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Military.com Forums Navy Discussions Joining the Navy Comparing Rates - AD, AS, EM, MR, MM|
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New Member |
Hey all I scored a 92 on the ASVAB but can't get a security clearance right now (legal issues). I'm joining the Navy and have a question about the upsides and downsides to different rates. Right now I'm trying to decide between AD (Aviation Mach. Mate), AS (Aviation Struct. Equip. Tech.), EM (Electricians Mate), MR (Machinery Repairman), or MM (Machinist Mate).
If any of you guys have served in any of these rates, could you give me a general idea of what you've done or how you liked it? How long were you at sea vs. at home? Do the jobs transfer easily into the civilian world? And most importantly, do you know if any of these jobs are currently overmanned? I'd appreciate any input you guys could have.. |
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"The Hitman" |
 bosun mates....  To the poster- I cant tell you a whole lot about the aviation rates, other that they work on planes, and the aviation industry isnt in the best shape right now. As far as EM MR and MM, those are engineering rates. EM is a guy who takes care of the ships electrical systems, including the wiring, distribution, switchboards and all the electrical loads(Motors, recepticals lighting etc). MR is a machinist, he has his own shop with a lathe, making parts and helping the other engineers do precise machining taps/dies that sort of thing. MR is a pretty good gig for an engineer. MM is a very diverse rate, they deal with main propulsion on steam ships(The main engines and everything mechanical in the engineroom) or they might be an A-ganger(Auxilaries) where they handle making water(Evaps) ac&r air conditioning and refigeration, or you might even be workign with the airdales on the LOX/NOX liquid nitrogen/oxygen. MM is a good rate on the outside, you get a lot of valuable skills alot of utilities or power generation industries are looking for. |
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Member |
     BoatsBM1 |
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"Hits Count" |
BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!! BRAVO ZULU!!!!! BoatsBM1  |
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New Member |
Both my grandfather and his brother were EM's back during the Korean War. After getting out both of them used the skills they gained with electrical systems to do very well for themselves after their service.
electricians are always in demand and the money is very good for a Journeyman or better electrician. |
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Navy Forums Moderator jccrabby@yahoo.com  |
I would say your best bets for an outside career would be your engineering rates. MM for the reasons given, there is a lot of diversity with that rate. MR is good if you can land a job with machining. However that career can be finicky and some jobs are not as secured as they used to be. Today you see a lot of CNC machining vs was the MR rate would do. The MR rate entails more hands on skills. Working with an MR, I did learn quite a bit about their rate, while serving. EM is another good rate to get into. Electricians are always in demand and one can find a good career in any number of fields. I don't know enough about the aircraft ratings, but the private industry as it is keeps turning over people. I don't know how much mechanics and such are affected, but right now it doesn't seem to be the best job security industry. BTW...I know it is ratings and not rate, but I just want to keep BM1 on his toes. |
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Member |
 Me Again |
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Member |
I was an MM before switching to my new job in the navy. All of this talk about MM being a good job for experience on the outside is the last thing u want to think about. MAYBE...if u get a really good C school on your first re-enlistment, that might help you. But, the advancement is horrible. U will be standing watches and doing minor maintenance on a system, and that's it. You'll probably work longer hours than the rest of the ship. I always wished I would have gone EN or MR, if I was going engineering. MM's only go to amphibs and carriers. That's it. That limits your experiences as far as the kind of ports you'll be able to hit. EN's get better C schools and more hands on work as far as the engines go. Don't pick MM. Sorry, i'm not usually this negative, but I have to nip all of this bad gouge in the bud.
Gator |
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New Member |
I wasn't too enthusiastic about MM, maybe if I could've gone Nuke right off the bat...EN is one I didn't look into too much, but it sounds ok. I truly am leaning toward EM more than anything right now.
Alright PC police... RATING RATING RATING RATING RATING. I get it. I'm sorry!  |
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Member |
Yeah, BMs are good at two things I've heard. Grammar and painting. |
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"The Hitman" |
It isnt bad gouge. I know from experience, that MM training IS indeed very sought after in the civ world. You learn ALOT of skills, that arent taught anywhere else. Heres somethign else youprobably wont know, the civilian utility industry is, within the next 20 years, facing a HUGE loss of knowledge/personnel as all the current guys running the system retire. The average age of the average plant tech/lineman is pushing 50. Also, these jobs are not taught in college...and many companies do not do appreticeships any more. Plus, kids now a days dont want to work in dirty hot nasty jobs like in the utility industy. Even IF the average guy makes $100K/yr including OT. So, granted MM isnt the best rate while you are IN the navy, if you do you job, learn everything there is, a high paying, SECURE job will be waiting for you. As these jobs cant be sent overseas. Florida fans....  |
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Member |
Seriously, what does a quad zero MM have to offer any employer after his/her first enlistment? Watchstanding capabilities? Janitorial skills, yes, for sure. Maybe it's not bad gouge, but it's painting the same incomplete picture that recruitors do to these kids. IMHO, EN or MR would be the best engineering rate. But, I would steer anybody away from engineering. I think it was horrible. If u want to work on equipment, be a CB. That's just my opinion. But, if I wasn't doing my job now, I wouldn't be in the Navy. Good luck. Take care.
GO GATORS!!! So awesome that overrated USC lost. Now their biggest win will be over sorry OSU. LOL! SEC rules fo sho |
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New Member |
If I knew then what I know now, I would have been a MR. Also, Brett is absolutely right. The power/energy/utility industry will be hurting soon when the old timers start retiring. Good people are hard to find. A stint in a USN engineering rate is just the sort of experience needed for good paying utility jobs.
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"The Hitman" |
You learn many many things, that you may be overlooking. Things such as the ability to troubleshhot systems, read blueprints/P&ID's. You learn about steam, steam turbines and the steam cycle. You learn about boilers, boiler controls, furnaces, feed pumps, condensate systems/condensers. Plus lube oil, fuel oil, and their systems. Furthermore, the navy training you receive about the piping, pumps and valves is invaluable(I get into discussions about valves and pumps with engineers often...and they usually dont know the difference between a globe valve and a gate valve is, but every navy MM does). Then what about all the discipline and drills you learn/go through. All those boring watches..monitoring gauges, levels and every other boring control systems comes into play. Dont discount the training you get, while boring and not super exciting, it is very valuable...and pays good on the outside. UGA vs Bama's gonna be a good one for sure...I sure wish Munson was callin the game  |
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Member |
I give up. hahaha. You guys obviously have more knowledge on the subject than I do, anyway, so I will let you guys definitely give the advice on this one. I do want to say that some of the people that I met/worked with were some of the best guys I've known in the Navy. Some real dirtbags, but mostly really good friends. Engineering is definitely it's own animal on the boat. Good luck to you, whichever rate you choose. Take care and, yes, I will be watching the Bulldog-bama game with keen interest!
GO GATORS!!!!! have a good weekend y'all. |
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Apprentice Curmudgeon |
To be honest, the civilian employers don't look as much at your navy job as the look at the military experience. I know the Army commercials are a little hokey (to say the least) but the civilians do want to see that military work ethic. they will see your skill set, sure. They will also see an ability to learn, leadership skills, pertsonal initiative...things that are sorely lacking in a lot of employees these days.
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Member |
I was an AD and I can tell you that the civilian world for Aircraft Engine type mechanics can be tight. I've know people who got good jobs and others not so good. Right now the national average pay for an aircraft engine mech is about 38,700. Some places its higher, others its lower.
One thing you must take into consideration is quite a number of these jobs are in high cost of living areas. The more your Navy and aircraft experience is diversified, the better job you can qualify and apply for. Also, to your advantage would be to get your FAA A&P License. Any major work done on aircraft has to be inspected by a person with an A&P License and that would include any work supervisor. As to AD, go through the rest of the Navy discussions. You will find two of my postings on what the rating entails. It is one of the largest ratings in the Navy. If you can't find the postings, pop up my profile and e-mail me. I'll be happy to answer your questions. |
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Basic Training |
To add to JPope ,he touched on the A&P license Its a Must And the Faster you get it the Better because ,it envoles, Piston engines, Hyds,Metal work,Radios electrical and electronics of which you wont touch on in the Navy Rating of AD. look up the Course on the computer.
Going up for RATE =Next Paygrade of the Rating or Making Rate,advanced to the next Level of the Rating 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, and so on, or you could go back,if your not nice !! |
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Member |
If you aspire to be an EM or MM you also need to ask yourself if you want to be Nuke or Conventional.
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Military.com Forums Navy Discussions Joining the Navy Comparing Rates - AD, AS, EM, MR, MM
