Now What?

[glennsmom]

My NCS Sailor is nearing the end of his two years of active reserves. To my frustration he has not spoken to his career counselor about his options; extending, re-enlisting to active or active reserve duty. Does anyone know if they call him in to ask him what he wants to do or just separate him out to his inactive duty?

[Retired Navy Chief]

You would think someone would contact him to see what he is thinking ... the career counselor may only be doing this job as a collateral duty and not as "on the ball" as they could be.

It's a good plan (regardless of direction) that he start informing his chain of command as to his intentions at the 6 month mark. If he waits too long ... he may not like the outcome.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[glennsmom]

I totally agree with you and have tried to encourage him to be more proactive but with no results. He left for boot camp in April of 2006 so his four years of active/active reserves should be up right? He was to be deployed last fall which was scheduled to go through July so I am confused as to the timing of things. His deployment fell through at the last minute so he has continued his monthly drill weekends. He was so disgusted with the Navy at the time he just didn't want to talk with them, so here he is now in this situation.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Sounds like my son .... he thinks if he ignores something long enough, it will magically go away !!

So, he only has contact with the Navy during his weekend drills now ?? His support team should be full time sailors ... and able to help him with the decision and process. Just has to push the issue. It's HIS career ...

I honestly don't know how reservists get much of anything done ... doesn't seem to be enough continuity. Lots of "stuff" to cram into 3 days a month.


Does he sound like he is looking at other job options lately ??? Maybe talking colleges ?? I would think that after looking at the state of the union as far as job availability goes ... that he would be looking towards the stability of going full active duty.


Are you in the same geographic location as he is ?? May need to sit him down over some lunch and go over the pro's & con's of each path.


Cheers,
PISTOL

[glennsmom]

I appreciate your help Pistol. He is living at home and has been here since he separate from active duty two years ago. He is working a seasonal part time job as a lifeguard and going to school part time. He still doesn't know what he wants to do for a career. He says he wants to go active duty again, sure wish he never signed that darn NCS contract. He doesn't really like active reserves but not sure he is ready to totally leave the Navy as that seems important to him. Does he talk to his career counselor, a recruiter or what? His base is an hour away and he has a tempermental vehicle so hates to drive out there. I try to talk to him but he isn't very good at discussing these things with me, his mom. Not sure if he is close to any active duty personnel at the base or not. I just wonder if he will show up for a drill weekend some day soon and have them go, what are you doing here?

His life, his career and he is the one who will suffer the consequences but since he is living at home I will be the one hearing all about it when it doesn't go down the way he wants.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Wouldn't be the recruiter that he'd need to talk to ... they have to have someone appointed as career counselor. Although, that person may be in a totally different location and may serve more than one reserve center. He just needs to speak to his direct supervisor ... and the rest will unfold from there. (He knows this already ... )


My eldest was past the age when mom & dad figured he should be gaining his independence ...again (that's a tale for another day). He was putting in applications here and there, mainly because I was on him pretty regular .... but slowly, the applications started slowing down, being only the places that would be "fun" to work at ... never mind the ones that paid HIS PART OF THE RENT !!

As time went on ... I slowly tightened the noose and let him know that he either found a suitable job ~or~ got himself lined up with college by the end of the month ... or he would be getting a visit from the recruiter ... and if that didn't suit him ... I would be happy to help him find a cardboard box and a dry bridge close to our home for him to live under.

He's currently Army Airborne stationed in North Carolina .... and now has a real appreciation for what a deadline means !! Getting married next year and looking at deploying sometime in that timeframe as well. He is VERY motivated now.

Sometimes we all need "someone" to provide a "sense of urgency" in our lives. People can and will work miracles ... if they are properly motivated !! (especially a Sailor !!)

Cheers,
PISTOL

[glennsmom]

To funny Pistol, yes, time to tighten the noose and give him a sense of urgency. Sad that it is necessary but he has it nice and comfy at home and that just doesn't seem to be working out for him or me.

He is out of Point Mugu/Port Hueneme for his drill not a reserve center thankfully. Will remind him to talk to his commander and find out what he needs to do. Just very surprised that no one has come up to talk to him. Hope the Navy needs him as that is what he wants and would be good for him.

Will keep you posted. Thanks for the help.