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PACIFIC OCEAN — Enlisting in the Navy can be a daunting experience. With over 60 different rates to choose from, each with varying requirements, work environments, skill sets and opportunities, knowing which path to take can be a difficult decision, especially for incoming Sailors with no prior knowledge of the Navy’s endless possibilities.
However, there is an alternative option, where Sailors can gain practical experience and better understanding a variety of different jobs before choosing the one which best suits them. Enlisting into the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) program offers this opportunity to new Sailors, and the possibilities are endless.
The Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) program was established for Sailors to enlist and receive on-the-job training before deciding on a rating or job. A Sailor can choose between Aviation, Engineering, or Surface/Seaman PACT programs. However, this does not limit their options when it comes to decision time. The program was created with the intention of finding a better fit for Sailors, while simultaneously improving fleet staffing requirements. This can also be a beneficial route to take if the original rate they want to pursue is not yet available.
“It’s kind of a shaping tool,” said U.S. Navy Navy Counselor 1st Class Nicholas Tousseau. “I do think it gives Sailors more say in their career. When a rated Sailor wants to cross rate, there’s extra steps involved but that doesn’t apply for undesignated.”
To designate a rating, PACT Sailors must serve a minimum of 12 months onboard at their command. Sailors become eligible to apply for, or strike, a rate within any of the communities they served undesignated in, such as A-PACT, E-PACT and S-PACT. They will work with the command career counselor and apply through the career way points (CWAY) system.
AVIATION PACT If a Sailor chooses to become an airman, they could potentially be tasked with handling aircraft, serve as a team member in a crash-and-salvage team, or become involved in flight operations. A-PACT Sailors will undergo a three-week aviation-professional apprentice career track course in Pensacola, Fla. before going to their first command.
“I am so blessed and happy that I got to do A-PACT because it just gave me more opportunities,” said U.S. Navy Airman Lamour Tonuao.
Upon entering the fleet, Airman Tonuao was assigned to Electronic Air Squadron (VAQ) 133 and began to work with aviation electronics technician (AT) rate. She has recently struck AT, which consists of maintaining and repairing electronics on aircraft and is excited to begin her journey as a rated Sailor.
“I feel like if I had not enlisted as an undesignated Sailor, I never would have considered AT,” said Tonuao. “I have a newfound appreciation for this rate due to acknowledging where I started from.”
Tonuao had originally been inspired to join the Navy by her brother-in-law who had also been an airman, so she met with a recruiter to see what her options would look like upon enlisting. Her recruiter was an aviation ordnanceman, although still unsure of which rate she wanted to pursue, her interest in aviation grew.
“My recruiter told me about the A-PACT program where I can join undesignated and go work in a general work center and learn all about the aircraft,” said Tonuao.
“From the moment I joined this really changed my life and it’s still going really good.”
Next, Tonuao will begin her initial schooling before attending a “C” school to deepen her knowledge on EA-18G Growler jets.
ENGINEERING PACT Another option a Sailor has is to become a fireman. A fireman’s day is typically filled with standing various watches, repairing or maintaining engineering equipment, operating sound powered communication systems, and/or assisting in emergency response teams. Similar to Airman, E-PACT Sailors will undergo a three-week engineering professional apprenticeship career track course in Great Lakes, Ill. before reporting to their first command.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I decided to enlist in the Navy so I decided to go undesignated to have the opportunity to experience different rates to see what it was like before blindly committing to something,” said U.S. Navy fireman Connor Andersen. “I picked E-PACT and it’s been nothing but good for me.” Andersen has been able to work with multiple divisions in engineering department, but spoke most fondly about his time working in the air conditioning and repair shop. Andersen mainly worked with chill water piping, refrigerant, and air conditioning systems.
“The Navy has given me the opportunity to learn about this equipment,” said Andersen. “If I were to take this to the civilian world, I could make a good living off of it without having to go through trade school.”
Andersen has recently struck the engineman rate, which consists of working on engines and other machinery. He looks forward to continuing his time in the Navy as a rated Sailor.
“At the end of the day, it’s hard work,” said Andersen. “But once you get it done, it pays off.”
SURFACE/ SEAMAN PACT Last but not least, a Sailor can also choose to become a seaman and be assigned to deck department. A deck seaman can expect to be tasked with line handling evolutions and standing underway watches. S-PACT Sailors also undergo a three-week surface common core course in Great Lakes, IL before reporting to their first command.
“I feel like I appreciate where I’m at now more because of my time undesignated,” said former deck Seaman, U.S. Navy information systems technician 1st Class Mercury Milton, who struck the rate of Information Systems Technician (IT) 8 years ago. “I take a little bit more care in how I represent myself and how I approach my day-to-day challenges of being an IT. It’s a thing about perspective.”
Different experiences shape different perspectives. Coming in as undesignated can give a Sailor a unique outlook after becoming rated. Occasionally, a Sailor will be required to submit a package when applying for specific rates due to specific requirements. This was a factor in Milton’s experience striking the role of IT.
“I needed a certain clearance for my particular rate,” said Milton. “I didn’t know if I was going to get picked up for a rate right away and it’s nerve-racking while you wait to find out. I worried if I was going to get the same chance that I see other people getting when their time comes.”
It can be easy for undesignated Sailors to become discouraged during the striking process. For some Sailors, they don’t quite qualify for the rate they want, and other times, the rate isn’t even available. Regardless, at times it can be a long process but ultimately very rewarding.
“I think it helps when people who were undesignated are placed in leadership roles,” said U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Chris Geshwender. “I can tell them how I was an undesignated Sailor and now I’m a Leading Petty Officer of my division. Success comes from the Sailor, not where you start off.”
The PACT program allowed for more opportunities in June 2018, and it continues to allow Sailors to experience different aspects of the Navy. Program updates include Sailors being automatically promoted to E-4 after 30 months of total time in service, regardless of their entry pay. As Sailors continue on in their naval careers, it allows them the opportunity to look back on the boots they once wore and still remember what they fit like.
| Date Taken: | 12.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.04.2026 07:07 |
| Story ID: | 554109 |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Abraham Lincoln Sailors share their experiences through the PACT program, by PO2 Valerie Morrison, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
