questions about DC rating / HM

[czechfuturenavyman]

Hello, I'm from the Czech Republic and in process of becoming sailor.
I went and took the ASVAB and got 68 which is pretty good considering its not my first language. I am 29 y.o and have wife and 1 3,5 y.o. boy.
I am have a background in physical therapy from europe, EMT-B license, speak czech, understand russian, fluent english. I have been freelancing with fire department for over a year. I have couple questions. They told me that I should be E3 due to my 120 credit hours. Due to non u.s. citizenship Im not allowed to do 2/3 of ratings. I have been in the country for three years on my I 551 so I could apply for citizenship myself, but I was told by recruit Ill have to give up my other citizenship, if I reinlist which I really do not want.



1/ What is a regular day like on the ship for damage contol man?

2/ What do you do if you are not deployed and how is yor work schedule while not deployed?

3/ What are my chances to relocate to europe like spain, italy, germany, japan with my family. We dont have much stuff and have only one kid. I understand they try not to relocate married man?

4/ For which raings im more likely to be relocated abroad?

5/ Im also thinking of Hospital Corpseman. I really dont want to be an medic with marines. Do I have a choice?

6/I like variety of work also thinking of Aviation mechanical ratings. Like to fix things and don't like to be stuck in one place. I enjoy people.

7/ Is it possible to meet with a career counselor before MEPS?

8/ What do I need to do to change from enlisted to officer program since I already have 120 credits but no degree?


If you have any suggestions I would appritiate it.
CZechfuturenavyman

[Retired Navy Chief]

Welcome ....

You have a very diverse background. That will serve you well in the Navy.

I would strongly advise for you to give the Hospital Corpsman rate a very serious look. You have a good medical background and there are locations in the world that you could be deployed to where your linguistic skills would be very beneficial.

My input to your questions are:
1. Day to day life for a DCman is training the crew and doing preventive maintenance and upkeep on the equipment. Sometimes there is variation, but for the most part ... that is it.

2. If you are on a ship but not deployed, then you are usually doing things to get the ship ready for the next trip. That could be attending schools, major repairs to the ship, loading replacement parts & food. Shore assignments are totally different.

3. Relocating to the areas that you listed will be hard if you take one of the mainstream "Sailor" type jobs. Those areas are usually filled by people in the intelligence, cryptology, linguistic, construction, or special warfare type job fields. Not saying you couldn't do it (I did and I was a DCman) ... but not likely. Being married with a family doesn't limit you very much on locations ... there are a few places that you can't bring them but you have to volunteer for those jobs, they don't just assign you there.

4. See answer #3.

5. You can be a corpsman without being attached to the marines ... however I believe that all corpsmen are being trained for it, just in case. I am hoping that a real corpsman will chime in to answer this better ... I am shooting from the hip here. I do know that every HM that I have ever met absolutely loved being attached to the marines. They are treated very well by the marines.

6. Don't know a lot about the aviation fields ... so I will defer that to the experts.

7. Your recruiter is pretty much all you need right now. They have all the information at their disposal and should be able to answer any questions you may have. This site is another good reference.

8. There are commisioning programs that your credits will give you an advantage on ... but without the degree, you won't have much luck coming in as a civilian.

The citizenship issue is your biggest obstacle at this point for some really good jobs. You should give it some more thought.

Good luck,
PISTOL

[czechfuturenavyman]

First, thank you for the answers Ret. Navy Chief

From What I have heard Its hard to get promoted within Corpseman rating?

I have another question about orders. My recruiter told me that you get to pick your orders based on how well you perform in A school and B/C ?
Is this the right information and what is the process like?

I have been thinking about DC because I enjoy fire training.