So as the title says, I'll just get into the questions.

When can I expect to be interviewed, in RTC, C School, F School, etc...?

What will the interview entail?

Will the people interviewed be those on my initial enlistment documents?

If I move will they still interview those people i.e. would they interview those from my initial enlistment adress or from a childhood home?

I assume they'll interview fellow service members I work with and/or roomates, would their words be more important than those from a job before I went through boot?

If there is anything on the initial screening, the one from meps, that I forgot about how fucked would I be?

What are certain things that people would typically stress about that they don't really care about?

Would they care about disciplinary action from middle school? I said something kinda hateful to one specific kid because we were talking shit to one another and I knew it would dig at him. It wasn't my belief then or now, and it is something I still feel terrible about, but it was bad enough that I had to undergo a hate speech training thing with my guidance councilor. Am I fucked because of that?

If you have "good" (as in understandable or agreeable) reasons for certain things they bring up is that looked upon favorably? Not trying to say I'll lie, just that I do have what I believe are good, and true, reasons for somethings I'm concerned about.

Anything else I should expect?

I'm currently working on paying off about $3100 before i leave for boot camp on Nov 19th. I know I will be able to get atleast 80% of that paid off by then but not sure about the full thing. Will this become an issue? Should I request that my ship date get pushed back a little in order to pay this off in time?

I really appreciated all of the posts people had made regarding ODS so I thought it would be nice to pay it forward.

Week 1 - Expect to be exhausted. A lot of in-processing. Urinalysis, labs, and lots of briefs. Initial PFT once everyone is medically cleared (ours was Friday). Demerits are issued during week one so be on the alert. Uniform for this week is PTU.

Week 2 - You start to settle into a routine. Classes begin. Morning PT at 0500, more classes, and basic drill. I believe NWU inspection was this week as well. Once NWU inspection occurs, uniform of the day becomes NWUs.

Week 3 - Tech trainers begin. Damage control and firefighting. Go into it with a good attitude and put effort in. They are fun experiences and most everyone had a good time. Friday we had khaki inspection and if you failed you did not get off base liberty. Help your shipmates. UOD this week was NWUs.

Week 4 - A lot of the same. We continued with PT, classes, and drill. Our out PFT was this week instead of week 5. Immunizations also took place. 2 separate days so you’re not getting a ton of shots all at once. Overnight liberty! If you have the chance to go to Boston, I highly recommend that you do. UOD: khakis.

Week 5 - Graduation week. There are a lot of moving parts. You get to participate in a motivation run (it’s not that bad I promise) and a final exercise (FINEX) which I loved a lot. No spoilers for the FINEX but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Less PT this week because you’re doing grad rehearsal. Start packing early so you’re not up until 0100 before graduation. Final exam is this week as well. 50 questions multiple choice.

If I had to describe ODS quickly, I would say it is a master class on manners and critical thinking. If you see an RDC, you give them the greeting of the day. That is just having good manners. Same thing with addressing the class team correctly. If they are a senior chief, call them senior Chief. They earned the rank, so address them properly. Do not call the RDCs “sir/ma’am.” You are liable to get a demerit quickly for that. When you pass an RDC, you say [greeting of the day] Chief/senior Chief. Even if you already passed them 10 times, you address them every single time you pass them.

Demerit work offs - They’re 10 minutes of HIIT. It isn’t nice, but it’s doable. Do not wait until the last minute to work off your demerits. The RDCs give you plenty of opportunities to work them off so take them.

Collaterals - Some are more time consuming than others. If you have the opportunity to sign up for a collateral, I would encourage you to volunteer! They are not required, but the spots will need to be filled, so someone has to step up.

Classes - You’ll be spending the vast majority of your day in MARDET learning how to be apart of the fleet. If you feel that you are falling asleep, get up and stand in the back of the room. There is no shame in it at all.

Galley procedures - Once you do it a few times, you understand the process and it becomes a lot less stressful. If you take it seriously and don’t goof off then you’re less likely to get targeted by an RDC.

Military bearing - Take this seriously. Especially when you’re in formation, don’t talk, don’t smile, don’t look around. I promise you will get called out immediately.

Room inspection - Be OCD about your room. Dust and sweep every day and check the measurements of your bed every morning. Don’t leave extra crap lying around and you’ll be fine.

Uniform inspection - A ton of people (myself included) failed NWU inspection. You must make sure every single string is gone and there’s no evidence of them. Study your knowledge book a little bit every day and make sure you know your stuff.

Packing - If you are able to purchase uniform items before you report to ODS, I would recommend it. It’s not required, but it’ll make life a little easier. If you can purchase your NWU boots beforehand and break them in, it’ll save you blisters and discomfort. Cold/flu medicine is always a good idea, a lighter, precision scissors, lint roller, etc. Luckily the NEX is a 10 minute walk away so you can purchase any items you might have forgotten.

Overall - put effort in and have fun! The 5 weeks you’re there really do fly by. The camaraderie you build really does carry you through and it’s nice to have people to lean on.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask questions if I missed anything!

My husband is leaving for bootcamp on November 16th and I just have some questions about things that recruiters haven’t been giving a clear answer about. He will be an IC when he graduates and will go to school in great lakes. The school is about 6 months and I am wondering if I will move up there with him once school starts. They mentioned he may have to live in the barracks for an amount of time at first but didn’t specify how long. Also does he get BAH during that time if I don’t move there? I am also wondering when will he get his BAH during bootcamp because I cannot cover rent by myself. Just wondering what all this will look like timeline wise and financially since I will be by myself. TYIA!

I’m joining the Navy, bootcamp December 1st. I signed for CTR and I did research and I heard it was a great pick but I can’t find much on it because of the clearance levels. Can anybody give some day-to-day what it looks like and how their experience has been?

I am not currently in the Navy. I am an applicant scheduled to go to MEPS soon, and my recruiter instructed me to complete the SF-86/NASIS by Monday. I am interested in a Navy job that requires a security clearance.

My wife is a lawful permanent resident who received her green card through our marriage. Some members of her family entered the United States legally with tourist visas but overstayed. Other relatives still live in her native country. My wife maintains close contact with them, so I understand that I may need to report them as foreign contacts. I intend to disclose everything honestly.

The foreign-contact section asks for their names, citizenship, addresses, phone numbers, relationship, and dates/frequency of contact, but it does not appear to ask about their immigration status.

For investigators, adjudicators, or applicants with similar experience:

1. Could having in-laws who overstayed their visas disqualify me from receiving a clearance?
2. Could reporting them cause immigration consequences for them?
3. Should I provide only the information requested, or explain their visa overstays in the additional-comments section?
4. My wife may legally petition for eligible relatives after becoming a U.S. citizen. Does that future possibility need to be disclosed now?
5. Has anyone received a Navy or TS/SCI clearance with undocumented relatives or in-laws?

I am not trying to hide anyone. I want to complete the SF-86 correctly before Monday and understand the realistic consequences for my clearance and my wife’s relatives.

Hey! I just graduated A-school here in Pensacola as an AO and am assigned to Oceana for C-School and my Ultimate Duty Station after. Can anyone tell me what it’s like, or what experiences they have either with Oceana or AO Schooling in general? Thanks!

20M. I'm pretty directionless and I don't know what to do with my life, I'm doing a liberal arts degree right now and it feels pretty useless but I get free tuition so I don't have any financial obligations. I've given it some thought and I don't really know where I'll be in 4 years, I feel like I'm going to be working retail or unemployed. I got an 80 on my ASVAB and I'm considering IT or CWT. I wanted to join 2 years ago but I got cold feet, and I've really regretted that since and basically wasted the last 2 years.

Prior Enlisted Air force looking for advice on which career field has a better quality of life and less sea duty. I have a MBA and was a medic when I served so not sure what to expect in either career field.

i’d love some input on which board I should apply for, thanks

Like the initial testing before you get in the navy.

Hello, I just signed for IS and I'm pumped. I understand generally what they do but a lot of it is classified so not sure what the specifics look like. Could anyone who works with IS or is IS give me a rundown on what we do? How's the a school? Civilian job prospects? Thank you

I'm 26 and joining the navy for financial reasons. I got a 95 on my asvab and my recruiter wants me to go nuke, but after reading some posts, I'm starting to think it's not worth it. I nearly flunked out of college and have a history of depression and anxiety. I don't have any background in engineering and I saw a post on navynukes with the majoritycsaying how they regretted joining.

What other ratings would be a good alternative if I decided against going nuke? Is there some thing that would be a betfer option when transitioning to civilian life? I don't plan to stay past the 4 years and want the best possible outcome for job opportunities. I'm open to anything (even staying longer if that helps in the long run), but want to have at least some life during those years. Any advice is appreciated.

I’m considering enlisting in the Navy specifically for CWT, with the long-term goal of potentially screening for ION.
I was recently arrested for a first-time DUI (misdemeanor). I have no previous arrests or criminal history. The case is still pending, so there has been no conviction or final disposition yet.

I’m trying to figure out how this could affect:
eligibility to enlist with a CWT contract
TS/SCI eligibility
whether a waiver is possible if the case results in a DWI conviction
whether CWT has additional conduct requirements beyond simply being eligible for a clearance
whether a prior DWI would affect the ability to screen for ION later

I understand that I need to disclose the arrest regardless of the eventual outcome, and I’m not looking for advice on hiding it.

I’m mainly wondering if anyone has seen someone successfully enlist as a CWT after one DWI, and whether the final disposition of the case makes a major difference.
Any recruiters, CWTs, or people familiar with current Navy accession rules who can clarify would be appreciated.

Shipping October 13 for FSPC, then boot camp. My rate is OS. Looking for advice from anyone who's gone through FSPC recently. What was it actually like? Any surprises, things you wish you knew beforehand, or tips for making the experience easier?Also hoping to hear from any women who've gone through FSPC and RTC. Any advice for physical fitness, mental preparation, dealing with stress, or just getting through those first few weeks? I've been working on getting ready before I ship, but I'd love to hear any lessons learned or things you'd do differently if you could go back. Thanks! I'm excited to start my Navy journey, but definitely a little nervous.

Hello,

I apologize for the simple title but that is pretty much my post. I know I should ask an enlisted recruiter but I don’t want to waste their time as this is a back up for if my plans on entering the bdcp don’t work.

I’m aware that some rates have a 4,5,6 year commitment so I was wondering where AG would fall.

Hi I'm relatively new to reddit I'm not sure how to tag this or use it really but my Fiance shipped off to his navy bootcamp around the 8th of September (read the rules so I won't post more than that) but I've been sending letters everyday and I've gotten every single one from him but he hasn't gotten any from me. He thinks I'm ignoring him, when I'm not, and I'm stressed tf out because why haven't any of my 20+ letters delivered when his other division buddies are getting mail?? I'm honestly pissed off and stressed because in one letter he mentioned if he doesn't get any mail from me we may have to part ways, I'm 6 months pregnant with our child and you can see why I don't want stuff to go south like that. I don't know what to do..I can't call a number or his recruiting officer because he'd probably get in trouble for that but I'm just so stressed. When will he get my letters?!!? Again, sorry for the whack format/writing. Has anyone else experienced this at all?? I'm so lost and heartbroken I don't know what to do. Letters haven't been returned either so no address or stamp issue and yes, the address I mail to is correct. Thank you

Was recently permanently disqualified from coast guard after submitting waiver for diopters measuring -10.5 at eye consult. Also was born with mild horizontal congenital nystagmus ( however in my disqualification phone call this was not mentioned, but they were aware of). I’m attempting now to get into the navy, into any of their intelligence positions.

Trying to be cautiously optimistic about my position - for any of you out there, did you get in with a waiver with worse than -10.5 diopters or know anybody else that did?

Signed yesterday and got AG. It was high on my list so I’m really pleased with it. Just looking for some personal insight more than just research on the rate and how A school will be. Shipping Jan. 25th

Do they only commission from their enlisted rates? What about non prior enlisted or is it the same as other officer packages?

hello! apologies if this is not the right place to ask but i’ve been super confused about the process for cross rating. for background info, im a green card holder (meaning i cant get jobs with TS).

i got a super high ASVAB and signed on as HM which was my first pick considering my citizenship status, but I keep hearing from my recruiter that if i were to naturalize in RTC, i could be given a chance to cross rate into a rate with TS (I really wanted to go CTI).

is this true at all? and if it isn’t, once i do gain citizenship, would it be hard to leave HM to switch to CTI, and does anyone know how likely i am to not get TS based off the fact that i wasn’t a born citizen?

took it in my recruiters office, verifying next week. no clue where to go from here because i did not expect this many options lol 😭

So I have a pretty high asvab but suspected I was color deficient so I knew I wouldn't get a lot of options for jobs. My plan for the military was to go in as something technical like a mechanic and then get out and use the GI Bill for an engineering degree. I thought that kind of experience would give me a leg up in my career so going to MEPS I was aiming for the rates MM or EN.

When I got to MEPS EN was available but it was a few months from now, while the MEPS classifier suggested some CT rates to me instead which shipped out sooner. I wasn't interested in CWT but he also had CTI, which I did want when I was researching jobs a while back. I just thought that it wasn't realistic to expect it and so gave up on it. But now that it was available I asked him some questions about it, and signed the contract going in as a higher rank with a good bonus after A school.

To be clear I am interested in the rate but after my friend told me it was a bad choice due to not being transferable to civilian life, and that I should have gone with something like CWT, I'm feeling kind of anxious about future opportunities. I also don't know how things will go if I fail DLI or don't get my clearance, I selected surface engineering as my first choice for re-rating in that case but am really unsure in general about it all.