My Son wants to join the Navy as a Seabee.

[crazycowgirl]

My son is 17 and wants to join the Navy as a Seabee.  He is concerned that his ASVAB score will not be high enough to get in.  Does anyone know how much weight this score has for this division?  Also, if he joins with another job can he change jobs once in to get into the Seabee's.  We are really confused and from what the recruiter has told us, and I don't know if I believe everything, that after 18 months he can retake the ASVAB and get into the Seabee's then.  Please if anyone has any advice for my son can you help us out.

 

Frustrated Mom!

[crazycowgirl]

Thanks for your response. He was told by the recruiter that he an retake this ASVAB test after 18 months but never mentioned to say anything about the A school. What is the A school? I assume that the UNDES stands for undecided? Sorry all of this lingo is new to us. I just don't want him to join and then get all frustrated because he was not able to get out of the Navy what he thought he was going in for. I don't want the recruiters to mislead him incorrectly. My son is interested in welding or plumbing. Where can he go from here if he can't get into the Seabee's.
Again, thanks.

[Arwen]

If he wants welding and plumbing, he can also go in as HT or DC.

HTs (hull technician) are primarily welders and plumbers, doing shipboard maintenance.

DC (damage control) fights fires and flooding, but since those are rare, they spend most of their time doing welding and plumbing, or maintaining plumbing systems.

About 20 years ago HT and DC were the same rating, but the Navy split off DC into its own rating so the Navy could have more firefighting training for some sailors. I've heard rumors of merging the two again, but who knows if it will happen.

[navytwins]

I don't know how much help i can offer you but my son just signed his contract for the Navy. He is going into the Seabee's. He just turned 18 in Feb. I'm happy to share any information with you that I have.

[crazycowgirl]

Oh that would be wonderful! He would be so happy to hear anything. He has been studying the ASVAB test everyday because he is so worried about his score, that it will not be good enough to get into the Seabees. Any advice or one on one info would be greatly appreciated.

[navytwins]

My son had a lower ASVAB score - He was also worried about not having a score that would qualify him for a rating he was interested in. He didn't pass the first time he took it but he studied for several weeks and retook the test and got a much better score. He got an ASVAB study guide from our local book store. That helped alot. He signed his contract for an EO (equipment operator) with the Seabees about 3 weeks ago. His "A" school is in Missouri. He had to wait a little whole to get his contract because of the lack of openings right now. While the Seabees was one of my sons choices for ratings but it was not his first choice. Unfortunaty, with so many people wanting to join the Navy there are not many openings. After he passed the ASVAB he has to meet with a career counselor aty MEPS and see what he qualified for and then what was available. Joe had to choose from what was available at the time. Your son my qualify for a rating in the Seabee's but there may not be any openings. Joe lucked out with his contract. My daughter (my son's twin) got her contract about a week ago to be a rescue swimmer. I have two 18 year olds going in the Navy and have been working with the Navy for over a year to get contracts, ship dates, etc. I'm not an expert by any means but I have figured out a few things. I'm happy to help any way I can.

[navytwins]

I'm still learning the proper terminolgy

[crazycowgirl]

Thanks so much again. He does have the books from the Library and has been studying with them. I will let him know what you said and tell him to take the test to see what his score is. Wow I can't believe you have two children that joined. Must be crazy at your end, I can barely handle the one! My son did mention that he would look into the EO as well. It's good to hear different opinions from other sources. Good luck with everything and thanks!

[clockard]

Does the book he's using have practice tests? I got a book from the library for my son that was just like the GED or ACT prep books and had several practice tests. Then he will know if he needs to work harder on any areas.

[Real Life Navy!]

GET asvab for dummys you can find it at a barnes and nobel. math is the hardest and most on the ASVAB

[clockard]

Better yet, go to the library! This isn't exactly something you're going to need on your bookshelf for very long. My tiny, local library had several ASVAB prep books to choose from.

[fly 2]

If he doesnt like his first score he can re-take without signing a contract. I would not go in UNDES because that actually mean they can put you anywhere in the fleet and it;s very hard to change jobs once you are there!

[RobinM]

My son has been enlisted (and in the DEP program) since last January. He scored very well on his ASVAB and really had a choice of what he wanted to do. He chose Seabees and got a contract right away and a ship date of 1/5/10. Unfortunately, he broke his collarbone and had to have surgery and stuff which delayed everything and he had to pass all his physicals and such before he could get a new contract. When he finally was able to go back to MEPS, they didn't have anything open for him in the fields he was willing to sign for. However, he was top on the list to get something as soon as it opened up which happend just 2 days later and he left for boot camp yesterday. That process took only 3 weeks. So when it feels like its a hurry up and wait thing, it can turn around in no time and they can be gone before you know it. My son also goes to A school in Missouri right after boot camp graduation. I'm certainly no expert on anything, but that's how things went for us. Hope that helps a little. Good luck!!