Hey fix-it guys (I mean that with all respect), I am currently an ET without a security clearance yeh - I know! Chances are I will not be able to get one due to past financial insolvency. I am wanting to do what my skillset is - working with my hands (Carpenter/Electrician before CG). What I want to know is - if EPM-1 gives me the option to switch to a rate that does not require a S.C. (DC), would I be able to go to "A" School (back home-sorta), or would I have to go to a striker billet on one of the local cutters? I am currently in Kodiak - I looked in direct access and saw there were like 2 or 3 striker billets available on the Munro. What do you all say?
Right off the bat i want to tell you that at my last two ships i have been on require me to have a S.C. but most if not all of DC land jobs dont require it. you would be required to go to "A" school unless you can strike at your present unit, but chances are you will go to "A" school. A buddy of mine just went through with a BM2 and a YN2 in his class. Honestly i think you will better yourself and the CG by going to school. The learning environment is better and they will teach you most everything you need to know the RIGHT way.I guess it all depends on the willingness of the DC your striking under. i want to say also that the choice to stike or go to "A" school is yours.
I've been on three white hulls and I've never had to have a security clearance. Go to A School if they let you. The carpentry class alone is worth it, at least it was when I went through.
I've been on Black and White hulls and I don't remember ever having to get one. Like Joe said the carpentry class is good. Also the advanced aluminum is a pretty good course too.
You have finally seen the light. Anyways "A" school is the best and I think the only time a DC needs and Security Clearance is at an Air STA standing Command center watch and that is it. Good Luck.
Thanks-a-mil guys!!! Good information is invaluable. Here's another question - scenario: ET3 goes to DC "A" School and graduates one of the top in class. Does ET3 get a higher rank (priority) in billet choices also coming from the fleet (like ET "A" School), or is there another process? I ask this because I have a family (like who doesn't) , but if I can help it I'd prefer to go ashore to pickup second, then follow on with a blackhull to get my sea time.
If it's the same when I went through "A" school (2004) it doesn't matter if you're a 3rd. It matters where you're coming from. They go by priority, just like if you were getting transfered. Priority 1 will get top pick down to the boot campers. If you are a priority 3 and there are other priority 3's then they will go by who's on the bigger boat. Hope this helps and I hope I'm giving accurate information.
I was a prior BM2 Yeah yeah i know... when i found out that i had to change rates or get out because of my lack of color vision. they put me on the "A" school list at the very bottom. but because it was a special circumstance they put me in the next available school. the only thing being a petty offier helped me out with in "A" school was that i did not have to march. all of the picks were based on your priority so if you came from a cutter you had a higher pick. I am glad they sent me to "A" school so if you have a choice you should GO.
All good info - once again - THANK YOU! So, would anybody know what the picks mostly look like for an A school class (i.e. mostly shore, mostly cutter, 50/50 - any blackhulls)? Let me know.
When i went through (2003) there was a 50/50 split. the picks where spread out throughout the counrty and not all located in one specific region. i had five or so black hulls on our picks and i was very lucky to get one, had a great time as a DC
Originally posted by AllDamage: Right off the bat i want to tell you that at my last two ships i have been on require me to have a S.C. but most if not all of DC land jobs dont require it. you would be required to go to "A" school unless you can strike at your present unit, but chances are you will go to "A" school. A buddy of mine just went through with a BM2 and a YN2 in his class. Honestly i think you will better yourself and the CG by going to school. The learning environment is better and they will teach you most everything you need to know the RIGHT way.I guess it all depends on the willingness of the DC your striking under. i want to say also that the choice to stike or go to "A" school is yours.
Are you talking about DC3 Anderson? He was my roomate in Yorktown. I was an IT2 and there was a BM3 in our class.
Let me tell you this; Rating holds no bearing on your priority. I was an IT2 with 11 years in the military and I was #16 out or 22 students in the priority listing.
1) You should go to A school to learn things the right way and not the way someone happens to do things. No need to learn someone else's bad habbits.
2) You have a long way to go before you even think of billits and where you'll get stationed. The list that is out today will be nothing like your A-school list.
3) Don't go in there thinking you're better just because you're a petty officer already. That just gives us a bad name.
3) Don't go in there thinking you're better just because you're a petty officer already. That just gives us a bad name.
Good luck which ever way you choose to go.
Huh? "I AM better because I'm from the FLEET"!! No - Really I CANT STAND that "holier than thou.." attitude that priors show a-schoolers - it's just not right, and I wouldn't dare be that guy. I was simply asking based on my ET "A" school experience. Priors got more "points" as far as billet picks - bunch-o'-crap! Anyways, here's another question: I've been getting quite a few horror stories about DC's being poop chasers while underway. I know that plumbing is part of the job - I've done it before, but I mean REALLY - are DC's the "Mr. Roto-Rooters" of the Guard? Please help.
I've been on my cutter for almost three years now. Once in three years have I "chased poop". Maybe that is one time too many for some people. There was a design flaw with the vacuum sewage tank that did not allow you to segregate the tank from the vaccum pumps which happened to be on the deck below. Needless to say, when we detached the piping from the pumps gravity took it's coarse and emptied the tank. I was literally knee deep in **** until the tank drained itself empty. By far the worst day of my life in the guard. It just so happened the MKC was knee deep with me and some other MK's so it wasn't just the DC's. We've since installed a cut out valve so the next guy doesn't have that problem. There are also other instances like snaking a drain or toilet line which isn't that bad. I make whichever department that clogs the line snake it themselves with one of my thirds supervising. This seems to cut down on the stupidity. Anyway, don't not become a DC because of some horror stories. The positives far outway the negatives. I've been a DC for nine years and I chose to go DC because I didn't have a clue on how to do anything when I joined the guard. Now I own a house and there isn't many things that I can't do myself. I've installed my own hotwater heater, wood floors throughout my house, built rooms in my basement, and other things that I have learned as a DC. I've rambled on enough, good luck with everything.
Thanks alot Whitehullchips - that definitely gives me some more food for thought. How 'bout this one guys - how's the rate moving? Advancing pretty decent or what? Sporadic? Dependent on members motivation? what? Let me know.
Advancement in the DC world is pretty average. It's mostly based on your level of motivation. I made 1st with 3 and 1/2 years of graduating A-School, if that gives you any indication. I've also seen guys who stay at 2nd because that's where they like it. All the guys in my shop have advanced their way off the ship. It's wide open until Chief. That's where the bottleneck is. If you're motivated, you'll do just fine.
yeh - I know! Chances are I will not be able to get one due to past financial insolvency. I am wanting to do what my skillset is - working with my hands (Carpenter/Electrician before CG). What I want to know is - if EPM-1 gives me the option to switch to a rate that does not require a S.C. (DC), would I be able to go to "A" School (back home-sorta), or would I have to go to a striker billet on one of the local cutters? I am currently in Kodiak - I looked in direct access and saw there were like 2 or 3 striker billets available on the Munro. What do you all say?
, but if I can help it I'd prefer to go ashore to pickup second, then follow on with a blackhull to get my sea time.
"I AM better because I'm from the FLEET"!! 
No - Really I CANT STAND that "holier than thou.." attitude that priors show a-schoolers - it's just not right, and I wouldn't dare be that guy. I was simply asking based on my ET "A" school experience. Priors got more "points" as far as billet picks - bunch-o'-crap! Anyways, here's another question: I've been getting quite a few horror stories about DC's being poop chasers while underway. I know that plumbing is part of the job - I've done it before, but I mean REALLY - are DC's the "Mr. Roto-Rooters" of the Guard? Please help.
