What would be a good rating for me?

Question

I'm strongly considering joining the Navy after 3 years of working towards a Biology degree that I don't really want. I am horrified by the prospect of having to be somebody's lab jockey and having little job advancement with only a B.S.

I want to do something that will be worthwhile and pay decently. My recruiting officer tells me that I can pick pretty much any job I want with my scores, but I'm a little overwhelmed by all the choices. I'm leaning towards CTI, depending on how I fare on the DLAB that I will be taking next week.

Also, I don't plan to make a career out of the Navy, so preferably a rating that I'll learn skills that I can transfer to the civillian world.

My ASVAB score was 99; the subscores all range from 64 (AO) to 76 (GS).

Part of the problem is that... pretty much, I like everything. Or dislike everything equally, depending on if you're the glass- half full or glass-half empty type.

I'm really leaning towards CTI, as I'm bilingual in Chinese and English, but my parents are enchanted by the idea of going to medical school and having the military pay for it as a Hospital Corpsman. And of course, the IS field is glamourized by all those Bourne Identity movies, and LN seems like a good, practical rating for when I get out of the Navy. It's hard to decide.

In response to Mrsjvb - yes, I'm a girl.

I thought CTI would be a good job with skills that are easily transferrable to civillian jobs? Especially with a clearance.

Anyway, I'm taking the DLAB next week, and depending on how well I do, I may/may not choose to do CTI afterall.

Answer 1

What are your likes and wants, that will help. The possibilities are too numerous with what you have said. You qualify for everything, provided Security Clearance eligibility.

Listen to the guy below, I will give you an idea of jobs I'm familiar with, but choose your job wisely, the term "Choose your rate, choose your fate" is what this is all about.

ADDED: You seemed interested in Intelligence Field mostly (2 listed CT and IS). Their are allot of Rates dealing with Intel. CT do go to sea , IS I don't know, but do go to CENTCOM as do CT's. If you want to go to Sea STG, AW deal with Naval Intel collection, analysis, and use. (ST Sonar S=Submarine ,is not an option men only G=Surface; AW basically air Sonarman AT TIMES!) It (Intel Fields) can be very enjoyable if it fits you, and also very challenging. I love being a Submarine Sonarman, you are always learning, always a challenge, always new toys to play with. Linguist are in high demand, so you fit the NAVY ideal for that, and will probably push it.

The others you listed I'm not as familiar with, so ask other about those.

Remember the choice is yours, with any rate you can do it for 4 years, or make it a career. It depends on you.

Answer 2

Don't rule out a really cool job with a biology major. There are tons of jobs that are not strickly lab coat type jobs. Look at jobs at the zoo and marine parks.

Anyway, I know what you mean about the school thing. I did the same thing after graduating from Notre Dame. You CAN pick ANY job, but not all jobs will be open and available the day you go to MEPS. Consider being a nuke. Seriously. I know it is a 6 year enlistment but you can use your biology training and get paid tons of money in and out of the Navy. Look into becoming Nuclear Machinist's Mate Engineering Laboratory Technician (ELT) These people test the water and a few other things associated with the nuclear power plant. It isn't the hardest job in the world once you finish school and it is very very well paying in the civilian world. You also work with really cool people. The advantage you have is that you are smart. You will want to be with other smart people. Those are the nukes. Going into the Navy spending time with people that got a 31 on their ASVAB will drive you crazy. On top of spending time with your own kind you will also get paid nuke pay which is either $325 or $375 a month extra depending on your paygrade. Once you make supervisor you get the $375. Then you will also get sea pay on top of the nuke pay. Not a bad deal. If you decide you want to reenlist after just two years of being in the Navy your reenlistment bonus starts at $35K and can go up to $100k just for doing a total of 8 years in the Navy. Not a bad deal at all.

CTI you will be locked away from the world and you will never ever be able to talk about anything you do. You don't get any extra pay and why should you work so hard for free.


Lots of jobs for you to look at, but that is my thoughts on the subject.

Answer 3

CTI does NOT translate well into the civilian job market, I will be honest. you will not be trained to native level fluency, which is required to be a translator in most cases.

the Nuke and electronics fields will land you the best paying jobs on the outside. or, picking a job that requires a Clearance will also great be an asset.. anyone who already has a Clearance has a leg up on someone else equally qualified for a contractor position. .

If you are female, HM is Not going to be an option. It is closed for the rest of this year to women.

ETA: the Clearance you get as a CTI is definitely an asset in th civilian community, but don't go in expecting to leave and get a job translating for the UN or even a private contractor. CTIs do NOT translate, they listen in on the bad guys transmissions and transcribe. big difference.

Answer 4

For you officer might be a good route as well. The thing with LN is you need to start out as yeoman then take the LN A school after you qualify for it. Soon you won't have a whole lot of CT ratings to pick as they are all combining into one or spliting to be absorbed by different rates, such as yeoman (YN) The thing with YN though is that its a pretty basic rate, being an office lacky for a chief or officer, so its up to you.

Answer 5

I learned long ago to make my own choice, don't listen to others or you have a good shot at being miserable. Ask for all the info possible on those various jobs. Then pick the one that appeals to you.


Welcome aboard.



Remember, GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!