How does cross rating work? When can a person do it? Can anyone do it? I would ask my recruiter this question, but its not only the first Friday of the month, but it's also Pearl Harbor day so he's gonna be busy.

If you put in a request to cross rate and it gets approved you can do it. Many factors go into whether or not it gets approved.

Those in critical rates are never allowed to cross rate. For example Nukes will never be allowed to cross rate, comes with the job. There was a guy I knew whose recruiter told him that if he wanted to be a SEAL the best thing to do was be a NUKE first, then put in for BUDS at Aschool. Of course, the chit got denied and the Navy got one bitter sailor.

Will someone in Aircrew be allowed to crossrate?

Depending upon what you are cross-rating into.
No one is allowed to cross-rate until they complete the intital 2-year obligation in their originally contracted rating.

To clarify Catherines comment.
Yes a nuke can go SEAL. But they had better be better than all the other candidates AND they better have completed their tour on sub or carrier. So probably not until their 6 year mark anyways. And by then they probably are no longer the most fit SEAL wannabe anyhow. Cath is completely correct in saying if you go nuke one had better want to stay nuke. . .cause the chance is so slim. . .

So as an aircrew you can cross-rate depending upon the specific rating you are coming from and which one you are going into.
Keep in mind a lot of ratings will REQUIRE you to attend an 'A'-school for the new rating. Which means you get to go through A school AGAIN. AND while attending 'A' school to cross-rate you are not authorized to go up for advancement per the advancement manual.

I recommend picking a rating you'd be happy with and stick with that.
You can always do shore duties and collateral duties that are considered "out-of-rate." At the senior level you have to crosstrain and learn other ratings jobs anyways. So if you are looking for job diversity you will get it even inside of one rating.

Thanks for info. I got Aircrew in my contract, but I'm also interested in the IT rate so I was just wondering if it would be possible sometime in the future.

Become an ABH or any of the AB you can switch any time you want, thats what i was told.

quote:

Become an ABH or any of the AB you can switch any time you want, thats what i was told.

As was previously stated, not until at least the two year mark. But if you know you want to change rates, why not take the time and get it in your contract before you leave?

Remember, once you get in the Navy, they are not there to accommodate your every whim and desire. If you want it, get it in your contract.

Kraze...IF you fail Basic Aircrew then YES you MAY go another rate if the offer it.

Aircrew pers. get paid Double the Average Sailors Paycheck(S). (Flight, Hazardous, and PerDiem Travel Pay Adds up VERY NICELY!)

Besides Aircrew guys play with plenty of computers and techno stuff already.
Your "Ticket" is written into your contract...STAY THERE, You wont regret it.

Pizzadude.

I was never planning on switching rates. I'm very glad I got Aircrew because before I went to MEPS I never knew it existed even though my recruiter knew I was into aviation. I just wanted some info on cross rating. It never hurts to know a little extra.

Aircrew...Kraze07... Believe Me, I miss Japan, Hawaii, and "Breaking Down Again" In Thailand. I miss my missions to the Persian Gulf.

You will get spoiled rotten on Travel Pay (We are Talking Many Thousands), Get stuck in Thailand (You will See), and Get off the ship/squadron more than your shipmates.

...and People will be so jealous of you, calling you names, and then BEGGING to Borrow Money from you all because...THEY DIDNT GO AIRCREW.

Oh before I forget E-4 upon Graduation of AW/SAR???????????

Sounds great. Just one question though pizzadude. Whats the difference between a flight physical and a regular one?

Thats a military thing. They want the Medical Doctor to actually BE part of That Specialty. An MD. is a Doctor but they must actually Physically Know what the Patient goes through day by day.
Flight Phys/Surgeons are actual Pilots or Aircrew.
Dive Phys/Surgeons have to be Divers with Decompression Chamber Ops and Very In Shape. They deal alot with Seals/Eod cases.
Surface Warfare will deal with everything from Ships/Subs/Nukes/Marines and so forth.

Sub sailors are seen by UMO's or Undersea Medical Officers.
They actually have a medical submarine pin for the officers. It involves riding a sub and getting a qualcard done under the supervision of an IDC (Independent Duty Corpsman) submarine qualified corpsman and the XO.

Flight physicals and sub physicals have many things in common. There are additional x-rays (chest/lung specifically) and less medical conditions that can be waivered.