how can i be guranteed the job i want in the navy.?

Question

i want to be a journalist, or a photographer in the navy? What is the best way I can get that job because I don't want to go if I half to do something that totally does not interest me.

Answer 1

What you are asking about is known in the Navy as Mass Communication Specialist (MC).



*(Illustrator Draftsman (DM), Journalist (JO), Lithographer (LI) and Photographer (PH) merged into MC rating on 1 July 2006)





In the grand scheem of things it a rather small rating and hard to get into because of the lack of open slots.



If you fully qualify to enter the Navy,and a slot for a MC is open, it is possible to get that written in a contract. But keep in mind that just written in a contract does not gurantee you the rating as you MUST complete the "A" school training before you could become a MC.

Answer 2

Jobs in all the services are determined by the ASVAB score. If the test indicates low aptitude for a particular area, you will not likely be offered that (as for example, no mechanical jobs were offered me because I can't tell a screwdriver from a bowling ball.)



In times past, Navy recruiters used to have computers in their offices (the 1970's) where they could actually do the comparisons of ASVAB scores, needs for specific jobs (if there are no openings you don't get it, just like any company), and such, and could make these offers to you.



Today, the Navy, having realized that system didn't work (too many over- or under- manned ratings, corruption, &c) recruiters pitch the Navy itself, as all jobs pay the same, whether Boatswain's mate or Electronics Technician. At the MEPS station, a special Navy Counsellor rating has the job of matching applicants with available jobs and your abilities.



The bottom line is it is the Classifier that you have to convince; the recruiter can promise you only nothing (hence the use of the word "opportunity" so much in recruiting). And something they don't tell you: until the second you swear the oath of enlistment, you can walk. If the Classifier or anyone else tells you something you don't like you can leave. Believe me they will put great pressure on you if you do this, but it is no different than any other type of sales. Until you swear that oath, you have promised nothing.



And the Government does take that oath seriously by the way. If you walk "after" you swear it, you are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice article which covers dessertion or false enlistment.



You do not get to see the Classifier until after the recruiter has processed your paperwork, sent out and received any necessary police record checks (if you admitted to any crime including parking tickets or that person suspects them - I used to send them on every single applicant - saved me from one who lied to me about a Felony then tried to say I told her to lie about it when she got to boot camp), and you pass the physical. In my experience, recruiters will try not to promise anything, and applicants cover up a whole bunch. I could have gone to jail over her statement. (This is added as an edit: There is no such thing as a "sealed record" to the military. The reason is National Security, therefore ALL records are available to the Police Record check. Hiding sealed records will probably not help you much.) But I am off topic.



The thing about Navy ratings is, there are a lot of "fun" ratings like Photographer's mate, Navy Journalist, &c, and many not so fun ones like Boatswain's mate. But the Navy needs many more Boatswain's mates than Journalists, and Journalists deploy to sea and go to war, too (and they also do that as civilians).



The best thing about approaching the Navy as a possible opportunity (there's that word) is first: "Do you want to be in the Navy?" (Forget the rating for a moment). If the answer is, "I want to be a Journalist," then you should probably go to journalism school. If you want to be in the Navy, the recruiters will do their d---- best to make you happy, and find the best job fit. You may have never considered the other 100 odd ratings in the NAvy, and it is the Classifier's job to explain those.



Good luck, fair winds, and following seas.

Answer 3

Take the ASVAB, get a good score on it. Then when you go to MEPS for your physical, you'll get to pick your job. When you sit down with the job councilor, tell him or her what you want to do and that you'll only enlist if you get that job. The councilor will most likely get that job for you. Make sure you get the guarantee in writing and have you and the councilor sign on it. Now, in between your MEPS physical and the day you'll get shipped to Great Lakes is usually a DEP period which can range anywhere from one day to years. So it is possible that you could be waiting 8, 9, 10 months to be shipped to BC. And within your DEP period, it is still possible for the Navy to screw you out of that job. It most likely won't happen. But if they do do that to you, you can walk away without any legal or financial penalties against you. Because you're not in the Navy until you go back to MEPS on your shipping day. So, until your shipping day, you can walk away. But you should be able to get whatever job you want as long as you do well on the ASVAB. Good luck.

Answer 4

You can get a guaranteed SEC in your contract at MEPS. As long as you meet the physical requirements, ASVAB scores, the Navy has openings for that job, and you are willing to ship when they need you to so that you can train and fill the slot when the Navy needs it you can get it in writing.

Answer 5

You can get everything in writing and then if you flunk out of school they can give you any job they want. Also they can insist you have a secondary skill and then deploy you in that skill if they need it. There is no such thing as a "guarantee" in the military. Once you sign up you either do as ordered or you get out with some discharge other than honorable. If you do not like it, do not join.