Need advice about becoming a Navy Diver

[ddivers]

I am 22, considering going into the Navy dive program(hard hat diving). I recently graduated from a commercial diving school and have some college but i am having trouble finding work with a decent company. I had one of the biggest classes that the school had and only about half of the class found work. The ones that did were either ex-armed forces of some kind or had a backround in mechanics or welding. I dont have a backround in either. I'm starting to feel like im out of work unless a hurricane hits.
I realize i will have to do the program all over again through the NAVY. I'v already talked to a recruiter but he keeps trying to get me to take the ASVAB asap but i keep telling him i want to fininsh studying for it first. Some of what hes telling me seems a little sketchy. He says "you will have absolutely no problem passing the ASVAB and getting in the NAVY dive program". I only want to get into the NAVY if I can do hard hat diving.
My question is...what is the chances of me actually getting into the program? how long does one usually have to enlist for to get into a specialty program such as this? is it worth it, or should I just keep pushing for a civilian job?
I guess my main goal if i did join the NAVY would be to get dive experience, have something respectable under my belt, and get tuition money. Then when I get out, take a year off for school, then get back to diving in the oil industry and take classes during slow times.
thanks ahead of time for any advice

 

[Akimbo]

You may find this ScubaBoard post informative:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/military-divers/328094-navy-divers-please-help.html

 

[terrydive1]

I am 22, considering going into the Navy dive program(hard hat diving). I recently graduated from a commercial diving school and have some college but i am having trouble finding work with a decent company. I had one of the biggest classes that the school had and only about half of the class found work. The ones that did were either ex-armed forces of some kind or had a backround in mechanics or welding. I dont have a backround in either. I'm starting to feel like im out of work unless a hurricane hits.
I realize i will have to do the program all over again through the NAVY. I'v already talked to a recruiter but he keeps trying to get me to take the ASVAB asap but i keep telling him i want to fininsh studying for it first. Some of what hes telling me seems a little sketchy. He says "you will have absolutely no problem passing the ASVAB and getting in the NAVY dive program". I only want to get into the NAVY if I can do hard hat diving.
My question is...what is the chances of me actually getting into the program? how long does one usually have to enlist for to get into a specialty program such as this? is it worth it, or should I just keep pushing for a civilian job?
I guess my main goal if i did join the NAVY would be to get dive experience, have something respectable under my belt, and get tuition money. Then when I get out, take a year off for school, then get back to diving in the oil industry and take classes during slow times.
thanks ahead of time for any advice

Hey ddivers, I'm not sure what the minimum is on the ASVAB for Navy Diver, but you should easily be able to find that online. You will have to achieve that minimum before the recruiter can go any further. While your working on studying for that, make sure your good to go for the diver PRT. Swim, pushups, situps, pullups, and running. You will have to pass the diver PRT before you are even allowed to go to bootcamp. With that though, now that Navy diver is a rate, your guarenteed the school before you come into the Navy. I believe the commitment for Diver is 6 years. On another note, also look into Navy EOD. Where you'll not only receive first rate dive training, you'll also have alot of varied skill sets under your belt if you decide to get out later. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[fjpatrum]

First and foremost, the ASVAB isn't a "pass/fail" type of test. The Navy Diver school has a minimum ASVAB of AR+VE of 103 & MC of 51. This page has some good info:
Navy Diver (ND)

Second, don't trust a recruiter to tell you anything correct. If you decide on doing this, which I generally recommend against for most people unless they have specific training they want like you do) make sure you get a guaranteed seat in Navy Diver school before you sign any final paperwork, otherwise there is absolutely no guarantee you'll get in that school, no matter what anyone tells you. (As ex military I watched a lot of good people who were told they'd have no problem getting into a school they wanted end up as dish washers and towel checkers...) I haven't found anything that implies this is some sort of "special ops" training, which are generally the only ones you can't get a guaranteed seat for before enlisting. As such, if your recruiter won't show you on paperwork that he can guarantee you a seat, walk away. I'd also recommend talking to a couple of different recruiters who aren't in the same office, if you can. I'd also recommend asking the recruiter to put you in touch with an active Navy diver, if they can find one (they usually can find any job specialist if they're willing to do so) and discuss what you're looking for with that diver. They can give you first hand information that the recruiter won't know and will be able to tell you everything you need to know about the realities of the dive school and whether the recruiter can guarantee you a seat or not.

Good luck.

JoeyP

 

[djb_1965]

Navy Diver is Spec Ops. You are not guaranteed a seat in the program, The pre dive training is very intense. My son went in as EOD, he made it through everything up to the final PST before going to dive training. He separated his shoulder and could not complete the pullups, got med dropped. He had to find a rate he could do, he lucked out, and found a decent one. Just be prepared, if you do go that route, if you do not make it for some reason, they will stick you where they want to....

 

[Aggiebq86]

Make sure you are in excellent physical condition before attempting this course. Just because you already know how to dive, does not mean you will complete this course. There are many that show up for the course that don't make it through because of conditioning.

 

[ddivers]

Thank you everyone for the advise. The recruiter has an active NAVY diver coming to the office in a few days so I can talk to him. As far as the physical conditioning goes, i dont think i will have any problem. The swimming will be cake, as i am a regional gold and silver medalist for the club i joined post high school and still swim laps as often as i can. I also frequent the gym and run 3-5 days a week.
I will definately get everything in writing before i sign anything(IF i sign anything). If the minimum to be a NAVY diver is 6 years, i dont think i will enlist, but i will definately make sure first.
Does anyone know how hard it is to take classes while being a NAVY diver? I think that will play a huge roll in me joining. If i can be a full time student, and be a NAVY diver, that would be great.
Just to be clear, I want to do hard hat diving. The salvage/ construction/ u/w welding type diving.

 

[Bob DBF]

Do not sign anything.

The military needs good people so you have the advantage until you sign.

Agree to do the testing before you obligate yourself so you can determine what skills you have and how the Navy will use them, what rates you could strike for ( Navy jobs you could fill).

If you qualify for the Navy dive program, have the recruiter guarantee in writing you will be given Dive school. Now this may entail a longer obligation, make sure it only kicks in after you are a Diver, and having to pass other classes beforehand, such as Machinist Mate school and welding, but as long as you have a contract to go, you will be sent. Might have a lawyer look at the contract before you sign.

The good news is that the Navy wants and helps motivated people to succeed in their schools. They need good people in the fleet. The needs of the Navy determine where people are assigned, therefore any verbal agreements with recruiters are just so much wind.

All that being said, I spent a great 6 years in submarines and salute anyone who serves our country. I just wouldn't want to see someone join for some BS promises and wind up bitter during a great time in their life.

Bob
-----------------------
USN 1965-1971
Qualified Submarines
ET1(SS) USS Andrew Jackson SSBN 619 USS Ethan Allen SSBN 608

 

[terrydive1]

I will definately get everything in writing before i sign anything(IF i sign anything). If the minimum to be a NAVY diver is 6 years, i dont think i will enlist, but i will definately make sure first.
Does anyone know how hard it is to take classes while being a NAVY diver? I think that will play a huge roll in me joining. If i can be a full time student, and be a NAVY diver, that would be great.
Just to be clear, I want to do hard hat diving. The salvage/ construction/ u/w welding type diving.

I believe the 6 year commitment is upon the completion of dive school. If for some reason you did not complete school, I think your enlistment would be back down to 4 years in whatever job they give you. Again, I'm not sure as alot has changed since I went through 6 years ago. On taking classes, don't plan on doing anything while your in bootcamp or down at Panama City. The course is challenging both physically and mentally and you'll want to be completely focused on that. After dive school, as a number of sailors do nowadays, pursue a degree online. Most importantly, don't mention your diving experience down at dive school. As a number of current and former navy divers on this board can tell you it can make it worse for you. Good luck to you and hope to see you out there someday.

 

[DCBC]

I started my diving career by entering the Navy as a diver (diving officer) and later became a commercial saturation diver, instructor, diving supervisor, diving superintendent and now am a diving project consultant for big oil (retiring this year).

Your questions don't lend themselves to a quick answer. The military is an excellent starting point, especially if you are involved in underwater construction (Seabees), or EOD. Construction is what it's all about in the civilian sector. Special operations is a waste of time if you want to be a commercial diver. Another alternative is if you are involved in land-based welding and NDD.

Landing a good commercial diver job depends upon your tickets, experience, and your school (affiliation). Other things like being ex-Navy put you into the same ring as other ex-Navy divers who may be in the position to hire you. It can really get complicated at times.

As you have seen already, people who have a construction/welding background are the first ones picked. This is for a good reason, as although diving is involved, to put it in context, it really is just how we get to and from the construction site. You have to be able to work when you get there.

As you are likely aware, there has been a lull in the commercial diving sector over the past decade or so. Some of the major diving projects that are slated to commence are in other countries like India and China, for example. You will likely to require an IMCA or DCBC ticket (unrestricted air), although you may get by with an ACDE ticket.

Like most jobs, experience is key. Don't be hesitant to work on-shore for a few years to gain experience. This is often the fastest way up the ladder. When you can, move to an offshore job. If you get a mixed-gas ticket and do well, you can consider a SAT job after you have the training.

If you want to discuss matters further, send me a PM. Good luck!