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S-PACT 2016 - Son Leaves in 2 Days
I am just looking for some advice, guidance and support for this "Undesignated" position... I haven't been on this site since 2013 when my older son left for GL, but it helped me SO much back then and I know I can count on this site again. My 19 year old leaves for MEPS tomorrow and will leave for GL on Wednesday. It is normal to have a difficult time to watch your "child" leave, but I have heard so many opinions and thoughts on going in as Undesignated that I am even more concerned and worried than the last time I went through this. What I am hearing is mostly negative. Very negative. Regardless of how this happened (too many details and issues to get into) it is what it is and I really need some advice. Please help...
Views: 476
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by MamaValley on
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ChristinaMarie - I think I was in the same boat as you last year when my 20 year old son joined the Navy in May. He went in as an APACT and like you I read things that were negative. I worried about how he would do.
I can tell you that a year in he seems to be doing fine. He is my last child and the one who usually goes with the flow so that might be why he seems to take things in stride. He has had his time working in the mess and is really happy that part is done but overall he seems to like moving from place to place. He talks about striking soon and he is working towards that goal but overall he is doing ok.
I think the hardest part for him is being across the country from family. We are a pretty tight knit group and so right now when he takes his leave he usually comes home to see us and his extended family.
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Permalink Reply by ChristinaMarie (Ship 14/Div 298) on
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Thank you so much for your reply... I am happy to hear your son is doing good! These are the things I need to hear. I just want to keep his spirits up about it and support his drive to make this work. He is a hard worker and has big goals, so I don't want this to discourage him! We are also a tight group - He has 2 older siblings and 2 younger siblings and they are all very close. I can tell he is getting anxious/nervous as the date gets closer because he has become very quiet... I am just afraid this is going to make his journey a lot more difficult. :( His brother who is also in the Navy, has taken leave to be here for him and show his support, but he also feels this is not a good thing. I need happy thoughts!
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Permalink Reply by jss37028 on
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My husband is SNPAC and we recently moved to our first duty station. He has not chosen a rate yet and he is excited about the opportunity to try a few different positions before he needs to strike. He did well in Bootcamp and A School, not the top of his class, but he still did well. So far the Navy has been good to him and he is getting to "adventure" like he had hoped upon signing up.
I can tell you that undes typically are the "grunts" until they strike for a rate, but as long as he works hard and always shows up early, tries to impress, etc - he will be pretty well taken care of. Plus he will get the opportunity to choose a rate in higher demand, this is what my husband plans to do (more opportunities for advancement, etc). My husband is a "go with the flow kind of guy", so he is trying to make sure that the rate he chooses will be something he can make a career of with the Navy or in civilian life.
Best of luck to your son/daughter!! And try not to worry momma! :)
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Thank you!! I am trying so hard not to worry, lol! These replies are truly helping me get through this last full day with him before he leaves for MEPS and I hope to send him off with a clear head and positive thoughts about this adventure he is about to begin... Your advice, experience and support are SO appreciated. I am glad that your husband is doing so well and I hope he gets the rate he wants and has worked so hard for! If you talk to him and can get any advice for my son, please post it for me! :) I want him to go into this with as much knowledge as he can... Thank you again!!
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My husband is a FNPACT in Norfolk and he loves it. Does everything and he's glad he not locked in. The people he works with are good to him and he hope to strike next year and he's ok with it. You have to go in with a open mind and work hard and you will do just fine
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Thank you! I am going to let him know all of these positive things tonight and send him off with good thoughts about how his hard work ethic really will pay off regardless of his Undesignated status. This will really help keep his spirits up and I will continue to send positive reinforcement through letters while he is at Bootcamp!
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Permalink Reply by Vickie360 on
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My son has been in since December of 2014. I started this group because I was a nervous wreck and was so worried after reading all the negative. My son spent several weeks in Florida (A-PACT) and then left for San Diego. He arrived in San Diego in March of 2015 and his ship immediately deployed. Since he was undesignated, they put him with the AO department. After being on the ship several months, he realized he wanted to be in the AD department and eventually strike for that rate. He was a hard worker in the AO area and (I'm not sure what the procedure was) he asked to be transferd to the AD department. He finally got his request but didn't get to learn much because he had to go on "kitchen duty" for the remainder of deployment LOL. All new people do kitchen duty- not just PACT. He "struck for the rate" a month or two ago and got it so now he has a rate. This has definitely been a learning experience for me! He has grown up and learned lots of lessons along the way. The only Down side for him right now is that he is ready to work on engines and learn all that he can but since they are now in dry dock, there aren't any jets on his ship! He is a little bored but other than that all has turned out fine! The members that have joined this group have been great!
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Thank you so much for this information and support... I spent the day with my son at the MEPS Building this morning and then at the airport immediately following. I cried my eyes out of course but I know he will be ok. It's just been a hard day. As always, I see posts coming up on the other Groups about how "thankful" they are that their son/daughter isn't Undesignated, and it really frustrates me. This group will definitely keep me thinking positive and able to send positive thoughts and encouragement to my son. Thank you again for this Group and all of the support!!
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Permalink Reply by Joeysmomjen on
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How did it work out? My son is leaving for BC on May 2, 2017 and then heading for A-PACT
I have not heard goof things either.
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My son just arrived in San Diego last week. He will go underway in a few weeks. I will try and remember to let you know how it is working out for him. He has a positive attitude and that is a must. I hope he keeps it up. Good luck to your son. Mine graduated boot camp last summer. What a journey!
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