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Permalink Reply by Madame Determination on April 20, 2011 at 4:39pm

Angie thanks, I did take the full asvab in h.s but I know that wont matter now and I also took the practice/ sample asvab at the recruiters office but that's it. My AFQT was 67 when I did the practice. Is that good, bad, ok or what? I actually asked either you or craig if it was possible to take the full asvab before MEPS so that I'd at least know what I'd qualify for IF its available when I got to MEPS?  I've been asking tons of questions at once!  so I may not have goten a resonse. Oh.... in another reply to craig I expressed my feelings about being "job locked". Even though I've been very persistent about HM and the other programs we discussed I AM willing to explore new options. With that being said that is another reason I was hoping to take the asvab before MEPS... so that I could research the ratings I qualify for and so that my husband and I can discuss what I should do depending on whats available when I do go to MEPS... hope that made since! How can I take the full asvab before meps? I saw something somewhere about doing the paper test... is that an option of a way to test before MEPS?

 

As far as the certification you're basically saying its a crapshoot either way. Meaning I could meet all of the qualifications for the DPEP and still not be accepted if there isnt a need  for HM (medical assistant) at that time and that I'll have to decide if it's a risk worth taking... correct? Do you happen to know what the "demand" may be for the rate of E-4 to E-6 for a medical assistant if accepted into the DPEP to become a HM?

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Permalink Reply by Angie on April 20, 2011 at 6:06pm

You just talk to the recruiter about scheduling your ASVAB exam before you go to MEPS.  I dont' go off the pretest for ASVAB as I have heard of people doing well on that and bombing the real one and vis versa. 

 

that is correct you could meet all the qualifications for any program and if the Navy doesn't need you, they won't offer you that.

 

"Do you happen to know what the "demand" may be for the rate of E-4 to E-6 for a medical assistant if accepted into the DPEP to become a HM?"

 

Medical assistant is not a rate, Corpsman is a rate. I have know idea what you are asking.  If you are asking what the manning is for HM at the E4-E6 level, that would be overmanned and manned.  Meaning some have too many people in it and others are just right.

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Permalink Reply by Madame Determination on April 21, 2011 at 6:25pm

Thanks Angie I'm glad you understood the questions because Craig surely didnt! I wasn't sure if my choice of words were completely correct. I found out what snipes are but what  are NC's?

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Permalink Reply by Angie on April 21, 2011 at 6:57pm

NC = Navy Counselor.  There are two types of NC's one is a recruiter (which I am NOT), the other is a Command Career Counselor (which I am).  The type I am offer career advise once they are in the USN.  Everything from adancing to reting and everything in between.

 

Craig is a very smart man. 

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Permalink Reply by Madame Determination on April 21, 2011 at 9:53pm

Thanks Angie, I googled NC after I asked to see what came up. As for Craig, I know he is very knowledgable, never said he wasnt... however, shooting out subtle insults is only a display his ignorance and maybe even his arrogance! Just like he is a very smart man I'm a very smart woman... maybe not on this particular issue but that's why I'm in the forum...to ask questions, get clarification, and become well informed! How would you feel if someone tried to insult your intelligence without fully knowing you or understanding what you're asking? Not too hot I'm sure!! The question I asked was very valid. If he was going to try to insult me he should've at least made sure he understood the question is all I'm saying!

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Permalink Reply by Erin on April 21, 2011 at 3:54pm

if you don't mind me saying, i think its great that you have goals and you are trying to find ways to pursue them, but my reason for saying anything at all is your family. i know you are working hard on finding information on jobs in the navy and how they can be used to your advantage, but please look into the pros and cons on how this decision will affect your husband and children. for example, how long you will you be in school for your job, where the schooling will take place (is it close to your home or will you be a good distance away), where will you be stationed after you finish school. also, being that this is the navy you are talking about, i would guess that you will be assigned to a ship and deployed at some point. you may want to check into how long you would be away from your family, the fact that you may have to move your family to be close to you, or anything else that is not coming to mind at the moment...once again, i only say this because as you say this is a drastic life changing decision and you want to make sure you look at it from all angles. good luck in whatever you end up doing :)

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Permalink Reply by Madame Determination on April 21, 2011 at 6:02pm

Thanks Erin for your input its definitely appreciated! Believe it or not every question you  asked me to consider I already have. If you look at some of the other posts, thats EXACTLY what I was trying to explain to craig but he didnt quite understand. As I mentioned in an earlier post I was hoping to speak with my recruiter and maybe arrange to take the asvab test before MEPS. This way even though I wont no exactly what will be available at  MEPS I will be able to know what ratings I do qualify for should they be available. Then after I take the asvab and see what I qualify for my hubby and I can look at those jobs and what they may consist of doing. I'm pretty open-minded but I say that without having had the chance to ask "The Questions" I need answered! I've never experienced alot of what I'm researching( as far as ratings). If I looked now and picked a rating not knowing what I'd qualify for or not having the questions answered I could pick A LOT that "interest" me. Out of all the ratings I pick "blind" persay some I may not qualify for, some may not be available, or some may be something that are opposite the answers I WANT about the ratings. So hopefully I can take the asvab before MEPS to see what I qualify for. Then the Hubby and I can get a list together, hopefully at least 10 ratings, to take to my recruiter and ask those very "Questions"! This plan has been thought out and WE are still thinking.  Every step I make toward this becoming a reality is discussed with my Hubby 1st!! I'm not rushing it! If this is something I decide to do WE want to be as informed and educated about the situation as possible. I'm still at the very beginning stages of the process. The reason I even go in the forum is because I wasn't really comfortable with my recruiter. He didnt seem to know very much at all... not even some of what I would think would be basic information. Not to mention that all the sites I went to contained so much info (although many times outdated)... the more I read the more confused I became at times. So I figured it would be great if I could actually communicate with a wide body of people that have experienced or are experiencing the "Navy" and everything it consists of to help clarify things for me.

I would love to have your input. What has your experience been like?

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Permalink Reply by Erin on April 21, 2011 at 10:29pm

although i really like some of the friends my husband has made from the navy, i am not the best person to talk to about the navy experience. it is definitely not a lifestyle that i wanted to live, but my husband thought he did so even though i expressed my concern i told him to do what he wanted to do; we are both regreting the decision now. Some of his friends have the same feelings while others like the lifestyle. i think it all depends on each individual and their reasons for wanting to join any form of military. in my eyes it's a very hard life to live and i commend all of those out there who do this as a career. i will say that i do miss being able to hang out with my husband the way we used to. being in the navy means doing what they tell you to do which isn't always what you want. as i have read many times on this site, the navy comes first (not because that's how you feel, but because you sign a contract that says you will do what they want)...like i said, some really like being in military, it's a life that works for them and makes them very happy. it all depends on what you want for yourself and your family.

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Permalink Reply by Madame Determination on April 21, 2011 at 11:01pm

Well thanks for your input Erin. Although we can never be fully prepared we do have a general idea of what life would be like. Plus, I'm still doing research. We know we can never have too much info. We plan to be as informed as possible before we make a final decision. If we can handle the life style FOR SURE is another thing :-).! However, if this is something we decide to do then we won't have a choice but to stick with it until the contract is up! Unless, God forbid, something should happen, I know we can hang till least the end of the contract! The hardest part will be being away from my family. Some ratings are more demanding and time comsuming than others, so hopefully I get a rating that doesnt require me to be gone too much! Although we do know there are no guarantees (unless in writing).... that is something we fully understand. Is your hubby still active?

I chose to use we instead of I because my Hubby and I have to be on the same page for something this drastic to be successful and not tear our family apart. We've mad all decisions together!

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Permalink Reply by Erin on April 21, 2011 at 11:16pm

yes, he is active. he has been in for three years and still has three more to go (he is a nuclear mechanic on a sub which requires 6 yrs)...but it sounds like you and your husband have been thinking about everything  which is great. i am a biology high school teacher that had never had first hand experience with the military before so it is very different for me than others. i'm sure Anti M can be very helpful in telling you both the pros and cons since she has seen the navy from many different perspectives.

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Permalink Reply by Madame Determination on April 21, 2011 at 11:36pm

Im sure she will too. Your Hubby's MSO will be over before you know it. If you dont mind my asking do you all have children? Even if my Hubby did decide to back out afterwards I'll be sure to have plan "B"... He wouldn't be under any contract I would! Isaid it like that because I have little ones that I have to protect and provide for.

Sooo is your Hubby a Nuke?

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Permalink Reply by Erin on April 22, 2011 at 8:32am

even though your husband didn't sign a navy contract he did take a vow of marriage. i know for me personally, i feel like i signed one because my life is intertwined with my husbands. whatever affects him, affects me too. yes he is a nuke and no we do not have children. we decided that it would be too hard on the both of us and on them right now, but once again that is from our standpoint. your view would be slightly different because you already have little ones that you want to make sure are safe. unfortunately,  i can't give you insight on how their lives will change for the good or bad.

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