MEPS and SWCC contract

[jake6666]

I have a question on when to sign the SWCC contract.

My recruiter will probably want me to go to MEPS within the next two weeks or so. I haven't taken the PST yet and don't plan on it until I get some swimming under my belt. I would like to take my PST in 3-4 months.

Should I wait to go to MEPS until I take the PST? Or, should I go to MEPS and pick a rate other than SB, go into DEP, and then take the PST and then sign the SWCC contract?

Jake

[jake6666]

I'll try to rephrase the question. The first post seems a little confusing after reading it.

If I sign a contract and in that contract it garuantees me, lets say MA rate, will I be able to void that contract and then sign a SWCC contract after the PST?

Also, I posted these questions in another thread but didn't get a clear answer. Will taking a steroind capsule 5 years ago DQ me from getting the required clearance for SWCC? Will being a brother in law to a muslim guy DQ me from getting the clearance?

I know I could easily ask my recruiter these questions, but I trust the people on this site more than my recruiter.

Jake

[Kinnikinik]

General rule, if you can pass the PST now, don't go to boot camp without having a SWCC contract. You can do it at or after boot camp, but you don't want to do that. If you can't get in uder SWCC, get in as any rate and then try again, but don't give up your change to get it in your initial contract.

As for the steroid pill, it won't show up on your piss test, because it was five years ago. When the do the sucurity clearance they actually go and talk to your friends. If you friends or family or anyone else will tell an investigator, better tell them first. When in doubt, tell them. They are looking more for disclosure than anything else. Hell, I just had to sign a waiver for drug use for something I am going into after being in the Navy for almost 10 years for stuff I did when I was a kid. I admitted it because I don't want them to find out without me telling them first.

Being a brother to a muslim guy will not disqualify you unless he is involved in any terrorist groups, or is associated with those types. For the record, being muslim does not disqualify you from having a clearance. There are plenty of muslims with clearances. Islam is a religeon. If his actions are terrorism, then those actions may disqualify you.

Ask for the recruiter, follow this mantra: trust but verify.

If you get some gouge from him, throw it up on the wall here and see if it sticks.

K

[rsctt83]

kinnikit

If you have a minute could you do me a huge favor and email me Rsctt83@aol.com I would like to ask your advice about an issue on the site that deals with community.

Thanks in advance

Rsctt83@aol.com

[jake6666]

I can't pass the PST now because of the swim portion. I can't even remember the last time I went swimming. I know how to swim, but I don't know the CSS.

My brother gave me the steroids. I'm not sure if he even knows that I took the one capsule. When you told me to tell whoever knows about the drug use, did you mean to let them know it's okay to tell the investigators I did in fact take the drug?

Obviously he's not involved in anything like you mentioned. I would of certainly notified some people if I knew of anything.

My recruiter wants me to go to MEPS and choose a different rate. He says I can just change it to a SWCC contract as soon as I pass the PST. I would feel a lot more comfortable with just signing SWCC.

Uh, now that I'm thinking about it, can I even sign a SWCC contract at MEPS? I'm not sure that I can, unless the Navy would administer the PST without me actually in DEP. In other words, would they give me the PST without being under contract with the Navy?

Jake

[overcome.101]

The general process is that you go to MEPS and choose a "normal" rating. Once your processed and sworn in you come out and pass the PST with your recruiter/motivator. Once you pass, you will be able to sign your SWCC contract. There is no way to take the official recruiter supervised PST without you being in the DEP. Once you first pass it, you are in the SWCC program. Then you must continue with normal DEP meetings, once a month, and normal PST days twice a month, hopefully progressing your times. But you must pass the PST to get in and you MUST pass it 14 days prior to shipping to stay in the program before you sip to BMT. If not i think you can get another chance at basic, but your conditioning will suffer and it probably wont be as easy tp make the times. Bottom line, pass the pst to get in, then pass it 14 days before you ship to stay in the program.

Make sense?

[jake6666]

Yup. Makes sense. So my recruiter told me some good info. I need to pick a regular rate first and then pass the PST to be able to sign the SWCC contract.

Overcome, are you doing it the same way as me?

I'm really not sure how things work for the SEAL contract, but I heard they go through a pre-bud/s after boot camp to get them back into their previous physical condition. Does SWCC have anything like this? I know a lot of people have brought up the fact that boot won't keep them in the condition they need to be in.

Jake

[ddssdv]

If you do not get everything in writing you will end up a gendetter on a bird farm meaning a no rate pushing planes around on a carrier far far away on a ocean. Applying after you are in the Navy is harder due to command requirments and the needs of the Navy. If you can't do the swim, you will not qualify for SWCC or any other specops programs (SEAL, DIVER,EOD). You can always find something else to do in the Navy. Wait until you can get what you want then go. Do not be impatient...you will hate it.

[overcome.101]

Yeah Jake sounds like your doing the same thing as me. Im in DEP, passed my PST and am swimming my *** off for almost a full year until i have to ship. Ive never swam laps before but im a great athlete so the running and PT is no sweat. Im focusing mostly on swimming as i hear it will help tremendously to be proficient in the water. You recruiter sounds like he givin you the right info. But like Dfc said GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING ON THE CONTRACT. Make sure SWCC school and your enlistment bonus is on there. Bonus is 35g plus up to 5g more if you got college credits. Oh and in boot camp they have a SpecWar division that has you do PT, running, and swimming during boot, although for the first month you will loose some fitness anyways. By the end of it though you should and better be ready to go. Look at Borus's thread about Bud/s prep at the Great Lakes, there great info there.

[jake6666]

Thanks for all the great info.

Overcome, did you pick a rate other than SWCC when you went to MEPS?

Should I get my original contract stating that once I pass the PST I can sign a SWCC contract, or is that understood?

Do you get to choose how long you're in DEP for? I don't want to ship until I feel comfortable in the water. Not really sure how long that will take.

jake

[overcome.101]

Yeah i just told them to give me whatever, and they gave me DC, damage controlman.

Let them know you want the SWCC challenge, but its understood and once you pass the PST you get your SWCC contract anyway. The whole thing is they cant just let you in the program if you can't perform. You have to be in DEP to get the legit PST to show them your "worthy." I personally think the PST is a joke, it should be way harder, but from what i hear many who barely pass have made it through so thats cool with me... its all mental anyway, although being physically prepared helps you mentally stay tough and avoid injuries.

Anyways like i said ive never swam laps or competitively or whatever, i just know how to swim and am very athletic and determined. So i joined the DEP which is cool, you get up to one year until you have to ship. This gave both plenty of time and an obligation as you are sworn in. Its really helped me stay motivated since i know one way or the other im in the Navy. Get the Total Immerision DVD from StewSmith.com and you will be swimming well in no time. Technique is everything... my best advice is to swim swim swim swim swim swim swim swim...and then swim. One year is plenty of time to get into shape, if you play it smart and go hard when you progress.
Remember, nobody has ever drowned in sweat!

[ddssdv]

Yeah i just told them to give me whatever, and they gave me DC, damage controlman.

Let them know you want the SWCC challenge, but its understood and once you pass the PST you get your SWCC contract anyway. The whole thing is they cant just let you in the program if you can't perform. You have to be in DEP to get the legit PST to show them your "worthy." I personally think the PST is a joke, it should be way harder, but from what i hear many who barely pass have made it through so thats cool with me... its all mental anyway, although being physically prepared helps you mentally stay tough and avoid injuries.

Anyways like i said ive never swam laps or competitively or whatever, i just know how to swim and am very athletic and determined. So i joined the DEP which is cool, you get up to one year until you have to ship. This gave both plenty of time and an obligation as you are sworn in. Its really helped me stay motivated since i know one way or the other im in the Navy. Get the Total Immerision DVD from StewSmith.com and you will be swimming well in no time. Technique is everything... my best advice is to swim swim swim swim swim swim swim swim...and then swim. One year is plenty of time to get into shape, if you play it smart and go hard when you progress.
Remember, nobody has ever drowned in sweat!


You have a good attitude. Keep working at it and you will do fine.

[jake6666]

^^^I agree.

I really appreciate all of you help. You really cleared a lot of things up for me.

How long have you been swimming for? How long would you say it would take to be proficient enough to take on the PST and making it through training?

jake

[overcome.101]

I have been training for SWCC for only two months. Before that i had just finished my second year of college wrestling. So i came in in good shape endurance strength wise and mentally tough. If theres one thing you learn in wrestling its to dig deep and find "it" within yourself. So PT is not an issue for me, i can do pushups and situps all day. So i focus my attention on swimming mostly as well as running. You can swim safely 4-6 days a week but you HAVE to pace out your running schedule until your leg muscles properly develop. There are plenty of guides on this site in the Running Forum. FOLLOW THEM and DONT overtrain.
Personally, i was able to pass the PST the first time i tried it, after 20 minutes of coaching from my recruiter on the combat side stroke. My technique was terrible and i felt dead after the swim but he just said to keep going, so i did. I just barely passed with all the minimums you could get. After two months, thanks to Stew Smiths DVD i got my swim time around 8:30, ive been swimming about 5 days a week. I havnt timed my 1.5 mile run yet but its improved alot as well, probably around 9min.
That said, i know i can pass the PST, but you dont go to SWCC school just to pass a PST so DO NOT focus on just getting good PST numbers. Once you can safely pass focus on things like 4 mile timed runs with boots in the soft sand and 2 mile swims in the ocean with and without fins.
Remember SWCC school like Bud/s is a marathon. You have to be properly prepared and know how to play the game. Like bud/s sucks says, "lesser men than you must have made it through." Focus on YOUR race and YOUR goals, thats whats important.

[ddssdv]

I have been training for SWCC for only two months. Before that i had just finished my second year of college wrestling. So i came in in good shape endurance strength wise and mentally tough. If theres one thing you learn in wrestling its to dig deep and find "it" within yourself. So PT is not an issue for me, i can do pushups and situps all day. So i focus my attention on swimming mostly as well as running. You can swim safely 4-6 days a week but you HAVE to pace out your running schedule until your leg muscles properly develop. There are plenty of guides on this site in the Running Forum. FOLLOW THEM and DONT overtrain.
Personally, i was able to pass the PST the first time i tried it, after 20 minutes of coaching from my recruiter on the combat side stroke. My technique was terrible and i felt dead after the swim but he just said to keep going, so i did. I just barely passed with all the minimums you could get. After two months, thanks to Stew Smiths DVD i got my swim time around 8:30, ive been swimming about 5 days a week. I havnt timed my 1.5 mile run yet but its improved alot as well, probably around 9min.
That said, i know i can pass the PST, but you dont go to SWCC school just to pass a PST so DO NOT focus on just getting good PST numbers. Once you can safely pass focus on things like 4 mile timed runs with boots in the soft sand and 2 mile swims in the ocean with and without fins.
Remember SWCC school like Bud/s is a marathon. You have to be properly prepared and know how to play the game. Like bud/s sucks says, "lesser men than you must have made it through." Focus on YOUR race and YOUR goals, thats whats important.


The above is what I envision NSC to become with ALL the members able to put forth good gouge like the above. Anyone looking for SWCC prep info could read Mr. Overcomes posts and learn tons. Take a read and learn how to post.

[overcome.101]

Thanks Dfc, ive enjoyed many of your posts too! Like many here on this forum may have noticed, jumping into the SpecWar community can be overwhelming and hard to understand as military life is completely different from civilian life, especially SpecWar. Ive seen a lot of reposts and a lot of people who simply didnt search the forum asking questions that have already been answered, im guilty too. Not a big deal, but i think people tend to overcomplicate things especially about training. We need to keep it simple. Eat right, sleep, train hard and smart, and have a good attitude. The rest will take care of itself and if you want it bad enough it will happen.
BTW I live in North Carolina. I plan on doing the Extreme SEAL experience in September. I joined DEP in feburary and am waiting for next winter to ship to basic then to SWCC school so i can enjoy the cold. Anyone have any further questions feel free to ask, but dont be afraid to use the search button, you will learn at least 98% of what you want to know.

[gator33]

I agree with dfc...wait to get your SWCC contract in writing. It's worth the wait. Getting my EOD package together from the fleet was pretty bad. Definitely worth it to get it all straight before you go. Start swimming more and focus on that until you're good to go. Shouldn't take that long. Good luck.

Gator

[queball21]

im pretty sure its only 25grand and 40 grand for EOD and SEAL. I'm in SWCC and i looked up as much info about bonuses as i could and still got the same answer. 25g's for SWCC

[swcc-wife]

im pretty sure its only 25grand and 40 grand for EOD and SEAL. I'm in SWCC and i looked up as much info about bonuses as i could and still got the same answer. 25g's for SWCC

It's $35,000 for SWCC and Navy Diver, $40,000 for EOD and SEAL.

Here is the current message from CNRC. The info is on page 6.

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/EIncentives/N5311%20EB/EB/Released%20EB%20Messages/FY07/CNRC_191432ZJUN07_%20EB_Message.pdf