UNITED STATES NAVY?!?!?!

[havoc1114]

well... im retaking my asvab later this week in order to get a better score... i am hoping to be like a mechanic or something with real world possibilities. i really like the oppurtunities that the navy has to offer. they have the best college oppurtunities, and the food is good. and above all, i love the water. i am really lokking forward to this, because i see this as a great chance to learn and have an adventure.

[wodar1]

Way to go Mike, we all hope you do well and thank you.

[J Woodman]

That is a good choice for you at your age Mike. Way to go. Hold off on buying the fishing license though. You won't have any time to fish during basic, and you might get posted somewhere besides California afterwards.

[beacondawg]

Mike I got your PM. call me little brother.

[chance]

hey mike great move best time i ever had was in the navy most of them navey rates are useable i would try to stay away from the avaition rates as you still have to pass the faa test even after youve been to school in the navy there are a lot of us ex swabbies here at getbent if ya got any questions feel free to ask, and like wils said you wont need a license in basic no time and great lake during the winter aint fishing weather and if your out to sea you are in internationa water no fishing license required

i fished off the coast of vietnam didnt need a fishing license there either

[rmedina0811]

Originally Posted by chance

... i would try to stay away from the avaition rates as you still have to pass the faa test even after youve been to school in the navy .....

That is absolutely true...stay away from any aviation rates...My brother can take apart a CH-46, CH-53, and Viking turbines and put them back together with his eyes closed, but without the FAA cert. you can't do the same in the civilian sector. I believe the construction battalion (CB or SeaBees as they're known) teaches you skills you can use after the service. Either way good luck on becoming a squid

[Stringer]

I can vouch for that also. I was a very good jet engine mech in the USAF, but I just never could see myself taking the 18 months of schooling for the A & P licence after I got out. Electronics/Instrumentation or a Computer feild would be my advice.

[Non fishin fool]

Mike, whatever you do when you leave the MEPS office make sure you have a rating. If you like computers I would recommend Information Technician (IT) then you get to spend your time in an air conditioned space looking at computers. If you do not have a rate when you leave they send you to the Seamanship program which means you go to the fleet as a deck seaman and you have to chip paint and handle lines for a year before you can strike out of deck (choose a rate). I spent 20 years as an Operations Specialist working in an air conditioned space looking at radar. Not a bad gig but can be boring. The IT rating seems to me to be one of the best moves someone can make simply because computers are not going away. If you are dead set on being a mechanic then try for one of the GS ratings GSM/GSE still get your hands dirty but don't spend your whole day in the hole. But please do not leave MEPs without a rate. If they offer you something and you are not sure get on the site and I am sure the group can help you make the best decision possible. Congratulations and good luck.

[Wavehopper]

OK my 2 cents..I've known nothing but the Navy since I was a kid. My father retired and I have 20 years under my belt. I'll just leave you this and it's the BEST advice I think anyone can give to anyone who's joining any of the branches:

Prior to departing MEPS..You will be called down to sign your papers. BEFORE YOU SIGN ANYTHING..Have them point out to you in your Service Record EVERYTHING that was promised to you. If you're happy that it is then sign away. If you're not, you are under NO obligation to sign anything and should tell them that as soon as the discrepancies are cleared up you will sign.
Do not let anyone try to intimidate or threaten you into signing. You are NOT officially in the military UNTIL you sign that enlistment contract. You can stand around with your right hand up all day long repeating the enlistment oath but you are NOT in until you sign that enlistment contract.
Recruiters have been known to intimidate and threaten potential recruits who have decided not to go after all. Especially those that go into the Delayed Entry Program. Just because you are in a Delayed Entry Program does NOT mean that you are OFFICIALLY in the military. Quite the contrary..you are STILL a civilian until when????
That's right..UNTIL you sign that enlistment contract at MEPS. Tell them that a crusty 'ol Naval Aircrewman told ya so.

Make sure everything is there and best of luck to you.

[chance]

electrical rates are good also fairly clean work but satifying but you get a great education in ac and dc power which most civilian electricans dont know , CE construction electricans with the seabee are also good besides you will proably wind up back at home some time during your enlistment