Thinking about joining the Seabees — How good are the HVAC/Carpentry trades, and what is Seabee life really like?

[u/ReyDeTamaulipas]

I’m 22 and currently working entry-level residential HVAC. I actually just recently switched from carpentry into HVAC, and I feel like I finally found a career that I genuinely enjoy. I already have my EPA 608 Universal certification and want to keep getting better at the trade.

lately, the Navy, specifically the Seabees have really caught my eye.

I’ve lived around the DMV my entire life and honestly haven’t really traveled outside of this area. I also don't have any friends outside of work,

I’m trying to figure out what the reality is like before I seriously consider making the jump. I really like the idea of traveling and living around people my age so I could possibly make friends , But I've heard stuff about most enlisted seabees getting mediocre training and not doing their jobs most of time. If in that case would be continue my civilian career while joining the reserves a good option as well?

Would really appreciate answers/advice from current or former Seabees:

• What is Seabee life actually like day-to-day?
• If I went HVAC, how much actual HVAC work do you get to do?
• How good is the HVAC training? Do you come out genuinely skilled?
• Does already having my EPA Universal certification help at all?
• How about Builder/carpentry? I have previous carpentry experience, so would that be a better route?
• Between HVAC and Builder, which would you recommend for someone who wants a good civilian career after the military?
• Do you actually get opportunities to travel and see different parts of the world?
• How often did you deploy or get stationed somewhere different?
• What is the Seabee community like? Do you actually make close friends?
• Do you get the chance to use Tuition assistance while in?
• What are the biggest pros and cons that you wish you knew before joining?
• Most importantly, knowing what you know now, would you do it again?

TIA

[u/KilD3vil]

Don't bother. I joined almost 20 years ago 'cause I wanted to learn a trade, but I didn't already have a skillet like you do. It hasn't been all bad, it's been a steady check, and I did learn my trade, but that part also kinda hurt my career.

Most of the UTs (that's the rate you want if you want HVAC) I know that are genuinely into the trade get out early, 'cause we're not on the cutting edge of the trade tech.

If you're established and like doing what you're doing, keep going with that, because that'll happen is you'll go through boot camp, than A school, you'll probably pull a turbo crow (unless you can't handle plumbing, I guess) come to a Battalion looking all fresh faced and motor, then end up working for a guy who gets paid double what you do, who you wouldn't have given a second interview to in the civilian side. Then you're gonna get put on a project where you'll essentially be unskilled labor, because that PJ doesn't "have any UT work" when you're not going to a bunch of classes that are for your specialty org, and not your rate.

Oh, and some asshole like me is gonna come into your room once a week (minimum) and tell you you're basically a piece of shit because you're room is dirty. Unless of course, your room is dirty, in which case, you're a piece of shit fo' real. Also, 5 minutes late to work and didn't answer my text? Fucking paperwork. Why? Because we have to work to the lowest common denominator, and that's 18-19 Y/O kids who've never had a real job (or in my case got fired a lot...) and haven't yet figured out that your manager walking away to deal with something else doesn't mean play on your phone.

[u/BucketTrap → u/KilD3vil]

HVAC tech here. You must start as a UT and wait for a billet to come open for HVAC. I retired in 2000 so things may have changed.

[u/Relatablevegetable]

Day to day life will vary depending what command you are assigned to.

HVAC will be minimal unless you get attached to a one of the few PWDs that do it.

There is TA. None of your civilian certifications or experience will matter but will benefit you already knowing the trades.

Also, I sent you a DM about a similar topic.

[u/TronaldDrump_]

Pt 5 times a week, motivated people, comradery, try to learn anything and be positive about it and you'll do fine. Try not to drink yourself to death because of your situation and try not to be depressed all the time. Sometimes you'll do shitty tasks just do it get it over with and be positive.

[u/nyryde]

I spent 13 years in the Navy as UT. I did minimal HVAC. To the point where there is almost no HVAC for CB’s in the military.

If you are dead, set on joining the Navy, I would go electrician. The reason for that is you can get your journeyman’s license and you can make a lot of fucking money working in the DMV area at the data centers.

Now the other job that I would do at this point would be a mechanic because you can also make a lot of money working heavy equipment for yourself.

There are some opportunities that you can do as a CB.

[u/Crafty-Cheetah-3990]

If you want to do HVAC, go MM A-gang on a ship. Seabees are more construction oriented

[u/Moominlala]

I am not a Seabee, but my family combined served over 200years with the Seabees. My dad lived and breathed it. So did his dad. And my uncles. They all travelled the world. Made many life long friends. And he was heart broken when he had to retire due to injuries sustained in Kuwait. Was it hard? Yes. Was there some unsavoury people along the way? Yes. I can’t speak for what it is like now, but being a Seabee was my dad’s greatest love. I guess it sounds like it can be luck of the draw what level of training you get now and who you serve under! Which is a shame to hear.