Depends on the boat... I mean ship *nods to Tin* I've done a VERY brief ride on an LPD and a carrier... the racks were stacked 3 high on the carrier, 4 high on the LPD (gotta cram us jarheads into the accommodations as much as possible! *laugh*). It actually wasn't horrible... kinda like being in a close-in dorm setting, but I can see how it would get a bit wearing after a while. Carriers are small cities unto themselves, though. I can imagine that being on a DD or FG might be a bit less impersonal.
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That about sums it up. It really depends on the ship and your shipmates. You could be assigned for duty on a ship with a half-dozen crew, or on a carrier with a few thousands.
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Wasabi Poptart
My husband was on a carrier when we first came to CA. Prior to that he was on a smaller ship (LPD). He preferred the smaller ship because your work tends to get noticed more. On the carrier, he felt he was just another body even though he carried much of the work load himself (I think it's pretty bad when the CO requests you by name to work on the bridge equipment because he knows you're that good, but your immediate supervisors don't recognize you for it until you're about to get transferred to another command). He's looking forward to being on a smaller ship again (a DDG this time) when we get to Hawaii.
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crono1224
Arghl Bargl I hate filling out the Security Clearance paperwork, at least the Navy's is online but it still is annoying to go through all that info, and I feel bad for people who keep awful records of things. Also fun fact the certificate for the website I have to go is out of date or something, so every time I go there I get a warning about the website.
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Wasabi Poptart
Every military website is like that.
Yeah... enjoy your clearance check.
... fuck... just realised if I get another one, I've got to tell them about my foreign friends here... *eyeroll*
... fuck... just realised if I get another one, I've got to tell them about my foreign friends here... *eyeroll*
Well, I know from mine (that I've managed to keep) that the US was just a few questions that were basically, "Has anyone solicited you to provide information? Meet in person? Provide access to facilities?" type stuff.
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crono1224
Quick question and hopefully people are still reading this. Due to one of three possibilities (miss read question, ambiguous questions, or question didn't ask) on one of the forms the recruiter initially turned in I didn't mention that I used to take Ritalin a few years ago (started around 15 years ago ended ~8 years ago). Now I went through all this hoopla to get a letter from my doctor stating I no longer required the use of Ritalin. When I told the recruiter that I got the letter, he said it turns out we turned in a paper that didn't state I took it, and because it's been so long since I took it that I don't need to worry about stating that I did or need the letter (I will get the letter regardless though).
My question is should I force the issue with the Ritalin even if it extends me joining or whatever just to make sure it doesn't come back to bite me. As a note whatever field I join will probably require secret to top secret clearance (at least at some point) and I'm not sure how apt they are to finding out and if they would consider it lying.
My question is should I force the issue with the Ritalin even if it extends me joining or whatever just to make sure it doesn't come back to bite me. As a note whatever field I join will probably require secret to top secret clearance (at least at some point) and I'm not sure how apt they are to finding out and if they would consider it lying.
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crono1224
Anyone else have any comments as well? I figure with Intelligence job or Nuke job I am going to be at least possible for the SSBI, and I have no idea if it would find it.
The recruiter stated that since it has been so long it shouldn't matter but I am unsure if the military wants to know if i am still taking it, if I should still be taking it (ie suffering from what it cures (ADD or ADHD)), or if they just care that I took it period.
The recruiter stated that since it has been so long it shouldn't matter but I am unsure if the military wants to know if i am still taking it, if I should still be taking it (ie suffering from what it cures (ADD or ADHD)), or if they just care that I took it period.
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Wasabi Poptart
Get the letter from the doctor...hold on to it...if any questions come up during your clearance interview you can show them the letter.
Get the letter, keep it in your personal records just in case they ask about it. The SSBI is basically an investigation where they go and talk to your neighbors (scared the crap out of a little old lady that I lived next to, she was scared that I had done something wrong when the agent identified himself) and recent employers to find out if you have any history that needs to be looked into more. Basically you don't want to be going through this and a smart-ass former boss or friend pop off with something like "He used to sell drugs to make money" or "He was always trying to borrow money for more whiskey each day."
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crono1224
Get the letter, keep it in your personal records just in case they ask about it. The SSBI is basically an investigation where they go and talk to your neighbors (scared the crap out of a little old lady that I lived next to, she was scared that I had done something wrong when the agent identified himself) and recent employers to find out if you have any history that needs to be looked into more. Basically you don't want to be going through this and a smart-ass former boss or friend pop off with something like "He used to sell drugs to make money" or "He was always trying to borrow money for more whiskey each day."[/QUOTE]
I was joking with my friends that I put as references these very things. Alright I will get the letter regardless and have it so if something does happen I can say the recruiter assured me there was no reason to disclose it and although I have this as a record.
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Jonzac
Just remember if your going Nuclear...that means nuclear reactor work and such...also a good chance they are going to want you to go to sub school for that as well. Nuke guys or "push button POs" as us BM's used to call them....yes that's what I said BM3 before I left the Navy for the Air Force.
This - it's why I don't qualify for a clearance right now, because my credit history is fookin' shot. *chuckles* They want to check to make sure someone doesn't have leverage to use against you. Integrity is the biggest thing you can use, and it's a guaranteed killer if they find out that you actively lied on something.
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crono1224
My credit is pretty good, I'm not exactly sure where it is at but the most debt I have is ~3k in student loans currently. The ritalin thing I am just going to get the letter and hold on to it, and if for some stupid reason they mention it I will show I was actively taken off of it and the recruiter said not to worry because it was over 7 years ago.
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crono1224
Okay a little follow up in case anyone cares 
. I am almost there in terms of getting to the MEPS for the physical, I just got a doctors note turned in for one of my sets of surgeries, and currently I will probably need a doctors note for my shoulder surgery which I am waiting to start until I know exactly what is wanted in terms of the note. So hopefully I will be joining shortly assuming there is no issues that come up.
In follow up the recruiters are still heavily pushing going Nuke, which I am still unsure about I definitely leaning more towards the intelligence side of things, but it gets slightly annoying that pretty much everything revolves around nuke related ideas (I am sure they probably get a bigger bonus for signing people up for it).
Before I do make a decision, how is the nuke field I understand it is very hard and intensive, but is it worth it?
. I am almost there in terms of getting to the MEPS for the physical, I just got a doctors note turned in for one of my sets of surgeries, and currently I will probably need a doctors note for my shoulder surgery which I am waiting to start until I know exactly what is wanted in terms of the note. So hopefully I will be joining shortly assuming there is no issues that come up.In follow up the recruiters are still heavily pushing going Nuke, which I am still unsure about I definitely leaning more towards the intelligence side of things, but it gets slightly annoying that pretty much everything revolves around nuke related ideas (I am sure they probably get a bigger bonus for signing people up for it).
Before I do make a decision, how is the nuke field I understand it is very hard and intensive, but is it worth it?
From everything I hear for x-navy the guys that went on the nuke boats loved their time. the ones that served on the surface hated their time. Because of the added stress of being underwater for months at a stretch, the navy goes out of its way to treat you well.
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crono1224
I not sure but I could volunteer to do intelligence or something on a sub, so win-win (sort of). Also do subs dock as often as ships? Just kinda curious about the options, I honestly am not sure I am smart/dedicated (to that field) enough to be a Nuke. I find I am fairly smart and I guess quick in mild math (up to geometry), but past that I haven't really done much and am not a huge fan.
So not sure if that factors in.
Also I greatly appreciate all the advice, it is nice to be able and kind of bounce ideas/suggestions off of people that either may have first hand knowledge or at least access to get advice. Not that I don't also browse navy forums and what not, but not exactly the same.
So not sure if that factors in.
Also I greatly appreciate all the advice, it is nice to be able and kind of bounce ideas/suggestions off of people that either may have first hand knowledge or at least access to get advice. Not that I don't also browse navy forums and what not, but not exactly the same.
Boomers basically go out and stay out, Six to Nine months at a stretch. The Attack Boats don't stay out so long, and they will make a few port of calls. But the Boomers are much more comfortable.
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crono1224
So a little bit of an update, they accepted my doctors note regarding the cleft lip surgeries and the doctors now wanted something regarding my shoulder surgery. Weirdly enough they didn’t want a doctor’s note regarding it but instead wanted me to do a hand written statement essentially detailing how it feels. So the recruiter set up an appointment for me at noon today, and here is where my mini rant starts.
[rant]
I went in at noon and my usual recruiter wasn’t there it was just his boss, in which I had to fill out the paperwork in front of. Now I like my recruiter he is nice and what not, but his boss is short tempered and generally unpleasant (at least was today) and he made the whole process annoying. First apparently you can’t squiggly out mistakes that you make while writing (was using pen), and they have to white it out, and I got bitched at twice for doing it, which really only happened because we were free writing it so to speak.
Secondly I had to give examples basically of how my shoulder didn’t affect my day to day routine/work out, so I put down my general workout which isn’t too intensive in general but I usually do say 5 sets of 20 push ups and he decided that didn’t sound good enough so he had me say it was 5 sets of 50 instead. This sort of thing happened a few times and made me feel slightly uncomfortable since it was annoying that a guy I hadn’t dealt with before felt he needed to be so brash so to speak and embellish what I can do. I understand by the way that both A) people are assholes and B) in the military I won’t be coddled. But when they are the ones trying to woo me especially to be a nuke, they could at least try and be pleasant since I am sure it will get them some sort of bonus.
Lastly I am getting tired of telling them I’m not doing nuke and instead am probably doing intelligence, but anytime they reference my future job it’s in regards to nuke like “lets finish this up so we can get you shipped off to be a nuke”, I have given up on correcting them and when I get to whoever signs me up I will just tell them what I want to be. But it is annoying that they basically don’t give a fuck what I want and just assume I will do the thing that will probably get them a bonus.
Alas though I am unsure where stuff will go the recruiter boss guy seemed unsure of what this meant, apparently it could take up to a month to get word and I may need to see an ortho-doctor to get checked out but who knows what will happen. Also annoying that the apparent big obstacle medical related thing was the last thing they wanted done rather than the first.
[/rant]
[rant]
I went in at noon and my usual recruiter wasn’t there it was just his boss, in which I had to fill out the paperwork in front of. Now I like my recruiter he is nice and what not, but his boss is short tempered and generally unpleasant (at least was today) and he made the whole process annoying. First apparently you can’t squiggly out mistakes that you make while writing (was using pen), and they have to white it out, and I got bitched at twice for doing it, which really only happened because we were free writing it so to speak.
Secondly I had to give examples basically of how my shoulder didn’t affect my day to day routine/work out, so I put down my general workout which isn’t too intensive in general but I usually do say 5 sets of 20 push ups and he decided that didn’t sound good enough so he had me say it was 5 sets of 50 instead. This sort of thing happened a few times and made me feel slightly uncomfortable since it was annoying that a guy I hadn’t dealt with before felt he needed to be so brash so to speak and embellish what I can do. I understand by the way that both A) people are assholes and B) in the military I won’t be coddled. But when they are the ones trying to woo me especially to be a nuke, they could at least try and be pleasant since I am sure it will get them some sort of bonus.
Lastly I am getting tired of telling them I’m not doing nuke and instead am probably doing intelligence, but anytime they reference my future job it’s in regards to nuke like “lets finish this up so we can get you shipped off to be a nuke”, I have given up on correcting them and when I get to whoever signs me up I will just tell them what I want to be. But it is annoying that they basically don’t give a fuck what I want and just assume I will do the thing that will probably get them a bonus.
Alas though I am unsure where stuff will go the recruiter boss guy seemed unsure of what this meant, apparently it could take up to a month to get word and I may need to see an ortho-doctor to get checked out but who knows what will happen. Also annoying that the apparent big obstacle medical related thing was the last thing they wanted done rather than the first.
[/rant]
What you sign up for and what you get are two totally different things.
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crono1224
I don't think so, you get whatever rating you sign up for, it's not you submit a set and they pick.
Unless you are referring to the fact the job might not be what I think it is.
Unless you are referring to the fact the job might not be what I think it is.
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crono1224
When I signed up, I signed a contract guaranteeing my job(provided I didn't flunk out or otherwise disqualify myself) and giving me a sign-on bonus for the position.[/QUOTE]
Ya that's what I have been reading, maybe way in the past it was different or Air Force? I'm not too sure, I have heard about having other options in case there is a long time on getting in for the current one.
This is what we've been talking about with regards to getting it on paper. Make sure you look any contract over with VEEEERY carefully.
You might have thought that we were exaggerating about how shady some recruiters can be. Stick to your guns, and don't sign anything until it says exactly what you're trying to have happen.
You might have thought that we were exaggerating about how shady some recruiters can be. Stick to your guns, and don't sign anything until it says exactly what you're trying to have happen.
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crono1224
Roger, I have heard that from many sources and I will try to make sure it says everything it should like what bonuses I should get and what job I am signing up for, if they try and keep pushing nuke and won't let me do anything else I may just threaten to walk away.
Random question after basic how intensive is the physical side of the military (more specifically the navy), do you PT regularly, semi-regularly or rarely? Also what would happen if you got injured or needed surgery during service how would they handle that (assuming you are already on the job. I know randomish question but I figured it doesn't hurt to ask such things.
Random question after basic how intensive is the physical side of the military (more specifically the navy), do you PT regularly, semi-regularly or rarely? Also what would happen if you got injured or needed surgery during service how would they handle that (assuming you are already on the job. I know randomish question but I figured it doesn't hurt to ask such things.
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crono1224
How about after boot camp going into A school still a lot of pt? Also after A school when you actually started working did you still do much PT or not?
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Jonzac
Yep that sounds just like RTC Great Lakes...only I seem to remember far more "MASH"ing...as in Make A Sailor Hurt, or PT in dungarees until your covered in sweat.
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crono1224
Roger thanks for all the help tin, I am currently actually looking into network intel as well to regular intelligence and just kind of deciding.
Interesting look at how boot camp is, how many hours a day were you doing PT? 5-6?
Also how did you deal with the separation, did time just fly by or were there any specific ways, just curious.
Interesting look at how boot camp is, how many hours a day were you doing PT? 5-6?
Also how did you deal with the separation, did time just fly by or were there any specific ways, just curious.
When I went through Army Basic we did PT for about an hour every morning and would generally get smoked an average of once an hour for doing something wrong.
I hope you enjoy reading and writing letters. If not you will. Mail time was the highlight of our day. It always sucked when you didn't get anything :'(
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crono1224
Smoked I assume is doing push ups or something to that effect? I will have to remind my loved ones to spam me with mail 
.
.Being smoked is usually, but not limited to: push-ups, running in place, rifle PT, sandpit PT, low-crawling across the squad bay, Supermans, squad pushups (for when someone just doesn't Get It, and the squad has failed to police him up), duckwalking, duckwalking with a mattress on one's head, squad bay laps, Drill Instructor Pong ("GO AWAY!" "GET OVER HERE! GO AWAY!" "GET OVER HERE!" etc), Island-Hopping, plus whatever a drill instructor's devious little mind can come up with that won't get Mothers of America crying to the CG.
Ahhh, good times.
Ahhh, good times.
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