Where to find information about jobs / ratings

[MacGruff]

Hi everyone,

My son will be going to MEPS for his ASVAB and physical next Tuesday. We've been told by his recruiter that he will be talking to the Detailer later that day and will be given his choices based on what he qualifies for and what's available.

My son has no particular interest in any one or two fields but he does have some inclinations of what he wants and / or likes. For instance, he has no interest in the big boats (like Aircraft Carriers) or submarines. On the other hand, he is very interested in serving on a Destroyer or something smaller.

We've been looking to find out information about what the different navy jobs are like. The About.com site has a brief explanation about what each two letter acronym is but it is not very descriptive on the details of the jobs. The Navy site has the "2008 owne'rs and operator's manual" but it also basically lists that jobs with very little detail.

Any suggestions on where we can find out such information?

The recruiters have not been forthcoming with info as they claim that they do not want my son to have his heart set on a particular position which may not be available to him when the time comes. Still, we think he should at least have SOME idea of what the different jobs mean before he has to make such a binding decision.

So, any help - links - infromation would be appreciated.

[NavyMomx2]

Hello and please tell your son he is making a great decision to join the best Navy in the world. We are so glad he is taking this challenge.

You can visit http://www.navy.com and select the Careers tab to find out about the different "jobs" in the Navy. Have your son take the Accelerate your Life quiz to see what might be a good fit for him. There is also a parents board on that site as well - what you can't learn on this site (which isn't much as we have an awesome mix of people if I do say so myself) you may be able to find there.

Good luck at MEPS and let us know how you fare.

[KYmom]

Tell him to pick out a couple of things that he does like, and to not be in a hurry to leave. He can always wait for that opening of what he wants to do.

[NavyMomx2]

That is so true (what Delores just said) - my daughter went to MEPS, signed up for firefighter and changed jobs before she left for boot to MA - don't give up.

[KYmom]

Some will try to push you to take what's available right away, but it's your future, and the right opportunity is worth waiting for.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Couldn't add anything to what you have already heard !!! :biggrin:

I imagine that you are pretty proud of your son ... I think he would really like the Destroyer or Cruiser Navy ... definately some awesome ships with a lot of history.

The crew is, in my opinion, just the right size on those ships. You know everyone by name and can really learn everything about your ship.

What type of things interest your son ? Mechanical work .... computers ... video games ... construction ???? The Navy is by far the most diverse service out there. I'm sure that he will find something that interests him. He may not find out what his true calling in life is until after he has been in for a while.

I often had people join the Navy in one of the apprenticeship programs for just that reason. Not locked into one specific rate and had the opportunity to check them out in person before deciding.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[MacGruff]

Thanks for all the information and link everybody. We are reading them as we find 'em!

My son's likes, eh?

Let's see, like this whole generation he is a video gamer and spends many hours at it (too many if you ask me, of course! :-) ). While he has fun using computers, he is a user not a maintainer. No mechanical skills - those passed him by. He is rather smart and should do well at any of the analytical skills. We did a practice ASVAB for the Mariner Recruiter and he scored an 88 and completed the whole test in one quarter of the required time.

I guess we've been looking at Operations Specialist; Cryptography; and Intelligence. He would LOVE to be a gunner but I guess it's not like you load those things manually any more and then pull the trigger. Still, he is looking at Gunner's Mate and maybe even Master at Arms.

Doesn't it seem like he is all over the map?

[NavyMomx2]

What kid isn't all over the map? LOL If he ends us choosing Master at Arms ask me all the questions you'd like - that's my daughter's rate - my son's rate is Mass Communications Specialist - so if he likes the media type stuff that would be the job for him.

It sounds like you are doing your homework and will be just fine when you head to MEPS.

Something you may want to read before he heads to boot camp is a book called Honor, Courage, and Committment (can't remember the author). It gives you an honest look into the life at bootcamp, without actually being there.

Stay in touch and let us know what he decided on and when he leaves for boot camp. We'll be here for you all the way through.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Thanks for all the information and link everybody. We are reading them as we find 'em!

My son's likes, eh?

Let's see, like this whole generation he is a video gamer and spends many hours at it (too many if you ask me, of course! :-) ). While he has fun using computers, he is a user not a maintainer. No mechanical skills - those passed him by. He is rather smart and should do well at any of the analytical skills. We did a practice ASVAB for the Mariner Recruiter and he scored an 88 and completed the whole test in one quarter of the required time.

I guess we've been looking at Operations Specialist; Cryptography; and Intelligence. He would LOVE to be a gunner but I guess it's not like you load those things manually any more and then pull the trigger. Still, he is looking at Gunner's Mate and maybe even Master at Arms.

Doesn't it seem like he is all over the map?

The fact that he is all over the map is of great benefit to him IMHO.
Based on what you described of him, CT or IS would be an ideal avenue for him .... and he could have the possibility to play with the guns if he were attached to say, a SEAL unit. While I was assigned to Unit Two in Germany, every team that came through on deployment was filled with a compliment of their own intelligence and operations folks. They may not actually be SEALs but they are very much into the operation and get to learn a lot of cool things (the high tech computer and SATCOM stuff, weapons, vehicles ... etc.). If this type of work was to his liking, it is such a tight-nit organization that he could pretty much stay in that arena for most of his career if he chose to. They take very good care of you !! Just an idea .... I know I enjoyed the heck out of my time with them.

By the way ... they also use a lot of Gunners Mates as well.

Pass on my congrats to him ... and he (or you) can feel free to PM me if he has questions that I may answer.

Cheers,
PISTOL