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Welcome to the family, Mark....feel free to fire away with any questions that might come up. With all of us MA Dads, we have sailors in all areas and can help you along the way!

HI David, sounds like Colin is doing a lot of heavy training. Too bad he & Kasea weren't able to run into each other. She WAS enjoying the school until Joaquin got involved. They're hoping the weather will be better this week and they can continue training.

Paul, you're right, Flight crews have always had it tough. The helo crew on our destroyer were walking zombies when flight operations were going on. The problem Kasea has is that they are calling HER in and not the others. She'll get it straightened out.

Does anyone know how long a Sailor has to wait to take college classes once they are deployed? My son is going to Bahrain and he would like to know how the college process works.  He is familiar with the Tuition Assistance program and he knows about the programs offered at NSA Bahrain, he was wondering how long he had to wait before he could start enrolling for course work.

Jay....I see that you joined the Reagan Group....Is she carrier-bound?

no Tom, Amber is still in Spain. Her and her husband are in town visiting before he leaves for okinawa. i joined the Reagan group because Amber's best friend is attached to an air wing aboard the Reagan.

Amber still plans on getting out next year.

How is your sailor doing?

She is adjusting back into civilian life and has applied to college in San Diego....

Hi Mark, My daughter had to wait a year before she could start looking at Masters programs.

Thanks Todd,  I figured as much.  It looks like they spend a good deal of time just getting acclimated to the base and their job.  

Hi All... This is my first post to this group.  My daughter Kenzie enlisted in September as an Undesignated PACT Seaman, which made me a bit nervous... I was so proud of her for making the huge decision of enlisting, but very concerned about PACT assignment. Today, she was offered and accepted a rate change to Master at Arms, a rate she was already interested in, and ships out to Basic on February 8th, 2016!  I am relieved that she will have a rate that she is interested in and will ship off to "A" school after Boot Camp!

Welcome, Tracey. Gonna be COLD when she gets to basic, but should be nice come graduation. My son Colin graduated last February, and it was frigid.

There's some cool things you can do in MA; my son went for Riverines, so he's not doing traditional MA duties. Just lots more combat training so far.

Best to you and Kenzie.

Thank You David! I am sure there are a lot of opportunities. She wanted MA because she did not want to push paper, sit behind a computer, or work on mechanical things. She wanted something that she would be active. I know guarding a gate is not terribly active, but for her I think it is better than sitting behind a computer. She is pretty excited right now. I hope she stays motivated for the next few months!

When Colin enlisted last year, he also was committed to MA for much the same reasons. It seemed to us that there was no issue with him begin able to get MA. The only variable is when the Navy needs new MAs. So even though he signed enlistement papers in June, he didn't go to basic until December.

Once in "A" school for MA, there are other choices available (potentially) in terms of where to be stationed. There are also sub-specialties available (potentially), such as PRP, Military Working Dogs, Riverines. All these become available per the needs of the Navy at the time the sailors are in A school. There's more on this aspect elsewhere in this thread, but the better they do on their PT and tests, the higher their ranking in school, the more choices they may have.

My son Devin just completed MA A-school 11-3-15 is currently at home on leave. Devin picked Riverine and then later was told it was no longer available "cut backs" so he leaves us 11-17-15 headed to Bahrain. So just know that even if a specialty is picked the sailor may not get it. Even with the "cut backs" Devin is still excited about the MA job.

Rita,

The Navy can actually guarantee the job. When your daughter goes to MEPS for her physical she will see a detailer who will advise of the available jobs based on her ASVAB score.  When my daughter was there in September she had a very limited choice and signed up for PACT Seaman, which is an undesignated Seaman. For the PACT program the sailor will not attend "A" School after boot camp, but goes directly to the fleet after a short training program of a few weeks. Once in the fleet they will be assigned to a low level job where they are needed and then have the opportunity to "strike" for a rate they are interested in after one year. There are some benefits to this for people that do not have any idea what they want to do in the Navy, but it is really shooting in the dark of what will happen to them after basic.  The only other rates they had available the day my daughter was at MEPS were machinist mate and electronics technician, which she was not interested in. She then asked her recruiters to put in a job change for MA if one came available. It did earlier this week and she is now slated to go to MA school after boot camp. It is a great idea for your daughter to research the jobs before going to MEPS. So that she can choose wisely of one of her job interests are available. It seems like there is a lot of info on this site for many rates. This site http://usmilitary.about.com/ also has a lot of information. Fact is that she can decide not to take a job if she does not like her options that are available when she goes to MEPS. But, the problem is no one knows what jobs are going to come available on any given day, or at least that what I was told by the detailer at MEPS. So, it can be a frustrating game to play. I believe that MA rate is still fairly available overall as they were increasing the manning of the rate in 2015.  

Hi everyone! My son graduates from MA "A" school on 11/24/15 and is going to Japan where he will be assigned to a squadron.  I would welcome any input you'd care to give on what he might expect,  duties etc.  Thanks!

Rita....Look to the right side of this page and find Navy Enlisted Ratings. Click on it and find MA for details of the job. There are many options possible, but all are based on the "needs of the Navy" at the time of her Graduation from A School. In my daughter's 4 years, she began as Expeditionary....served on two ships....traveled the World...and ended up assigned to an F-18 squadron aboard the USS Carl Vinson. There is no need to be stuck behind a desk. Tell her to prepare herself physically, study hard, and push herself in order to have the most options for her future...Best of luck to her!

James...Chances are when the Squadron is at base, he will be assigned to Base Security and will be doing Precinct work....i.e. Roving Patrols, Guard Duty, etc. When the Squadron deploys, he will become a part of Ship's Security.

My son just got the word from his command and then he called me to say, he's one of the newest U.S. Navy's MA2 Petty Officers. I'm just a proud Navy Dad today! He has accomplished so much in just 3 1/2 years in the Navy. Sorry I just had to brag! Congratulations to all of the other MA's who will advance.

Congrats to both of you for the Advancements!!!!!

"Happy Thanksgiving to all of our service members and their families. We appreciate all the sacrifices that you make for all of us. God's blessing/peace be with you all!"

My Son left for Bahrain yesterday morning.  He checked in with us en route while he was in Sigonella for a brief stop.  My wife and I had a tough time saying goodbye at the airport.  It is hard seeing your 18 year old move half way around the world.  

Must be tough. I don't have to experience that kind of parting until May or June. It was hard enough sending him off to boot camp last year and having him based across the country now.

Thanks for your sacrifice. I'm sure he'll do just fine.

There are indeed hard, tough days being a Navy Dad. I feel for you. Were all Navy family here on this site. God Bless.

It's tough....I know. Hopefully you will be able to SKYPE and keep in touch.

Mark, I empathize with you.  My son leaves Monday for a 3 year tour of duty in Yokuska, Japan.  He just turned 19 this month.

I have been able to talk to my son quite a bit by iMessage since he arrived in Bahrain.  He seems to be getting acclimated well.  He was really surprised by how much his pay increased by by being overseas.  I seems surreal to be able to talk with someone halfway around the world on a regular basis.  Right now he has a lot of free time, but I think that all ends next week when the MA academy starts.  He likes his commanding officer and all of the Chiefs that are in charge of his group. 

I got an e-mail saying that Bill Tucker asked a question, but I don't see it posted here. So I'll post it.

Here's what the e-mail said: "

"I understand that where my daughter 'ranks' with respect to the rest of her classmates will determine the order for which she can choose her assignment.  My question is: What are the things that go into the 'final grade' that determines her spot in line for choosing her assignment?  Thanks to all"

Bill: As I understand it, it's all up to her test scores on everything: the pepper spray test, written tests, shooting, and pretty important is the PT, physical training.

Thanks David.  

Welcome to the group, Scott!

Hi Rita,

Pretty much every rate has to do paperwork. There are a lot of collateral duties, which I've done most of them. There's Supply PO, Training PO, Classified Custodian, and pretty much all rates have logs to fill out. There's also the 3-M (maintenance) paperwork. I also used to write all the messages coming out of our work center.

My daughter hasn't mentioned a lot of paperwork. She has to fill out her logs, complete her training PQS, 3-M, etc. But, really, all rates do those things. The types of rates that would have A LOT of paperwork would be supply, admin, etc.

My daughter is a boat captain. She completed her 2nd-level coxswain school and drives a boat for her post, guarding "things" (need to maintain OPSEC). There are a lot of options in the MA rate, depending on what orders she can get.

There are a lot of rates in the Navy. I hope your daughter finds something that makes her truely happy.

My daughter just finished MEPS.  Everything went fine except...(there's always a but isn't there) she failed the Depth Perception test.  Anyone have experience with this?  Can you get a waiver?  Has anyone been successful obtaining a waiver?

Bill....from what I read, it is not that uncommon. Apparently the test can be rather confusing. Recommendations were to have her tested by her own doctor....if she passes, have the recruiter setup a retest. It should not keep her from the military, but will restrict her from certain ratings.

Guys...a question from a fellow MA Dad.....does anybody know?

" I'm Sending a package of clothes to MA school Lackland AFB. I have my son's address however can I use a FedEx for faster delivery? Also is Lackland afb an APO Address ? Thank you so much for time    '...

Thanks Brian....I'll send that along to the Dad!

Just a quick update, my son Colin, just arrived in Dubai for his first deployment as part of the Riverine squadron 4. It'll be long days and few days off, but he's excited.

I remember when he was just getting started!!!!

My daughter Kenzie is now at her first duty station in Naples Italy. She has been there less than a week. Her sponsor has been great, taking her out for pizza the night she arrived and taking her on a visit to Pompeii last weekend. They have a week of indoctrination that all new sailors arriving in Naples have to go through, then she will start working on her qualifications. She was a distinguished graduate in A school so she will be rapidly promoted to E-4 once she finishes her quals.  She is loving Italy and has such a great attitude about her future... proud papa here!

Great to hear, Tracey!....Now start planning a visit!!!!

Congrats, Tracey. Nice to hear about the good attitude. Colin has one too, and not everyone does, I hear, so they've got that going for them!

I wanted to post this picture of my son Joe, doing his MA duties while the U.S.S Batann was docked in New York City during Fleet Week in May of 2016. I didn't want to post it earlier then, because it might break some security protocol. I'm very proud of him. As the MA's say "We have the Watch" God Bless our sailors and the U.S Navy.