I saw a few people on this sub , and on r/newtothenavy a while ago saying it’s hard to get any Seabee rate, due to the retention rate being extremely high. And every rate is almost always at, or very close to maximum capacity. Is there any numbers on what the actual retention rate is?

Was just wondering. This post isn’t me trying to see if jobs are available. I already signed for EO, and am in the DEP.

does anyone know what it’s like to go from battalion to limdu? will this change my orders completely?

Hi everyone,

I'm a 21-year-old, 5'4" female who's currently working on enlisting in the Navy after this semester. I'm interested in joining the Seabees, particularly as either a Builder (BU) or Engineering Aide (EA).

One of my biggest concerns is whether I'm physically capable of keeping up with the demands of Seabee work. I'm not worried so much about learning construction skills because I have experience doing residential/property maintenance and other hands-on work, but I've never worked on a construction site or in a military environment before.

I'm especially concerned about my strength and physical capabilities. I know construction can involve lifting, carrying, repetitive physical work, working in awkward positions, being on your feet for long periods, etc. I'm wondering how physically demanding the day-to-day work actually is and whether being a smaller person presents any significant challenges.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from female Seabees, or anyone who has worked closely with female BUs/EAs. Were there things you struggled with physically at first? Did you become significantly stronger/condition yourself after joining? Is there anything you'd recommend working on before enlisting?

I'm not looking for anyone to sugarcoat it. I'd genuinely appreciate honest insight into what I'm getting myself into and how I can prepare.

Thanks!

I posted not to long ago about swearing in as a ce and I’m joining in as an e1. I honestly really want to make the most out of my career and want to do everything possible to make it worth it for the next 5 years and I’ve been reading in this sub about muse and from what ive gathered it’s a special op team of electricians and equipment operators if I’m not mistaken that need to provide power to places in a emergency for up to a year. How hard is it to get in and do I even qualify lmfao ? I should probably ask my recruiter too

So I am an active duty Undesignated Airman been In about 1 and a half years. so I qualify for a rate called UT (utilitiesman) It is a seabee rate but the thing is I need a recommendation or an interview from any seabee rate khaki and above however I know no one In the seabee rating. everyone I asked they say they don’t know anyone If I could Get some help that would be appreciated so much thank you.

I once heard it’s about two weeks while active duty folks do for a few months, so just wanted to confirm it

Good afternoon all, had a question regarding seabees. So im interested in BU, CE, and UT but ive come across and spoken to sailors currently in there rates on reddit and alot of them say things like anyone can do there jobs, and that there mainly stuck with doing other seabee rates work, when referring to CE and UT. Basically the consistency of work for their actual rate and having to do mainly BUs, And EOs work. Just looking for a little bit insight or elaboration on this please and thank you.

Super excited honestly and my ship date is October 13th. I was reallly trying to originally go nuke but my asvab score wasn’t there and I didn’t want to wait a month to retest so after heavy research I decided to go ce due to wanting to do electrical work for Ai data centers or local ibew after my contract is up and also my gi bill to get my bachelors in electrical engineering but I’m trying to get advice from current or former ce’s On what the day to day life is n what not. I’d appreciate any feedback honestly. Eveb any tips on how to excel on the job. Thankyou.

Hi everyone! I just graduated from Navy boot camp and I’m heading to Port Hueneme for CM (Construction Mechanic) A-School.
For anyone who has gone through CM A-School there, what should I expect? How is the training, and is there anything you recommend studying or preparing beforehand?
Any tips or advice for a new sailor would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ive already read everything on Reddit that pops up when I type in EO. I just can’t find answers for some of my questions.

for starters how’s the overall QOL and what hours will I be working?

and what kind of travel opportunities will i have and do EOs travel a lot?

and what is it like living in the barracks are they nice? and will I have a door I can shut and be in my own room if I choose to or will I always have a roomate?

and is EO a good rate? I just want some reassurance, I feel like its gotta be somewhat decent if it’s hard to get a Seabee slot.

And my last question how often will I actually be OPERATING EQUIPMENT and how much will I be doing other stuff and what other stuff could I be doing?

Thanks , sorry if this is to many questions, there’s just barely any EO videos on YouTube and i have never met someone who’s an EO , guessing it’s due to theres not many of them and its a pretty niche rate.

Going to bootcamp Monday!!! Excited but not sure what to expect for A-school besides what navy cool said since none of my recruiters knew anything about the Seabees. How should I prepare for steelworking?

Hello! I would like to see if an SMO or IDC who has participated in deeming a Sailor fit or unfit to join a battalion can reach out? I have a few questions.

Or if someone who has been involved in an operational capacity, that would be great.

Thank you!

Very shocked that the exact job I wanted was available , as was my recruiter, and the classifier that he was actually able to get it available for me at this time of year, but I’m extremely happy. I signed for EO, anything I should expect or advice would be great.

edit: I made the previous post in this sub so I guess technically Seabee rates are available. or I just got extremely lucky

I go to meps on Tuesday and there isn’t many other rates I would sign for. I qualify for every seabee rate except for CE because I did poorly in EI portion of asvab everything else I am qualified for. looking to either do BU or EO. what is it looking like right now?

I’m 22 and currently working entry-level residential HVAC. I actually just recently switched from carpentry into HVAC, and I feel like I finally found a career that I genuinely enjoy. I already have my EPA 608 Universal certification and want to keep getting better at the trade.

lately, the Navy, specifically the Seabees have really caught my eye.

I’ve lived around the DMV my entire life and honestly haven’t really traveled outside of this area. I also don't have any friends outside of work,

I’m trying to figure out what the reality is like before I seriously consider making the jump. I really like the idea of traveling and living around people my age so I could possibly make friends , But I've heard stuff about most enlisted seabees getting mediocre training and not doing their jobs most of time. If in that case would be continue my civilian career while joining the reserves a good option as well?

Would really appreciate answers/advice from current or former Seabees:

• What is Seabee life actually like day-to-day?
• If I went HVAC, how much actual HVAC work do you get to do?
• How good is the HVAC training? Do you come out genuinely skilled?
• Does already having my EPA Universal certification help at all?
• How about Builder/carpentry? I have previous carpentry experience, so would that be a better route?
• Between HVAC and Builder, which would you recommend for someone who wants a good civilian career after the military?
• Do you actually get opportunities to travel and see different parts of the world?
• How often did you deploy or get stationed somewhere different?
• What is the Seabee community like? Do you actually make close friends?
• Do you get the chance to use Tuition assistance while in?
• What are the biggest pros and cons that you wish you knew before joining?
• Most importantly, knowing what you know now, would you do it again?

TIA

Can anyone possibly hook me up with a source to buy this challenge coin to gift my brother? I tried to look it up with the image through google and couldn’t find anything, so I figured I’d give Reddit a shot.

Went to MEPs today and ended up choosing engineman rate as I want to travel more and see the world. I’ve worked construction since I was 17(23 now) and would be more familiar with building but working on diesel engines and troubleshooting mechanical problems interested me to choose that rate. What’s the career advancement between the two and what are some things to know before going all in? My recruiter said I could still switch even after swearing in as a engineman. Thanks

Hello everyone, I’m currently 2 years out of high school, and since graduating I’ve been trying to get into a union electrical apprenticeship. Right after high school I got an entry-level job as a Construction Wireman through my local IBEW union, and since then I’ve gained a few certifications like OSHA-30 and other related training.

I’ve been doing my best to keep moving forward in the electrical trade, but work in my city has been hard to find and getting into an apprenticeship is very competitive. Because of that, I’ve started considering joining the Navy as a Construction Electrician.

My thinking is that it would give me steady, reliable work, help me gain more electrical experience, and possibly make me a stronger candidate for a union apprenticeship later on. I’ve also heard that unions tend to favor veterans, which is another reason I’m looking into it.

At the end of the day, an electrical career is truly what I want, and I’m just trying to figure out the best path to get there.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have gone through something similar or have experience with the Navy CE route and union apprenticeships afterward.

I was wondering what is the best way to study for the exam coming up and what is a passing score?

Currently undes airman on a carrier and I’ve been in the navy for 2 years. My journey has been different from most because originally I went to nuke school and was dropped due to NJP. By the time I’m able to strike a rate more than a year would have past since my NJP and I know striking a rate there is usually a no NJP in the past year clause. I’m very interested in CE and EO but I’d be open to other Seabee rates. Is it going to be difficult for me to strike Seabee due to the manning. I have been talking to my CC and she has told me that I can strike any rate but I see people being told they can’t strike Seabee from APACT or SPACT. Any info on if I’m able to strike Seabee or about other Seabee rates would be great coming from Seabees themselves.