I am new here! I need some advice too!!

[mammalori]

Hello...I am so new to all of this.  My son is 19 and has decided to join the navy.  He did very well on his ASVAB test and they said he is qualified for any job he wants.   He is going to MEPS on Monday.  He has wanted all his life to be a paramedic in the Fire Dept.  So what he really wants is the HM training.  The recruiter is telling him that if HM is not available to sign up for just a regular navy position...sorry I do not know all the proper terminology yet.  The recruiter said that later he will be able to switch from that position to an HM when it opens up.  I'm wondering how true that is...should he do that, or should he wait for HM to become available before he signs up??? Also the recruiter is telling him that after going through MEPS he is pretty much obligated to sign up for something.  Any advice is welcome!!!

[judy r]

If he wants HM then hold for it a switch later is very hard if not impossible to get.

[Concernedad]

I would definitely suggest AGAINST going in as undesignated seaman. If he wants to be an HM, that's how he should enlist. Be prepared to wait possibly up to a year in DEP before entering though.

I've read good and bad things about going undesignated, but more negative than positive comments. He could end up doing most anything where the Navy needs him.

[DramaSoul]

My son waited 7 months in DEP until the HM was available.  He is at boot camp right now at Great Lakes. He was not interested in anything else and told the recruiter that. He also scored well enough on ASVAB to do whatever he wanted to do.I would say wait if that's what he wants to do.

[BunkerQB]

Please contact Craig, who has a son currently in the Navy and was Navy himself. He also has a website for depper which YOUR SON should join. He will probably come in here along with Angie (a Navy career counselor) and give you more info. Personally, I agree the with two comments above; however, I do know of someone who went in as a Undesignated and will be going to language school in the future - so it's untrue that they are not going to paint and wash dishes for 6 years.

Join this group New Moms Stop Here there are links listed under reference PAGES to Craig's group, videos, and lots of other stuff you'll find interesting.

Welcome to N4Ms to all dads - great to have you. You are allowed to cry and vent too.

[Craig]

In my era, undesignated was a great thing. In todays Navy, I'm not so sure. The problem with underdesignated in todays Navy is they won't let these sailor get rated for at least 18 to 24 months. Which means they cannot take the Petty Officers 3rd class exam for 2 years. Then they also have to wait to the increment date to be advanced. 

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/milpersman/1000/140...

Had the same person chose Boatswain Mate (BM) or whatever rating from the beginning, they probably be an E5 by then. Unlike my time when we had waivers or Command Advance Programs (CAP) that let us advance quickly, todays Navy is not like that. 

Frankly, I truly wished everyone had to do 1 year on a ship undesignated prior to "A" school just to give them an idea on how the Navy works. But those times are long gone. Now, for any sailor, I would want them to learn the Navy and advance so they can support a family. Family is #1 in my book, side-by-side with the Navy. 

I have a sailor on my website (NavyDEP.com) that has 3 yr 5 mo in now. This sailor was in my sons bootcamp division.  He had an "A" school, but messed up and they sent him to the fleet undesignated.  He now is as an OS3. The soonest he can take the 2rd class test is this September (this month). My son will be taking the September exam too for 1st class.

Remember, if he gets into a crappy rating that is overmanned and doesn't advance, then they will be given the boot after 6 years due to High Year Tenure.  

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/milpersman/1000/110...

This CTR made Chief (E7) in 5 years 5 months. Would a undesignated make it in the same time? I know alot of Chiefs are ticked off because they don't think this guy "Served his time". But guess what, the Navy says he did, and I must beleive in the Navy. 
http://www.soundpublishing.com/index.php/navigator/printerfriendly/...

So, don't get me wrong, I think sailors learn so much being undesignated. However, in todays Navy, it doesn't put the same food on the table as someone that's rated and has advanced.  By food, I mean Steak and Potatoes, and not a can of CheezWhiz.

Just my thoughts....

[mammalori]

I want to thank you all for taking the time to reply, it has helped me alot.  I'm going to have my son read all of these replies!!  I feel like what I am hearing is that he should wait for the rating he wants, or even accept his second choice, but not go in undesignated because it will take longer to advance, and might be impossible to get into what he really wants to do.   And Craig...lol...so funny about the Cheez Whiz, especially because we joke about that "food" in our family all the time!!

[mammalori]

Oh...I also have another question...I was looking at the pay scale.  It looks like the base pay one might start at is 1467.00... is that how much per month???  Thank you!!  I'm such a newby!

 

[Craig]

1. Your son needs to go through the list of ratings which he would like and choose at a minimum of 5.  The Navy is overmanned now, and he cannot just choose one because the recruiters will consider him "Job-locked" and will not work with him. 

Here is the list, so pick at least 5 that you would want to do, then tell MEPS you have a list of 5 ready.  It's called being pro-active...

http://www.navydep.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

2.  Your recruit will get $1357.20 per month for the 1st four months, then it will go to $1467.60.  Go here to see the official payscale:

Official Military pay chart

3.  Next I want you to read this link because I bet you're doing fuzzy math.  You are not taking in the complete picture about pay.  Most parents don't understand we get alot of benefits that don't show up at the end of the end when paying taxes.  It makes the military appear poor, when in fact they are making more than most civilians.  Read this link:  http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/second-thoughts-1

4.  Lastly, have your son join my website, NavyDEP.com   I will wise him up....

[laura h]

Mammalori: HM is generally hard to get into now. My son is in A school for HM in San Antonio, TX. He went to MEPS 8 times before a job was available. He was very lucky to get HM at that time. I heard there are limited openings for this job. The first part (3-4 weeks of A school is EMT training and certification.  You MUST do very well on this and pass each test with a good grade. Some in his class did not do well on a few of the tests and had to meet with a review board, then were allowed to re-take the test they failed. One got a 90 on the retake, but it was only counted as a 70 (2nd time taking it). After they pass the EMT portion, they start nursing immediately. I heard that this group will not be doing clinicals at the local hospital,, not sure why...but it means graduation is sooner. He started classes 8/17 and this week will be picking duty assignments. If you need anything else about HM school, let me know and I will try and find out. All's I know is it is VERY INTENSE with many,many many hours of study! Good Luck to your son!

[wordmountain1]

My husband was in years ago and our son leaves in november. He guided him to know his job, not to go in without one. Dont know if that helps. My son is hm.

 

[MELISSA 995]

My son was set on the job he wanted.. It was a year wait  and delayed start but it is better to wait and be able to pursue the career path they want. This is just my opinion

[wordmountain1]

My husband was is in US Navy for 8 YRS AND ALTHOUGH it has
Changed a lot when our son joined he joined as a HM. He said
He did not have to decided the day he went to meps. My husband
did not advise.him to go in undecided. But our son said a few did
Not take jobs the say he chose.