Question about the profession

[D33pdown]

Hello,

I am a very committed rec diver at the moment, I am seriously thinking about going to school for commercial diving when I get out of the Marines. The school in particular I am looking at is Divers Institute of Technology, does anyone have any expirence with them or any other school? ive done some homework on different schools and they seam to be the most military friendly and closest to home (I live in AZ).

After I finish school what kind of work am I looking at? I am wanting to do off shore work if possible but if I can find a way to live in AZ and still work as a commercial diver that would be preferable. How is it finding a job out of school?

Also any experiences, be them good or bad, I would love to hear them. I would also appreciate any advice you guys have for me, thanks.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

Have you considered staying in and cross-training, or switching to the Navy if necessary? That would be a great way to get the training and some great experience. You would probably only have to commit to another three years or so, but then you would be ready to go when you got out.

When I was in the Air Force, a buddy of mine got to go directly from the AF into the Army's helicopter program without a break in service, essentially transferred from one branch to another. No one had heard of anyone doing anything like that at the time. He ended up becoming a warrant officer and an instructor pilot.

 

[D33pdown]

I did very briefly, maybe a Navy diver would be cool but honestly I am so burnt out of the military lifestyle that I just want to get out

 

[muddiver]

Go to Youngs Memorial Jr College in Louisiana. It's really inexpensive com paired to any of the private commercial diving schools and you get the same piece of paper. Don't waste your money on any other school except Santa Barbara City College. That is the number one in the nation. The program at Youngs is the least expensive and gets you right into the offshore field right away.

 

[D33pdown]

Go to Youngs Memorial Jr College in Louisiana. It's really inexpensive com paired to any of the private commercial diving schools and you get the same piece of paper. Don't waste your money on any other school except Santa Barbara City College. That is the number one in the nation. The program at Youngs is the least expensive and gets you right into the offshore field right away.

Santa Barbara City College is looking really good, my only thing is will take the G.I. Bill? It being an actual college id imagine it would.

 

[Wookie]

Young Memorial is actually a campus of the Louisiana Technical College. Morgan City is a craphole near the anus of America, but I go with Muddiver on this one. I have taken many of my professional mariner classes at YMC, and the Marine Department Faculty is second to none. If you want megayacht training, you go to Fort Lauderdale to MPT. If you want to dive bridges and bulkheads, you go to San Diego, and for working on Fishing Boats, you go to Seattle. If you want to work in the oil patch, you go to YMC or The Ocean Corp in Houston

All of those places accept the GI bill, that's why they exist. As Muddiver states, getting your ADCI card is like getting your PADI OW card. It's a license to go learn something. You're still going to tend for 6 months, be a chamber tech for another 6 before anyone lets you in the water, and offshore life isn't fun or easy.

I'd look into what the job market is, and don't ask the schools. Call any number of commercial diving houses and ask if they are hiring, or when they expect to be hiring. I know a lot of ADCI holders tending bar in Key West. The schools will tell you it's all unicorns and rainbows, where in reality, getting hired on as a commercial diver is harder than completing the school, and you get hired on by the job, not for life, so if you're a turdbird, expect to not be asked to go on the next job. I know a number of salvors for Titan who distill bourbon when they aren't on the job, and they aren't on the job for 9 months a year.



You are right on the money as far as going the Navy Diver route. It's all topsiders and coners and the military is strong in that bunch. Great divers, but you get out with a hearty handshake and a pat on the back and tricare, but no ADCI card.

 

[D33pdown]

Is there anything I can be doing now to help stand out later on to help get a job?

 

[MikeWebb]

Dot all your "i" in your resume with tiny love hearts and bright red lipstick to your interview