I volunteered for the next Customs Inspection rotation that per the message was supposed to be activated at individual NOSC's near the end of December. Also per a RESNOTE (-2sp?) a read earlier this year, the average notification time was around 140 days prior to activation. At this point I am close to 90 days prior and I haven't heard anything, and neither has my NOSC. Any ideas from the group on when I should hear something either way?
I volunteered for the Customs Mission that's over there now, but somehow I wasn't picked (I don't know how that happens), and if I am going to go again, it's gotta be this next rotation or things at work will be too busy for the next few years.
Well, now I am within 60 days of the Deployment I volunteered for starting, and still no orders. There's going to be a PO1 who didn't want to go to Kuwait, because someone lost my volunteer info, again. Good luck to everyone who's going over to Kuwait next year.
It's been awhile, but from what I recall before retirement the Navy was going after those that had not been mobilized before they went after someone for a second or third tour, unless there was an overriding reason for them to do so (such as a specific request from the command for a particular Sailor). That way everyone got a turn in the bucket, like it or not.
Lately, due to the economy, there have been a lot more volunteers for mobilization than in the past. Hell, last spring the call went out for volunteers for the Mode 3 Hospital in Kandahar and nearly everyone in our OHSU det. volunteered. Only four were picked and will be leaving soon. I vol'd and wasn't picked up, but that's life.
I wouldn't assume that your papers were lost or anything like that. There were probably just a lot of vols. After all, i've heard that the customs mission in Kuwait is pretty good duty with excellent pay.
Keep track of the listserv if you're on it and if not, sign up for it. Opportunities for mobilization are advertised nearly every day and there are many for MA's. Just yesterday there was a posting for multiple positions in Cuba...
Originally posted by outdoorspro: Lately, due to the economy, there have been a lot more volunteers for mobilization than in the past. Hell, last spring the call went out for volunteers for the Mode 3 Hospital in Kandahar and nearly everyone in our OHSU det. volunteered. Only four were picked and will be leaving soon. I vol'd and wasn't picked up, but that's life.
I wouldn't assume that your papers were lost or anything like that. There were probably just a lot of vols. After all, i've heard that the customs mission in Kuwait is pretty good duty with excellent pay.
Keep track of the listserv if you're on it and if not, sign up for it. Opportunities for mobilization are advertised nearly every day and there are many for MA's. Just yesterday there was a posting for multiple positions in Cuba...
True - just read the announcements carefully to make sure you are qualified. One I read (and this was pre-9/11) was for security personnel in Bahrain. Only military personnel that were sworn police officers in civilian life were desired for that one, and that because of the requirements for the positions.
As to the customs mission, depends on who you talk to. I had a couple that went, and they said it was the dullest, most boring assignment you could draw next to watching paint dry.
I've done the Customs mission twice, had one really good command, and one that ended in Admiral's Masts for the CO, XO and JAG officer. After some more digging, found out that my name got "lost in the ether" (their words, not mine) when the system being used to track these things got changed over. The Listserv people claimed they sent out an email talking to that, but I never got it. Maybe I should just stick in the IRR, it's seems to be safer that way.
Originally posted by DeltaFlot: I've done the Customs mission twice, had one really good command, and one that ended in Admiral's Masts for the CO, XO and JAG officer. After some more digging, found out that my name got "lost in the ether" (their words, not mine) when the system being used to track these things got changed over. The Listserv people claimed they sent out an email talking to that, but I never got it. Maybe I should just stick in the IRR, it's seems to be safer that way.
How do you feel about that? I was in the same mission with you, and now because it had to do with the Iraq War that is over, I decided to let go of that stuff, because it's not going to matter anymore.
Well, here's to waiting to the next opportunity to volunteer. It should be soon, and hopefully I won't get lost. I find it appaling lack of QA that not only my name has gotten lost while volunteering, but also several former shipmates who were applying for the same mission.
