Quik SWCC Q

[JWeston]

Guys I've read these posts for awhile and I'm leaving for basic soon, and I figured I'd post while I still had time. I got my heart set on SWCC, I'm physically ready for it and can't wait to get started but heres the thing - I'm going to Basic under the MN - mineman - rating, which isn't a source for SWCC. Reason being I just gotta get started, gotta get outta here. So, question is, is it going to be hard for me to get SWCC, and can I still take the challenge in basic? Im sure I can destroy the PST if they let me take it. Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.

[skimmer]

I'm going to Basic under the MN - mineman - rating, which isn't a source for SWCC.


Last I knew, you had to be in a Source Rating to try out for SWCC.... I was a BM when I went through SWCC..... Change Rates to a Source Rating....

[sv650srider]

Why are you going in under that rating? You have a choice of what it is that you want to get into. Don't pick a rate that is not a source rating for Special Warfare. I have never even met a Mineman in the Navy. You will not be able to take the PST if you are not a source rating. I remember many heart broken people in boot camp being denied because of their rating. You have all the cards in your hand right now. Demand that you want a source rating before you actually go to boot camp. You can always change things before you get there. You are not locked into anything right now. I know the recruiters are probably telling you otherwise but don't believe it. If it is SPECWAR you really want then you need to make it happen. If you don't you will get to see the other side of the Navy. Can you say mess duty for a few months? Not me brother. Don't do it. Save going to the fleet as a worse case senerio. If you have any more questions let me know. Take care.

[JWeston]

That's a definate option, but I dont want to wait until a source rating comes available. How difficult is it to get SWCC through being enlisted? Everything I've read and have been told makes it seem easy, just submit a package, take the PST and see if you get picked up. If I can't change to a source rating in the middle of Basic, then I will submit a SWCC package when I'm in the Fleet as a Mineman. Does anyone have any advice on this route to SWCC? Any help again would be greatly appreciated.

[skimmer]

I was a BM when I went through SWCC....

You most likely won't be concidered unless you were in a source rating...

[Kinnikinik]

Let me make it clear, no matter what your recruiter says to you, unless you have signed the papers to be a MN, you can choose your rate to be in line with SWCC. Talk to your recruiter, I believe that there are programs that are made to give you a shot a SWCC also. While you may be restricted from what you can do due to ASVAB scores, I guarantee you that GM, MM, or BM, even CS is not out of your range if you qualified for MN. Talk to your recruiter. Tell him explicitly what you want to do and do not take no for an answer. If not you will end up in the fleet trying to submit a package to go to SWCC. There are good and bad things about this, and if you do go and become an MN (a pretty cool rate if you get on a minesweeper which is a small boat) you can crossrate after a tour... a tour is 3 years by the way. You will have some good experience to bring with you which does go a long way once you get to the boat units. One of the big problems I have found with Specwar is with people who forget that they are a part of the Navy. Fleet sailors who cross over bring alot to the table, even if it is only being able to translate what a fleeter says.

To sum up:

The Navy is not so overmanned that you can not become a source rating for SWCC. Don't let your recruiter tell you otherwise. Remember that if SWCC does not pan out for you, which it might not and there is no shame in that, you will be stuck in the rate that you choose. Talk to your recruiter, he may resist, but that is because it is additional paperwork for him. You are not officially in the Navy now, so you have some leverage. Use it to be who you want to be.

Good luck future boat guy. I can't wait to see you where the hull meets the foam.

K

[JWeston]

Well I leave for Basic today, you guys have really helped with these answers and I appreciate it. I'm going under MN and am going to try to switch ratings in Basic, if I can't I'll serve until I can submit a SWCC package. I'll end up SWCC one way or the other, you guys got the sweetest jobs in the world and I can't pass it up without giving it a shot. Again, thanks for the help, wish you all the best.

[skimmer]

I'll end up SWCC one way or the other

Good luck to you too "Wes". Keep us all posted.....