DTP and reclassification questions

[van1612]

As I mentioned in the main comments thread, my sailor (fiancé) was informed that he's dropped from the nuke programme as his grades weren't up to par. He was called before an academic board for an interview but didn't pass it. He's going to be sent to DTP and most likely reclassified. I have a couple of questions here mainly because, originally, we were planning to get married at a courthouse in Charleston in December. But it seems that plan is not quite possible now.

1) How does the DTP work and what are some of the duties?

2) How long does the DTP process usually last? Anyone can give a rough range?

3) If he is still in DTP in December, is it possible for him to take leave so that we can still carry on our marriage plans?

4) What are some of the rates that are available to him. He was training as an MM in A School.

I would really appreciate any information!

DTP - Department of Transitioning Personnel

[Oceanslayer]

Don't know if any of the information I have will be helpful.  My son was in week 9 of power school. So he was already an MM. He was in DTP for about 1 month. He was already an MM and a SUB volunteer. He left yesterday to drive to Groton Conn for his SUB school. He was given 3 days to drive. Of course he drove straight through about 12 hours or so. He arrived at 2 am. So just waiting to hear the next report. I do know that he had to continue with SUBS  since he had already volunteered. He still wanted SUBs He was reclassified as an MM AUX. Not sure how it works when they have not finished A school. Was he a SUB volunteer? I know it is tough. Just know GOD is in control and pray.

[TJ Proudnavymom]

Hi Van1612,

I might be able to offer a bit of info. My son was in A-School when he was dropped. He was in DTP for a couple months while waiting for his re-rate orders.  While in DTP he was a section leader and a driver. It's possible your sailor will still be there in December, but hopefully by then he'll have moved on to his next post. My sailor had trouble getting leave while in DTP but I don't know if that's normal.

As for re-rates... my son was originally given a list that included culinary, logistics and non nuke ET. He submitted the form listing his preferences then when his re-rate came through it was Missle Tech. Not on the original list but better, and I think he'll love it.

If your sailor already agreed to sub then he won't have the option of surface rates.

Please let me know if you have any more questions. I'm glad my son is no longer dealing with the nuke stress and I'm happy he's finally moving on from DTP (limbo).

[van1612]

I don't think he had volunteered for sub yet, though he had the intention to. I don't know what's the status of things are right now because of the floods and I'm going through a rough patch with him right now. I still hope all goes well for him eventually...

[WearsLargeHats]

Hang in there! It is tough to deal with these uncertain transitional times, but it will all work out. It is likely he will have new orders by Christmas break, but even so there is likely to be a lot of uncertainty about schedule. How specific are your marriage plans?
I don't know much about it, but there may be advantage to getting legally married before he gets orders. Maybe the Chaplain and/or DTP staff can help with plans and possibilities. Where there is a will, there is a way.

[van1612]

Well, initially the plan was when he gets his Christmas stand own break from about 18 - 27 Dec, I was going to fly over with my parents and we would get married in a courthouse first. I even booked the plane tickets already. It seems like I can't cancel it too :/

His chief and SLPO both couldn't give him any helpful advice so we are quite helpless and worried about what to do. They haven't even got moved to the DTP quarters yet. And might not happen for another 2 weeks. Or so said the SLPO.

[TJ Proudnavymom]

Wow, what a tough spot to be in. If you can get through this you are certainly ready to be a Navy wife ;) 

It's possible he'll still be there then, as some of the recent transfers have been there a couple months or so. But unfortunately you may not know until right before. My son knew he was going to Groton but got the acutal orders less than a week before he had to report there. It's not much help, I know. That's Navy life. Semper Gumby.

Without trying to be condescending, I would suggest in the future when you make plans to visit (if you're not in the same state) book your airfare through Southwest. They aren't the cheapest but they are refundable.

{{hugs}} to you. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to be a Navy wife.

[van1612]

I'm actually from another country so I can't fly Southwest. I booked United. I hope he gets his orders at least 2 weeks before :/ but I know we'll never know with the navy...

[TJ Proudnavymom]

I truly hope it works out for you. Maybe if he's someplace else the airline will let you change destinations? Your sailor may not be able to get leave but maybe you could squeeze in a quick ceremony somewhere.

[van1612]

My sailor told me he'll be rerated to Logistics Specialist at Meridian, MS, but they still haven't told him when he would be leaving...

[WearsLargeHats]

Well, that is good news! The fleet can't sail or fight without the good work of Logistics Specialists.

Once he gets transfer orders, expect them to want him out of Goose Creek as soon as they can get all the forms processed. 

Seems like this potentially complicates your wedding plans, as LS A school is pretty short. But if it takes a couple weeks to get out of DTP and a week or two to class up, plus some travel time, then it is almost certain you will have Christmas.

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Bump

[TahoeZephyr]

Our son moved to DPT 2 days ago and is currently still waiting to hear what his re-rate options are.  He may be there for several months.  DTP is physically located about 2.5 miles "as the crow flies" on another part of the base (6 miles by road); he now has 3 other shipmates in his BEQ (one arrived 2 months ago, one arrived 5 days ago).  His BEQ has a bathroom, microwave, and small refrigerator (no kitchen); there is not a galley on this part of the base so if he wants food from the chow hall he has to catch a "duty van" which runs on some sort of schedule to eat at the previous chow hall he was able to walk to; unlike before, there is no other food option that is walkable;  he has to muster every day, multiple times a day, and some days are "duty days", which seem to include various odd jobs; it sounds like there is not enough work to keep all of them extremely busy, so he may have a bit of down time (we'll see how that really plays out!); he is not clear yet about a regular PT schedule, but will likely get more info on Monday. 
His current task at hand is to request another high school transcript so he can prove he completed 4 years of NJROTC and retain his E3 rating; I'm sending a care package today with some energy bars and such, as well as an UBER card - his 20th birthday is this coming Sunday :)

It is odd that there is no mess hall at DTP!  But I fear not - my son says he actually gained some weight while at A School due to the long study hours and the primary source of quick food being the snack machines.  He seems to have the duty van schedule down so getting to the other part of the base for meals does not seem to be a huge issue.  When I spoke with him yesterday he indicated easy foods such as energy bars were helpful to get him through the morning.  As for other amenities at DTP, there is a laundry facility, game room, outdoor basketball court, and a work out center.  Apparently the WiFi is a bit of a problem for his laptop connection...
As for a "day in the life", it seems he will have 2 "duty days" per week, which appears to entail being "on duty" and basically at the mercy of whomever needs something done for a 24 hour time frame; on these days he has to muster 5 times (the first around 07:00 I think) and he cannot leave the base during these days; on "non-duty days" he has to muster 3 x (the first at 07:45) and can have usual evening liberty.  Still not sure about a regular PT schedule.
For this week he says he is reporting for "watch training" so that he can retain his phase 3 privileges.

Apparently there are about 200 sailors at DTP, so not as much work to go around as help, it appears.  We are encouraging him to establish some sort of productive routine for his non-duty days, which hopefully will include some gym time.  Also trying to get him to take care of a few nagging medical issues that he could not find the time for at A School for fear of missing class work or a test.  Still no word on his re-rate options.  But he has made some quick buddies (as always) and seems in good spirits.  Again, seems relieved that stress of the workload and lengthy study time has abated!
I will keep posting updated info as I receive it for anyone who is interested in learning a bit about "the dark side" - a small joke there...gotta keep smiling, right?