My Sons Navy assignment

Maryh56

New Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
2
My son is finishing boot camp at the end of the month and he was then supposed to go on to "A" school in Florida. His classification was Avionics Electronics. He just called me and told me he was put through an interview process at boot camp and now they are sending him to the USS Consitution to be what he is thinking is a navy tour guide. He is so disappointed as are we. Why do they even give these recruits classifications if they are just going to do with them what they want after they enlist? Wouldn't you want your recruits to do what they classify for? They would work harder if they enjoyed what they are doing, or had an interest in it. Is this normal? Is there anything he can do to change this? Any help or advice is appreciated.
Disappointed Mom
 
Mods - this thread may fit better elsewhere than Naval Academy, over to you.

Maryh, it is very common for both officers and enlisted to serve outside their warfare specialty or rating. Aviators go to recruiting duty, etc.

I am sure your son has heard the phrase "needs of the Navy" by now. That drives every mission, every assignment, every decision.

Serving in the crew of USS CONSTITUTION is a privilege afforded to very few. The crew is the "face of the Navy" to the public, responsible for a living piece of history. They must look superb in uniform, be articulate and professional - a high compliment to your son. He will meet interesting people. I had the honor of being the reporting senior for the CO, USS CONSTITUTION, and count it as one of the coolest things I ever did in the Navy.

The ONLY thing your son should do is utter a "cheery aye-aye," which all successful Navy people learn to do, and deliver his best performance and attitude in support of being known as a good sailor. That will lead to excellent performance evaluations and good follow-on orders.

The Navy has invested in him. They will ensure they get their Avionics Electrician skills from him, but he will be meeting a higher priority need.

Again, the only thing he should do is honor the oath he took to obey orders and be the best sailor he can be, and thrive where he is planted.
 
Dear Capt MJ and Member 1842,
I want to thank you very much for your replies. I am a mother new to all of this military stuff. I feel much better about this change for him after reading your replies. I think it was hard for me to understand because he is in boot camp and given very little information, so I turn, I received very little information. I would like to add, that after talking to my son, he did have a very good attitude about it. I have no doubt he will do his very best in his new post.
Thank you again
 
Serving on the USS Constitution... throw me in that briar patch.
Having said that, I could see how a new E-1 with visions of seeing the world would be disappointed by such an aaasugnment. Kind of like the new enlisted we see assigned to academies. They have visions of glory... and wind up at an academy pulling traffic enforcement. The NCO who has been to Iraqistan several times seems to appreciate it more.
 
Last edited:
This really doesn't belong here in the USNA forum. I am going to move to Off Topic. I know this question doesn't necessarily fall within the lines of this forum, but glad OP could get some great answers. Also a great life lesson for the candidates and appointees who need to understand 'needs of the service.'
 
My Son was commission on the USS Constitution. Great ceremony. The crew was fantastic. Tour in Boston can't be bad.
 
Not many get shore duty right out of the chute, though I expect special events will cause some odd hours.

I predict there will be many family visits plus a lot of pride in ''my" ship and "her," with abundant photo ops. [emoji16]
 
And...google "USS CONSTITUTION sailors in period uniforms images." They have regular uniforms too.
 
My son is finishing boot camp at the end of the month and he was then supposed to go on to "A" school in Florida. His classification was Avionics Electronics. He just called me and told me he was put through an interview process at boot camp and now they are sending him to the USS Consitution to be what he is thinking is a navy tour guide. He is so disappointed as are we. Why do they even give these recruits classifications if they are just going to do with them what they want after they enlist? Wouldn't you want your recruits to do what they classify for? They would work harder if they enjoyed what they are doing, or had an interest in it. Is this normal? Is there anything he can do to change this? Any help or advice is appreciated.
Disappointed Mom
Similar to Army Basic/AIT trainee selection for The Old Guard in DC. The Old Guard is considered a volunteer assignment but if they need soldiers they recruit those that meet the physical and other criteria for selection during the training cycle. Though, the Army does have them complete AIT (Advanced Individual Training) or OSUT (One Station Unit Training) first.

Two former boy scouts from my son's troop were selected this way for The Old Guard and are enjoying their assignment. As are their parents, as tourists in DC.
 
I wonder about enlisted housing for the crew. Is there a barracks left on what supports the two ships?

Looking at the Facebook page, seems like some interesting special events while ol' Ironsides is in dry dock.
 
Similar to Army Basic/AIT trainee selection for The Old Guard in DC. The Old Guard is considered a volunteer assignment but if they need soldiers they recruit those that meet the physical and other criteria for selection during the training cycle. Though, the Army does have them complete AIT (Advanced Individual Training) or OSUT (One Station Unit Training) first.

Two former boy scouts from my son's troop were selected this way for The Old Guard and are enjoying their assignment. As are their parents, as tourists in DC.

Same goes for the USMC in regards to silent drill team and a few other items at 8th & I. They go to the School of Infantry and screen them. Besides screening for maturity, height and waist measurements are big selection items. Those selected head to DC to do things as Camp David, silent drill, and other guard assignments around D.C.
 
USS Constitution is always docked at the Navy Yard unless on very few special occasions it will be taken out into Boston Harbor. At least he will get his Ceremonial Duty Ribbon to go along with his I was breathing ribbon. A very select group has one.
 
There is a barracks on site. It is a plum assignment.
Once he gets to the fleet he will wish he was back in Boston
 
Agree it's a great assignment and he was hand selected. Only down side to any of these types of assignments is he will then head to a ship and not be warfare qualified and possibly even a Petty Officer behind in his field. The good part... they were selected for this for a reason... most go on to a new assignment and pick up right where they left off... learning, leading and doing well.
 
Right out of school I spent 2 years with the USCG Presidential Honor Guard with time spent on the Drill Team, it was one of the most fun and interesting times I had in the Coast Guard. The interaction your son will have civilians not to mention the military brass during special functions will be something that will hone skills many young sailors take years to get.

Congratulations to your son, he received something very few have the opportunity to experience.

Plus, Boston is a blast.
 
He had to have shined at boot camp to earn this honor. That's what it is. He may be a "tour guide," but he is representing the United States Navy on the oldest and most esteemed ship in the Navy. These assignments are hand selected for the best the Navy has to offer. If he continues to perform like he did in boot camp, he has a very bright future. You should feel very proud and honored.
 
Back
Top