DLAB & Contract

graememoorejr · 07-06-2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilyputian

I'm going to MEPS on Monday, but I won't be taking my DLAB until Thursday. Is it possible to sign a contract for CTI without having taken the DLAB first, or will I have to wait until Friday to sign my contract (assuming all my scores qualify me)?

Thanks in advance!

I DEPd into the Marine Corps in March of '13, and took my DLAB a week later. I made a 133/134, so that got me a Crypto Linguist contract guaranteed. Long story short, I decided to leave the Marine Corps DEP and joined the Navy DEP due to date complications. All of this has been said to let you know that, despite my score and already having an identical job in the Corps DEP, I still had to sign on as a Seaman PACT, and wait for a CTI spot to open up. Once the spot opened up, I signed a new contract. So I'd tell you to ask your recruiter about an open contract.

Haasino · 07-06-2014, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graememoorejr

I still had to sign on as a Seaman PACT, and wait for a CTI spot to open up. Once the spot opened up, I signed a new contract. So I'd tell you to ask your recruiter about an open contract.

The big problem with that plan is, if the CTI spot hadn't opened up, you'd have gone in as an undesignated Sailor... you're completely dependent on your recruiter's initiative, MEPS, manning, and numerous other factors out of your control. Any contract that you sign should be under the assumption that you're not getting another rate. Still try for a DAR to get your #1 choice, but don't sign for something you're not willing to do for 4-6 years... no matter how much they promise you'll be able to switch later.

graememoorejr · 07-06-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haasino

The big problem with that plan is, if the CTI spot hadn't opened up, you'd have gone in as an undesignated Sailor... you're completely dependent on your recruiter's initiative, MEPS, manning, and numerous other factors out of your control. Any contract that you sign should be under the assumption that you're not getting another rate. Still try for a DAR to get your #1 choice, but don't sign for something you're not willing to do for 4-6 years... no matter how much they promise you'll be able to switch later.

This is true. I guess I had a special situation. I got a guarantee on the next open spot from the classifier at MEPS due to my score.. My recruiter had nothing to do with that, although I would have put my faith in him if he had.

lilyputian · 07-06-2014, 02:07 PM

Yeah I've been warned repeatedly against signing as "undesignated," both here and by my IRL Navy friends. I'm going to make sure I get a specific rating before I sign anything.

Thanks for the input, guys!

classified9 · 07-08-2014, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilyputian

Yeah I've been warned repeatedly against signing as "undesignated," both here and by my IRL Navy friends. I'm going to make sure I get a specific rating before I sign anything.

Thanks for the input, guys!

I just switched to CTI recently and I'm almost positive you're not going to be able to sign for it until you successfully complete the DLAB. Apologies for beating a dead horse, just wanted to chime in and definitely get a rating and talk all of this out with your recruiter.

JoeSpook · 07-10-2014, 01:08 PM

I was going to go into a quick talk about taking my ASVAB last Monday and the DLAB yesterday, along with how they made me sign a contract for MC until I took the DLAB to find out if I could switch. I passed the DLAB and successfully became a CTI depper yesterday afternoon, so I was going to post a big "don't lose hope" post with more details.

Then I saw that it's Thursday.

How did you do?! Are you a CTI now? Give us an update!

classified9 · 07-11-2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbarnosky

I was going to go into a quick talk about taking my ASVAB last Monday and the DLAB yesterday, along with how they made me sign a contract for MC until I took the DLAB to find out if I could switch. I passed the DLAB and successfully became a CTI depper yesterday afternoon, so I was going to post a big "don't lose hope" post with more details.

Then I saw that it's Thursday.

How did you do?! Are you a CTI now? Give us an update!

Congrats!

07-06-2014, 02:07 PM	#4
lilyputian Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 37 Rep Power: 9	Yeah I've been warned repeatedly against signing as "undesignated," both here and by my IRL Navy friends. I'm going to make sure I get a specific rating before I sign anything. Thanks for the input, guys! __________________ My blog about my experience attempting to enlist in the Navy at age 28: http://lilyputian1.wordpress.com/

07-10-2014, 01:08 PM	#6
JoeSpook Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Clarksburg, WV Posts: 45 Rep Power: 10	I was going to go into a quick talk about taking my ASVAB last Monday and the DLAB yesterday, along with how they made me sign a contract for MC until I took the DLAB to find out if I could switch. I passed the DLAB and successfully became a CTI depper yesterday afternoon, so I was going to post a big "don't lose hope" post with more details. Then I saw that it's Thursday. How did you do?! Are you a CTI now? Give us an update!