US Navy question?

Question

I heard that you have to either already have technical or mechanical training or be trained to serve in the navy?
I know this might sound like a dumb question, but is there any unskilled jobs in the navy?

Answer 1

For most jobs you need to have an Aptitude for technical or machanical workings. but you dont have to actually have the training. The Navy will train you.

as for unskilled jobs. Ask your recruiter about the Apprentice Program but I would not recommend it. The Apprentice Program is one of the "Big Lies" the recruiter will tell a prospective recruit who is unsure of what he wants to do in the Navy.

In the navy you will go through military training before you get to "the Fleet". Starting with "R" school, otherwise known as "Bootcamp".

Then if you are smart, you got a garaunteed "A" School before you signed up. "A" School is where you will get your technical training for whatever job (in the Navy we call jobs, "Ratings") you chose. For me, I went to Boot in Orlando,FL. then went on to EW School in Pensacola. There I learned how to be an EW (Electronic Warfare Systems Operator).

If you are not sure what you want to do, the Recruiter will tell you about the Apprentice Program. He'll tell you, you dont have to pick right away. go into the Apprentice program and there they will teach you the basics for one of four fields of study. then you will go to the fleet as a "non-rate". Once you are in the fleet you can see for yourself how the various ratings work and then you can decide which you want. once decided you then "Strike" for that rating and if you qualify they will send you back to school for the proper technical training.
the four fields are
Seaman = traditional Navy seagoing jobs
Airman = Aviation job, from air crew to Plane mechanics
Fireman = Engineering and mechanical jobs
Hospitalman = medics and pharmacueticals

Here is where the "Big Lie" comes in..

What the recruiter doesnt tell you is that once you are in the fleet as a "non-rate" you will be stuck doing the most unskilled jobs there are with very little time to yourself. also when you "strike" for a rating you want. its all on you. you have to learn on your own and with help from those who are in the rating you want. it is very demanding and most who go the route usually get out after their first tour or wind up striking only for the rate that is the default for non-rates.
Example.
Most seamen non-rates become Boatswain's mates. BM's do most of the traditional sailor jobs like standing lookout, line handling, Lowering and crewing the small boats (Captain's Gig)
Chipping and Painting the Ship. Swabbing the decks, Raising and lowering the Anchor, etc... you get the idea.

If you go Apprentice program and take the Seaman field, you will be thrown to the Botswain's mates as a very junior enlisted and be stuck doing all those type jobs day in and day out. and on your OWN TIME you will have to learn from others what it takes to strike as a QM (Quartermaster= Steers and navigates the ship)
OS (Operations specialists= Stands watch on the radars in Combat), SM (Signalman= Hoisting flags and messaging by morse code lights) and any of dozens of other jobs.

Answer 2

As a Navy Veteran and A former Navy Recruiter you really have to weigh your options, What do you want to do when you get out? Think long run, If you are joining for college money make sure to use it. Stick to it, alot of people join for thee money but get caught up in the steady pay 1st and the 15th of the month and forget about college. And before you know it you just did 20 years in the military. The Navy is an excellent branch if you want to travel, Being in the Navy was the best decision I made served 8yrs,Now I'm a Police Officer and the Navy was a great stepping stone. Every Branch is good just find which ones for you. Do your research before you walk into a recruiting station.

Answer 3

If you are asking whether you have to have technical or mechanical training prior to joining the Navy, then the answer is no.

Before you enlist, you take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) which evaluates your intelligence and capabilities on a number of scales such as your General-Technical (GT) score.

Based on your scores in each category and overall, it shows which Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) you are qualified for. Based on the range of MOS’s you are qualified for, you select one and after your Basic Training you are sent to a school/training center where you are taught your new Technical or Mechanical skills.

You can join never even having seen an engine in your life, and when you are done with training you will be a top notch mechanic.

Answer 4

Dont be fooled when you join and are expecting to go to school right away. The Navy will be sending more people directly to a ship soon and is going to "on the job training' along with web-based training through Navy NKO while you're on the ship, then you choose that job that you want, wait 2 years then go to school. They are cutting back big time.

Answer 5

No. You can enlist in the Navy right out of high school. They will train you. If you choose a rate before you enlist, you will be sent to "a" school for that rating. You can also enter the Navy as an undesignated striker- you will be assigned to/choose a general field- engineering, aviation, etc- and work for a while before applying to "strike" for a specific rating.

Answer 6

You heard wrong. You don't have to have any type of previous training to serve in the Navy or in any other branch of the service. They'll take you just as you are and train you themselves.

Answer 7

You don't have to know ANYTHING. A couple of months after I graduated from High School, I had qualified for EVERY field...and was told I was going into the NUCLEAR ELECTRONICS (submarine) field. It wasn't what I wanted..and made it through 8 weeks of ET school before finding a way out (dropped my 8 week test twice...and glad I did).
If you are qualified enough, you will be trained basics of any field you are qualified for.
Good luck.

Answer 8

It's not a dumb Q. You do have to pass an aptitude test, and pass Medical Examinations including physical & medical, if you want to be a Diver (frog), your teeth have to be perfect.
The US Navy is strict, but not as strict as US Airforce.

Have you spoke to a Recuiter yet?

Answer 9

One way is been Undesignated, not the wisest way to go is the lowest of the rating. SUcks big time

Answer 10

yeah they need people to cook and clean, and every branch has cops!