No billets or jobs?

[DNavyFamily]

Anyone experience or hear of issues where despite graduating and completing the DLPT, that due to budget cuts there are simply no CTI billets open and they just stay at DLI for months or worst case, get honorably/administratively discharged?

I know it has to be tough for the Navy since they can never accurately predict the number of graduates who actually make it due to the high attrition rates.

The DoD fiscal year ends October 30 so funding for transfers is probably zip. 

Just curious.   Crazy after spending all the time and money, and a year of a young person's life, to just pass successfully and have no job?

Thanks!

[Susan]

i have not heard of this...I thought Trump was in process of putting alot more monies into military, and esp into Navy to up the quality of the ships..many are old!

[sambam32]

Hi, I'm new to the group. Haven't heard any of this.
Just out of curiosity, where dis you hear this?

[DNavyFamily]

Yes- this is true but do not be alarmed.  They don't throw them under the bus.  What does happen is that there are several steps involved.  First- student graduates DLI, passes DLPT.   They all go to where their languages are based.   Upon arrival, then, and only then, does the command assess how many new CTIs they have in relation to who currently fills the slots.  Remember there are CTI's who are at the last minute re-enlisting or deciding to get out.  The command pushes to get this info, but people are people and decide when to stay in or leave.  That's one component. 

Second, there is post-DLI attrition.  It's just amazing (and sad) how many of these new CTIs once away from the strict world of Basic or DLI turn into turds- there are no other words for it.  Call it "millennial-itis", lazy, dirtbag, whatever. 

Fortunately it's not a lot but these POS surface during the holding period called "Wildflower Division" where new CTIs wait for final clearance work or for training or a billet to open.  You don't want these people in the Navy and it's sad that it's impossible to find them until all the money is spent.  They start not being able to follow orders, cannot clean their quarters, stop staying in shape, get in trouble.  It's simply not possible to catch these losers until now.  Again- it's only a few but the command is WELL served having the new CTIs get a little humility, do some menial work around the base while the staffing/billet dust settles quarter to quarter.  And NO- cut right here and right now that 'it's such a waste after all that training'.   It serves an icredible purpose.  It first puts a little humility back into one of the most cocky Navy jobs outside of special warfare/SEAL or fighter pilot. 

Arrogance has no place in a team despite what you see in professional sports.   You need people who will roll-up their sleeves and make lemonade out of lemons and I'm only going to say this one time- if you want your CTI to succeed- you need to push them that way as it WILL get noticed if it's consistent and the person is Can-Do, and NOT a "the World owes me" type person.  

The Navy is a melting pot and it it's a gift to work with all rates, all personalities because THAT will make your CTI a true leader with character and the respect of others.  That will be a gift well after the Navy.   Stop their moaning in its tracks if you love them.   Also, you HAVE to remember that the CTI world (NSA!!!!) is HIGHLY controlled, highly classified and you just can't give them 'make work'.   Slots are specific.  

Your CTI should keep up with their language ON THEIR OWN- not like a damn baby being fed mushed peas from a spoon- time to put on their big kid pants.   Language instructors do it for a living and are rare and expensive, especially ones that want to help the military. 

There will come a time where language training resumes but it's dollars and cents.   Some or most of you on this blog work and you can relate to this; your companies or organization would LOVE to hire everyone possible, everyone get a great job.  Not possible.  Same for the Navy.  CTIs, as valuable as they are, still are a cost center and someone up the chain is accountable but all has to be managed as fairly, not perfectly, but as fairly and economically as possible. 

Even commissioned officers from DLI that go with your CTI to these commands get the "sh*t" duty upon arrival.  Our CTI had to go around when on quarterdeck watch with a new LTJG to do room inspections and the young officer was also put in charge of all the "sick, lame and lazy" or DWI/drug bust sailors waiting to be purged from the Navy.   It's how it rolls.   You actually look back and love the times spent in the Wildflower Division waiting for your slot- makes a great movie script!   

Have them be positive, be strong, learn from EVERYTHING in life.   Primadonnas only belong in the Metropolitan Opera or on Meet the Kardashian episodes.   Love those kids or significant others, lead by example, remind them that even when it stinks, giving and then giving even more of themselves comes back 1,000 fold.  We need people like your CTI during these times and they are only as good as your own attitude on the other end of the phone or text messages.   Hang in there!!

[DNavyFamily]

Forgive me for not adding this but our CTI had to wait almost three months.  HOWEVER..... our CTI worked-out, kept up their language on YouTube, websites, some non-classified /non-military materials just for the fun of it in order to not waste the gift.  Also volunteered, and explored the area AWAY from base.  

The "Wildflower Division" can be annoying and you are around some pretty negative people, or around people who have to have everything handed to them sometimes. 

The upside is that the schedule is at times very liberal.  You muster for some daily cleaning job or for basic military training, sit around for what seems like no purpose but then be let go around Noon or 1400.

The thing to do is to ask for something to do- not sit on your phone texting or gaming and also have a plan for when you do get set free.

Also, don't get bent out of shape if you see yourself working and everyone else isn't.  That reflects success in life- while everyone is just watching TV and eating fast food, you are working.  

Tell your CTI there will be many people like that and only one of you- that's how it is at the top of most fields- let your CTI revel in that and life will be rewarding when it's all said and done. 

Our CTI got a letter of commendation- just in Wildflower Division citing can-do, reliability, integrity, and the like.  Wasn't even at the actual command.  It wasn't hard to do if simply doing the right thing isn't hard for your CTI.

Our CTI used the liberal schedule time to go to the base education office and signed-up and took four CLEP tests over two moths and got the equivalent of three hours each of fully-transferable college English, Algebra, History, and Biology done- in less than three months.  Do you know what that costs on the outside??   

It's how you play your cards and are encouraged.  

Your typical video game junkie are the ones with the worst attitude- just get pizza delivered, get out of shape, sit in dark dorm rooms all day.  A seedling cannot grow into a big, strong tree inside a closet....  

Our CTI is now in a job and loving it.   Ask them about Wildflower Division at this point and they will laugh and laugh.  

You all keep up the good work- your CTI's are blessed by you caring!

[DNavyFamily]

Also forgot to note that I'm responding to my own note from December now that we've learned a lot.