SITREP - Prodigy922

[Prodigy922]

Rangers,

Well, I can never forget this place, as it was originally the soul fuel of my motivation and determination. I'm currently doing a million things at once trying to get my pre-commissioning package setup. Additionally, the Army Warrant Officer recruiters swung by recently in regards to their programs and shortages and possibly for become a helicopter pilot, regardless of branch. Given that I'm already in the process for Surface Warfare Officer selection this I figured was a great opportunity.

Unfortunately that little Army stint I had raises questions *not arguably* anywhere I go, with anything I apply to. People want to know the who what when where and why, because it looks suspicious and confusing and I can see why.

Anyways, I'm sorry I don't have more info but there's just too many different things to compile into something that makes sense. Hopefully I can provide a large "status" update in the coming years. Thanks again for everything, and never quit.

[K.Ingraham]

OCS eh? Way to succeed!
You will get somewhere where you'll be making a difference.

[Prodigy922]

I posted this at on the Paratroopers forum and I'm relaying it here as well.

So, when I last posted, I was diligently working on my officer package and trying to be the best sailor that I can. I made a trip to ADMIN to talk about my officer package and how to get it better assembled. While in there, they started looking into OTHER things. In the Navy, there's a force shaping tool called "Perform To Serve", or, "PTS". It USED to be for moving people from overmanned rates into undermanned rates. But these days it's used to discharge people who aren't up to standards or aren't making rank fast enough.

PTS goes by year of enlistment, the year you entered the Navy, or in my case... the year I entered the Army, 2008. It's a fucked up system, and ADMIN knows this, but they can't do much about it... not yet. What this means is, administratively speaking, I'm behind the ball. It LOOKS like I joined the Navy in '08 and I'm an E2 with no record. There's virtually NO way to circumnavigate this, but my command is trying.

I asked for a fucking HONEST , no sugar answer, and there's a chance I may be separated after this tour. HOWEVER - adversely speaking, this also brought up some INTERESTING options. PTS still functions as a manning tool; guess what, SPECWAR is always undermanned. They printed me a list of jobs that I qualify for in order based on ASVAB and my record. Guess what my top 5 results were? EOD > SEAL > SWIC > Navy Diver > Intelligence specialist.

What does this mean? It means if my PTS package is DENIED for reenlistment under my current job, I may be able to reenlist with a SPECWAR contract and put a medical package through now that I have a military history.

I recently made Junior sailor of the quarter, even though it's only my second quarter at the command. They put in for sailor of the year as well. I'm just steamrolling this shit and I plan on continuing to NEVER QUIT and to plow through things until I become either 1) a special operator or 2) the commanding officer of a ship.

Signing out.

[GoldCoast]

Sounds like you are starting to get your legs under you. Don't get caught up administrivia; continue to do the best you can at whatever you happen to be doing. I hope you find what you're looking for.

[goon175]

Good things come to those who work hard. Sometimes just not on the timeline you want! I'm confident with your determination that something good is gonna shake loose and fall your way.

[K.Ingraham]

Damn but your timeline sucks - you are the poster child for "Never Quit"!

You kept preparing and it could be that opportunity is finally arriving - I hope you kept up your PT. That cold water around Coronado is unforgiving.

Once again you are demonstrating that the Army's loss is the Navy's gain.

[Jim]

Damn but your timeline sucks - you are the poster child for "Never Quit"!

You kept preparing and it could be that opportunity is finally arriving - I hope you kept up your PT. That cold water around Coronado is unforgiving.

Once again you are demonstrating that the Army's loss is the Navy's gain.

Kevin hit it on the head. You are living my admonition: Never, never quit!

[Prodigy922]

Update:

Well, I decided it was time. I went in and did a blind shot on a dive physical and a medical waiver. I brought everything that's happened in the past 4+ years; letters, med documents, military history, recommendation, etc. They asked plenty of questions, and were rightfully skeptical of some things. The doctor ended up passing my dive physical, and submitted the paperwork up to BUMED for a waiver. My waiver came back cleared, and as of right now I'm finally qualified for Naval Special Warfare.

It's taken a long ass fucking time, but it's finally happening. The process has started and I'm going to soon rout a chit through my command for the conversion from IT to Special Operator and try to shop for a pre-bud/s slot. It's time to get back into the full swing of training.

[Jim]

Drive on Prodigy. I have never seen you whine about your set backs on here. You simply drive on and find other routes to the objective never quitting. I am convinced you have the heart of a Ranger.

Concure. Never, never quit!

[goon175]

Man, now your gonna have to get a moustache to move on! haha

Good luck man, train hard and train smart!

[Prodigy922]

All -- just wanted to provide an update to all the men women and Rangers here who have been extremely helpful,

The temporary "full clear" I had expired *it was only 6 months* and my permanent waiver clearing me for specops has been approved. This means barring any injury or anything that this issue is fully cleared for good now. I am still training, and still driving on. All that's left to do is continue pushing for a slot at school *BUD/S SWCC EOD*. Thank you to everyone who has been so helpful here.

[Jim]

The temporary "full clear" I had expired *it was only 6 months* and my permanent waiver clearing me for specops has been approved. This means barring any injury or anything that this issue is fully cleared for good now. I am still training, and still driving on. All that's left to do is continue pushing for a slot at school *BUD/S SWCC EOD*. Thank you to everyone who has been so helpful here.

No,, thank you for never, never giving up. I, for one, consider you my hero!

[KW Driver]

Jesus. That's fucking fortitude.

Right on. Go get your shit stud.

[Prodigy922]

Roger that -- you know, I just checked this post originally dated 2010, and here we are approaching 2013, and this only includes my time in the navy; and not the previous 3+ years of enlisting. Time is flying quick, it's actually pretty scary.

[Jim]

Roger that -- you know, I just checked this post originally dated 2010, and here we are approaching 2013, and this only includes my time in the navy; and not the previous 3+ years of enlisting. Time is flying quick, it's actually pretty scary.

Five years is a long time in anyone's book.