How often does the Navy change your plans?

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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on June 24, 2008 at 8:28am

Sounds like you are living with some pre-Navy fear Mary. The needs of the Navy are first and foremost but based on his test scores they will meet with him and tell your son his different options. Our son tested well and selected Advance Electronics/Computer Field (AE/CF) his paperwork was written at MEPS for that field however AE/CF spins off into four different jobs. Although he knew which one he prefered, he felt that he could be okay with any of the rates. His paperwork spelled out in the third week of bootcamp that he would meet with a career counselor and based on the "needs" and school availability, his rating would be determined. As it turned out - it happened exactly as they told him it would although he was not given a choice between the four rates - he was told that he would be getting the rate that he intially wanted. So it's working out fine for him but I don't believe they will change a recruits rate from one extreme to another - it comes down to the testing. If you look in the School and Education forum, you will find more information about asvab scores and rates.

And they do lose all freedom and decision making capabilities during boot camp but in spite of that you will be very impressed (and proud) of the Sailor that you will see after just eight weeks. Many say boot camp is not Navy but it certainly is regimented and it has to be. Most recruits report back to their families that it is not as hard as they thought it would be and are pleased that they have made their decision to join.

Is your son in the DEP program? When is he scheduled to go to Great Lakes?

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Permalink Reply by Mary in GA on June 24, 2008 at 9:09am

Yes, I guess I am a little fearful. We are not worried too much about the discipline or the physical side of training. He is athletic and actually looks forward to that. I just want him happy-I guess it is the mom in me. To see him unhappy for 4 years because he is doing something he doesn't have an interest in would be hard. Or to see him make a commitment to serve based on something that isn't accurate would be hard.

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Permalink Reply by Chief Mommy on June 24, 2008 at 8:32am

Mary,

The A school options that will be offered to your son at MEPS are based on his ASVAB score. He will sit down with the Classifier (sort of like a counselor at school) after he passes his physical and is cleared to join. He gets to choose which job he wants after he is shown all the jobs he is qualified for and will be given a job description sheet for each job. They will allow him to read all the job descriptions and then the Classifier will explain and answer any questions he may have BEFORE he chooses the job he wants. That job will be written into his contract and is guarenteed. The only way he can loose that job is if something comes up in boot camp (background check comes up with something that would disqualify him from that job, he gets set back, ect...) or he fails out of the A school.

As far as loosing his freedom, for a time he will be limited in the things he can do. You have to understand that the Navy only has 8 weeks to take a civilian and mold them into productive Sailors. That is a really short time frame to teach them all the things they need to know to be successful. He will feel challenged, angry, uncertain of his choice but as the time progresses during bootcamp, he will become a confident, aware and proud young man. You will be surprised at the change in him once he finishes boot camp.

I am a retired Navy Chief (a Recruiter in Charge my last three years) as well as a mother of a son who has been in the Navy just about a year. I knew what to expect when I sent him to boot camp as I had gone through it myself, but it still was difficult to send him. Just know that there are many, many moms on this site who will go out of their way to answer you questions. Trust that your son is making a solid decision and looking to ensure he has a bright future. Please fell free to email me if you have any other questions. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Mary in GA on June 24, 2008 at 9:04am

Thank you for explaining the process to me. My son is so excited about Navy life, and as a mom I guess I want him to maintain that excitement. He is looking forward to the physical side of boot camp because he is very athletic. I just want him to be able to do a job he is happy with.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah K3 on July 17, 2008 at 6:43pm

My husband in at GL right now, and he chose equipment operator with the seabees. He was qualified for it and is in his contract. What could possibly hold him back from having that job? I mean he doesn't have a criminal record or anything like that, he's an ordained minister actually, but he does have bad credit. Would that be something that could set him back?

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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on July 17, 2008 at 6:49pm

Certain rates require a security clearance and there are four different types of clearances. Bad credit can impact a clearance but I do not believe that an equipment operator requires a security clearance so you should not be alarmed. If his job is spelled out in his contract, he should be fine.

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Permalink Reply by Linda Mathis on September 13, 2008 at 11:45am

I am not sure of everything but my sons a-school was in his contract and believe me that if that contract is not upheld I will in contact with my congressman.

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Permalink Reply by Shelley on September 17, 2008 at 7:25pm

My daughter has gotten what she was able to choose and she has been treated really well so far. She did have some issues with bc and just hated being there, but then it isn't really supposed to be a barrel of laughs. As she puts it, it was two months in my life that I got through and won't have to do again. end of story. The things that she wasn't able to choose such as where A school is have been the least of her worries. She hasn't had too much complaining to do and has been able to ask questions and has gotten timely answers. (at least they were timely for the military). She sees this as an adventure and it enjoying it because of that.

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Permalink Reply by fly 2 on October 27, 2008 at 12:53pm

My son has gotton everything he signed up for. He signed up for an ABH, he went to A school and now he is on a flight deck of a carrier doing just what he wanted. The Navy has done everything they promised to him. He is doing excellent and loves his job. He is currently deployed.

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