need help gettin into the swcc program...need help as soon as possible

[lenny777]

im currently in active duty i been in for about 4 months currently a seaman apprentice, passed all the requirements back at bootcamp but because im undesignated i though i couldnt get in can some one help me getting information on wether or not i can still submit a package for swcc now? i read that the sourse rating was seaman apprentice does this apply for me or not?




answer only if you are in the spec war community

[sk8m99]

You need a source rating right now. Soon SWCC will be its own rate, so I would guess once that happens you could go there without a rating.

[Kinnikinik]

You need a rate. SWCC is going to be its own rating, but it is not right now. Rates are listed on the swcc link at www.seals.navy.mil.

[FLaGaSS]

How long do you think it will be before SWCC turns into it's own rating? I was wondering, because I kind of did what you said K, and decided to hold off going SWCC. I took a billet in Norfolk for 2 years shore duty. I was kind of bummed about having to go shore duty. I felt that not having the guarantee of being able to go SWCC for my entire enlistment kind of sucked. This way the command is done with me in 2 years pretty much, there should be no reason I can't go. This brings up a question though. Say in 2 years SWCC is it's own rating. Will it be like cross rating or will it be like it is now trying out and such? I've heard cross rating can be a *****. Thanks.

[Kinnikinik]

Cross rating won't be a problem. The problem happens when you want to get into an overmanned rate or a lower priority rate. SWCC is undermanned and if it becomes a rating it will be ranked up there with Nukes and CTI's in terms of desirability. Now, if you want to crossrate from SWCC, you are pretty much screwed.

Anyone who goes through SWCC school will be pretty much changing their rate. It won't be a big deal, it will just be a part of the school.

What billet did you get in Norfolk? I lived there for 6 years or so, so if you need some suggestions in getting settled in, feel free to ask.

[FLaGaSS]

I'm going to be at NCTAMSLANT. I'm sure I'll be able to put the input to good use. I still have about a month and a half till I report though. Thanks again K.

[Kinnikinik]

I had some friends at NCTAMS... most likely you will get put in the barracks to begin with unless you are married. This isn't bad. I suggest eating at the galley when you can, the food isn't bad and honestly there are better things you can be spending your money on. If you are able to live out in town, take a look at a map and figure out where it is you are going to be living. If you have to cross a bridge to get to work you just added 30minutes to an hour to your commute every day, even if you are only 10 miles away from work.

Things to watch out for at your first duty station

Military "friendly" car dealerships. They say that the will sell you any car on the lot as an E-1. What they don't tell you is that their "finance" company will charge you 20% interest on that loan. Your best bet is to hold off on that fancy car until you are an E-5, or after your first enlistment. Buy a used car with a back seat. You will have friends who want to carpool all the time and that brand new mustang won't do it for you. Besides, what good is that $27,000 car going to do you if you can't afford the gas. Hell, I bought a Kia for my first car in the military and that had me thinking I was going to starve.

Packaged photo deals... buy a camera and get a whole bunch of pictures free. This was a scam from a few years ago. Basically they way overcharge for the camera and the free pictures aren't even worth it. Get a digital camera. Its a better deal in the long run and now you can buy stand alone printers to go with the camera.

Rent to Own and Pay-Day loans... just say no. There is no reason to have to put a loan out on your next week's paycheck. If you do this you will always be a week behind paying 200-300% interest. Rent to Own is the same deal, you rent it and if you go through it, your $2000 couch actually costs you $10000, and if you miss a payment they take it all away. Bad Ju-ju... and a bad way to start.

Insurance, registration, and city stickers... Virginia has some extremely anal laws about this. Don't let your insurance, registration, or city stickers lapse or you will be paying alot more money than you would if you just paid for this stuff. I just got off of an SR-22 (high risk insurance) after placing my car in storage for six months on a deployment and letting my insurance lapse without informing the state three years ago. I estimate this cost me $6000 in extra insurance and fines. Not a good thing, trust me.

Basically, if it looks too good to be true, it is. Also, watch out for alcohol, it is a good way to get yourself marked right at the beginning. Of course as a responsible adult I am supposed to say if you are underage don't drink... I also know that that is not practical in alot of cases. If you are underage, or even of age, don't drink and drive! Virginia has huge penalties for this. And if you are underage, get yourself a nice private hotel room with a few of your friends, do you business, sober up and go home. Don't trash the place, and don't invite so many people that the cops are called.

I learned most of these lessons from either personal experience or by watching or having to counsel people who did get in trouble.

So watch out for this stuff. Have fun, but remember that you have a steady paycheck and there are people out there just looking to get a piece of that paycheck... oh, and read your cell phone contracts closely. Stick to large, well tested companies from stores with the company's name on it.

Anyone else have some advice for the Norfolk area or first duty stations in general?

Oh, and the best mall for looking at women is the Macarthur Center, followed by Lynnhaven Mall, then Pembroke, and dead last is ghetto central, Military Circle Mall.

[IT_GUY]

Oh, and the best mall for looking at women is the Macarthur Center, followed by Lynnhaven Mall, then Pembroke, and dead last is ghetto central, Military Circle Mall.


Sorry Kinniknik but Patrick Henry mall is ahead of Lynnhaven on that mark!

I said it before and Ill say it again, NCTAMS is not a good place for shore duty.... But since you have your orders make the most of it. Hit the deck plates running. Attitude is everything, If you have a positive learning attitude when you get there EVERYTHING will be easier for you. Trust me on that one. I have a guy at my NCTAMS (yes am at a TAMS) who got here less then eight months ago and he is our first watch officer qualified seaman. I smell EP!

Try to stay out of message center if you get the option...

Good luck when you get there, make the most out of it and you will come out ahead,

[Kinnikinik]

Patrick Henry? Sorry, I don't cross bridges if I can help it. Don't let IT get you down, any command is what you make it. Like he said, if you are a hard charger you can do anything. Keep in touch though, tell us how the TAMS treats ya.

[FLaGaSS]

Thanks for the info K and IT. Most of those things I've been told sometime along the way. The auto details are probably something I would have not looked for, I've been known to let those things go ;) . Luckily, my dad never sold my car so I plan on driving it there. I'll be in NJ for leave so it's not that far. I'd like to get a new car at some point, but waiting is a better idea.
I was told try to avoid a TAMS, but I really wanted one of those short billets. I'll let you guys know how it goes. have a happy thanksgiving.