I have a couple questions.

[AzDesert08]

I am interested in working on Electronics, or the Information Technology side of the US Navy.


Can someone tell me what kind of scores i will need to be eligible for such jobs? I have a high school diploma, if that matters.:eterollll:



I would also like to know if the only weekend we get off is the weekend of graduation?

[Retired Navy Chief]

Kind of hard to say ... there are 9 sub-test scores within the ASVAB that have to combined, formulated, put into a food processor and spit out into what the military considers an ideal qualifying score :biggrin:.

Maybe this will help you understand....
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/asvababcs.htm

----- OR------

Go talk to the Navy Recruiter near you and see what you pull and qualify for.


As for the weekend off ... that will be the first "Liberty" you will get following bootcamp. You will be far too busy during bootcamp to take a day off. After that ... no problem.

Good luck ... let us know how things go.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[AzDesert08]

Kind of hard to say ... there are 9 sub-test scores within the ASVAB that have to combined, formulated, put into a food processor and spit out into what the military considers an ideal qualifying score :biggrin:.

Maybe this will help you understand....
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/asvababcs.htm

----- OR------

Go talk to the Navy Recruiter near you and see what you pull and qualify for.


As for the weekend off ... that will be the first "Liberty" you will get following bootcamp. You will be far too busy during bootcamp to take a day off. After that ... no problem.

Good luck ... let us know how things go.

Cheers,
PISTOL


Thank you... and i will...


my next "meeting" with the recruiter is September 8th.:cheesy:

[MacSteve]

i got a 68 IIRC and i was given the IT job..

[AzDesert08]

i have never been a strong runner, i can run a mile, mile and a half, but two miles might be pushing it... the first day we get there, we are not going to be running like 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 miles are we? I have a lot of questions but they are not coming to my finger tips yet... also need to know if i will be given the chance to sign a contract of length of my choice... I want to sign a 10 year contract to start with.

[Retired Navy Chief]

They aren't going to kill ya on the first day ... hahaha. However, you can expect for them to "get your complete, undivided attention" by way of physical training. If you can handle running a mile or mile+ ... you will be fine. They will build you from there ... you will probably surprise yourself with what you are capable of doing when you are shown how to push yourself.

You will have a slight choice in enlistment length ... but there is no such thing as a 10 year enlistment, per se.

Some fields will require a 6 year enlistment due to the length, quality and scope of the training that you must go through to learn the job .... Nuclear Power is one such job.

The majority of the jobs that you will see, require 4 years actiive duty and 4 years in-active reserve; meaning that you are on a list as someone who could be recalled immediately in case of national emergency. (first they call the drilling reservists, then the inactive (non-drilling, no pay) reservists & old retired farts like me, then if all else fails, they institute the draft).

Try it out for 4-6 years, learn a trade and see if it is what you want to do with your life ... then make the decision to reenlist for longer based on that. I didn't know I was gonna be a lifer until I was almost retired Hahahaha.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[MacSteve]

ive been told the only way to get a 10 year contract, is to be a pilot or something.. but then your commissioned so I have no idea... I signed my contract for 5 years.. the extra year got me a 4k bonus right after A school. woohoo!

[Retired Navy Chief]

AZDESERT08 ...

I know that you have electronics and IT related fields as your primary desire .... but do yourself a favor and keep an open mind to look at EVERYTHING the Navy is offering to you based on your ASVAB scores & physical/mental qualifications.

There are some jobs out there that you may have never heard of ... and you might find something that suits you better than you could imagine.

A few examples that are related to what you are looking at now .... Aviation electronics, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) uses electronic backgrounds, weapons departments use Fire Control Technicians (FC) for many of our shipboard defense systems ... many of things the Special Warfare & diving groups are involved with use electronics based skills, like side-scan sonar, counter-intelligence (listening devices, hidden cameras ... spy stuff) ... LOTS of other wild things that can't be discussed without a security clearance.

Follow on jobs after the Navy that could use skills like these might be with the major airlines, CIA, Homeland Security .... etc.

Just how far down that rabbit hole do you want to go ???

Cheers,
PISTOL

[AzDesert08]

AZDESERT08 ...

I know that you have electronics and IT related fields as your primary desire .... but do yourself a favor and keep an open mind to look at EVERYTHING the Navy is offering to you based on your ASVAB scores & physical/mental qualifications.

There are some jobs out there that you may have never heard of ... and you might find something that suits you better than you could imagine.

A few examples that are related to what you are looking at now .... Aviation electronics, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) uses electronic backgrounds, weapons departments use Fire Control Technicians (FC) for many of our shipboard defense systems ... many of things the Special Warfare & diving groups are involved with use electronics based skills, like side-scan sonar, counter-intelligence (listening devices, hidden cameras ... spy stuff) ... LOTS of other wild things that can't be discussed without a security clearance.

Follow on jobs after the Navy that could use skills like these might be with the major airlines, CIA, Homeland Security .... etc.

Just how far down that rabbit hole do you want to go ???

Cheers,
PISTOL
:biggrin: i will. the only reason i asked about electronics / IT is because i just got laid off from the Postal Service, I worked in their Information Systems department for two years. I wouldnt mind working for any of those services you mentioned, i will check everything out. i will write down a list of things i might want to do including what you mentioned and show the recruiter.

[KYmom]

don't quit the Post Office.... Which I am sure you probably already know. I was under the impression if you go military when you come back you are still listed as employed and your military time will count towards your retirement there........ Something like that..... They will have to grant you military leave.....

[AzDesert08]

don't quit the Post Office.... Which I am sure you probably already know. I was under the impression if you go military when you come back you are still listed as employed and your military time will count towards your retirement there........ Something like that..... They will have to grant you military leave.....

They cut the budget and laid off a LOT of people in June, and are continuing to do so... :bigemo54:

[MacSteve]

i didnt know gov't jobs like that did budget cuts via lay offs. hmm.

[KYmom]

Just make sure you keep your layoff status or switch to going Military that way you keep your seniority there and your employment rights.....That way if you are qualified for something higher up that what you were or anything close, and you want to return.... doesn't mean you have to - but at least it's a open door incase you want to....

[RightHereWaiting]

You're in Phoenix too-- I would HIGHLY suggest going to the recruiting station on Bell Road just west of the I-17. They are ALL so amazing and take care of everyone there, not just their own recruits. And I would definitley recommend seeing Petty Officer Bromfield. He's not my recruiter, but if you want to know something right away, or want something done, he's your man. He is AWESOME. He really concentrates on just one or two people at a time. [Not to mention he takes some of us under his wing as well.] But yeah, just my suggestion, especially if it's not too much of a drive for you. Because I hear of horror stories with folks who got to boot knowing NOTHING and not having hardly heard from their recruiter. Most of the recruits coming out of our office are at least an E2 by the time boot camp rolls around and are well prepared for boot.

And if you want to know first hand experiance on the electronics feild, my recruiter is an Electricians Mate 2nd Class... but I wouldn't suggest him as your recruiter, haha. He might have a good bit of information for you though.

Sorry I don't have better, specific information for you. But if you decide to go talk to them, I know they'll find out anything and everything for you.


Take care
-- Natasha.

[AzDesert08]

You're in Phoenix too-- I would HIGHLY suggest going to the recruiting station on Bell Road just west of the I-17. They are ALL so amazing and take care of everyone there, not just their own recruits. And I would definitley recommend seeing Petty Officer Bromfield. He's not my recruiter, but if you want to know something right away, or want something done, he's your man. He is AWESOME. He really concentrates on just one or two people at a time. [Not to mention he takes some of us under his wing as well.] But yeah, just my suggestion, especially if it's not too much of a drive for you. Because I hear of horror stories with folks who got to boot knowing NOTHING and not having hardly heard from their recruiter. Most of the recruits coming out of our office are at least an E2 by the time boot camp rolls around and are well prepared for boot.

And if you want to know first hand experiance on the electronics feild, my recruiter is an Electricians Mate 2nd Class... but I wouldn't suggest him as your recruiter, haha. He might have a good bit of information for you though.

Sorry I don't have better, specific information for you. But if you decide to go talk to them, I know they'll find out anything and everything for you.


Take care
-- Natasha.

No, it's not a far drive for me... and, I just may go talk to someone at that office, because my recruiter really isn't cutting it. I will let you know how it goes...:sooohot:

[RightHereWaiting]

Good deal. Yeah, they're all great and it blows my mind how much they take care of all of us. If you decide to join they will be sure that you are prepared for boot. :D Maybe I'll see around there sometime. Just look for the red head. And again, try your best to talk to AT1.

Did you go to the station at Arrowhead?

P.S. Keep me updated and let me know how things go! It's cool to have someone who lives close by.

[AzDesert08]

Good deal. Yeah, they're all great and it blows my mind how much they take care of all of us. If you decide to join they will be sure that you are prepared for boot. :D Maybe I'll see around there sometime. Just look for the red head. And again, try your best to talk to AT1.

Did you go to the station at Arrowhead?

P.S. Keep me updated and let me know how things go! It's cool to have someone who lives close by.

No, i went to Metro Center... and I am working with someone who is half ass... (IMO) I will go to the one at the plaza on bell road tomorrow... and yeah its cool to have someone around my area joining. Maybe i will see you around like you said :-P

[AzDesert08]

so i went to the recruiting station today - and, like every other time he wasnt there. :LforLoser:

[Retired Navy Chief]

Call the recruiting office and ask for the RINC (recruiter in charge) .... let him know that you aren't getting the best bang for your buck with this particular recruiter and that you would like to speak with a more seasoned sailor who can answer your questions !!

PISTOL

[AzDesert08]

Call the recruiting office and ask for the RINC (recruiter in charge) .... let him know that you aren't getting the best bang for your buck with this particular recruiter and that you would like to speak with a more seasoned sailor who can answer your questions !!

PISTOL

I spoke with the station that Waiting suggested... :):biggrin:

[cousinIT]

I'm an IT and I love it, but signing for 10 years is a big commitment! If I were you, I'd sign for 4-6, like Pistol said, and then see where you want to go from there. Heads up, ship life is tough. I've been out at sea since March. Yeah, we've hit ports and things, but you dont get every day off. I'm ready for some leave time!

[Retired Navy Chief]

Heads up, ship life is tough. I've been out at sea since March. Yeah, we've hit ports and things, but you dont get every day off. I'm ready for some leave time!


There's more truth in that statement than most people can fathom !!



The Navy is definately not your typical 9-5 job where every day is a holiday and every meal is a banquet .... our sailors are expected to do more than the average citizen and do it better. Our nation deserves nothing less.

For those of you who are thinking about joining the military ... you need to look at yourself in the mirror and be able to affirm that you have what it takes and will give it 110% every single day.

Putting out 100% ... ain't gonna cut it.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[RightHereWaiting]

Yes Cheif! Can do!!

[cousinIT]

Pistols right! This job is no joke. I'm working on my 7th month underway. Sure, we've hit ports, but the "liberty ports" have not been longer than 6 days, and you still have duty within those days. We were in San Diego for three weeks, and within that time I had to move onto the George Washington (which went through the terrible fire in May) which meant work for 12 hours a day. I had a total of three days off in three weeks. It sucked! We work 12 hours a day 6-7 days a week. I say that because sometimes we get holiday routine on Sundays and that means we only work 6 hours. A lot of other divisions may work over the 12 hour limit...we do sometimes. It happens. It sucks, but we deal with it. We complain a little bit =], but it'll be over in November, and I'll finally be able to relax a little and maybe even go HOME! I hope we get to relax a little during the inport period...but we've got work ups for the ship for a few months before we pull back out. Which means MORE WORK! It never ends. You feel like you're coming up on a break, and they're like NOPE! Sorry, but the Navy needs this done right now. You get used to the exhaustion =]. But seriously, 110% is required for every person to accomplish our mission successfully. A lot of people dont think that way, but it's everyone's job to motivate each other. My motivation is lacking...even though I'm on a new boat. I'm just tired from being underway so long, and knowing I still have a little while before it's over. Don't worry, this doesnt happen with every ship, but I wouldnt relax too much in saying that! Carriers especially go out a lot...it's our job. Especially a forward deployed ship. All we do is go out! But dont let me discourage you in anyway, dont get me wrong, as much as it sucks sometimes, I know this is the experience of a life time! Here I am right now in my shop, and the world's largest ammo onload is happening right now on this ship. Largest in HISTORY, EVER! Amazing, huh? You get to experience a lot of things here that your friends do not and will not. Just remember to make friends...even if you dont like someone...you never know when you may need that person to just vent to about your day...everyone is vital here!

[Retired Navy Chief]

That is an excellent account of "Any day in the Navy", CousinIT !!

NOW .... for the benefit of those who are not in the Navy yet or who are in DEP and may be starting to get a little intimidated... don't let the long work days keep you from pursuing your goals, you will learn to adapt to this life very quickly.

After that, you will wonder why you wasted so many hours in the day before you joined the Navy.

This tidbit of information will benefit you long after your time in the Navy is done. Your future employers, (if you go to work for someone later) or if you run your own business... will GREATLY benefit from this type of work ethic. This translates into more $$$ in YOUR pockets ... which is the goal, right ?

People LOVE to hire prior military because of a higher level of dedication, attention to detail and dependablity. In short ... they want the person who will give them 110%.

Cheers,
PISTOL