changing rate in dep?

Question

i am an HM in the navy DEP and i really want to change to a culinary specialist. i brought it up yesterday and the recruiter never called me back. i keep hearing its good money in the civilian area but my heart is in culinary and that area of the civilian world. i qualified for it but i bet i have to wait for a spot to be open. so what should i do my recruiter tip toed around it. i respect that he got me in HM but i don't see myself going far career wise.

another reason why i want to switch is i am not one for blood etc.

Answer 1

Well, you have not officially enlisted yet. Just tell the recruiter that you really appreciate him getting you into HM rate, but that you really want to be an MS or whatever that rate is called now. Tell him you will not go in unless you can get the MS rate. No offense, but the qualifications to be a Culinary or Mess Specialist are certainly lower than those to be an HM. However, it does somewhat depend on the needs of the Navy. Maybe they have plenty of cooks right now and don't have any room for more....You will just have to go in and talk to recruiter.

Just remember this saying. "Choose your rate, Choose your fate". So choose wisely.

Answer 2

You change rates within the Navy at almost any time, if slots are available. It may not always be easy, but you could request a change of rate. As you are in DEP, you really do not have a rate yet, you have to finish A school or complete rating courses.

Talk to the detailer at MEP about CS A school, if you can't get through to your recruiter.

Answer 3

MS is very hard work, it's not Emril but it is cooking...if your recruiter likes you he'll try to talk you out of it

btw...you'll probably get to work on the mess decks of your first duty station whether you're a HM or not