AWR/AWS Managing Expectations

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Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on June 5, 2012 at 9:29pm

My son met with the Recruiter today.  He goes in on Monday for his physical, and then the following Monday he will be taking the PST to qualify for a contract as a Rescue Swimmer.

 

The Recruiter told him that the Navy does need Rescue Swimmers right now-- so he's pretty excited about the opportunity.  He was told that a realistic expectation for the trip to Great Lakes is still in October-- which seems pretty quick to us.

 

Permalink Reply by Wayne A Bradford on June 6, 2012 at 9:44am

That is fantastic news Jack ....Hope all goes well for him . Swim Swim Swim 

Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on June 14, 2012 at 7:33pm

Thanks Wayne.

Swimming is exactly what he needs the most work on.  I'm going to get him scheduled for some private coaching- for stroke improvement.  We have a SEAL friend who is going to take him out in the Bay for a day as well, to give him some pointers and punishment.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on June 18, 2012 at 8:47pm

D'oh... He was not able to PST today.  He had to go early and have them sign-off on his ear re-check, and we were anticipating going straight from there to the PST, but discovered that they need 24-hours to process the clearance...

 

So that means another week of waiting.

Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on July 30, 2012 at 5:09pm

Have not updated here in awhile. He had his second PST today (first last week) and did well again. Increased his "ups" in each category. He was told that envy thing looked good to get a contract, so we will have to see how long that takes to come through. The next draft (we are told) is August 9th.

Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on July 31, 2012 at 12:01pm

He was told that "everything" --- not that "envy" thing lol..... I hate auto correct!

FYI

He also had to go take the C-SORT psychological test and was told that you have to have 3 PST scores on record prior to entering for the draft. His third test will be next Monday.

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on August 1, 2012 at 4:12pm

Hi Jack, before anything happens your son/daughter will have to take the ASVAB which is an aptitude test that they can study for.  The score on the test will indicate which jobs they are qualified for.  If they test into the Special Warfare category, then they can shoot for SEALs, Air Rescue Swimmers or SWCCs (Special Warfare Combatant Craft).  My son did that and was told he couldn't get a rescue swimmer contract for about 10 months.  He joined the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) via his recruiting office and spent ten months doing physical training and learning about the Navy.  Then when the ten months was up they asked him if he still wanted that contract, he said yes, and the rest is history.  I went with my son to the recruiting office and everything they said would happen actually happened, every promise they made they kept.  I'm still really impressed with all of that.

 

Hope this helps, keep the questions coming, this is an awesome group here.

 

Danny

Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on August 1, 2012 at 7:59pm

I guess we are going about it a little bit differently.  He took the ASVAB, went to MEPS, got cleared for testing and takes the PST weekly.  His scores get entered into a draft system that selects the best from each bi-weekly draft and offers contracts on that basis.  We are told his contract will specify a ship date.  He will be in DEP until his ship date.

Permalink Reply by Danny Maxwell on August 2, 2012 at 5:08am

Hi Jack, that's a lot different from what my son went through.  He needs to work hard for those PSTs.  Good luck to him.  He doesn't have to be a superstar swimmer or runner, he just needs to be good at everything.  A lot of good swimmers wash out because they didn't work on the other stuff.

 

Danny

Permalink Reply by Wayne A Bradford on August 2, 2012 at 9:46am

I know for me , when I was in my late teens and early twenties , I really didn't know what I wanted to do in life .... So thinking of that ... it takes allot of money to train a Rescue Swimmer , Seal , SWCC ..... I feel the Navy wants to see the discipline before they or you make a 6 year commitment to them .... IF they fail after they are in , they have a choice where to go and be placed on any openings they have.... My son Chris    dropped from the SEALs program in BUDS and had a choice either RSS or EOD  ... so the rest is history ( I'm so glad this is where he is ) So Jack enjoy watching your son grow into a young man , Sailor .... It all happens for a reason  ..... I really don't know what Chris has gone through or is going through , but I'm very proud Navy Dad :)

Permalink Reply by Jack Flash on August 22, 2012 at 2:30pm

Most recent PST:

Swim 7:23

Push 107

Sit 100

Pull 17

Run 9:42

His run time has been going the wrong direction, but everything else keeps improving.... Hey-- it's been hot here!