a friend of my dads was telling me the other day that he joined in the 60's as a seabee, came in as a 3rd class and didnt have to go to boot. whats up with that?

Coming in as a 3rd class is not hard to beleive, but skipping Boot Camp is...I say someone is having still recovering from a fall...

IPO's were not all that uncommon back in the 60's.
We had a 1st Class Builder in our SERE training section at L'Creek in the 69-71 time frame.
As I understood it from talking with him he had been a General Contractor. prior to joining the Navy.
My dad on the other hand went into the Bee's in 43 as an EM2. That was based on work he'd done in the CCC

It is not as uncommon as you would think in the reserves. For years the Navy has had the APG, later called NPSAC (Non-Prior Service Accession Course) (but I don't know if they are using the program right now)and is now Naval Reserve Accession Course (NRAC). It started with a 2 week class in New Orleans and has changed to a 17 day mini boot camp. You had to be 26 year old and have skilles the navy needed. This fit the Seabees well with our history. I don't know that it was a good fit for the fleet. They also can not be Mobed until they have 82 days of training.

Hello Sr! I hope all is well with you.
My wife just pinned on UT2.
I've gotta make first in August. This ain't gonna work! LOL
To answer the question about the Non-Prior service program: No. It's not in use at this time.
The Seabee Reserves certainly gained outstanding skills from this program.
Many of my good friends came in that program and have become invaluable when it comes to taking responsibility and becomming excellent leaders.
While using a little OPSEC - Leave a light on for me Sr. It may be dark when I get there.
If you need anything here or there just let me know.

See ya SR,

UT2(SCW)McIntyre

These guys were 'lovingly' called IPO's by us regulars (Instant Petty Officer), they served 2 years, usually with 1 tour in 'Nam. They were give very basic military training, just so they knew how to salute and march, sent to a battalion and then to Nam.

We had an EO who drove a milk truck for a few months in the states, so he went in as 3rd Class. Some of the EO IPO's didn't even know what a clutch was. We had a CM we STILL call IPO today and always will. We're family!!!

McIntyre
We keep the ligh on for you Just like Motel 6