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Comment by TropikalParadize on August 20, 2014 at 10:46pm

Yes, that is exactly what my husband encountered too in specific situations, MyLAS...corruption of the navy...its pathetic when they preach honor, integrity, etc, but what it boils down to is its OK to lie, just don't get caught. 

And my husband was S-pact, and it was definitely not worth it.  My best advice to everyone's loved ones is this is just a stint in life, the navy is not life, do your time and GET OUT AS SOON AS YOU CAN!! My husband is out now and loving life, SOOO much happier now that he's not in the navy! 

And to the "if you work hard it will pay off"....i wish I could believe that to be true, but its not....what is true, is its the luck of the draw, and EVERYTHING depends on the command you get stuck with.  If you get a decent command, with a career counselor and chief that actually does their job and wants to help, then yes, someone might succeed.  If you get stuck on a horrible command with lazy chiefs and career counselors that don't do their job, you are just SOL...its very, VERY sad, but true, and I'm very very sorry that this IS the truth, I really wish I could be more positive for everyone, but I'm not going to lie...I'm happy we now know the truth, but sometimes the truth is harder to deal with

Comment by ethansmom on August 20, 2014 at 8:56pm

Hi all..joined this group in 2012 and still get the emails which I read. My son went in s-pact. He was told 6-9 approx for moving up BUT also tests were only in March and Sept and if there was a spot open for job he wanted .
I've seen many negative comments on this group about it and wanted to put my two cents in .
He did do chipping paint etc all that's been mentioned ..although it was exhausting he made it through his first deployment and is getting ready for another very soon.
It ( undesignated ) taught him tons of life skills including patience.
He will be in Navy 2 yrs this month and he got his chance to test and passed for open position he wanted this last test month !
He also worked on and received his Surface Warfare pin which I hear is hardwork and became a Boatswain Mate Petty Officer 3 earlier this year .
He is now an E-4 .
All fabulous considering he had no college or other related experience before entering .

I don't know much about the military or Navy life before all this but I do know if u work hard it eventually pays off .

He is often exhausted and it wasn't a fast easy trip but he is happy and is seriously considering reenlisting .
Anyway , I just wanted to post after reading numerous posts over last 2 yrs to say that it is not all bad .
And I am a helicopter mom so it's very hard for me to admit especially in public that hes happy away from home ;);) ..but I felt the need to standup for the S-Pact position .

Comment by HuffyMom23 on August 20, 2014 at 8:09pm

My son has not really said anything negative until just last night.  He has been working the long days and I am sure that's  part of it.  He is tired and grumpy.  But, he also was misled by his recruiter on all this "undesignated" stuff.  As I have mentioned a few times in the past, he went to MEPS and was planning to pick master in arms for his choice.  But his group was the last of the day and they informed him that wasn't an option anymore that they had taken the last kid about 20 minutes earlier.  So, he had to pick something and picked undesignated fireman. He was sooooo mad when he got home.  He felt cheated and the recruiter kept giving him a line of bull.

From what I am seeing, most of these other sailors are airmen or seaman I believe.  My son actually understands that grunt work is involved and is okay with that.  He feels included with his group and doesn't feel like they are treating him any different.  BUT, he is frustrated because I believe he is bored and needs something challenging to do and worthwhile.  I feel like this is the problem with this whole "undesignated" business.  These kids willingly signed up to serve our country, and this is what they get.  It is a shame! He is also trying to get picked up for another job and has been trying for 4 months, so not quite as long as some of the other sailors.  He told me last night he is really starting to hate the Navy, and that made me so sad.  He has only been in for a year in September. This was the kid that wanted to make a career out of it.  Now he said he will take it day by day and when his time is up, he wants to get out and go to college.  I REALLY HOPE SOMETHING CHANGES SOON TO MAKE HIM FEEL MORE IMPORTANT IN HIS NAVY ROLL AS I HOPE YOUR SAILORS DO TOO!  I know it breaks us mamas hearts to see our kids miserable.

Comment by emmiec on August 20, 2014 at 4:44pm

Feeling discouraged. My hubby has been on his ship for 6 months now, and continually puts in for a rate every month. And every month he doesn't pick up a rate. I'm frustrated because of all the hype his recruiter led him to believe. His recruiter even called him last week asking if he would talk to someone who was joining and tell him that undes wasn't that bad. My husband refused and said he wouldn't lie to the kid because it sucks. I hear you can't re-enlist if at the end of 4 years you haven't picked up a rate. Anyone else heard this? Just feeling really, really unsettled and frustrated.

Comment by MamaJa on August 20, 2014 at 3:27pm

Thanks for the link Valtameri.  My son is A PACT. Leaving for A school today after a 10 day delay.  I am hoping he can get a job - rate.  But I'm concerned.   I don't believe the "you'll have a chance to try different jobs and pick one" that he was told by his recruiter. I'm an AF Vet, the Navy is a mystery to me, but the military isn't. We couldn't talk him out of going in undes.  We just made suggestions not wanting to be unsupportive.  I hope it turns out all right. 

Comment by Tammy on August 20, 2014 at 2:33pm

Thank you Valtameri :). You were not kidding when you said heavy on the technical details. I haven't been on here in quite some time so it's nice to be back and have some of my questions/concerns answered. Again thank you. That is a very positive and ispiring story for some of us moms and our sailors who may be feeling discouraged.

Comment by Valtameri on August 20, 2014 at 1:19pm

Hi Tammy -- Yes, I believe that is what he is telling you.

I had sent a link a while ago that explains the whole process. It is a bit heavy on technical details, but here it is again:

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/toolbox/Documents/Plai...

Comment by Valtameri on August 20, 2014 at 1:08pm

I know everyone's story is different, but I have a positive A-PACT story to share. I need to start out by clarifying that my son was not undesignated, and although he started as E1, he had made E5 at 2 years in. So that's pretty good. Anyway, about 6 months after he had made E5, he went into another squadron's shop and there was a second class sitting at a desk in the corner. That E5 turned around and said "hello!"... turns out it was a guy from his bootcamp division who had started out as A-PACT.

Just wanted to share a positive story of one guy who started out as A-PACT and was able to strike early and make second class by 2.5 years.

Comment by Tammy on August 20, 2014 at 10:02am

Was wondering if anyone knows what "picked up" for a rating means after striking for a rate. I am assuming that means got the job, but not sure. My son has been an undes for almost two years and has now been "picked up". He has tried several times for this rate over the years and has now told me he has been picked up. Any info would be great. Thanks

Comment by djk's Mom on August 20, 2014 at 7:25am

My Sailor is also A-pact undes and all he does is paint, clean and when they are in beautiful ports he is pulling extra watch.. He accepts it will do 4 years and out.. BUT I wanted more for him .

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