS, the job he has now. Good luck!
There is certainly nothing wrong with UNDES - but very often it does carry a negative stigma. As in any environment it is what they make of it.
The recruiters don't necessarily lie but they just don't tell the whole truth. And they most certainly say whatever it takes to get them in. Don't expect a lot of answers when you meet with your son's recruiter. He will tell you exactly what he thinks you want to hear. And, they have no idea what is going to happen to your sailor after boot camp (or during for that matter.)
If they take a specific job going in and then hate it, they may be stuck doing what they hate for a long time. The good news about UNDES is that they do get to see the different jobs and see what they want to try for. Of course then they have to meet the criteria and pass the tests to get it. None of it is perfect.
I keep telling my son and myself that in this economy - being in the Navy is a GREAT job - whatever they are doing. And, it has been so good for my UNDES sailor!
Always - I have quite a story about our journey with the recruiter and won't post it for my sailor's sake. But, nothing was like he said it would be from processing to leave for boot camp, to getting there, going through boot camp to getting out. He really knew nothing but he talked like he did.
And, if your recruiter tells your son to lie to the Navy - tell your son not to listen to him. Just sayin...
Don't place a lot of stock in your meeting tomorrow. I'm sorry to say.
This N4M site is where I get all of my best information. Join the most appropriate group for your son's situation. Jake went to Japan as soon as he got out of BC (big shock to us!) and I am on the Japan Mom's site daily. They have helped me more than anyone. I hope you find a group that helps you as much. Feel free to friend me and ask anything you want on private message. Everything there is private.
I think my daugther sign in as Undesignated, what I see from the paperworks that was return to me is that her job is SN FACT what is this means? Can somebody explain this please. None in my family is Undesignated they know what job they are getting and they are designated.
I totally agree with Angie... YOu don't have to "confront" them persay but approach it as a question and inquiry in to your son or daughters future... I totally think you need to listen, ask questions and look for a true answer to those questions. Mitch is in the 1st part of his schooling after Basic's.. He said some of the days just run together but is still glad he has joined and can only get better as he tries for his "rate" in the next few months... Mitch has stated that he has experienced things in these last 5 months that he would have never experienced had he not joined the Navy.. and that is not to mention all the great guys and gals he has met from all over the US... He looks forward to the next 4 years and what it has to hold.. If you look at it like this... We all take a job here at home and have plans and hopes that it will take us some place and perhaps give us happiness and we are disapointed with that job at times but in the long run that job makes us who we are today and is part of our life journey.. Stay strong and keep the faith...
Hi Misty from MN, thank you for the advice, before my daugther left for BC she hates talking about the military. Now seems she likes it more, but I still don't know what her job is. - China
The Navy is the best thing that has ever happened to my son. Being UNDES has been a great experience for him as well. He is a lemonade out of lemons kind of guy anyway as every single thing he does, he considers an adventure. He loves what he is doing and is determined to be the best undesignated sailor on his ship!
It's all about attitude. It is hard on us mom's no doubt but they will find their way whether you make yourself sick worrying about them or not. Just enjoy the adventure and be amazed at their transformation.
The most comforting advise I have gotten so far was from Angie (thank you Angie! :) - she told me to sit back and let "Mother Navy" do her job. And truly - Mother Navy has accomplished in 8 months what I couldn't do it 18 years! He can do his own laundry - LOL - and so much more...
Welcom Chinadoll19... Jansu831 that is sooo true! I'm all about the Lemons and Lemonade...Mitch also told me that this is now his life and I need to let him live it! He said that he needs me to be his mom and listen when he does have a bad day and needs to talk but to also know that we all have days that are "stinky" and need to vent but that does not mean that it is all bad or stinky...I will admit that I maybe :) am a very "active" parent and always have been and have taught my Mitch to not let people poo on you and to stand up for what you believe and feel is right so sometimes I have to be reminded that I can't do that with the Navy.. Ms. Mom Navy is hard for me at times.. Look at it this way moms... Most of them have over 3 years to get it figured out and Mitch says he wants that experience... Feel free to message me if you need to talk... I LOVE this N4M's site and it too saved me when Mitch was in basics so stay tuned and look to your sailors "job/rate" and join a "group" you will be SOoooooo happy you did!! Thanks N4M...
WOW!! Very well said Misty from MN. Gosh when this whole thing happened with my son I wanted to run and fix it, but you can't. Everytime I spoke to my son I would always want to talk about it and give advice and he just about had enough.At that point he said the exact thing to me about being his mom and listening. Right then I knew the Navy has turned my 18 year old baby boy to a Man. Thank you for sharing that on this page Misty, it meant a lot to me, :)
Your sooo welcome Linda! It is great that we welcome other moms comments and life stories as it too helps us and our life stories I have to say that Mitch is 23 almost 24 and a college graduate and I still call him my baby boy... Once a mom always a mom..
Im so thrilled to see I am not the only "Navy Mom " that is going through this "Letting Go" transition, I smile reading these posts, I kinda hint and lol a lot in my emails to my new Sailor Son while he is on his first deployment on the USS Enterprise...This "undes" is really a journey and it has me 2nd guessing why I pushed my son so hard to join the service for a great future for him and his future family, he is having too many bad days but I keep telling him and myself it will all be worth it.... I have to smile and keep him on his toes. You ladies hang in there , we will keep each other strong. It has not even been a year yet since BC but seems like forever.
jamuptolate: YOu too stay strong! Mitch went to college and graduated but has always wanted to go in to the Navy... We asked him to seek college first and if he felt he still wanted to do the Navy then we would support his decision fully... So here we are and he has just begun his journey. I guess I should say our journey as it truly is a family decision for us as we are a very close nit family and we all support him.. Off to work now... Have a super HOT day and try to stay cool if you have the heat in your area too...
dawnl Ship 03 DIV 018
HELP!!!!! my son signed his contract as a GM and a scheduled leave date for BC of Sept 26....his recruiter called him today and offered him a early leave for BC as pact seamen....WHAT IS THIS???? Is this a good or not good choice for him???
Jun 13, 2012
iamuptolate
my son is on his first deployment on the USS enterprise He also went undes and pact seaman , he tells me he loves it and tells his girlfriend he HATES it , that he gets no respect and is treated like a dog. But every individual is different.So im really not sure what kind of advice I could give.
Jun 13, 2012
reignbowtopia
gc, I don't know if there is a typical process, but my son's process went like this.
Couple of weeks at GL, very general training. He had requested to be assigned to a destroyer class ship in the Norfolk area. Shortly before GL training was over he received his orders. His ship was already deployed, so I don't know if that was why he was allowed a week at home before leaving for his ship. He spent about a week in Norfolk before He joined his ship in Bahrain. During this time he did his "cranking" galley stint. Apparently all noncommissioned sailors have to spend time cranking. He did multiple types of jobs on the ship and started completing his "qualifications", something all Sailors have to complete. The ship returned home in December. He continues to do mostly basic maintenance on the ship, but is looking forward to going to Coxswain school, think it is to learn to drive the ship, sometime in July. Shortly a movie will be filmed on his ship. They are going to use actual Sailors from the ship doing their jobs. My son thinks there is a good chance he may be in a background shot because there is apparently a scene with lowering the anchor and that is one of the tasks he does. No matter the rate there really are some unusual opportunities they are getting.
Good luck to your Sailor. I hope she has as positive an experience as my son has had so far.
Jun 13, 2012
gc (ship009div172 PIR6/8)
Thanks ladies for the helpful info. I think my daughter will feel better once she starts some sort of training/school. Right now she is working security for PIR, driving around those being separated, and working yeoman's desk. Hope the basic training begins soon. She is ready to have orders so she will have an idea of what she will be doing and what ship/location she will be calling home for the next little while. The 'not knowing' is the hardest I expect. Thanks again for the info.
Jun 14, 2012
iamuptolate
Its a little more to what I meant being treated like a "DOG" ....They are being singled out and doing things to them , that in my mind is not hardly humane, the hard work has nothing to do with it. My son loves painting for some reason and says he might choose to remain in the Deck dept... but some of the other stuff that goes on is not acceptable. : (
Jun 14, 2012
iamuptolate
ps: he volunteered for this deployment.He is actually assigned to the USS Roosevelt, but they needed more sailors to leave with the USS Enterprise. so thats where he is today, after this 7 month deployment he will move to his assigned ship.
Jun 14, 2012
iamuptolate
he wont because they will just make it harder on them , he just grins and bares it.
Jun 14, 2012
Linda
I am new here, I really need advice. My son got in some trouble in A school and will now be an Undesignated Seaman. Does this mean he will remain in this job for the rest of his time in the Navy? Has anyone's elses son been through this and what advice can I give my son. Thank you for all and any help.
Jun 19, 2012
iamuptolate
My son is also Undes...I emailed him and asked him your question...he tells me that your sailor will remain Undes until he reaches E-3 after that he will be able to strike for another job,But most def keep his nose clean.Hope this helps .
Jun 20, 2012
Linda
Jun 20, 2012
Linda
Jun 20, 2012
iamuptolate
awww that really sucks for him, my son Enlisted as Undes....it has its downfall but he seems to manage, I heard horror stories, and then I have heard good stories, I guess it just depends on the person as to how fast they can move up the ladder...my son wont be E3 until March, so he does not like painting and chipping and taking out the garbage all day and he has to stand Watch a lot....he is suppose to be studying for a test that he has to take by Aug, but can not find the time, he feels frustrated but I have faith in him .Good Luck to you and your son .
Jun 20, 2012
Linda
Jun 20, 2012
iamuptolate
my son is undes but he enlisted that way.... he is on a volunteered deployment ....before he left he stayed near Norfolk but worked on his ship that was in dock ,he left on deployment on a completely different ship.
Jun 20, 2012
iamuptolate
when he comes back from this 7 month deployment he will report to his assigned ship.
Jun 20, 2012
Linda
Does your son like it iamuptolate?
Jun 21, 2012
iamuptolate
to be honest , I am not sure .....He tells me he loves it and tells his girlfriend he hates it.... I think that this deployment is just hard on him because of leaving not long after bootcamp, Im thinking hes just homesick due to him never leaving home before bootcamp...I guess he has good and bad days .
Jun 21, 2012
WadesMoM
Hi, I have a son who just completed his first week of bootcamp and he is in as undesignated, PACT Seaman,
can anyone tell me if he will have liberty weekend of his PIR Weekend??? Trying to start making arrangements but not sure for how long to plan for??
HELP PLEASE??
Jun 21, 2012
Misty from MN
Wades Mom... My Mitch is undesignated and a PACT Seaman... He graduated on May 18th as a E3. Here is some of the answers to your questions...He will have to leave you quite quickly after PIR to move litterly accross the street and inprocess... You and your family will have only a few short minutes outside and then he will have to rush away. This inprocess will take about 4-5 hours so you will leave base and when he has been cleared he will be allowed to call you and tell you to meet him at the main gate. Once PIR happens he will be staying in GL for another 3 weeks so the answer to your question is yes he will be able to spend the weekend with you but will not be granted overnight stay. They are relieved from any time after 5am to 9am and must return to his new base NO later than 10pm. He is allowed to go off base and into town and do some sight seeing. Mitch did NOT want to do much of anything. They are so tired that just laying in the Hotel bed and talking about everything or watching TV is fine. They want to take a LONG HOT shower alone, use the bathroom alone, and Nap. We visited the the NEX and did some shopping with him and also went to the Gurney Mall... I hope that helps.. Please feel free to "friend" me on facebook and we can chatt throughout Wades time at GL. Misty Ellingworth, Mankto MN.. Keep the faith and be strong this is the time that he will be looking for encougment through this as there are some hard times ahead and he will be tested to see how strong and confident he is... Mitch said that the Navy is one of the greatest decisions that he has made in his life. He choose to be an UNDES versing going into a job that he really didn't want todo.. Because of being an E3 going in that has helped but is expecting to be able to Rate up to a job in the next 3 months or so... Tell me about Wade and his journey to the US Navy...
Jun 21, 2012
reignbowtopia
WadesMom - I agree with Misty regarding their desire to stay in the hotel room. I think each recruit is slightly different, but my son wanted some down time also. We did go out and do some sight seeing. One thing that really surprised me was when my son told us the Mall was almost overwhelming. After being isolated as they are during BC the lights and noise were overwhelming his senses a little. My suggestion, have a list of possibilities but allow your son to set the pace and decide what he feels like or wants to do.
Jun 21, 2012
iamuptolate
I agree, my son's inprocess only took about an hour but afterward we just simply went and got something to eat...he had to return by 8 pm , luckily my sister lives in Chicago so the other 2 days of day liberty we just went to my sisters and out to eat, he wanted to nap and play on the computer a little bit, I think we went to Walmart once lol ...but mostly he wanted to nap. : )
Jun 21, 2012
iamuptolate
correction it was 10pm
Jun 21, 2012
Linda
Does anyone know where they go on their first deployment?
Jun 22, 2012
iamuptolate
no it really depends on what ship he is assigned to.
Jun 22, 2012
Linda
is it possible to go over seas
Jun 22, 2012
iamuptolate
most defiantly...My son was not due to go over seas until Dec 2013 but he volunteered to go out on the USS ENTERPRISE for its last cruise before it will be Decommissioned... but he still will go out again for deployment on his assigned ship.
Jun 22, 2012
Misty from MN
Mitch will be in NF VA until Sept training.. We just found out that he will be going next weekend to "pratice" on the USS Enterprise for a week.. so he will have a chance to try things out a little before the real thing. Only 3 guys from his entire group got asked to go and he was one. He know that he wants to apply for his "Rate" in 3 months and has beena asking and telling his RDC's that he wants to get experience as soon as he can as it can only help with the testing and experience process when he does get to test so they asked him. He will be out for a week and is excited. Once in NF Va he will stay there we are told until September 23rd then will be shipping off to Mississippi for 3 weeks and then back to Va. He is then told that they will wait for the USS Arlington to port and will be boarding the Arlington to Hawaii and/or the Gulf...This momma is not too happy about the Gulf part but it is what it is... Better to be on ship in the Gulf then on land so a blessing there... Hope you all have a super weekend and i will peek in once in a while to see what all the chatter is... :>
Jun 22, 2012
reignbowtopia
Here is an example where the undesignated rate doesn't affect the opportunity of the Sailor. On the left is my son and on the right is Tom Hanks. A movie is being shot on my son's ship. He gets to meet the actors and participate in the events just like everyone else. Remember, the Sailor has as much impact on their opportunities as the rate.
Jun 22, 2012
Misty from MN
Totally agree... Our Sailor's make it what they want... Enjoy the ride...
Jun 23, 2012
Misty from MN
So we have had a super weekend!.. Mitch called and walked us through the "Skype" process and we got to talk to him and see if sweet face! Skype what an amazing thing... He showed us his room. It is a cross between a college dorm and a small hotel room.. Very cool... Got to see and talk to his new roommate also... We have decided that we will Skype at lease once a week during the week just to check touch base and then on Sundays so that Grandma and Grandpa and anyother family member who want to chatt can do so. Hope all have a super week and as always will check in once in awhile just to see whats going on with you and yours.
Reignbowtopia: Very cool!! As your son exactly what he did while they were shooting the movie... Just another memory to chalk up to the expeirnce with the US Navy...
Jun 24, 2012
DHayden
Hey everyone,
My daughter wants to join the Navy after attending college for another year. She'll have 30 or so credits, so I think she will be an E-2? She is interested in the MC, Mass Communication Specialist, rate. The recruiter told her its a hard rate to get into, unless she did the apprenticeship program. He said if she did it would be a much better shot. What would she do in the undesignated program? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jun 27, 2012
reignbowtopia
I'm far from a Navy expert, but if she has a rate she is really interested in I suggest she get as much information about the criteria to qualify for the rate and ensure she can meet those criteria. She should try to get the rate when she enlists if that is what she really wants to do. Undesignated isn't a bad path, but if she can get the rate she wants at enlistment it will be better for her. I've heard multiple stories about what recruiters will tell people. Mostly it boils down to "tell the person what you think they want to hear to get them enlisted".
She should specifically ask if the rate is currently open. Rates are not always open for additional personnel at the time someone is enlisting. If she has time and the rate is not open she should develop a relationship with a recruiter she feels she is honest with her and check regularly so if the rate does open up she can decide if the Navy is really what she wants to do.
Jun 27, 2012
Linda
Jul 3, 2012
ethansmom
Jul 7, 2012
Misty from MN
Sad to say but YES the recruiter's DO lie to our sailors and I don't think this is right that the Navy almost encourages them to do it to get their "numbers or quotas".. Mitch is upset that the whole story and truth was not told. Mitch didn't know what job he wanted todo so went in as an Undes... He now is sorry that he didn't take the many lists of jobs/rates that were offered to him after his asvab testing.. Tell your son to stay strong and continue to ask questions on how he can test for a rate and to continue to not complain much and just do the jobs that are asked of him for now.. Once he is done with basics he will be able to work on getting a rate but sadly to say it may take some patients hard work and lots of studying to get the rate/job he wants... as far as telling your sone that you questioned the recruiter that is totally your job as a mom to question!! DO IT!!
Jul 8, 2012
CrackerjackMom
I Haven't been on here for a little while, so if I may step in for a moment.
My daughter will be in the Navy 5 years this coming August. She went in Undesignated by choice.....same story, she missed the job she wanted by a few points. In hind sight,....does she wish she had taken a rate instead of undesignated......Yes. But it has worked out, there were ups and downs on her way. But she survived, and reenlisted last year.
Do the recruiters embellish a little.....of course. Having some experiance watching my daughter go through the process, my thoughts are this......the recruiters don't lie. They give can only give your sailor a summary of how the Undesignated process can work. Once a person is out of Boot Camp and assigned somewhere everything is up for grabs. No two sailors path to becoming rated are the same. There are so many factors in the process the recruiter could never spell out how it will work for each one. There's the ship they're on, their chain of command, their counselor, the numbers, the needs of the navy, timing, sailors attitude etc.
The best line the recruiter told my daughter was.....The Navy is like a "smorgasbord", its all around you just have to go for it, because it won't come to you and it may not be easy.
The Navy is like any other job, full of people doing a job, some do it well others don't. you gotta weed through it all.
Jul 8, 2012
Misty from MN
I totally agree with CrackerjackMom... Your son/daughter will make it what they want... Best of luck and stay focused and encouraging...
Jul 8, 2012
Linda
has anyone in this group have a son/daughter that got in to trouble during A school causing them to become an Undes Sailor?
Jul 8, 2012
cznavymom
Linda, my son didn't get into trouble per se.....he went into boot camp Undes, and from there got into the ACRS rating (Air Crew Rescue Swimmer) and was sent to Pensacola for A-school. He "washed out" of that training (made the mistake of looking away briefly from a "victim" during a rescue exercise) so he was sent back into the fleet, again Undes. He did a couple of deployments with one ship and then struck for OS, the job he has now. Good luck!
Jul 8, 2012
jansu831
There is certainly nothing wrong with UNDES - but very often it does carry a negative stigma. As in any environment it is what they make of it.
The recruiters don't necessarily lie but they just don't tell the whole truth. And they most certainly say whatever it takes to get them in. Don't expect a lot of answers when you meet with your son's recruiter. He will tell you exactly what he thinks you want to hear. And, they have no idea what is going to happen to your sailor after boot camp (or during for that matter.)
If they take a specific job going in and then hate it, they may be stuck doing what they hate for a long time. The good news about UNDES is that they do get to see the different jobs and see what they want to try for. Of course then they have to meet the criteria and pass the tests to get it. None of it is perfect.
I keep telling my son and myself that in this economy - being in the Navy is a GREAT job - whatever they are doing. And, it has been so good for my UNDES sailor!
Jul 10, 2012
jansu831
Always - I have quite a story about our journey with the recruiter and won't post it for my sailor's sake. But, nothing was like he said it would be from processing to leave for boot camp, to getting there, going through boot camp to getting out. He really knew nothing but he talked like he did.
And, if your recruiter tells your son to lie to the Navy - tell your son not to listen to him. Just sayin...
Don't place a lot of stock in your meeting tomorrow. I'm sorry to say.
This N4M site is where I get all of my best information. Join the most appropriate group for your son's situation. Jake went to Japan as soon as he got out of BC (big shock to us!) and I am on the Japan Mom's site daily. They have helped me more than anyone. I hope you find a group that helps you as much. Feel free to friend me and ask anything you want on private message. Everything there is private.
Keep us posted!
Jul 10, 2012
chinadoll19
I think my daugther sign in as Undesignated, what I see from the paperworks that was return to me is that her job is SN FACT what is this means? Can somebody explain this please. None in my family is Undesignated they know what job they are getting and they are designated.
Jul 10, 2012
Misty from MN
I totally agree with Angie... YOu don't have to "confront" them persay but approach it as a question and inquiry in to your son or daughters future... I totally think you need to listen, ask questions and look for a true answer to those questions. Mitch is in the 1st part of his schooling after Basic's.. He said some of the days just run together but is still glad he has joined and can only get better as he tries for his "rate" in the next few months... Mitch has stated that he has experienced things in these last 5 months that he would have never experienced had he not joined the Navy.. and that is not to mention all the great guys and gals he has met from all over the US... He looks forward to the next 4 years and what it has to hold.. If you look at it like this... We all take a job here at home and have plans and hopes that it will take us some place and perhaps give us happiness and we are disapointed with that job at times but in the long run that job makes us who we are today and is part of our life journey.. Stay strong and keep the faith...
Jul 10, 2012
chinadoll19
Hi Misty from MN, thank you for the advice, before my daugther left for BC she hates talking about the military. Now seems she likes it more, but I still don't know what her job is. - China
Jul 11, 2012
jansu831
The Navy is the best thing that has ever happened to my son. Being UNDES has been a great experience for him as well. He is a lemonade out of lemons kind of guy anyway as every single thing he does, he considers an adventure. He loves what he is doing and is determined to be the best undesignated sailor on his ship!
It's all about attitude. It is hard on us mom's no doubt but they will find their way whether you make yourself sick worrying about them or not. Just enjoy the adventure and be amazed at their transformation.
The most comforting advise I have gotten so far was from Angie (thank you Angie! :) - she told me to sit back and let "Mother Navy" do her job. And truly - Mother Navy has accomplished in 8 months what I couldn't do it 18 years! He can do his own laundry - LOL - and so much more...
Jul 11, 2012
Misty from MN
Welcom Chinadoll19... Jansu831 that is sooo true! I'm all about the Lemons and Lemonade...Mitch also told me that this is now his life and I need to let him live it! He said that he needs me to be his mom and listen when he does have a bad day and needs to talk but to also know that we all have days that are "stinky" and need to vent but that does not mean that it is all bad or stinky...I will admit that I maybe :) am a very "active" parent and always have been and have taught my Mitch to not let people poo on you and to stand up for what you believe and feel is right so sometimes I have to be reminded that I can't do that with the Navy.. Ms. Mom Navy is hard for me at times.. Look at it this way moms... Most of them have over 3 years to get it figured out and Mitch says he wants that experience... Feel free to message me if you need to talk... I LOVE this N4M's site and it too saved me when Mitch was in basics so stay tuned and look to your sailors "job/rate" and join a "group" you will be SOoooooo happy you did!! Thanks N4M...
Jul 11, 2012
Linda
WOW!! Very well said Misty from MN. Gosh when this whole thing happened with my son I wanted to run and fix it, but you can't. Everytime I spoke to my son I would always want to talk about it and give advice and he just about had enough.At that point he said the exact thing to me about being his mom and listening. Right then I knew the Navy has turned my 18 year old baby boy to a Man. Thank you for sharing that on this page Misty, it meant a lot to me, :)
Jul 11, 2012
Misty from MN
Your sooo welcome Linda! It is great that we welcome other moms comments and life stories as it too helps us and our life stories I have to say that Mitch is 23 almost 24 and a college graduate and I still call him my baby boy... Once a mom always a mom..
Jul 11, 2012
iamuptolate
Im so thrilled to see I am not the only "Navy Mom " that is going through this "Letting Go" transition, I smile reading these posts, I kinda hint and lol a lot in my emails to my new Sailor Son while he is on his first deployment on the USS Enterprise...This "undes" is really a journey and it has me 2nd guessing why I pushed my son so hard to join the service for a great future for him and his future family, he is having too many bad days but I keep telling him and myself it will all be worth it.... I have to smile and keep him on his toes. You ladies hang in there , we will keep each other strong. It has not even been a year yet since BC but seems like forever.
Jul 12, 2012
Misty from MN
jamuptolate: YOu too stay strong! Mitch went to college and graduated but has always wanted to go in to the Navy... We asked him to seek college first and if he felt he still wanted to do the Navy then we would support his decision fully... So here we are and he has just begun his journey. I guess I should say our journey as it truly is a family decision for us as we are a very close nit family and we all support him.. Off to work now... Have a super HOT day and try to stay cool if you have the heat in your area too...
Jul 12, 2012