Tips for an enlisted person.

[Tuckster]

As far as ESWS, some ships require you to get all of your basic quals done before you go for your written and oral boards. But you can get start to get the qual book signed off as soon as you get onboard while working on your quals. So if you can manage to learn your way around the ship, learn your job, and grab some signatures here and there you can get it pretty quick. The main thing is motivation. You are going to have a nice stack of qualification books to work through so you can operate your equipment, stand watch ect. Your supervisor is going to be more concerned with you getting qualed so he can go somewhere else to stand watch.... So at first your going to have to find time after all of your work is done to get your signatures.

The Navy is in a force restucturing process right now. Since Iraqi Freedom, they have decided to set up sort of like quick response teams, so it doesnt take the fleet 2 months to get somewhere when the President needs them there now.

 

[twidget]

Just an update on advancement opportunity. A new CREO message just came out. Doesn't look any better for ETs or FCs. One thing I thought was worth noting on this message, they actually break out Aegis FCs from the main group. Bad news for the SPY guys though, they are listed as overmanned with "poor" advancement opportunity for E4/E5/E6.

 

[Beefalo]

So do you guys think I should stick to this field or switch into another rating? Id hate not to make PO2 by year 6.

Some of the other rates I was offered was IT information tech, STG sonar, and MT missile technician.

Do you think this rating will still be overmanned in 2 or 3 years from e4 to e6?

 

[kaiangel]

Listen, If you qualified for AECF, then you qualify for just about anything. Don't let them tell you that you only have a few options. When I joined, the only options that they gave me were nuke and AECF. I enjoyed being an ET, but there were other rates that I would have rather been. I would suggest that you look into all of them. IS - Intelligence Specialist is a good one. Also, any aircrew jobs. Just REALLY think about what you would be happy doing and don't let the recruiters pressure you into anything.

 

[STA-21-INTEL]

I am a current IS1 and I will vouch for kaiangel on it being a good rate right now. We have been overmanned the past couple of years (after a flood of new IS's after 9-11) but somehow we are now back to slightly undermanned. I think they must have retooled the number they want in the fleet. Anyway, throughout the overmanned time, promotion to E4 and E5 were still GREAT.

I'm gonna get some funny looks for this, and probably lose some street cred, but I'll give you my story as an example. I went to boot camp in January of 2001. I was what is commonly refered to as a "6YO" meaning I obligated for 6 years in exchange for guaranteed E4 with time in in rate. Then I got an EP on my eval so tested early for E5 and made it (14 months after graduating "A" school). I just made E6 on the recent cycle. I am now an IS1(AW) with under four years in the Navy, about to go to college on the Navy's tab in the STA-21 program. I know quite a few IS's that are motivated and have similar stories (alot of 5-6 year first classes, which is AWESOME compared to most of the Navy right now).

I wouldn't try to sell you a rate if you don't think you would enjoy because if you hate it, you won't be motivated and therefor your advancement would suffer. If you find a job you love, like I did, you'll be able to make rank without too much problem.

 

[Beefalo]

Dont get me wrong I like the field. Just the bleak promotion rates kinda worry me especially for a field that is up the higher aptitude area.

 

[twidget]

Wow! Four years to 1st, that's awesome!

 

[fc2spyguy]

Wow intel, no funny looks here :icon_what (ok maybe one ), that's awesome, I made First in 5 1/2 and thought I was kind of fast trackin it, man, smoked me for sure

Beef, I would go with what you like. And as kaiangel said you qualify for pretty much anything in the Navy. I wouldn't pick a rate just based on advancement but it definately doesn't hurt either. Biggest thing is pick what you would be happy doing. And keep us updated. It's nice to see how things are going with people just joining

 

[Beefalo]

I think im gonna stick with this field. Either sounds cool. Working on communication, radar, and navigation as an ET or blowing **** up as an FC. itll give me alot of credits for my degree to.

I wished I would have joined 2 years ago when they were offering a 5000 bonus for AECF vs. 1000 now.

itll be at least a year and half from now before I am in the Navy and eligible for po3. Hopefully by then the field will clear up a bit.

 

[Tuckster]

It will clear up in a bit dont worry too much about that. The problem was they used to offer the 45,000 re-enlistment bonuses to all of us, so that was a big motivating factor to re-up. I know after Sept. 11 a whole lot of people decided to stay in, so there were more sailors staying and holding those PO2 billets. Now with the force drawdown, its made advancement pretty tight. Once those enlistments for the big bonus bunch start to run out, you might see the advancment get a bit better.

 

[Scamahmrd]

Beefalo,

I'm not sure what all they are offering you, but if you have the choice between the bonus or the Navy College Fund, I would definently take the College Fund. Even if you don't think you will use it in the near future, I think it would be a much better investment than the $1000.

 

[STA-21-INTEL]

Thats the first time I've heard anyone advise taking the college fund. Most people say (jncluding myself) to take the bonus because you get the MGIB anyway and I've never heard anyone say they needed both, so it just goes to waste. I know alot of people have the intention of cashing in by taking both funds, but I've yet to hear anyone actually make it work out.

 

[JEEPER1219]

My .02 about the college fund. I have it and now I am going to go to school on the navy's tab anyway via STA-21. If you know for sure that you are doing more that 4 and you have any inclenation that you are going to go to any officer programs then take the 1000. Invest in a mutual fund or something. You will have the 100% TA for 12 units while you are in and the MGIB. While you are in I don't see where you would ever need more than that. Considering your plans, I would take the 1000. What I meant about the 4 years, some people join the navy strictly to get college paid for. If that was your plan then by all means take the college fund and then get out in 4 and you will be recieving a hefty check every month. Also, if that was the plan don't forget to invest in the $600 booster too. Good luck to you.

 

[Country Boy]

That's great advice and exactly what I was going to say

 

[Beefalo]

Thanks lots of good advice here. Dont know if Id stay in the Navy after 6 as I dont know what its like yet and if it is what I want to do for the next 20 years.

Id like to keep my options open.

1. Like the Navy decide to stay in. Also like my rating and try to advance as chief.

2. Same as 1 but try to become an officer.

3. Get out of the Navy, finish college using the GI bill to finish my degree and get a good paying civilian job in electronics field.

5. Get out, finish my degree and try to become an officer.

These are my 5 options I thought about. I think id be happy with either one but the more options the better.

For all guys especially ET/FC....do you actually have enough time to take college courses? Which rating would give you more time for class?

ill have my 2 year AA before I ship. Im hoping to use that and some of the college credits I might get for ET/FC to get my degree in a related field. Do you guys think this is possible within 6 years active? Ive been taking distance learning courses for a year now and am quite comfortable with it.