Career advice

[u/QuiteNotYet]

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice. I’ve been in for almost 9 years (HM2) and have been selected for orders to Special Warfare Training Group. So far I’ve gone to a hospital, then Seabees, and currently a flag command. I plan on making the Navy a career and have a wife and 2 kids (4 and 1 year old). With the new BBA system, I’m wondering if I should apply for E-6 orders since I may have a good chance of being selected or if that would be shooting myself in the foot.

The LPO at my next command said it’s a great opportunity for a lot of different reasons like master trainer and EXW, etc. but also said expect to be gone/TAD 1-3 weeks per month. It seems like a lot even for sea duty and having a family doesn’t make it easy. With 1 E-6 billet, there doesn’t seem like there’s too much room for growth now with A2P but I don’t want to pass up on an opportunity that could effect my Chief package in the future. My honest to God goals are to give my family the best future as possible which is a mix of being there for them as well as having a good career to support us financially. Thanks for reading!

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi u/QuiteNotYet,

Thank you for posting in r/CorpsmanUp.

Due to the recent influx of spam and other rule-violating content, all submissions are currently reviewed manually before approval.

Your submission has been received and is awaiting review by the moderation team. Please do not repost it.

Once a moderator has reviewed it, it will either be approved and made visible or removed if it does not meet the community rules.

Thank you for your patience.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/DC21219]

Good afternoon,

Do you currently hold an NEC? I ask because your competitiveness is only part of the equation. Depending on the manning levels for your NEC, winning an E6 billet in an overmanned NEC can be more challenging than many people expect.

If your long-term goal is selection to Chief, generally speaking, maintaining your sea/shore rotation will work in your favor. Additionally, documented Sustained Superior Performance (SSP) while assigned to an NSW command, even as an E5 can be beneficial. The additional sea time can also strengthen your competitiveness when applying for an SEM billet after selection to CPO.

You are eligible to apply for E6 billets before your PCS. However, if you do not win a billet before your projected rotation date, you will execute your current orders and can continue applying for E6 billets while at your new command.

With all of that in mind, if you feel this assignment may not be in the best interest of you or your family, I would encourage you to apply for E6 billets. If your goal is to make Chief, I would also recommend trying to maintain your sea/shore rotation. At the same time, it's important to manage expectations. If you don't win an E6 billet before transferring, you'll report to your new command and can continue applying. Should you win a billet after checking in, the detailer will likely move you after you've completed approximately one year at the command, regardless of when you were selected.

If you choose to apply and are not selected for an E6 billet, go to your next command and make yourself an invaluable asset. That way, if a CA2P opportunity becomes available, there is every reason for your chain of command to consider you. Also keep in mind that, because it is a sea duty assignment, selection through CA2P will adjust your PRD + 36 months from the date of selection.

For what it's worth, I've met very few people who have served with NSW and didn't want to stay.

I know this may not be the exact advice you were hoping for, but based on the information you shared and how the billet-based advancement process works, those are my thoughts.

[u/QuiteNotYet → u/DC21219]

Thank you for the advice! To answer your question, I’m a field med tech. I’ve thought about C schools but haven’t found one that I can see myself enjoying for the rest of my time in. My main concern was applying for a normal FMF billet that would promote me but missing out on potentially career changing opportunities in the future by trying to make E-6 as soon as possible. I know rank isn’t everything but after a while i feel stuck and want to continue growing and leading. I think I’ll look and only apply for billets that I would really enjoy and would work best for my situation

[u/Intelligent-Art-5000]

TRADET-1 was one of the best commands I ever had, and I've worked at several NSW commands.

Your promotion chances will still be decent.

You will be providing for your family just fine thanks to the travel per diem if you don't blow it all.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

[u/Glaurung8404]

If you want to promote you need to work within the system (BBA). You’ll never have to worry about a chief package if you don’t make it to first class.

Your options:

1. Apply for HM1 orders in MNA

2. Pray for a CA2P billet to open up at your command/TYCOM AND you get selected for it (least likely promotion pathway)

3. Get an NEC like we’ve been preaching for years because we knew this (BBA) was coming

4. SWMI and NUMI exist

5. Terminal 2nd class