Since Lori posted about the extension, I figured that I should explain a little more since I'm the one actually doing the job onboard. What I've talked to my CO about is call the Division Officer's Sequencing Program, or DOSP. What it basically means is that when I’m done with my first tour (October of 2008) I’ll move onto a second tour job onboard. The biggest benefit (other than rolling to shore duty 6 months early) is that there will be no re-qualification period. This means my current qualifications will remain in place and I’ll be able to progress to new qualifications more quickly. In the end, there’s a good possibility that this will help in career progression (assuming the Navy becomes a career). Nevertheless, it’s basically the best of both worlds. We get to stay in Japan a little longer (what I want to do) and I get to roll to shore duty earlier and spend more time with Lori (what she and I both want). Anyway, if you have any questions that are more specific that what I’ve posted, please let me know.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Japan Extension
Hey Everyone,
Since Lori posted about the extension, I figured that I should explain a little more since I'm the one actually doing the job onboard. What I've talked to my CO about is call the Division Officer's Sequencing Program, or DOSP. What it basically means is that when I’m done with my first tour (October of 2008) I’ll move onto a second tour job onboard. The biggest benefit (other than rolling to shore duty 6 months early) is that there will be no re-qualification period. This means my current qualifications will remain in place and I’ll be able to progress to new qualifications more quickly. In the end, there’s a good possibility that this will help in career progression (assuming the Navy becomes a career). Nevertheless, it’s basically the best of both worlds. We get to stay in Japan a little longer (what I want to do) and I get to roll to shore duty earlier and spend more time with Lori (what she and I both want). Anyway, if you have any questions that are more specific that what I’ve posted, please let me know.
Since Lori posted about the extension, I figured that I should explain a little more since I'm the one actually doing the job onboard. What I've talked to my CO about is call the Division Officer's Sequencing Program, or DOSP. What it basically means is that when I’m done with my first tour (October of 2008) I’ll move onto a second tour job onboard. The biggest benefit (other than rolling to shore duty 6 months early) is that there will be no re-qualification period. This means my current qualifications will remain in place and I’ll be able to progress to new qualifications more quickly. In the end, there’s a good possibility that this will help in career progression (assuming the Navy becomes a career). Nevertheless, it’s basically the best of both worlds. We get to stay in Japan a little longer (what I want to do) and I get to roll to shore duty earlier and spend more time with Lori (what she and I both want). Anyway, if you have any questions that are more specific that what I’ve posted, please let me know.
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I sure am glad he posted this information because I certainly couldn't explain it although I'm sure he's told me a million times!!
ReplyDeleteAnd amazingly Danny was able to explain it using just one acronym. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWill you be doing the same job as you are now, Danny, or will you train for something else? I'm pretty sure a good career move is one that gives you more training. If nothing else, it'll help when/if you transition back to the 'real' world. I'm sure you've checked all the ins & outs of the positions and are assured this is a good thing. Will you be doing your shore duty there as well, or perhaps coming back stateside for that? XXOOX Mom/Tracy
I would be moving onto another job from Commo. I’ll move onto one of the same types of jobs I would have had moving onto another ship. Ironically, this is actually what the Navy used to do. As my CO put it, I'll become a good source of corporate knowledge. Like I said in my original post, the big advantage is it’ll make getting some of the other career-required qualifications much easier. All in all, it’ll make this work out better in the long run.
ReplyDeleteSince he ignored the last question... We do not plan on doing the shore duty here. One of the reasons we chose this program (yes, I was involved in this decision) instead of taking another tour out here is because it was shorter and we'd be back in the states sooner. We love Japan, but we want to come home too!
ReplyDeleteShore duty would be yet another tour and I think that is too long to be away of home all at one time.
You've obviously done your research and thought it through, and it totally works for me. I'm so glad this is working out for the two of you. Going military doesn't always, as I'm sure you know. However, you both went into it with your eyes wide open and Danny, especially, had a good idea of what was to come.
ReplyDeleteNext step, find out where you'll be for shore duty. How much say do you think you'll get in that? Being overseas for so long will hopefully help give you some pull there. Even if you don't get back to WA, just being in the States will put you a whole lot closer. That'll be around the time your dad retires too, it would be nice if you could be here for that. After that happens, we'll be free to hop a MAC flight (or whatever they're called now) and go wherever we want when. A bennie of years of Navy servitude! XXOOX Mom/Tracy
I know everyone keeps going on about how much better or easier it would be if we were in the states. From Seattle to Tokyo it can be an 8-10 hour flight. Yes, there is the extreme time change and you have to have a passport which make it a little harder.
ReplyDeleteThe things is that if we were living anywhere on the east coast it would be at least a 6 hour flight from Seattle.
Okay, so maybe it is not as expensive, but I think you all are making a bigger deal out of the distance than is needed. I really don't feel things would be different if we lived on the east coast of the U.S. Maybe I am wrong, but this is the way I see things.
The big thing about living in the states,no matter where to go the people speak some form of English and you know you can read the signs.
ReplyDeleteFunny how we think you are so far away, and yet as you say if the East coast was your port you would still be 6 hours away.
Even Hawaii seems a long way away, but we would still be more apt to visit in Hawaii, than in say, Alaska.
I hope this turns out to be a good career move. which it sounds like it is.
Hugs, Grandma
That's part of it, being stateside is an easier flight and you can speak the language on layovers. If you were on the eastern seaboard, when we visited, it would be much easier to rent a car and go sightseeing than it would be in a foreign country. Imagine if you guys lived here, and Dad and I moved to Mexico when he retired. That would probably seem pretty darn far away, but like Japan, most areas are only a 6 - 8 hour flight. It just seems far away because it's a different country.
ReplyDeleteAt some point, I hope to be able to get to Japan for a visit, but like you mentioned, the flights are pretty dang expensive and as long as I'm working, I don't have the time luxury of a MAC flight. In the meantime, I just continue to live vicariously through you guys and your blog. I so enjoy the updates and pictures, thank you both for doing that to keep us in the loop of your lives. XXOOX Mom/Tracy
I guess I've been living here too long to see it that way. The language thing seems like a non-issue because English is so wide-spread here.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for my family who's not military because they can't take advantage of the AMC flights. Sure, they leave at 3 am, but they are cheap and really nice. Plus, the time they land in Japan is perfect.
And, I LOVE the trains here. Public transportation is fantastic.
LOL, maybe we are living over here to keep our family away. :) At least we know you won't just drop in!