Ten Ratings Now Require More Time
April 27th, 2012
On November 16, 2009, Navy Recruiting Command officially kicked off a pilot program in an attempt to align a new Sailor’s initial service obligation with completion of his/her first operational tour. Because Sailor’s Projected Rotation Dates (PRD), Prescribed Sea Tours (PST), and the end of their active obligated service (EAOS) dates were all over the map; it made planning for a Sailor’s loss to a command a little precarious – at least until the Sailor would make a decision about re-enlistment, and often times that decision would come late.
The T+X Accession Program, as it is called, started with just four ratings that were scheduled to ship to boot-camp during Fiscal Year 2011. A Sailor’s enlistment obligation, instead of the hard and fast 4 year (48 month) enlistment, the formula “T+X” would be used to determine how long a Sailor’s obligation would be. The “T” in the equation is the average length in months of initial training (boot-camp, A School, etc.), the “X” is equal to the calculated length of the first operation tour for the rating enlisted. The initial ratings in the pilot program were Aviation Ordnanceman (AO), Electrician’s Mate (EM), Gas Turbine System Technician – Electrical (GSE), and Quartermaster (QM) – Ultimately, this (Read the rest of the article…)
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Culinary Warfare
April 6th, 2012
Navy Week New Orleans will officially kick off on Tuesday, April 17 and will conclude on the following Monday. New Orleans is the inaugural city in a three-year national celebration commemorating the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.
Navy Week New Orleans will have many of the same events that you have come to expect during such an event. There will be ships from the United States Navy other nations that you may be able to tour, the “Blue Angels”, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team, a Navy Band will perform, and the “Leap Frogs”, the Navy’s parachute team will demonstrate their expertise in falling to the ground with style, but New Orleans’ Navy Week will offer what other Navy Weeks have not, a battle to the death.
Okay, maybe not to the death for the entrants, but many a good sea creatures will meet their peril during the Great Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off. On Friday the 20th, at 1330 in Waldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi (Read the rest of the article…)
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Joining the Navy? A Few Ratings to Consider
March 29th, 2012
Every couple of months or so, Navy Recruiting Command puts out incentives for recruiters and classifiers to try and fill specific needs. One of those incentives is the Admiral’s Accelerator Award (AAA). The AAA’s award provides for a Four-Day Special liberty, a Cruitcom’s Flag Officer Coin, and a flag letter.
Of course, any rating and program for which you qualify may be available when you go to MEPS to enlist, but those ratings and programs I will be listing below as a result of the current, short term incentive AAA, the chances are much better than average they will be available; well, until they fill up that is; so, get’em while they are hot.
For the third quarter, April – June 2012, the AAA defines certain rates and programs; those programs (along with Nuke and the Challenge Programs) for those who qualify, should be available when you go to MEPS, and they are;
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Time to Paddle
March 25th, 2012
Boot Camp (Part Three):
Time to Paddle
By
ETSA Slebodnik, D.V.
In the previous article, I mentioned that everything in the compartment had a specific place, and I add that there is no room for error in Recruit Training Command. Grading the effectiveness of the Division and the Recruit Division Commanders is the Fleet Quality Assurance (FQA) who actively searches for hits against you and your Division. Don’t be surprised if your RDCs take your failures personally, as every hit is a deduction from the graduation totals. To protect the totals from any hits, many in your Division will be given jobs as Petty Officers in a chain of command.
The top of the Recruit chain of command is the Recruit Chief Petty Officer (RPOC) and he is the direct connection to the RDCs by maintaining orders and the plan of the day. This guy can get annoying but keep in mind that the RPOC is taking flak from both above and below. Unless he is actively on a power trip give the guy a little slack. When the Division is in ranks, the RPOC is the one driving the bus giving commands on the march for the direction, maneuvers, and calls out roads guards.
The next link in the chain is the Assistant Recruit Chief Petty Officer (AROC) (Read the rest of the article…)
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Treading Water
March 11th, 2012
Boot Camp (Part II):
Treading Water
By
ETSA Slebodnik D.V. USN
Are you still here, Recruit? Good work, you’ve made it through the first phase. Your next evolution will be life in the compartment. Every morning when the Recruit Division Commander (RDC) enters, morning routine will commence. Where within fifteen minutes all 60+ of your Division must wake up, dress in uniform of the day, shave, brush your teeth, make your rack and be on the toe line in time for chow.
The Galley will very well be the best part of your day. Every meal you get two choices of entrée and sides that do taste good, the people are nice and every Sunday you’ll get ice cream for dessert. However, you must still remain silent the entire time keeping your face to the wall or in your notebook (given to you at first issue and always in you left hand while outside of the compartment), or be written up by the RDC that catches you.
During the first days of training, you’ll begin with the most complicated of daily tasks you will encounter in your time at Recruit Training Command (RTC), folding and stowing your laundry. Everything from your uniforms to your socks must be folded exactly as your RDC will instruct you, and each item is to be placed in your rack, each with a specific location. All instructions on folding and stowing are to be copied in your notebook for future reference. Soon to come will be the second most difficult skill to perfect …shining your boots.
When your Division (Read the rest of the article…)
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Welcome to the Deep End
March 6th, 2012
Boot Camp:
Welcome to the Deep End
By
ETSA Slebodnik, D.V. USN
Congratulations Recruit, it seems like just a short time ago that you decided to join the United States Navy. You have been to MEPS and you have passed your physical, your ASVAB test, and you signed your contract, after doing your homework learning the rates of course. Now, your time in the Delayed Entry Program is finished, and you’re ready to ship out to Great Lakes, IL to be the latest addition to Recruit Training Command, also known as Boot-Camp. My how time flies. You have completed your final ship-out processing at the MEPS, and now your on the bus to the airport. When you exit that bus, have your family meet you at the airport; trust me, it helps to kiss them goodbye before you set foot on that plane.
When you take off, the adrenaline running through you will be intense. You’re taking the first steps toward a career and a cause bigger than (Read the rest of the article…)
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Don’t React. Think First, Then Act.
February 17th, 2012
Every once and a while, I will publish a guest post from Sailors or Future Sailors who like to write and have their works put out for all to see.
Today, I would like to introduce ETSA Slebodnik with his first essay, “Anger: Us and Them.”
“Anger: Us and Them”
by
ETSA Slebodnik, D.V. USN
Everyday it creeps into our minds like a parasite. It finds a way in, finds a corner and slowly spreads. Taking away from our family, our job, and our own joy. Replacing all the goods things in life with hate, resentment, pain, and regret. This parasite that lives off of our own misery is “Anger.”
Pick your poison on how you get it. Some punk in your class, losing the promotion you bust your guts for, your own cowardice. Makes no difference how it gets in you, the (Read the rest of the article…)
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2013 Projected Active Duty End-Strength
February 13th, 2012
For FY-2013, the projected United States Navy active duty end-strength according to the Department of the Navy budget estimates:
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Active Duty Enlistment Incentives 2012 (Updated)
February 9th, 2012
Although our services continue to seek out applicants, many of you are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to join. With the economy what it is, and the services experiencing record breaking retention rates, it isn’t going to get any easier to find a way to serve your country as a Uniformed Member of our armed forces. The services standards for enlistment remain the same, but waivers for past indiscretions are much more unlikely, especially for past alcohol and/or drug offenses.
One indicator of how long the recruiting restrictions may last is to look at the scope of bonuses being delved out to those enlisting. When the manpower needs become more difficult to fill, the scope of ratings eligible for bonuses increases; likewise, when needs are “easy” to fill, the ratings eligible reduce. For instance the Loan Repayment Program, which in some previous years encompassed every rating, now, as of 1 Feb, just those enlisting into the Musician rating are potential benefactors.
I always recommend that you talk to a recruiter and get the right guidance based on your specifics, but don’t be surprised that if you require a (Read the rest of the article…)
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Recruit with Integrity Card
January 10th, 2012
Through a recent action by Navy Recruiting Command, it appears that reported instances of recruiter impropriety has risen to a point that a proactive, preventative action must be taken from the headquarter’s level.
Please note: Recruiter impropriety is a relatively rare occurrence committed by a very small number of those serving in the billet. The vast, overwhelming majority of Sailors who serve in recruiting proceed with the professionalism you should expect by members of our armed forces.
Beginning earlier this month, Navy Recruiters have been provided with “Recruit with Integrity” cards that must be provided to all applicants at their initial face to face contact.
The front of the card;
The card’s reverse; (Read the rest of the article…)
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