Timing question

[FLaGaSS]

Hey, I'm in "A" school currently and was wondering when is it too late to commit to SWCC. Right now I could pass the PRT in everything but swimming. I really don't have any technique, but Im ok enough that if you threw me in the water I'd be able to save myself. I'm a weak swimmer and would feel better If I could practice on certain strokes before taking the PRT. Im wondering how much of a pain is it to go SWCC once I get my orders out of here. I'm kind of running low on time and ofcourse at boot I didn't get any real swim time where I could practice and learn. I've heard that trying to go any specwar once you're in a command will take a while and be a gigantic pain in the ***, is that true? If it is I would think if I could grab any 2 year shore duty it would be my best course of action to get me to my goal would it not? Thanks for any answers ahead of time.

[Kinnikinik]

Wait until you can swim. At most A Schools there are BUD/s, Diver, or SWCC preperation programs with people around who can help you with your swimming. Take a look into that while you are at A school. Sometimes a little bit of technique work is what most people need to be able to get to the point where you can pass the Fitness Test.

For the most part it is easier to get into the program at RTC or at your A school. The Navy has not put too much money into you yet and has not dedicated you to a billet at a command.

When you do go into the fleet you can still submit your package, BUT you have to submit it through your chain of command first. Most chains of command don't want to lose their personnel. Let me describe how billets work real quick.

Every command is authorized a certain number of billets. Since personnel transfer every 3 years the billets renew every three years. That means every three years you can replace a body with a new body. Now, what happens if you submit a package and are accepted into SWCC immediately upon coming to your command? Your command is stuck without a person in your billet until the time that you were supposed to transfer (of course there are exceptions to this, but that is waaaaay above my paygrade). The thing you need to understand is that if you get flak about your package, it is probably because they do not want to lose a body.

What can you do? Talk to your chain of command. Tell them that this is your goal for the Navy. Get involved in your command and KEEP THEM INFORMED. The worst thing that can happen is if they are low on people and you put in that package that they have never heard about. Your Chief will be in the Master Chief's office being asked if he knew about it, and if he says no... stand by for heavy rolls.

The least amount of heartburn will come if you agree to fulfill your obligation with your first command. I don't want to prevent you from submitting your package. Submit early and often. Realize though that you may run into a few problems that you may have not had in A school.

Some advantages:
1. Using your chain of command, your package will look SWEET (Talk to your Chiefs. All of them have had to submit packages to become Chiefs.)
2. You will have time to prepare yourself for SWCC. Utilize the programs available to you. Even on ships there are groups of SEAL/DIVER/EOD/SWCC hopefuls. Hook up with them and get ripped.
3. Experience. You will have more leadership experience and a more mature attitude when you go through SWCC. This can be invaluable. We had a few guys get kicked just because they were not mature enough mentally. This can be a hard thing to evaluate within yourself, but a few years in the fleet will bring a certain level of maturity. I promise you that you will see a difference in you and your friends when you go home after A school, and even more so after your first deployment. This is valuable stuff.

So, I guess I just gave you some things to think about. You can do it now with a greater chance of washing out, or you can prepare, get some experience and fight the battles with your package in the fleet. Its up to you. If you need support though, feel free to come here.

[mtgman]

Kinnikinik, you are like the SWCC information superhighway. You give by far the most informative answers on this site.

[FLaGaSS]

I appreciate the answer Kinnikinik. Catching some of the stuff you've said has really helped abit.
Yea, I definatly hear you and you gave me some things to think about. Recently, our detailer actually came and spoke to us to let us know how we will get our orders. One of the things she said is that we can wait for orders to come in and if that's the case I might be able to sit here on hold possibly and wait to class up into SWCC. That's only something I'd do if I was close enough that all I needed was alittle extra practice.
I do have one other question. One of the SWCC hopefuls here said that if you make it through training you get advanced to E-4; I was wondering If you know anything about that? I would think it is probably just in specific circumstances, like people who join with SWCC contracts or things along those lines. Anyway Thanks again Kinnikinik.

[Kinnikinik]

You are right, you had to come in on a SWCC contract to be guaranteed E-4 out of school. Don't fret though. E-4 comes quick depending on your rate... what are you going to be when you get done with A school?

[FLaGaSS]

I figured as much. I'll be an IT though when I get out of here.

[IT_GUY]

Thats a good rate... IT advancement is great... Just dont take orders to a NCTAMS... Ships are a blast, dont shy away from them..

[Kinnikinik]

IT is a good rate. Be sure to pick up some experience in the fleet if you can. Anything dealing with radios will help you immensely.

[FLaGaSS]

It turns out I might have missed my oppertunity to try out here. The thing I'm thinking about now is looking for a NCTAMS or some sort of shore duty since the billet is shorter. I'd like to be on a ship, but I was hoping to be able to get into training alot sooner for SWCC. The 2 years at the shore station would be a bit shorter and I've heard they are alittle more "giving" in situations like mine where maybe 6 months to a year I'd try to submit a package. I'd also be able to work on my stroke a bit more and really get myself into even better shape. To me it seems like submitting one any sooner would be screwing them a bit or showing them that I really don't want to be there early on. I guess it's just something where I have to pick one or the other. The only way I could get both (a ship and then training) is if I wait it out for atleast 3 years. Im not sure yet really, but it seems to that's the best way to go if I want to get into training as soon as possible. Any input is appreciated I am a booter after all.

[IT_GUY]

1. Dont take orders to a NCTAMS.... Most ITs spend their careers avoiding those places.....
2. Despite what you might have heard, shore duty is under manned... If you "score" orders to a NCTAMS I can guarantee that you wont be leaving there any sooner then three years. In fact, when I submitted my package, the command ensured that my 1306 stated I would not leave any sooner then my PRD.
3. One of the Guys I took my PST with came off a ship and he SMOKED it. Proof that you can train at Sea..

Dont write off a good ship. Ship life will far over shadow anything you will do on the shore side... You will learn that the first time you make a port visit in Australia or Spain.... If squadron orders pop up then consider those but do yourself a favor and stay away from the NCTAMS..