16 days in separation on Ship #5

[navymom]

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My son went in on Sept. 21. He called us the following week because something had gone wrong. He was going in as E-3 Master At Arms. He passed all the tests, physical, medical, etc here with flying colors. When he got there he failed an eye exam which said that he had a very slight color disorder. Because of this, he was disqualified from his job (M/A). He was separated from his boot camp unit and sent to Ship #5 which seems to be a holding barracks where they send the sick, hurt, or people with similar problems as my son. He went there on Sept. 27. They told him that he was most likely coming home with a discharge that would have a re-enlistment code and if he chose to go back through MEPS to find another job he would have that option but they would not help him find another job. If he stays there he would be undesignated which his understanding is that he would be cleaning toilets, janitor duties or sent on a ship as a paint scraper. None of these things seem very appealing to him nor were they the reason that he enlisted to begin with. Today is Oct. 13th and he is still there. He has watched people come and go. He has gone to legal and they told him that they will get the paperwork to the master chief and then they will process him. He waits but nothing happens. Some people are in and out in 3 days. He has been there for 2 weeks and 2 days. They post names of people that are going to speak with someone each day and each day his name isn't there. He asks and they tell him he will just have to wait until they call him in. He is very discouraged and tired. Ship #5 is not a fun place to be. It is like a holding cell. He has done nothing wrong and joined the navy with good intentions to further his education and career and all he is getting back is waiting and disrespect. I am frustrated with him and for him at this point. I do not know what to do. He has been told that his paperwork is lost, then that is screwed up, that it hasn't gotten past legal yet and now that he is not a priority. Does anyone know of anything i can do to help this situation. I have spoken with his recruiter and nothing. i have called the legal office and was transferred to a chief that gave me the song and dance of how he should take undesignated and take his chances. I am so frustrated at this point. Any information that anyone may have could help.

[mom 56]

hi i kmow you are really upset and i think any mother would be but at this time to be honest i think now everyone is upset including the navy maybe everyone needs to step back a little calm down not say anymore i know your son is upset as well but just maybe if he doesnt say anything for a few days his name will be on that list you were talking aboutand he makes the most of his time they like to see team workand working together good luck to you and your son

[Anti M]

Undesignated is not just being a janitor. He would go to the fleet and be able to try out many jobs. Yes, he'd do some dirty work, but all sailors do. After 12 months he could try for a rate which interests him and he is qualified for. There's a very good discussion on this here:

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/going-undesignated


As for what you can do... not much. HE is an adult in the Navy, not you. Sorry to say it, but mommies don't count in the service. Support him and listen, be positive, this is a frustrating process. He can stay on top of the situation and try to keep busy, and read as many of the regs as he can get his hands on.

Some folks would say call your Congressman, and in an election year you might get results, but do NOT do that without his permission. That follows the sailor, even unofficially. I'm not a calling type, I feel it is a bad idea to jump the system like that, but it is an option.

[BunkerQB]

You shouldn't get in the way of your son becoming a man. He (and you) has to stay patient. In today's job market, unless you have a job lined up for him - going undesignated sounds like a good alternative. Everyone does grunt work on a ship. My son is a nuke officer. He is one of the more experienced junior officer - he doesn't have to clean anything. On his days off, he goes in and cleans with his crew. Occasionally, even the captain comes in and helps with cleaning. This is part of team building. They could be observing your son to see how he handles this situation. My suggestion is to tell him to take a deep breath, put on his most enthusiastic attitude and do the best he can whatever he is assigned.

[Craig]

navymom - I find it totally strange that they cannot find at least one rating that a school seat isn't available. I know in todays sucky economy rating (jobs) go quick, but not that quick. To go to ship 5 for being colored blind (just guessing here), is wierd. Are you sure there isn't more than just that?

Secondly, if I were your son, and would have him set an appointment Master Chief. Have him tell the MC that we would like to go to an "A" school that allows being colored blind, which are AZ,BU,CM,CTI,CTN,CTR,CS,EA,EN,HM,IS,LN,LS,MM,MR,PS,RP,SH,SW,UT,YN

Lastly, it's strange that he thinks undes is a bad thing. I know many sailors that loved going undes because it allow them to try a wide variety of rating, before being stuck in one. I think he's listening to other bootcampers that haven't a clue (ie the blind leading the blind). In today's economy he needs to be explained the sound career choices. Going undes an earning education, va home loans, medical, dental, and a whole bunch of other things is not that bad of a deal. He needs to do alot of soul seaching.

[TexasMomof2]

There is nothing wrong with undesignated. My oldest son did this for 2 years. It gave him a chance to look around. Think about what rate to choose at the end of 2 years. He worked in the same department, doing the same duties for that time, on the same ship. He did grunt work along side all the others with rates. They all do at one time or another. Your son will receive a paycheck. Receive benefits. It's just fine. It really really is. My son chose corpsman at the end of that time. He was the Platoon Leader in his graduating class. He now works in a clinic in Fort Worth.

And by the way, my son went through the same song and dance that your son is experiencing. Trust me, the paperwork takes awhile. Also, during this time, he will be looked at for how he handles this situation. It is a lesson in patience. Trust me. But he will do fine. Remove yourself from the equation and let him learn from this.

Undesignated all the way! :o)

[BunkerQB]

navymom,
It's not that we don't understand. Fact is I understand extremely well. I am a Class 1 helicopter mom who loves to to swoop down and get it done right. It has taken me a number of heartaches to be be able to sit back and let it happen. So your frustrations with the process is one that many of us have been through before. Hell, after paying for 4 years of tuition, room and board, our son announces that he was going to join the Navy. If he had applied (and I believe he would have been accepted) for the Nuke program in his freshmen or sophomore year during college, he could have saved us 60 to 90K. I would be sitting pretty with a condo on Waikiki having breakfast at the Royal Hawaiian instead of working my butt off. Ya, I too take a deep breath and don't think about.

[TexasMomof2]

Yes, BunkerQUEENBee, I agree. It's easy for me to sit back and say this but I do understand how difficult it is to do so. My son freaked when he found this out and was calling me stressing out. I told him that there isn't a thing I could do........and for him to be the BEST at whatever they tell him to do....regardless of what it is. This very well could be a situation that will ultimately be a saving grace for him in his life. Tell him to relax and let it unfold.

[BunkerQB]

Texas Mom, you and I are showing our battle scars. LOL.

OK, navymom. We hope this helps you a little. Tell your boy you have communicated with a bunch of battle axes (men and women) and they said to take undesignated and make the best of it. This is just a stepping stone. Look for the silver lining. Throughout his career (whether it's the Navy or a job in the civilian world) he will be tested and his continuing success will depend on his ability to adapt. My son tells me one of the reasons he helps his crew clean is because it sends a message to his men that they are in this together and that all jobs are important. Nobody complains when he is assigned to clean.