bud/s package problems from Yokosuka, Jp...

[guentherishere]

Hey there everyone!
I am getting stationed in Yokosuka, Japan at the end of May and was wanted to explain the problem I'm currently and hopefully receive some feedback.

I am currently checking out of my command as we speak and will be actually departing for Japan at the end of May. I will be back home in Texas from May 1st-May27th on leave before I officially head to Japan. I spoke to a SEAL motivator who told me that they could arrange someone for the PST while I'm out there, however when I checked the website for USNH Yokosuka it states that they can only complete part 1 of the dive physical over there. Obviously only being able to complete phase 1 of my dive physical will hinder my progression to bud/s. I don't want to sit in Japan for 3 years before I come back to the states to give it a shot. The article I read on the website did have terrible grammar and spelling errors which seemed very unprofessional and made me question if the writer actually knew what they were talking about.

Basically I want to know the following:

Has anyone has recently been shipped to bud/s from Japan?
With the fact that I'll be reporting to my new command, will I have to wait a certain time frame before they will approve my package?


Also about how long from the time your package is approved until you actually ship out to your class? If it is 3 months or so then I could get started on my package while I'm out here in Virginia. I know I could pass the PST right now. Not with the scores that I would like, but I could pass it... Then I could train the remaining months. I'm a very strong runner and can do pushups/situps all day but I definitely need to work on swimming since I never do it. Possibility?

Any help would be greatly appreciated guys!!!

[jmason]

If you already have orders in hand to go to japan then your probably screwed unless you sh!t out a package in a couple days, then convince your chain of command and career couselor to send it up in time to get your orders cancelled. Ofcourse the need is high for motivated sailors to go to BUD/s... if you can get a package togeather expefuhkinditiously, then respectfully a$$ kiss the package all the way up your chain of command, the detailer might cancel your orders to JAPAN and send you off to bud/s!

If that fails... get a command sponsor contact over at your next duty station. Talk to them and ask for your soon-to-be career couselor's email. From there ask them if they have sent people to BUD/s from japan, hopefully they give good news! There has to be a hyperbaric pressure chamber in Japan somewhere, divers are everywhere! Everything else on the dive physical can be done in any medical facility.... That website you checked may be out of date, you need to get real-time contacts!

Good luck shipmate!

[sarswimmer17]

Even if they do not have the chamber there if there is a dive doc there he will be able to sign you off, Where I recieved my physical I was unable to do the pressure test because it was not available and the doc signed it off and i was accepted to buds.

sar

[guentherishere]

Even if they do not have the chamber there if there is a dive doc there he will be able to sign you off, Where I recieved my physical I was unable to do the pressure test because it was not available and the doc signed it off and i was accepted to buds.

sar

Well if that is the case then I should be able to get that portioned signed off. There are divers everywhere. I'm mainly worried about what jmason said now. I really don't think I'll be able to throw together a bud/s package at my C School command since it will be temporary. Even if I do and they cancel my orders I hope they don't throw me in a class in May because that might be too soon. I need to work on my swimming since I haven't been in a pool in probably 8 months. I definitely need to dedicate some time to the swim. I'll be really bummed if my next command won't let me because I'm "too new." However bud/s is a volunteer thing and I have outstanding evals, an award, have advanced first shot both times (I advanced 2nd in december) and excellent PRT scores so they have no reason to shoot me down.

[sarswimmer17]

Just another thing I want to tell you. Even if your command says you have to be there a certain amount of time before you can put your package in, PUT it in anyways, they are going to tell you that the CO needs to endorse you....HE does not, if this is what you want, dont let others hold you back with BS. Good luck bro

Sar

Also once you get accepted you should be able to talk to the buds detailer to work on a date to head out there the detailer now has really helped me out.

[guentherishere]

Just another thing I want to tell you. Even if your command says you have to be there a certain amount of time before you can put your package in, PUT it in anyways, they are going to tell you that the CO needs to endorse you....HE does not, if this is what you want, dont let others hold you back with BS. Good luck bro

Sar

Also once you get accepted you should be able to talk to the buds detailer to work on a date to head out there the detailer now has really helped me out.

May be a stupid question, but who else besides the CO can endorse me? XO? Dept Head? Anyone of the above?

Also thanks a lot for letting me know that you can actually work with the detailer on when to head out there. That definitely has me motivated to get the package done ASAP with as little confusion as possible and then just pick my date for a later time if need be to allow better conditioning.

Thanks so much! You've been very helpful.

[jmason]

Looking at a personal copy of my package... on the 1306 the command endorsement section only gives the CO the ability to sign it, but I guarantee that my chain of command who actually can see what kind of sailor I am put those comments in the comments block.

So to answer your question just make sure whoever is writing up your 1306 (career counselor most likely) has someone that you would like to put comments into your endorsement (CO/XO/OIC/LCPO). In the end the CO has to sign it.

[sarswimmer17]

On the recommendation for the CO it is not imperrative that he signs it. Although it is recommended but it is NOT needed for you to put your package in. Recommended means Recommended NOT needed, the only reason I am saying this is my CO did not sign the package and i stilll got selected.

SAR

P.S try not to burn bridges though.

Sorry a correction he did sign it but put not recommended. The only reason he said not recommended was because I was running a vital department for our command.

[jmason]

The CO HAS to sign it, just doesnt have to recommend you. They wrote great comments about me just didnt select neither recommended or not recommended because they need me here.