Considering Navy Diver, help please

[Cazten]

Hey guys, I've heavily thinking on goin into the Navy, and more specifically something in the Spec Ops with Diver at the top of my list currently. During my recent research ALOT of the threads I've come across google searching directed me to this site so I thought i might hit you guys with a few questions?

At the current moment im only looking to enlist for 4-6 years, so my biggest concern is picking something that is Very fun and interesting to me, but will provide the opportunity for The best money making in the civilian world. I know i read its very common for underwater welders and such to make huge 70-100k+ a year pay checks, but I also hear about guys that only pull 18k a year too. So even though im goin to be getting trained in all of this stuff, will it be worth the pay off when i get out? What kind of jobs would be open to me in the diving world and what kind of pay could i reasonably expect to snag?

And on a side note, though im excited to try something like this, ill admit to being a little weary of the sharks....Lol. Has anyone ever gone through the program, and if so is it likely to see any? Great Whites specifically.

Thanks guys!

 

[BobbyT22]

Talk to a recruiter. I am not a Navy Diver, but have been an active duty Naval Officer for almost 17 years. Navy diving is great, if I had it to do all over again I would have looked into the Navy Salvage community as my career path, vice my current profession of surface warfare. I have been lucky enough to tour the Ocean Simulation Facility at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit in Pensacola, Florida, and those, and man, those guys truly are the experts of all experts when it comes to diving. Here is the thing though, there are many different jobs in the Navy that will enable you to get diving training, but the diving is a collateral part of your job. A recruiter can spell it all out. Seabees, EOD, etc all can be dive trained, but they dive because they need to do their work underwater. The best example in civilian terms is I can give you is this: An underwater electrician is an electrician first, and a diver if he needs to be. SEALS of course also dive, but are outside the mainstream Navy diving community. Good luck.

 

[Arizona]

Cazten,

If you have not already, consider taking an Open Water Course now to see how you like things "under pressure". Better to try it sooner than later. What about the Coast Guard? It might be worth talking to several recruiters.

Good luck,

Arizona

 

[Gary D.]

Navy diving is a good occupation and makes for great career. But first some words of caution. Think about what you want to do both in the Navy and in the civilian world then go after that path.

If you want to get into commercial diving don't go into Navy combat fields. Working with closed circut, cleaning a weapon, taking a beach or rescuing hostages don't have much to do with underwater construction, salvage or repair. But if you want to be a "Hit man" you have a foot in the door.

I would recomend against becoming a diver "Before" you go in. But if you do KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT about it. Don't even tell your mother. If the instructors know they have a diver already life can be real tough. The Navy does not want to convert a diver they want to train a diver.

Do your homework first. Work on both physical and mental toughness and be prepaired to be put where the Navy wants you should you not make it through school. Also don't go in with the 4-6 year attitude. Go in open ended because the Navy or any other branch does not want to spend BIG BUCKS on you if they are not going to get their monies worth.

Good luck and do your homework

Gary D.

 

[Cazten]

thx for replies so far guys. This definetely isnt some end all be all for me. To be perfectly honest before i even looked into diving i just flat out wanted to do a term in the Navy first I want the experience and challenge, and the mall fun that comes seeing the rest of the world. My brother was a Combat search and rescue so i DEFINETELY know what im getting myself into.

Im a very smart smart guy and have no doubts if i wanted to could test into and survive the Nuke program, while at the same time i was raised very mentally and physically tough so the BUD's the SEALS and all specials ops the like the Divers go through does worry me to much.

I know there are multiple diving rates, but the ND (Navy Diving) rate within the special ops category is what i was looking at specifically. They go through all sorts of training with underwater welding and different tools is my understanding from the site.

The idea that im leaving is obviously something i would want to keep to myself, assuming that my opinion once im in.

My big question for you guys is just whether or not the Navy training is going to grant me success in the civilian diving world. Could i take my 4 or 5 years as a diver in the navy and shoot over to a shipyard or oil rig and make some nice cash? At the end of the day im an opportunist, and i wanna make sure i milk whatever navy experience i get to provide me the max benifit to my overall life. With this kind of experience would i be a little shrimp making 12 bucks and hour, or would i be able to snag a 50k+ a year gig?

 

[Tom Winters]

Go talk to a recruiter and start from there. Chances are she or he will have to do some research to answer your questions and see what options are open to you. With the new administration coming in, I would not be surprised if the Navy downsized - that makes getting in that much more difficult. Plus with the economy not doing so well, retention goes up opening fewer slots for enlistees.
You won't see too many sharks - a lot of Navy diving is done in low viz situations - touchy/feely dives. Stuff might bump into you though.

 

[Cazten]

It might downsize, but Obama said even if he downsizes troops overseas hes not going to pull out special ops (seals, eod, swcc, Divers). Infact right now the Navy is busting their own balls trying to reccruit more special ops and are trying to increase numbers by 25% by 2011 or something. Which occording to online information translates into programs which give you a 100% shot of taking the test for whatever program you signed for instead of sitting around the navy hoping to get a shot at it, and if you fail theyl let you choose another special ops to try. Also have a fatty 30k+ sign up bonus... Not re-enlistment, but signup after the completion of BUD/s.

Im trying to put off talking to a recruiter about these specific issues honestly. 1 i dont want them to know im not planning on being a lifer with special ops training incase they wanna
negotiate my contract a little. And 2 i hear to much of what they say is BS anyway to fill the quota. I wanna be 100% as knowledgeable as possible going into the recruiting office, not comming out.

But im just trying to figure out PAY here guys. At the end of the day i dont wanna come out and work at McDonalds. I wanna make sure whatever i go into gives me knowledge and experience to take a shot at a good to very good paying job outside. I was of of the understanding that welders and such could make some serious bank. If this is not the case i might wanna look elsewhere?

 

[kgault]

Talk to a recruiter. I am not a Navy Diver, but have been an active duty Naval Officer for almost 17 years. Navy diving is great, if I had it to do all over again I would have looked into the Navy Salvage community as my career path, vice my current profession of surface warfare. I have been lucky enough to tour the Ocean Simulation Facility at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit in Pensacola, Florida, and those, and man, those guys truly are the experts of all experts when it comes to diving. Here is the thing though, there are many different jobs in the Navy that will enable you to get diving training, but the diving is a collateral part of your job. A recruiter can spell it all out. Seabees, EOD, etc all can be dive trained, but they dive because they need to do their work underwater. The best example in civilian terms is I can give you is this: An underwater electrician is an electrician first, and a diver if he needs to be. SEALS of course also dive, but are outside the mainstream Navy diving community. Good luck.

NEDU is in Panama City Florida, a local recruiter could probably get you a tour -- If interested in talking with Navy Divers, post a question in the NEDU forum http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/nedu-q/ The XO provides answers or directs them to those who can. He is an EOD type, so he has a definate opinion on who does the most valuable work underwater

From what I have seen there is a shortage of Navy Divers; The Navy's Dive School (NDSTC) is putting the finishing touches on their new pool that is capable of allowing practice for screw changes and other underwater projects.

Keith

 

[Jim Lapenta]

No advice on the topic but a heartfelt thanks for considering to serve. My son is USAF.

 

[Web Monkey]

Hey guys, I've heavily thinking on goin into the Navy, and more specifically something in the Spec Ops with Diver at the top of my list currently. During my recent research ALOT of the threads I've come across google searching directed me to this site so I thought i might hit you guys with a few questions?

If you like the Navy and you like diving, I'd recommend getting a non-diving job in the Navy, then taking an OW class and diving when and where you feel like it while on leave.

If you're a diver for the Navy, you'll be diving when and where they want you to, which probably won't involve hanging out and looking at fish in warm sunny water. This is a lot like the people who love to dive, become commercial divers, then end up hating diving.

Terry