Rerated Undesignated as a punishment

[MamaS]

I'm not sure where I should ppost this question, but I'm freaking out a little bit...ok, A LOT. My son is 2 months into his 7 month A School for MC. He got in trouble for going 14 miles outside the allowed 100 mile radius while accompanying his friend to the friend's parent's house for the day. (The"friend" lied about the actual destination, my son signed it without reading it. Based on what this "friend" wrote for a destination, they were more than 14 miles outside the limits). There is a lot to the story, but I don't think any of it really matters at this point. I think they were given a Captain's Mast. There were a total of four of them called to that: my son, the friend, the guy that picked them up at the bus station, and the guy that ratted them out. They were lined up in the hall, each called into the room individually to be questioned, EXCEPT MY SON. He stood in that hall for 4.5 hours while the other three were called in but then he never was. This is the first issue I have (there are others, but again, probably nothing that matters at this point.) Apparently they were threatened with being rerated. My son spoke with legal and they assured him that he would absolutely NOT be rerated over this "minor" infraction, especially considering it was a first offense.Over two weeks after this first meeting, my son, the friend, and the driver got called in for their punishment to be delivered. Driver was given 14 days restrictions. My son and his "friend" were both given 14 days restrictions and have been rerated as "Undesignated".  Everyone, including legal, thinks this is an absolutely ridiculous, disproportionate punishment for what my son did. But, at this point, he was told there's nothing he can do. Nothing. So, my question is, how does going undesignated work in this situation? I'm assuming he's not allowed to apply for any rating for at least a year, probably more?? He scored in the mid 90s on his ASVAB so this just seems like such a total waste on the Navy's part. Why waste such a smart kid?(obviously not smart enough to stay out of trouble, but you know what I mean). Does he have ANY options? What is he going to be stuck doing? It's there any way to know where he will be sent? Is there a current trend as to where they are sending kids that get Undesignated as a punishment? I'm so clueless, and obviously I won't be able to get any info from him until he's off restrictions cuz they took his phone. 

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[Anti M]

Legal gave an opinion, not a ruling.  It is up to the CO to decide who merits what punishment as outlined by the UCMJ.  You do not know the records or evals of the other sailors, nor whether there were any other circumstances.  Sometimes if the command has had problems the atmosphere becomes very strict, and the next person to screw up gets the full extent of what is allowed. Given that that is pretty extreme for a fairly minor infraction, as an ex-sailor myself, I am will to bet your son has left out a few details.  He can appeal up the chain of command, but must have done so within five days.

He will be given orders to a command, likely a ship.  He can strike for any rating he is qualified for, although if it involves A school rather than OJT, it is up to his new command whether he can go.

It is not a "current trend".  I was in some time ago and we lost a few guys from A school (ET) for simple dumb decisions.  My nephew was a nuke and very nearly lost his school because he was in a car where the driver had booze in the trunk and was underage.  He was able to challenge and prove he was not at fault, and kept his school.  Not everyone does, or can.  Tends to be if one is punished, they all are to some degree. Captain's Mast is also nothing like a civilian trial.  A lot plays into the decision, any previous infractions, even minor, are weighed.  They look at the overall sailor, not simply the incident.  

Sorry this happened, but there is nothing you can do as a parent at this point.  

[MamaS]

Thanks for the response. I know there is nothing I can do, and even if there was, my son would kill me if I tried. He won't challenge or appeal it, that's just how my son is. He has never, ever complained about a punishment, even when he should have. He just sucks it up and moves on. I'm sure he's dealing with it better than I am, but since he's on restrictions I don't know for sure. Unfortunately I don't think his 18 year old brain understands how much going from MC to undesignated screwed his civilian life potential.
Anyway, thanks. The more info I have, good or bad, the better I feel...sort of.

I do have one question: there's no chance that they're just bluffing about the rerating at this point, is there? I'm guessing not, since they've had the final meeting or hearing or whatever it is but just need too ask. Like if he does his time on restrictions, would they keep him there and start him over with the next class but just not tell him until he's off restrictions?

[WearsLargeHats]

I suppose the CO could change his mind but, no, not bluffing.
The way I read this, he is being dropped from MC "A" school for disciplinary reasons (NJP). The CO gets to decide who is in his command. Being dropped automatically puts him in to be assigned undes to the fleet. It isn't a punishment in itself. The NJP on his record may factor in if he strikes for a new rate, and his new command may be wary, but if he works hard and maintains a good attitude and military bearing, it is, in the long run, just a bump in the road. The Military Bearing part is very important.

Now, this does not impact his "civilian life potential" in any way. It would be a problem if he got a less-than-honorable discharge, but a single NJP isn't going to do that. Getting administratively separated for a disciplinary issue would, but that is not happening here, nor should it if he acts with greater caution in the future. Sure, he isn't going to be an MC, but Navy ratings don't necessarily translate to civilian careers, nor are civilian employers necessarily going to care, or even know, what his rating was. His future is in his hands. IMO, as a civilian mind you, the big employment advantage of military service is (1) Time to mature / more likely to know how to work / work as a team (2) Networking -- knowing a guy who knows a guy (3) Education Benefits (4) Opportunities for civilian certifications. None of these except (4) are directly related to rating, or impacted by this bit of adversity. I think even undes and strikes have a lot of shipboard educational / certification opportunities.
He is 18. Most people stumble into their careers. Few 18-year-olds understand or have faith in that. I flunked my first major, but my second led to the career I have been in since '83. Each one of my 3 sons tried something that crashed and burned, and they all picked themselves up and moved on to success. (FWIW, my Sailor is on Plan D!) That is resilience. That is Grit. 

[Smoothsailing]

Great points LargeHats, I think that is a healthy way to look at an unfortunate situation 

[Anti M]

Beautiful reply, LargeHats.