Re: Son sworn into Navy today
[Re: Cameron Kelsey]
#6547973
06/02/19 06:16 AM
06/02/19 06:16 AM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,726 SW Georgia
Wanna Be
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trapper
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,726
SW Georgia
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Meaning no disrespect to the old Navy vets on here, but I will offer up the Navy has changed a lot over the years. I find it hard to believe the changes I have seen in just the last 24 years I have been serving. I can't imagine how things differ from the 80's, 70's, etc.
Nowadays most recruiters are not struggling to make goal. Waiting lists are long, especially for certain ratings. I don't doubt that MA wasn't available when he signed up. Things ebb and flow. One of the Chiefs that works for me just came from recruiting duty about 9 months ago. He can answer about any recruiting question your son might have.
I think your son did just fine. He will come into the Navy as an undesignated Deck Seaman. I will admit not the most glorious of jobs, but he will be in the Navy serving his country and seeing the world. Something most kids his age won't be able to say. Coming out of boot camp and a brief apprentice training, he will go to sea and work for the Boatswains Mates in deck department. Yes it will be hard work, but the beauty of that program is your son will be able to observe the different ratings and take his time to decide exactly what he wants to do. You say he wants to be an MA, but I would encourage him to keep an open mind as he just may stumble across something he never even considered. Submarine duty was great for me during my enlisted years, and I would encourage your son at least look at that option. Great opportunities in that community and advancement is usually pretty good.
Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you or your son has any questions. I will give you honest feedback on the Navy and what to expect. The Navy is full of opportunity and I am excited for your son. Tell him I wish him the best of luck and I look forward to seeing him in the fleet! No disrespect sir, but scrubbing decks, chipping paint, and repainting probably isn’t what the young man is looking for over the next 4 years. If he has it made up in his mind that he wants to be an MA then shouldn’t he be an MA? Typical speech, lol. Just come on aboard, we’ll put you where you can decide what you want to do in 4 years. Just because if it’s full now, it won’t be full then. And after 4 years the young man will say the heck with the Navy and get out with no desirable skill set. To the OP, if he’s in it for life and has that made up in his mind that he is, then it’s possible what the Warrant is saying could very well happen. But then again, that’s 4 years of no fun whatsoever. Heck, pick something to go in as, just don’t go undesignated!
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Re: Son sworn into Navy today
[Re: Wanna Be]
#6548014
06/02/19 08:46 AM
06/02/19 08:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,954 RI / MN
Cameron Kelsey
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,954
RI / MN
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Meaning no disrespect to the old Navy vets on here, but I will offer up the Navy has changed a lot over the years. I find it hard to believe the changes I have seen in just the last 24 years I have been serving. I can't imagine how things differ from the 80's, 70's, etc.
Nowadays most recruiters are not struggling to make goal. Waiting lists are long, especially for certain ratings. I don't doubt that MA wasn't available when he signed up. Things ebb and flow. One of the Chiefs that works for me just came from recruiting duty about 9 months ago. He can answer about any recruiting question your son might have. Appre I think your son did just fine. He will come into the Navy as an undesignated Deck Seaman. I will admit not the most glorious of jobs, but he will be in the Navy serving his country and seeing the world. Something most kids his age won't be able to say. Coming out of boot camp and a brief apprentice training, he will go to sea and work for the Boatswains Mates in deck department. Yes it will be hard work, but the beauty of that program is your son will be able to observe the different ratings and take his time to decide exactly what he wants to do. You say he wants to be an MA, but I would encourage him to keep an open mind as he just may stumble across something he never even considered. Submarine duty was great for me during my enlisted years, and I would encourage your son at least look at that option. Great opportunities in that community and advancement is usually pretty good.
Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you or your son has any questions. I will give you honest feedback on the Navy and what to expect. The Navy is full of opportunity and I am excited for your son. Tell him I wish him the best of luck and I look forward to seeing him in the fleet! No disrespect sir, but scrubbing decks, chipping paint, and repainting probably isn’t what the young man is looking for over the next 4 years. If he has it made up in his mind that he wants to be an MA then shouldn’t he be an MA? Typical speech, lol. Just come on aboard, we’ll put you where you can decide what you want to do in 4 years. Just because if it’s full now, it won’t be full then. And after 4 years the young man will say the heck with the Navy and get out with no desirable skill set. To the OP, if he’s in it for life and has that made up in his mind that he is, then it’s possible what the Warrant is saying could very well happen. But then again, that’s 4 years of no fun whatsoever. Heck, pick something to go in as, just don’t go undesignated! He shouldn't spend an entire enlistment in deck department, unless he strikes Boatswains Mate. Some years back the Navy recognized the undesignated program had its share of flaws and revamped it to the current Professional Apprenticeship Career Training (PACT) program. Not perfect, but overall it seems an improvement. Nowadays the Navy monitors Sailors in the PACT program and pushes to ensure they are offered chances at designation within their first two years of enlistment. Again, being a PACT Sailor is hard work, and he will undoubtedly dislike some of what he does. But let's face it, people in all jobs and paygrades dislike parts of their job. That being said, if a PACT Sailor stays out of trouble they should have a rating in two years. There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel. I do agree that getting a school and designation out of boot camp is certainly a good thing, but again being a PACT sailor isn't the end of the world either. Thousands of Sailors have started off undesignated and gone on to very productive careers. BTW the current Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) started his career as an undesignated airman in 1988.
CWO4, SC, US Navy
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Re: Son sworn into Navy today
[Re: Paul Rhodes]
#6548320
06/02/19 07:25 PM
06/02/19 07:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,020 ohio
jctunnelrat
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,020
ohio
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Paul, congratulate the kid for us! If he needs anything (and I mean anything). Pm me and it will be there the next day. We have one in the Army (new recruit as of last year, May, graduated) and a new Marine, September, last year. God Bless our kids.
jim
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Re: Son sworn into Navy today
[Re: Paul Rhodes]
#6548322
06/02/19 07:27 PM
06/02/19 07:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,020 ohio
jctunnelrat
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,020
ohio
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I say kids, but they're actually grand kids.
jim
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Re: Son sworn into Navy today
[Re: Paul Rhodes]
#6548396
06/02/19 09:12 PM
06/02/19 09:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494 New Hampshire
Nessmuck
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494
New Hampshire
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Congrats ! And when he’s 40 ...he can retire from the Navy with a pension...and try something else. My dad retired from the Navy at 40.... collected his pension until he died...and my mother still gets a check from his pension. Not a bad deal. Some guys join the Fire Department after the Navy ...and collect another pension and SS.....
It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
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Re: Son sworn into Navy today
[Re: Paul Rhodes]
#6548413
06/02/19 09:48 PM
06/02/19 09:48 PM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 273 CT
Big George W
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 273
CT
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Nice !! My dream back in 1982 was to join the U.S. Navy, and get stationed on a carrier where I could be a jet mechanic... but a bad ticker [heart murmur...] kept me out. So, I ended up going to aviation school and getting my A&P and been working on military helicoptors ever since [1987...] May your son serve our great nation well. Congrats.... !!
Respect, Big George + Loki the Dog..... East Derby, CT CTA [life member], NTA, FTA, FBU Connecticut Republican Party
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Re: Son sworn into Navy today
[Re: Paul Rhodes]
#6548651
06/03/19 10:25 AM
06/03/19 10:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,668 OK
Aaron Proffitt
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,668
OK
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He'll have fun ! Sure ,some of it sucks. But lots of fun, too. Retired MA . I didn't enjoy being an MA until I went to a non-MA unit . Then things became interesting.
Honor a Soldier. Be the kind of American worth fighting for.
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