SWCC Reserves deployment

[overcome.101]

Ive searched far and wide but have come up with little info about a SWCC reserve enlistment. I saw one other thread on this with no answers. My questions are, how do you get in? What are the deployments like? I assume you do BMT, then BCT, then ACT, then what do you do...go home and wait for deployment? Im trying to finish my masters degree..is that doable with this type of rating? ANY info or current links on SWCC reserves would be a great help, thanks. Ive called and NAVY completely avoids info on the subject, and Reserves act like its not even an option. F'n recruiter salesmen almost turn me off to the idea of joining the military at all. I scored a 92 overall on the ASVAB, and the SWCC PST is a joke to me (8 years of wrestling/swimming in HS and college paid off :) ) They need people like me, why cant i get straight up answers with military personnel, are they hiding something?
Thanks

[swcc-wife]

This info was pulled directly from NAVADMIN 133/06, regarding the recent implementation of the SB rating-

"CONVERSION FROM SOURCE RATINGS TO THE SB RATING FOR NEC 5350 AND
5352 DESIGNATED PERSONNEL WILL BE AUTOMATIC. CONVERSION FOR ACTIVE
E1-E9 AND RESERVE E6-E9 PERSONNEL WILL OCCUR ON 1 OCT 06, AND
CONVERSION FOR RESERVE E1-E5 WILL OCCUR ON 1 MAR 07. NO INDIVIDUAL
ACTION BY THE MEMBER WILL BE REQUIRED. ONLY SELECTED RESERVES E1-E9
CURRENTLY SERVING IN VALID NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE RESERVE BILLETS BY
BIN AND RBSC WILL BE CONVERTED TO SB. SELECTED RESERVES HOLDING NEC
5350 AND 5352 NOT CURRENTLY SERVING IN A VALID NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
RESERVE BILLET HAVE UNTIL 1 SEP 06 TO TRANSFER TO A VALID NAVAL
SPECIAL WARFARE RESERVE BILLET. ALL OTHERS WILL REMAIN IN THEIR
SOURCE RATING AND NEC WILL BE REMOVED BY EPMAC."

Here is the link to the full message http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/AEF8EDFA-1C42-41F7-8C92-8BFD00DEA0A9/0/NAV06133.txt

Maybe the Reserves are acting like it is not an option because it isn't anymore. Possibly?

[swcc-wife]

Maybe the Reserves are acting like it is not an option because it isn't anymore. Possibly?

Let me re-state-

Maybe it is no longer an option to enlist as a SWCC reservist.

[swcc-wife]

Here is the info you want.

http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/swcc/reservistoverview.aspx

You must first be an active member of the Reserves, then request SWCC training.

Hope that helps.

[ifiesta]

Don't want to come across as a smart ***, but if you did a keyword search on the net, the information is on the official SEALS/SWCC Recruiting website: <http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/>.

The procedure is outlined there as well as the contact info. I'll tell you first hand that some recruiters no very little about Naval Special Warfare, unless they served in NSW prior to going to recruiting. Get a hold of the NSW motivators also, they can make your life a little easier.

With exception of the deployment issue due to OPSEC reasons, there's a lot of info on the net, you just got to dig a little deeper. Good luck!

[overcome.101]

I understand the procedure to get into the program. But what exactly does this mean: "Return to your sponsoring Unit as a qualified SWCC operator. Assignments Candidates can choose to affiliate with one of four Naval Special Warfare Reserve Units." Does this mean i have to join a unit full time or its a choice? I thought i continue training at home once a month with the local Reservists, then do the two week annual gathering. So i finish training then im stationed at one of the four stations? Sounds like active duty. BTW thanks for all the help, you guys are great!

[ifiesta]

It means that you select a unit that you want to do your weekend drills and annual training with. It will be the boat team that you will be assigned to. It means that you travel to and from your command if you don't live by one of the four that is mentioned on the website.

No, it does not mean you're on active duty, but keep in mind that you may be mobilized and/or go on active duty for training orders once you are with the team. This means anything from a few days to a few months.

[overcome.101]

So any idea how much notice they give you for deployments? Cause if im in school and i have to deploy during the semester then thats unfortunate. And with the reserves i was told its a 20k signing bonus for a 6 year contract. Correct? Again, thanks for all the help, ive searched but have not found fy2008 enlistment bonuses updates or any deployment info.
Thanks

[swcc-wife]

And with the reserves i was told its a 20k signing bonus for a 6 year contract.

Yes and no. The $20,000 signing bonus is available, but only for a few selected rates-
BU (Builder)
CE (Construction Electrician)
CM (Construction Mechanic)
EA (Engineering Aid)
EO (Equipment Operator)
HM (Hospital Corpsman)
IS (Intelligence Specialist)
MA (Master at Arms)
SW (Steelworker)
UT (Utilitiesman)

Most of these ratings are Seabee ratings.

Hope this helps.

[overcome.101]

Thats unfortunate...thanks for the info. So about the deployments...any idea how much notice they give you before you deploy? And what exactly is a Seabee?

[swcc-wife]

The Seabee's are the service members of the Construction Battallions (hence "CB") of the Navy. They do, well, construction work. They are separate from the fleet- they don't deploy on ships. They also have their own warfare designation.

Here is their official website- https://www.seabee.navy.mil/

Check it out, one of their rates may be of interest to you.

Unfortunately, though, I have no idea about the notice they give reservists for their deployments. What I know is only about active duty. Sorry I couldn't help you with that.

[overcome.101]

Okay, one more question for someone who knows about the reserves. I was told that for SWCC in the Reserves you arent guarenteed a contract for the SWCC program I was told you go to BMT, then come back and request the program pending your passing of the PST. Is this true, there is no guarentee and i might get stuck with another rating or job??? The motivator told me it "should not be a problem" to get into the SWCC program but said it was simply not guarenteed. How this work???
Thanks again.

[swcc-wife]

That is correct. There is no guarantee. You must first pass the PST to even be considered for the program. But the key word is that you are "requesting" to go through the program. It doesn't necessarily mean they will grant your request. Now, that being said, most who pass the PST DO get in to the program. But once you are in training, you can still DOR, be dropped, or fail. So, that part will depend on how well you do. And, if that happens, yes you will "get stuck" with another rating :)

The SpecWar programs are never guaranteed for anyone. You have to jump through all of the hoops, pass all of the tests, and prove to be qualified for the community. When you are able to accomplish all that, then congratulations and welcome aboard :)

[overcome.101]

Thanks SWCC -wife, your of great service! Im at the crossroads now. SWCC is the only reason i will join the Navy, and if its not guarenteed in reserves, then i will go Acitve. I was told there are 9 slots to fill in BMT for this. Even if i pass the PST i have to place in the top 9 to get in. I love the competition but hate the lack of guarentee. Maybe that day i dont do well or whatever. Id rather be contracted in. Plus, this is the type of job where i would rather be fully involved and not "on the side." I can still do my school, it may be hard, but im determined enough to make it happen. So im pretty sure ill go active, i get the impression reserves are for older, already served vets wanting to stay in the game. Im too capable to sit back on the reserves. When i get through SWCC school and to the end of my term, every benefit, blood, sweat and tear shed will be more than worth it. The ONLY thing im still worried about it the beating i will take on the boats. I want to play sports and lift weights when im all done, not be crippled and in pain. Wife, hows your husband doing in respect to this? Or anyone else thats done SWCC?

[swcc-wife]

Thank you :)

Being SWCC is definitely a job that you would probably enjoy more if you were fully involved. The guys have such a camaraderie- it's fantastic! So, if you are thinking of going active instead, it surely wouldn't hurt :)

Honestly, none of the guys I know have any problems due to the boats. As a matter of fact, the guys get hurt more often off duty than on, hehe. BUT- these guys are also with SBT-22, which is a riverine unit. So, they don't have to worry about getting beat by the waves. It's a fairly smooth ride on the Pearl River!

Just a note about school. I'm not discouraging you whatsoever, in fact I think you SHOULD continue school. But I do wanna let you know that these guys work A LOT. From my experience with SBT-22, there doesn't seem to be very much down time between training, work-ups and deployments. The other Teams (12 and 20) may do things a little differently.

So, look into each SBT and see what their specialties are. You may find that one appeals more to you than another (especially if you want to continue your schooling, look into a unit that does the bulk of their training locally). You won't be guaranteed a spot at that Team, but at least you will have an idea as to what to put on your dream sheet.

[swcc-wife]

SWCC is the only reason i will join the Navy, and if its not guarenteed in reserves, then i will go Acitve. I was told there are 9 slots to fill in BMT for this. Even if i pass the PST i have to place in the top 9 to get in. I love the competition but hate the lack of guarentee. Maybe that day i dont do well or whatever. Id rather be contracted in.

Just a reminder- there's still no guarantee. You're not really "contracted in", so to speak. The contract is just the way to tell the Navy that you're interested in the program, and want to take the steps necessary to try and get in. You still have to pass the PST (and meet all other requirements) and be selected for the SWCC program.

Consider the pros and cons of both active and reserve service. I'm sure you will choose the road that is best for you. Whichever you choose, you won't regret it :)

[overcome.101]

Okay, few more questions. If its not guaranteed in your contract what other requirements besides passing the PST determines if i will get in the program after or during BMT? I scored very high on ASVAB if that matters.
There is no personal choice on which SBT im assigned correct? So i can write whatever on the dream sheet but ultimately its their call. So since theres only three do i write 1st, 2nd and third preference?
Again, thanks for all the help. This info has really "put me through the door." I will most likely sign into DEP this week and try to get a ship date for end of summer.

[swcc-wife]

Well, assuming you are an 18-30 year old male, a high school graduate, and a US citizen, you've already got 4 of the requirements covered. There is also a vision requirement and, of course, the ASVAB requirements. Now, I read earlier that you scored well on your ASVAB. For the SWCC program, they don't look at your score in it's entirety. They only look at three of the tests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge (or Verbal Expression, depending on which test you took), and Mechanical Comprehension. In Mechanical Comprehension, you have to score at least a 50. For Arithmetic Reasoning and Word Knowledge, the combined scores of the two has to be at least 104. Now, once you meet all the requirements and pass the PST, you will be interviewed to see if you are what they are looking for. If you are selected at that point, you are in the program. All you have to do then is pass SWCC School- which, as I'm sure you've been told- won't exactly be a walk in the park. But, if you graduate, you're official :)

Yes, on your dream sheet you will write your first, second, etc. preference of command. It is possible that you will get your first choice, but, you're right, the needs of the Navy always comes first. If you are needed elsewhere, that's where you will be sent. But don't worry too much about the dream sheet right now- you won't even see it until you're over halfway done with CQT. You've got to make it that far first! :D

[overcome.101]

Cool, if those are all the requirements, then im definitely overqualified. The only thing im worried about now is loosing all my conditioning in BMT. Im dedicating the next 4-5 months to training for SWCC, but BMT i was told has very little physical part to it. Do they give you some time after BMT to get it back before you go into SWCC basic, or do i get it back in SWCC indoc?
Again i cant thank you enough SWCC wife for all the help, I definitely hit the jackpot on this forum. Thanks!!!

[nswr swcc]

It is an option and a very good option, we do deployment but with obvious reasons. The reserves SWCC community has just went through a major change and it is actually getting better. I posted a little message on how it works, vauge for a reason, but if you are REALLY interested we will help you out. I am one of the first 4 guys to go through the reserves and we are still fighting for the Bonus. If you have any questions PM me and I will give you a great deal of information, although some information is good, meaning just reading off a website, it is not exact. If you are interested in finishing you Masters this is great way for you, I also do college so it is benifitial.