i'm leaving for boot soon and paln on aplying for the DC rating after i get out. i have gone to school to be a diesel mechanic but i cant be a MK since i "color blind", i actully just have difficulty with red and green. so i was wondering if DC is a nice job, i like working with my hands, dont mind getting dirty and am a hard worker. also is this a job i could retire with. i've talked to a few other people in other places that say its hard to retire as a DC since they dont get promotions as much, but then again they where both BMs. thanks for any help its very appreciated.
After bootcamp try an assignment on a cutter, that way you can see most of the rates at work. Then decide from there. If you still want to be a DC well then go for it. As far as promotions are concerned, you have control over that, if you get your tests and pracs done on time you should be alright. Good Luck!
there are several topics in here that tell about the DC rate. The Color Blind topic has some good info. I made E-6 in just under 6 years and that is with getting out for one year. There are guys that make E-6 in 3-4 years it just matter how motivated you are. And yes going to a cutter as a non-rate really helps out and I sugest going as a fireman if you can make that happen (just tell them you want to be a fireman) because on a ship you will be working either in Main Prop or A-Gang and Main Prop is working with the main engines and generators and A-Gang is working with everything outside the engine room A/C's, small boats etc.. Good luck in boot.
i read on the other topics that you could do serche and rescue as a DC, that doesnt make any sense to me since my recruiter said thats the reason i cant be a MK since they do that stuff and you need color vision for it. do you think once they find out i went to school as a mechanic they will find away to let me be a MK? also is it true that i cant be an officer? not that i feel i can lead but it wa always in the back of my head.
ok..... I know for a fact you can't become an officer. From what I hear, An officer does a bunch of paper work. But any how, I also heard to be part of the search and rescue team you have to request it, doesn't matter if you're colorblind........ I'm not sure about that because If that's true, they should let you become an AST or BM, as well as MK. I'm colorblind too and it's a big bummer. How'd you do on your ASVAB? I'm going to boot camp this summer
I have to agree with the others when they say go to a cutter, you will learn the most there. As far as SAR is concerned, everyone has there own individual jobs but everyone is involved some way or another for SAR and other cases. your not going to be able to be an MK because of your color vision problems. i made DC1 in four years so you can defiantly advance as fast as you want as long as you work hard for it. As DC's you will get a wide range of skills that will set you up nice in the real world whenever you decide to get out. Also you have to be willing to work by yourself a lot and not depending on others, a lot of our billets are independent duty. good luck in boot.
Do not get "Search and Rescue" confused with "Rescue and Assistance". I'm a DC1 on a cutter and I'm on the "Rescue and Assistance" team as are most of the other DC's on the boat. During "R & A" you will do things like transfer dewatering pumps to sailboats or other boats
ok so that makes a little more sense. still sucks how limited i am. do you know of away i could maybe retest the vision thing or should i just deal with the results. i'm joining no matter what, i actully just turned down a very good job today with lampson crain. i got a 75 on my asvab and it surprised my recruiter since i said i had ADD. and that was a whole other issue in it self.
Theres no way you can pass the color vision test once you failed it. Even if you take it a million times, The results are always going to be the same. I'm sure you'll enjoy the CG even If you're colorblind, stay on the positive side. I mean, who else in the world gets a chance to live on a cutter getting paid? You'll do great man
thanks for the help, i know i will enjoy what ever i end up doing since there is a lot to choose from even if i'm colorblind. starting to get nervous now but its a good kind. thanks for the help.
'On-the-job-training' is called striking. It's not harder, nor is it easier. It augments what you'll learn in school.
In school, you'll read books that detail a best-case scenario. You'll find that 'in real life', the book makes a good paper weight.
You can do both, and it's recommended, really. Get to a ship or a land unit with a DC shop. Learn the lingo, get the basics and school goes a lot smoother.
I dont know if they are still offering it, but I would stay away from guaranteed A school. I got it, and there were 10 of us and two guys from the field. I think that alot of the guys didnt know what DC was, and some of them did not want to do it when they finished. Also when I showed up to the boat I was book smart but I was way behind everyone else, I had to learn everything all over again...
