When 'striking' one isn't required to be a seaman, but must belong to one of three undesignated rates: Fireman (FN), Seaman (SN. The Gunner's Mate 'A' school is. Seaman is a naval rank and is either the lowest or one. Those who have not officially been assigned to a rating are officially referred to as 'undesignated'. From painting bulkheads as an undesignated seaman to giving vaccines and drawing blood as a hospital corpsman (HM), Helfrich remembers both stages of her journey.

1. Navy Undesignated

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Military Subreddits. United States Navy Websites. Advancement Tests!!!!. Our thanks to and for creating our very own custom Reddit logo. I came in undesignated. It's not the end of the world.

You'll most likely end up in deck which isn't the end of the world either, the work is hard but it's not difficult. I'd try and steer myself towards a smaller ship were you'll have a better chance to stand out if you're able.

Picking a rating these days seems largely driven by available quotas - there isn't a way to project 100% whether or not MC will be available when you're eligible. The reason you see YN, BM, (OS was really popular when I was in deck) etc. As frequent suggestions is because they don't require a follow on school to become rated - take the YN3 exam and if you meet the minimums, you're a YN, hell you might even make YN3.

Again that's going to be driven by quotas. If you do find something you'd like to do, spend some of your free time learning from the people on the ship that do that job. They can help you come test time or when applying for your A school quota. The best advice I can give you is stay positive and work hard.

You'll stand out and that will be the key to having the best chance to take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves. While I'm interested in the well being and development of all my Sailors, a top performer is someone I'll always go out of my way to take care of - even if it's not the best thing for my division or department. My experience is entirely anecdotal but I came in undesignated, worked in deck for a year, took the YN3 exam and eventually made YN2 and then got to go to OCS - that was nearly a decade ago. I certainly caught a bunch of lucky rolls but a big part of it was busting my ass and trying to be a good dude. Cus a good majority of the aviation rates are over-manned right now.

There's guys at my squadron that have been undesignated for years because they can't pick up a rate. Line shack is the guys that inspect the aircraft daily, wash them, move them, direct them, fuel them, etc. Everyone is put here as a newbie but the undesignated are stuck the longest.

Navy Undesignated

You can get put into a shop as an undes, but it could still take you a minute to strike. My advice is stay on top of your qualifications. Get your PC as soon as possible. Don't sit around on it. Don't waist your TAD time bullshitting because your qual timer is on pause.

Use that to your advantage and take it as extra time to work on quals. Study the pubs and know your shit. It's worth it. Also get your wings as soon as possible.

After getting PC, start working on shop quals for the rate you want. If you stay on top of everything, know your stuff, and are hot shit compared to everyone else, it will help you out a ton.