Job Title

[kellysmom (04 Div 291)]

My daughter is leaving for BC on July 6th, after BC she is training to be a "Hull Tech". Does anyone know what that is?  I can't get a straight answer from her.  I don't think she knows what it is. Thanks.

[Anti M]

A cross between a welder and a plumber. Metal work such as welding, including testing metals and repairs, ship's plumbing, ship's ballast, and repair of small boats. A very hands on skill, with a ton of technical training. Excellent training for a number of fields in the civilian world. The work can be physical and dirty, but I think it would be very interesting. I know it doesn't sound "girly", but many Navy jobs are like that and women end up doing extremely well.

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navyjobs/navyjobs2/blht...

I bet Hoppi would know better than I do!

[kellysmom (04 Div 291)]

Thanks Anit M. This could be a problem. My daughter wants to be a nurse. The recruiter told her she should work with her counselor to change her job. Is that even possible? If not, I can't see her doing this. She will be miserable.

[Arwen]

As an enlisted sailor your daughter can become a hospital corpsman (which includes nurse assistant duties), but not a nurse. However, it is very difficult for women to get corpsman right now, they need male corpsmen to send to Afghanistan and Iraq with the Marines.

In order to become a nurse she will have to get a nursing degree, either on her own or through a NROTC nurse training program.

I was an HT in the Navy, AntiM's description is pretty accurate, but HT training and duties can also include firefighting. HTs used to be primary firefighters, but DCs do that job now. HTs may still be assigned to DC division, and perform maintenance on firefighting and drainage systems.


From About.com

The duties performed by HTs include:

* installing, maintaining and repairing valves, piping, plumbing system fittings and fixtures, and marine sanitation systems.
* repairing decks, structures and hulls by welding, brazing, riveting and caulking;
* examining, testing welds and various shipboard structures; using radiological, ultrasonic and magnetic particle testing equipment.
* fabricating with light and heavy gauge metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, sheet copper and brass, steel, sheet and corrugated iron;
* heat treating, hot and cold forming of metals;
* pipe cutting, threading and assembly;
* repairing installed ventilation ducting;
* repairing metal, wood and fiberglass boats;
* installing and repairing insulation and lagging;
* operating marine sanitation systems

[kellysmom (04 Div 291)]

Thanks for the information. I was really excited about her enlisting in the Navy, but now I feel sick about it. I talked to her about her "job" and she said they told her what it was, but I don't think she really understood it especially since the recruiter said she could change her job once she got there. I have a feeling things aren't going to go well and theres nothing I can do about it. Thanks again.

[Anti M]

She has not signed her final contract yet, only the DEP one. The real obligation comes at MEPS, right before she ships out. She CAN drop right now. If she doesn't want this rate, she should insist on something else. If nothing is available, drop and try next year. Hoppi is correct, she will NOT be changing rates in boot camp, and unlikely in A school. DEP is like a promise ring, MEPS is the real deal, like marriage vows. Much easier to break the engagement than to get a divorce!

Then again, she may really like it... she'd better, she'll be obligated to perform well. I have no idea why recruiters tell them they can change rates, it just isn't realistic!

Make her read this NOW. Hoppi is an active duty chief, Arwen and I are both prior service Navy. We KNOW what we're saying here. I know she has little reason to trust us over her recruiter, but we aren't trying to get her to sign up.

Good luck.

[kellysmom (04 Div 291)]

Thanks for your advice. I talked to her today and we went to the recruiter together and talked. There was a guy there who is a HT and he explained to me exactly what she would be doing. She has her heart set on going and said she could do it. I told her it's her life and her decision and shes sticking with it. Sooooo, off to BC in two weeks. Thanks again. Anyone need a plumber?

[Anti M]

Hey, I didn't know squat about electronics when I went in, and I took to it quickly and liked it. She may be the same.

Plumbers make darn good money, as do welders!

[kellysmom (04 Div 291)]

She still wants to be a nurse when she gets done.Who knows, it's hard to say what the future holds for her, at least I know shes doing something worthwhile. And it is nice to say I'm a Navy mom, since I live about an hour from Annapolis and go down for the Blue Angels every year.

[Pat (MP)]

My daughter wanted to be an RN before she enlisted also. She enlisted 3 yrs ago and went to MEPS wanting to be a Corpsman however there was a year wait at the time, for females, so she chose IT. She loves her rate and no longer wants to be a nurse & if she chose not to stay in the Navy when her contract is up she could easily find a job and make a decent salary. If your daughter wants to be a nurse she can go to college while she is in the Navy or she can wait till she gets out and go using her GI bill. If she wants to go in as a nurse, she'll need a 4 year degree in nursing (BSN) as there are no enlisted rates for nurses.

[kellysmom (04 Div 291)]

I went down and talked to her recruiter Friday, actually four recruiters, and they explained everthing to me about how she can go to school in her spare time which they really encouraged her to do. So I told her, her dad and I will support her with whatever decision she makes. And she really wants to go, so we're having her going away party this Saturday for the family and her friends.

[Arwen]

She can go to school in her spare time, and the Navy will pay for most of the cost. However, this is easier for some ratings than others. HT's are often at sea most of the time, and have little time for such studies.

However, she will also be eligible for the GI Bill, and after four years she can go to school on the Navy's dime (they even pay the cost of a dorm/housing) and focus on her nursing studies. As a former older student, it is MUCH easier to get through school and focus on education after being out in the world for a while.

Four years in the Navy to mature, then four years in school to become a nurse. Your daughter has a bright future ahead of her.