Shipout June 11th

[billmac]

Hello all my Name is William. I'm 20 years old and live in Cape may NJ. I decided to make a life change and joined the navy DEP program. I took my Asvab test and scored a 79. I signed on as an AC (air traffic control) I was a little disappointed to discover that the rate of AC had a five year contract where most others have a 4 year. I'm not sure why I think it’s a big deal.

My ship out date is next moth June 11th. I'm very excited but at the same time a little scared. Iv been working out like a mad man with the mind set that every push up I do now that’s one less that will hurt me later. I'm currently unemployed, I was working for a municipality in my area until state budget cuts caused 11 public works employs to be let go. I have heard some where I don’t know if its true but the year that I worked for the city is transforible to my retirement due to the fact that it was government job. I consider my self to be a little better off than most going into the Navy because I am unemployed and have a lot of time to prepare all though I don’t know how to use my time to benefit me. I'm reading my DEP book witch is very hard to retain the knowledge. I watch some of the DEP movies and go on youtube just to see military based movies to keep me motivated.

I'm currently having a hard time with a few things. I'm trying so hard to get my DEP referrals. But to my dismay it seems like no one likes the military. I don’t have many friends and all the ones I do have are in collage or have a fool time job. Every one els I talk to wants nothing to do with the military in general. I went to a tech school for three years so a few months ago I went back to that school to see some of my old teachers and to spread the word of the navy thinking maybe they know any students interested in a military corer. I even went to my auto class to tell the students that there are mechanical jobs in the navy. I was offered 4 or 5 mechanical jobs do to my high mechanical ability test scores. All the students just kinda blew me off. So right now im a little disappointed in the fact that I cant find any one to join so ill be going in as an E1 or an E2 if i can get the information in the DEP book to stick in my head.

Also can some one correct me but the mile and a half run I think the time for a 20 year old mail is 12.45 if this is true I have a month to work on it i'm just under 14 at the moment. I'm sure I can drop that by a lot on pure motivation my runs at the moment are just for the fun of it ( if you could call it that..more for conditioning). And I have been running every other day for the past two moths with huge improvements and plan to push my self harder this next moth. I don’t normally time my runs unless I'm on the treadmill at the gym but some times ill go to the board walk at night and (Walk/run) the length of it and back witch is a total of three miles. Some night this week ill run half of the board walk 1.5 miles and time my self.

I would love to join the Navy special forces as a SWCC I have been around boats all my life and SWCC is also called the boat guys. I have to admit I never captained a boat other than in some back bays but I have been working on them since I was 8 years old I was called the bilge rat when I was a kid running tools to my Father or getting things he couldnt fit to reach. I am under the impression that part of being in the SWCC is that you have to maintain your vestal. My recruiter wants me to go to the special forces try out session. I don’t think I'm ready for that yet. I was told if I make it through the try out with good times that I would go through a different kind of boot camp I have no idea what that means. I never been through a boot camp situation to begin with so at the moment I'm going to go through at the rate I'm at, and if boot camp it self proves to be doable endever to me then I will prosue the SWCC .

PS. My parents are very excited for me, especially my mother. I do not want to let them down I'm keeping my goals high but making sure I keep my head small. Never going through something like this if something happens I don’t want to be the back end of a joke. I will tell my mom about this group you can be sure she will bless you with her presents more than most would like.

And on a second note my recruiter is a huge disappointment to me. I have asked him on three occasions to come down and talk to my parents so they can ask any questions they might have and he failed to do so all three times. He also told me to withhold some information he said it was for my own good but I think its because he was to lazy to make a few phone calls and fill out some paperwork. I hear this is a common practice and all will be good just keep my mouth shut at last chance dooring boot camp and all will be good. I wish I could kick that guy right now.

[billmac]

just read at http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/l/blnavybasic.htm that the typical 18-to-19-year-old recruit has to finish in 11 minutes or less....... ok I have a little work to do. I was going to take today off from my work out but not any more.

[pwilson]

Hi billmac My son jsut left yesterday for great lakes and he was in the DEP for about 3 months. I would definately suggest to you to work out with your runs and sit ups as often as you can. themore you work at it the better you will get. and the more you learn now the better it will be for you later on. use your time wisely and you want be sorry ...as fr your recruiter it is his job to talk to your parents and answer any questions they may have. my son was nervous when he left but also very excited about going .......if there is any way i can help just pm me and i will do what i can

[rysmum59]

Hello and welcome!!!! First of all let me thank you for choosing to serve our country...it is a big deal!!! As far as DEP follow thru with what they tellyou to learn my son was DEP for a year before he left and he learned the book backwards and forwards. As far as the physical fitness aspect well he waited until the last month to begin that and that was a mistake. He and his Dad would work out everyday and pace his running and he did pretty well. However when he got to bootcamp he did have some trouble with the running but was able to do it. So hang in there and just work at it!!! You will do well and I know from both my sons going into the Navy that being nervous before going to bootcamp is so very normal they both said it was not as bad as they had anticipated...Best of luck and let us know how you make out!!!:smile:
Kathy...

[Retired Navy Chief]

Hello William ... congratulations on your enlistment. We are all VERY proud of you !! I know that once you get settled into the Navy routine, you are going to love it.

Air Traffic Control is a great job in the Navy !! I have a very close friend of mine who retired as a senior chief AC ... she absolutely loved her job and was very good at it. We were stationed in Key West together and while she was primarily there to direct the Navy planes in to the naval air station, her crew was also responsible for the civilian aircraft coming in to Key West !!!

Sounds like you have some issues with your recruiter ... it happens from time to time. I suggest that you set up a meeting with the Recruiter-In-Charge of the office, you and your parents. If there are any questions that you need answered or something clarified ... WRITE IT DOWN and bring it in with you.
I would also suggest that you make sure that your folks know that they are welcome to log on and ask us questions at any time ... they are probably very concerned for your well-being and we may be able to help clear things up a little.

Keep focused on your physical fitness, William !! You have a ways to go but it is well within your reach. June 11 will get here soon enough ... if you do something every day to better yourself both physically as well as increasing your military knowledge ... you will do just fine. They make flash cards with the Navy rank insignias as well as your General Orders of a Sentry ... and that will help you greatly.

Just a piece of advice regarding talking to your buddies about joining ... DON'T BE A RECRUITER !!!

Just talk about how excited that you are about your new job, talk about all of the places that you plan to travel to and what you will do with the money and college opportunities provided by the Navy .... and then if they are interested and ask you questions about your new life, let them know that you would be happy to help them find the answers (tell them it "Helps me learn more too"). Give their names and questions to your recruiter and let him do the rest. No pressure.

Keep us posted on your progress ...

Cheers,
PISTOL

[pwilson]

Hello William ... congratulations on your enlistment. We are all VERY proud of you !! I know that once you get settled into the Navy routine, you are going to love it.

Air Traffic Control is a great job in the Navy !! I have a very close friend of mine who retired as a senior chief AC ... she absolutely loved her job and was very good at it. We were stationed in Key West together and while she was primarily there to direct the Navy planes in to the naval air station, her crew was also responsible for the civilian aircraft coming in to Key West !!!

Sounds like you have some issues with your recruiter ... it happens from time to time. I suggest that you set up a meeting with the Recruiter-In-Charge of the office, you and your parents. If there are any questions that you need answered or something clarified ... WRITE IT DOWN and bring it in with you.
I would also suggest that you make sure that your folks know that they are welcome to log on and ask us questions at any time ... they are probably very concerned for your well-being and we may be able to help clear things up a little.

Keep focused on your physical fitness, William !! You have a ways to go but it is well within your reach. June 11 will get here soon enough ... if you do something every day to better yourself both physically as well as increasing your military knowledge ... you will do just fine. They make flash cards with the Navy rank insignias as well as your General Orders of a Sentry ... and that will help you greatly.

Just a piece of advice regarding talking to your buddies about joining ... DON'T BE A RECRUITER !!!

Just talk about how excited that you are about your new job, talk about all of the places that you plan to travel to and what you will do with the money and college opportunities provided by the Navy .... and then if they are interested and ask you questions about your new life, let them know that you would be happy to help them find the answers (tell them it "Helps me learn more too"). Give their names and questions to your recruiter and let him do the rest. No pressure.

Keep us posted on your progress ...

Cheers,
PISTOL


Very well said Pistol.

[NukerJJ]

I had a question about that as well. The run times are varying from person to person. Some tell me 12:30 others have said 12:45 some have even said 14:00 because I am above 7000 ft elevation, so running is a bit harder where I am. Can anyone find a definate time, for guys above the 7000 ft alt. I know that if I get to RTC which is at sea level, I should be able to run that kinda times no problem, but up here, it is hard to do more then 10 minutes of running.

[Sirhcrod]

just read at http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/l/blnavybasic.htm that the typical 18-to-19-year-old recruit has to finish in 11 minutes or less....... ok I have a little work to do. I was going to take today off from my work out but not any more.

It's not 11 minutes for regular enlisted jobs... Unless I'm horribly mistaken. I believe the special forces people have to get it in like 11:30 or something like that.

I would just keep working out if I were you. Something that has improved my running times are those leg workouts at the gyms. The ones that you never wanna do cause you're more worried about your abs or biceps, haha. Legs are probably one of the fastest developing muscles, so work them out! And also, remember that bootcamp will knock you into shape.

A lot of people say don't go into bootcamp expecting to get in shape, but you will improve all aspects of your fitness. One of my good friends went in with a 15 minute mile and a half and came out with a 12 minute flat 1.5.

Just keep on doing what you're doing!

[billmac]

thank you all.

when I read the 11 minute run I was a little scared. I have to say over the past three and a half moths my physical readiness has improved by leaps and bounds. I was never exactly out of shape but I got comfortable. recently I have dropped 28 pounds. before i couldnt even run a mile without a walk brake at some point. I ran a mile on a treadmill last night in 7.40 I was getting winded after the run though so i know i wouldn't be able to keep the same pase for the remainder of the half mile.

and I have to agree leg exercises are not my most favoreret but I do them at least twice a week. but I think im going to hit them a little harder.

I have a DEP meting this Saturday my recruiter is in the proses of going to buds so he likes to through allot of buds work outs at us. last moth it wiped me out. so ill see how i do this month i hope i made improvements.

[Retired Navy Chief]

If you aren't already a strong runner, then I would recommend that you just pick a comfortable pace (slow is fine) but just keep running. Even though you may be running at a slower pace than necessary for the 1.5 mile run ... if you can run at your pace for 3-4 miles, then you will build your lungs, legs & endurance to be able to handle the real run. You need to train your body ... especially your joints and shins.

Before you start running, make sure that you do a little work-up for your joints ... 50 jumping jacks, 15 minutes on a bike or 5-10 minutes on an eliptical machine. This will pay big dividends ... trust me.

As for any different times due to higher elevation .... don't sweat it. Just keep running in the manner that I suggested until you can reach your goal. When you get to the low elevation at Great Lakes ... you are going to be able to smoke through the run !!!

Speaking of smoking .... I surely hope that none of you are smokers. If so, that is the FIRST thing that you should drop. Nuff said :itsatd:

One other suggestion for your physical training ... get real comfortable at doing core training ... basically holding in the up position of push-ups for 30 - 45 seconds per rep. Then swap to each arm for the same time ... drop to your elbows on each arm for the same time ... all the while keeping your stomach muscles tight and back straight. This builds the core muscles in your stomach, lats and back which are not normally worked during generic workouts. You will benefit BIGTIME during bootcamp by doing this so get comfortable NOW !!

Cheers,
PISTOL

[billmac]

Thank you PISTOL, ill start off first saying No I do not smoke. In actuality I cant stand smoke I can smell it from a mile away and it makes me sick. I work on my running every day normally I run a hard mile and I see my times improve every time by a little. I will drop the pace and add to the length. I plan on going to the coast guard base tomorrow to swim and see if I can figure out the side stroke. I have my DEP meeting on Saturday and my recruiter makes the work out kinda hard so I want to take it easy on my joints tomorrow.


Ps. I talked to a guy at the gym today that was in the navy he said that i might get more time on my run because of the age. I will turn 21 July21st he said that the time is longer for some one over 21. but it may not pertain to me because i would have started at the age 20. I hope my birth day being dooring boot camp wont be a problem. im sure people can figure out what kind of problem im talking about.

[cousinIT]

dont worry about your run, once you get to boot camp, they'll get you where you need to be. you work out every single day. dont stress over it. you're not too far behind where you need to be anyway, i was like almost 4 minutes away from mine, and i made it out! you picked a really good rate for advancement! you'll be a petty officer in no time. AC's advance really quickly. more money for you!!! sorry this isnt longer, we've got cleaning stations in a few minutes...but the good thing is, we're pulling in early!!!!! i'm so excited...being underway kinda gets old!

[billmac]

Im not to wearied about it. im sure ill do fine I'm just excited and getting my self worked up before hand. I wish i could do more to increase my rate before hand but I cant find any one who is interested in the navy.
some people in another chat room said that you can advance dooring boot camp is this true. i didnt think that could happen?

[cousinIT]

yes, it is possible to advance in boot camp, but you need to shoot for being a yeoman or RPOC and AROC...they get the most crap out of boot camp though.

[billmac]

Thank you Jennifer. I'm fine with getting a little crap if it will benefit me in the end.

[Sirhcrod]

Well, I think it's actually more than little crap, but you're right. You get from the Navy what you put into the Navy, and doing anything that would benefit you is the smart way to go!

[cousinIT]

I'm glad you think that way. You'll do great in the Navy as long as you keep that attitude. A lot of people aren't like that...you'll start noticing that in boot camp.

[Kellee]

Billmac,

First things first, THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO SERVE. I just got home from Great Lakes where I attended my Son Bryan's graduation from boot camp. It was a amazing and a very proud moment. Yes running is a big part of it, but after you pass all of that and you are standing at parade rest and the commander are talking during graduation, DO NOT lock your knees. Bryan's Division 185 grad date 05/09/08 lost 8 members who appeared to have pasted out due to locking their knees. You are on your way to a great adventure. You will be tired, you will be nervous, but it will all pay off when you are shopping or eating and perfect strangers come up to you as they did Bryan and shake your hand and THANK YOU for serving our country. Make sure your Mom has tissue because the first time this happens she will need it. When you look down and see the bars of ribbon on your chest it will be red-yellow-red which means you enlisted in a time of war. Mom will need tissue then too. The Navy has made a change in my Son I never thought I would see. I am a proud Mother of a Sailor and I am proud of you. You are my Sons Brother now. I wish you the best and pray every blessing to you for you great decision. God Bless Son.

Kellee

[NavyMomx2]

Yes, I think all Navy Moms should buy stock in Kleenex we go through so much of it! LOL PIR is such an awesome event and yes, the Navy does fine work with our children, I can't say that enough.

Welcome to the other side Kelle - this ride is a little less dramatic. :) Any pictures from graduation? We'd love to see them.

[Tricamac1]

Billmac,

First things first, THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO SERVE. I just got home from Great Lakes where I attended my Son Bryan's graduation from boot camp. It was a amazing and a very proud moment. Yes running is a big part of it, but after you pass all of that and you are standing at parade rest and the commander are talking during graduation, DO NOT lock your knees. Bryan's Division 185 grad date 05/09/08 lost 8 members who appeared to have pasted out due to locking their knees. You are on your way to a great adventure. You will be tired, you will be nervous, but it will all pay off when you are shopping or eating and perfect strangers come up to you as they did Bryan and shake your hand and THANK YOU for serving our country. Make sure your Mom has tissue because the first time this happens she will need it. When you look down and see the bars of ribbon on your chest it will be red-yellow-red which means you enlisted in a time of war. Mom will need tissue then too. The Navy has made a change in my Son I never thought I would see. I am a proud Mother of a Sailor and I am proud of you. You are my Sons Brother now. I wish you the best and pray every blessing to you for you great decision. God Bless Son.

Kellee

After reading this Thread.....I need TISSUES NOW!!!! There isn't enough time in this Thread to tell everyone How Very PROUD I AM. Thanks to all, for the great words of encoragement to my son, Billmac. He is a very srong willed guy. Oh, he gets that honestly too. He will do great in the Navy. He has a good head on his shoulders and can endore anything. My husband Bill and I are extremely Proud and will miss him terribly, but we know its for a great cause. To serve this great country of ours and to protect the Men and Women of this country so that we may continue to have the freedom we all deserve. :bigemo54: PS: Does anyone know were I can buy stock in tissues?????????? Trica.

[billmac]

I did my PT test today. my numbers as of today are: 49 push ups in two min. 65 sit ups in two min. (I want to work on that a bit more). 1.5 miles in 11minets 35 seconds. I have to thank my recruiter for that time though he pushed me and would not let me give up although at the last lap I wanted to I wanted to so bad. I think ill do ok in boot camp if I push my self just a bit harder the next three weeks. its getting closer very quickly.

I wish I had some one to work out with and push me all the time. I have been working hard the past 4 moths (I think it has been) I lost 30lbs I checked this morning I'm 5' 7" and 135lbs. and went down more than 3 pant sizes although I'm running out of cloths that fit. I was never fat but I was not in shape till now.

The past few moths I have been working hard on getting ready for boot camp im still having a hard time retaining allot of the information in the book. I was never good at studing in school but I am getting better at it. and thank you all and my Mom and Dad for sticking with me through this little adventure.

[Kristie]

Great job on the weight loss....I know how hard it is too loose it.....just keep running and running....you are doing wonderful!

Congratulations...

[billmac]

Checking out SWCC...


My recruiter is going to send my ASVAB line scores to the special warfare office to see if I qualify. The plan is to take the PST test next week. looking at my numbers from my last pt test I already did the minimums and then some but this time I have to add a 500 yard swim before it all. I don't think ill be changing/dropp out of the AC rate and going special warfare. I just want to see how I can do. I know if I drop the AC rate and go SWCC and god forbid I don't pass the coarse ill have to talk to a job concealer all over again and pick another rate and most likely I wont like any of them thats just how things work. If there was a way to get a contract saying if I fail the SWCC school that I can go back to AC school without much layover time that would be grate.


The PST is as follows:
500-yard swim using breast and/or sidestroke in less than 13 minutes
Applicant may push off pool sides during turns.
10-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 42 push-ups in 2 minutes
2-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes
2-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 6 pull-ups (no time limit)
The exercise will be performed by grasping the pull-up bar and hanging straight down. Hands shall be placed on the bar with palms away, at shoulder width. Repetitions will be counted aloud by applicants each time they pull their chin over the bar. Applicants shall not swing or bicycle their feet and must maintain a vertical position during exercise.
10-minute rest
Run 1 ½ miles wearing running shoes and shorts in under 12 minutes and
30 seconds