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The most popular reviews in /r/newtothenavy:
I don't know who made this, but it's good too:
Bring a blanket and maybe a sheet because you won’t have A/C or sleep under the sheets they gave you. Come in with a “Seams Right” from Amazon and you’ll make plenty of friends.
Policy is only “dry healthy snacks” in the lockers. They don’t check them unless you forget to lock it. You’ll have access to the commissary to get food a couple weeks after you get there.
The portable one is alright. Gets the job done. I have the built in ones from Amazon in my old place.
Install one in your personal toilet when you get a chance. Super easy. YouTube vids.
Greenco Bidet Fresh Water Spray Non-Electric Mechanical Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A17T3N6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_i_WrmdGbJM3P0EK
The ASVAB test bank site and the ASVAB Test app helped alot. Scored an 89 on the AFQT and a 97 on the PiCat (still waiting for a date to take the confirmation test). A little preparation in general goes a long way.
For ships I really just read the start guide and or look up random quizlets on them that contain pictures. Chain of command I use this website and just continue reading them over and over : http://memorize.com/us-navy-dep-study-guide/terrycotta
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This page has 2 parts in it that contain basically all the DEP tools we need to know so I highly recommend it and I honestly am gonna just study for at least an hour everyday this week.
There's a few decent links to Quizlet and Flash Card sites for the Start Guide. Here's a few:
http://memorize.com/us-navy-dep-study-guide/terrycotta
https://quizlet.com/24620782/navy-start-guide-flash-cards/
As was previously said, it's absolutely critical to not just memorize them in order, you will not likely be asked that way. You need to know them by heart out of sequence.
My son is in the DEP program now, but I am a former Marine and I served as the functional equivalent of the Education Petty Officer for my platoon in boot. It was called "Knowledge Private." I'm strongly encouraging my son to memorize the start guide front to back and use those flash cards to be ready to try to get that role in his division.
https://www.quora.com/How-can-you-join-the-Merchant-Marines
Law enforcement or SEALS has nothing to do with being an officer in the MM. If you want to do that, you should follow step one of the link I provided above. That is all.
If you are still in highschool, start challenging yourself with Honors or AP level courses. And perhaps a sport or a volunteer group like Leo, Key, or Rotary.
Many countries have certain websites blocked or even a paywall to access media sites (UK). A VPN not only makes you safer on the internet by hiding your location, it allows you to circumvent network blockers. It is also really fun to change your location and enjoy foreign Netflix.
I used ExpressVPN living in China in 2014 and again in South Korea from 2017-2019.
I picked this one up a few weeks ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R6D4BF5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It has a very strong vibrating alarm which is why I was interested. I haven't had any issues with it so far. Good luck, ill be headed out there in September
There is a book called ASTB secrets. It’s a yellow book and it gives a sort of outline for the math section. As well as short descriptions of the mechanical comprehension part of the exam. This won’t give you in depth problems but it will give you a sort of checklist and overall look at those sections. Also for the reading I didn’t study too much on it, like people say just read the prompt then read through each answer and try to pull out definitely wrong answers. A lot of time the answers give something that isn’t in the passage but it sounds close. If it doesn’t have it in the passage don’t use past knowledge.
This is the link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/ASTB-Secrets-Study-Guide-Selection/dp/1516700457/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=astb+secrets&qid=1608352562&sr=8-1
Just look for "ASVAB prep" or "ASVAB study guide" on amazon.
You might want to check these out. It also like men's boxers, but I am not especially fond of the pouch I don't need for the junk I don't have.
I wear the above briefs all the time unless I'm wearing skinny jeans or something.
I'm assuming you mean like rack curtains? If so then I would say hold off on those for now. In a typical barracks situation you're sleeping in a normal like twin sized bed so those won't be needed. As a prospective nuke he's got a lot of schooling to do before ever going to a ship. Also as a prospective nuke I'm assuming there's a chance he goes to a submarine, and I'm not sure how those crews would feel about someone bringing in their own rack curtains(sub sailors often share a rack. 1 guy works while the other sleeps in the rack).
The blanket I got was something similar to this. Something warm but light and compact enough to just fold up and stow away easily enough when not needed.
Agree with everyone on appendix bravo. Get quizzed by someone while you do pushups or something.
I don't want to repeat what everyone else said but I showed up with a bunch of shit to OCS not knowing you get a bunch of opportunities to go to the NEX. Probably the best thing I brought was a nice white towel and fox river boot socks. My best purchase at the NEX was one of their comfy blankets.
The only thing I can recommend that no one else has, is a roll of masking tape. Initially, you have to write your name on a piece of masking tape to put on your pt uniform. There always was a shortage because that piece of tape inevitably falls off.
This is the ninja star that the other poster mentioned. Used to measure out your insignia on your uniform. They have them at the NEX, I don't ever remember it being out of stock.
sorry (ship)mate, I can't give you any websites, but I can advise you to use a VPN (such as NordVPN or Private Internet Access) for your own security/digital safety, which will also be useful should you get into a foreign port and connect to any sketchy wifi or anything.
Hope you do good on deployment and on the digital high seas!
I think we'll be in the same class!
So I bought these Belleville boots and these Fox River socks. I got black for both.
In terms of the Belleville boots, I ordered a size 11 because that is what my running shoes are. I had to send them back and get a size 10 because they were way too big. The Belleville website says they generally run a 1 to 1.5 sizes large which is definitely true.
after you get a new CAC, you should get one of these:
then get a lanyard and attach it to the card holder. then attach a tile to it.
you’ll likely never lose it again.
This size is perfect. Keep in mind, you will have to stow it in your tiny drawer under your bunkbed.
Specifically, I would recommend something like this...
ASUS TUF Gaming F17 Gaming Laptop, 17.3” FHD IPS-Type Display, Intel Core i5-10300H, GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, 8GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe SSD, RGB Keyboard, Windows 10, Bonfire Black, FX706LI-RS53 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZLFLF7L/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_FY1B4Q1C84ZX3P7K6GBV
Try to spend less than $1k and then you can upgrade later if you need to
I would look for something less than $1k, 1tb HD (ssd is better but more $$$), 17" screen, dedicated graphics card. A quick Amazon search and this looks pretty solid. Let me know if you have any questions.
ASUS TUF Gaming F17 Gaming Laptop, 17.3” FHD IPS-Type Display, Intel Core i5-10300H, GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, 8GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe SSD, RGB Keyboard, Windows 10, Bonfire Black, FX706LI-RS53 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZLFLF7L/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_FY1B4Q1C84ZX3P7K6GBV
There is nothing that I haven't been able to remove with this: Tech Stain Remover
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Blood, gum, melted crayons, chocolate milk, and mystery stains come out easy with this, even on white fabric.
This is what I have. This specific variant seems pretty hard to find for some reason, but you get a huge bang for your buck. Your gonna be a PS so I assume you can read, so I'll let you read the specs. It should run COD/GTA with no problems (though I haven't tried).
As for lugging around a monitor, I have a better solution for you. Get this and google how to use a capture card to stream Xbox to your laptop (it's pretty easy, basically installing OBS and plugging in the card to your Xbox/laptop and tweaking it a little bit). It'll let you use your laptop as a monitor so you don't have to use a separate screen. Less to carry around everywhere, especially if you're on a ship.
As for down time, I can't tell you how much you'll have in the fleet but school is like a regular school day to my knowledge, so you'll have the afternoons/weekends.
I used the sites other people are recommending, the guide that I used to back it up, which really helped with a few portions was this book. However I did take the ASTB in 2012, and it's probably changed since then, so YMMV.
I use Google flights - it’s not a re-seller like Expedia - when you select a flight, it takes you to the airline site, and you book there.
I tend to favor Delta, but my strongest preference is for direct flights - even if I have to pay more.
Every stop in a non-direct flight is an opportunity for the airline to screw up - weather, flight is delayed for mysterious reasons.
This may vary by where you are flying to, but I live in the south, which means afternoon thunderstorms - I don’t if I have ever flown home in a connecting flight in the summer and not missed at least one connection.
The situation is reverse up north - some storm blows into Boston, and delays slowly propagate through the entire north.
With a direct flight, you may be delayed, but you will not miss a connection.
Casio Women's Baby G Quartz Watch with Resin Strap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0858MZWN7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_2B8NCVS3QM2H4BJKE2W0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
My daughter used this when she went in June this year. It did the job for boot.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119784174/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_SSSKJQXFZH824J0T7B2E
Just don't there's no upside just take your time and study I got a 44 and took pact because it sounded good the way they pitched it instead of something else
in the fleet it is shit ass miserable
> scr3310v2
Ah, so I had that one for years. Then after one update a few years back it would no longer work on my Mac. Tried updating drivers, firmware, etc. No luck.
I now use this one without any issues on both Windows and Mac.
You could try installing the updated drivers found here but if that doesn't work you may need to purchase a new CAC reader.
Learning basic nutrition is most important. You'll lose weight when you actually understand how weight gain/loss works.
Check out this book if you've got a few dollars to spare.
Darn Tough. If you buy anything else you're wasting your money. Absolutely the most comfortable socks I have ever worn and guaranteed for life, no receipt needed.
Darn Tough Merino Wool Boot Sock Full Cushion https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0852YTNSG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_T6WG0M915W30HF5ZB958?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
"Socks Guaranteed for Life - Our Lifetime Warranty – Darn Tough" https://darntough.com/pages/our-unconditional-lifetime-guarantee?gclid=CjwKCAiAp8iMBhAqEiwAJb94z2R2vFAxGD2HVdwlFKjHKWtPyV6Z4kXviv8qzr0m8A3VzlOZ92PpehoCl74QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Yes. It mean's you will go to a training school for which ever rating you chose.
While you wait to leave for bootcamp:
Long story short, I joined the Navy as a CT but had to switch to Corpsman in boot camp. I’ve been out of the navy for a while now and am in the early stages of switching my career to anything to do with IT/network/programming. This website has a ton of online courses that you can take for free that will supposedly get you ready for certifications. I highly recommend it.
Edit: also, my friend from back home joined the Marines doing the equivalent of what a CTN does. He went from living in his parents basement to making well over $100,000 a year in 10 years. Kind of crazy.
There will be plenty of other opportunities in your life to do something special for beautiful women; this is not the one.
The following link contains flash cards to get you started on understanding the Navy fraternization policy, a set of rules that you are going to hear about a lot after joining:
Read this (Reading the book is a good idea, just know going into it that the book uses language and rhetoric that may have been appropriate for the time, but is no longer.)
Read this. You should have already, but we both know you didnt retain anything.
- Enlisted are humans, treat them with dignity and respect.
- You are limited in what you can give out to promote certain behaviors, understand your authorities up, down, left, and right.
You job is to be a master at your rate and a master of communication. Every interaction you make is a matter of business, influence, and "politicking", regardless if you like it. Learn that, accept that, work with it - This is often where people will say "be good dude" in realty you need to be a good person who communicates effectively and seamlessly while also carrying the merits of which your community values. Essentially, be a good dude.
You don't rate anything without earning it. If you're leaning on your authority as officially given, as opposed to personally given, you're sucking. People should want to follow you and listen to you. They should trust you. In this vein, its important to note that actions mean more than words, and good intentions mean nothing without good consequences.
Listen to your peers, listen to your enlisted, listen listen listen. Listening without learning is useless, so if you're going to listen to everything, you should probably learn something from it.
This is like.. a really broad overview that doesn't go into detail.
If you remember nothing else, remember this.
Your job is to influence people to do things, keep your sailors quality of life as high as possible, and communicate effectively. Don't waste peoples time, and don't fall short of what's expected of you.
2 things just in case you didn't know:
- Study this book religiously before you take the DLAB. I studied it and got a 114—you need a 110 to pass. It's pretty much the only study guide out there worth a damn.
- You don't get told your language until the end of Boot Camp, so if you're doing this for a specific language (like I am), it's a risk. I'm set to leave w/ the CTI rate in August but I'm still not sure if I'm gonna do it, because if I get assigned something like Persian it's gonna throw off my career goals quite a bit.
Get yourself one of these:
Dritz 3100 14 in 1 Measuring Gauge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UAM408/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KPKSR08FGCWQJMKQCXPW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
And some muscle massages are always good, you’ll need them but they do have some available to use. Other than that, don’t bring too much, you’ll be moving rooms quite a bit
Is your nephew a Christian? There’s a great book called The Sailor’s Bible. Here is a link to it:
https://www.amazon.com/Sailors-Bible-Black-Simulated-Leather/dp/1433602458
If he’s not a Christian or spiritual person... I apologize. I’m not out looking to offend you or your nephew.
Dri Fire - Coyote Brown. They go for about $60 a tee but they are NO SHIT, the most comfortable shirt I've ever worn. Don't use bleach or oxyclean on them because they'll start to pill. I had 5 of these and they lasted me the five years at was at my NSW command.
Portable Monitor - Lepow 15.6 Inch Full HD 1080P USB Type-C Computer Display IPS Eye Care Screen with HDMI Type C Speakers for Laptop PC PS4 Xbox Phone Included Smart Cover & Screen Protector Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1SQ966/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_qQ2HFb7E556BQ
I opt for frameless masks with silicone skirts, as I find that they are softer, more comfortable, and make a better seal than those with natural rubber or nylon skirts. Cressi, Aqualung, Mares, and Scubapro are all quality brands.
As for anti-fog, I use this stuff or similar. Toothpaste works, too, but don’t use a gritty, abrasive toothpaste on a mask with a tinted or colored lens, lest it scratches the coating. Apply a very small amount of toothpaste, rub it all over the inside of the lens, and quickly rinse it out. The same technique also works with baby shampoo.
It probably wont directly help you out in A school, but Mark Lowenthal's Intelligence: from secrets to policy is probably the best overall intro to the IC there is. Have recommended the book in varioius editions for over 15 years. Best of luck!
Think and Grow Rich - Napolean Hill Amazon Link
It sounds like you took the practice asvab? If so people usually score higher on the real one, but you'll want the best score you can get.
I used this app to study. I'd work a little on every subject, but would put emphasis on the four subjects at the top (those make your AFQT score) and mechanical comprehension.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coco.asvab
Edit: I would also use other ASVAB training aids so you can get a variety of questions.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tracen.navycool
If you have an iPhone just download Navycool for that device.
Once inside the app hit explore opportunities and all the rates are in there with PDF downloads of the job and description of it.
I took the DLAB in late 2017 and I got a 136 even though the pretest I took at my recruiters said I only had an 83% chance of “passing”.
I used “The Official DLAB Training Manual”
https://www.amazon.com/Official-DLAB-Training-Manual-Practice-ebook/dp/B00HUC6RT4
It has some practice and a lot of info on how the test is set up.
Don’t listen to people who tell you it’s “impossible” to study for. It’s a very strange test and walking in cold isn’t a good idea.
You should have a good grasp of English grammar and be comfortable listening and remembering what was said. The test will involve a made up language but quite a bit of it is based on Esperanto (a constructed auxiliary language). The test will give you rules that will then disappear and you must remember them. There is a text portion and listening portion (in which even the 4 answers will be spoken and you must remember them) and a visual portion too at the end that still eludes me.
There’s also some discrepancy about what constitutes a good score. There’s some leadership at DLI recently trying to prove that a high GT score is a better predictor of success there than a high DLAB score.
Technically speaking you only need a 95 I believe to able to take a Cat I language at DLI but I never met anyone at DLI with lower than a 106 and I watched people with scores in the 120s fail out of their languages so you need to be honest with yourself about your language learning abilities.
You also have to realize that being sent to DLI means you will be in a training environment for a VERY long time and though Navy seems to have more fun there than Army, training environments are absolutely soul-sucking. Pretty much everyone else you go to boot with will be living it up in their units while you’re treated like a child because you picked a harder job. Not trying to scare you; just something to think about.
https://www.amazon.com/Memorandum-Green-Bound-7530-00-243-9366-12-pack/dp/B0053C5IHU
Put one of these in your pocket. Write down everything you need to remember, even stuff you think you couldn't possibly forget. Not only will it (hopefully) prevent things like this from happening in the future, you'll simply look more squared-away. Sometimes appearances are almost as important as actions.
http://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance
You also should get personal financial training at some point when you get to your first training command. Learning about finances can be kind of daunting, but if you really want to learn I'd suggest you hit the library and just start reading books that grab your eye. "The Millionaire Next Door", "The Wealthy Barber", and "Rich Dad Poor Dad" are some basic starters that come to mind.
Being in the military will also give you access to the Thrift Saving Plan, which is basically government managed mutual funds that you can allot percentages of your pay to. It even has Roth options.
If you're wondering what a Roth IRA is the basic down and dirty is that it's a retirement account you can contribute up to 5,500$ a year to. 'Roth' means that you're putting in money that has already been taxed. I.e. money you earned on your paycheck and the government has already taken its share out of. The reason this is important is that it means when you're finally at the age to withdraw from your account, 60, you don't have to pay taxes on the much larger sum you'll be drawing out.
A non-Roth is pretty much the opposite.
I'm sure there's better summaries out there, but that's the rough of it.
ND here, if you have questions I'm happy to answer what I can. If you want to be a ND do not join the Navy without a contract for ND period, wait till you meet the standards and handle it at the recruiter level. Diving head first is something that you'll never do, if you're ok in the water you should be fine.
As far as academics, start reading this.
https://www.pdfdrive.net/us-navy-diving-manual-e5845350.htm
If you got other questions message me.
Good book about Navy Diving. https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Navy-Diver-Lonsdale/dp/1930536275/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1510379727&sr=8-2&keywords=us+navy+diver
edit: link won't take you to the dive manual, type into the search box us navy diving manual, the PDF is about 1000 pages.
I took it back in 2013, and if I remember right I used this book to help study for it:
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Military-Flight-Aptitude-Tests/dp/0768936055
As I recall the practice ASTB test in it contained a good amount of the questions that showed the view from the cockpit and from that you had to determine the orientation of the plane.
Also it had a pretty fair amount of the naval history/flight rules questions that you find on the test. A combination of that book as well as the gouge packet that's posted up in airwarriors helped me to get a pretty good score.
Technically, below 10 is 'failing' the asvab, but no branch accepts less than 35.
source: I'm reading this.
The shoes are fine. I had these shoes and had no problems. Yes you can have inserts. I had superfeet in my running shoes and it felt great. I recommend buying some for the boots too. I would recommend white undershirts, as the ones they issue are shit. Lots of underwear. Color only matters when wearing whites, other than that wear whatever (I would stick to black or grey just to be safe though). Cell phone is a must. Laptop is nice for candio phase, but not necessary. Bring at least 3 weeks worth of hygiene stuff. Acne stuff will probably be fine, just keep it with the hygiene stuff. Flashlight isn't necessary. Nail polish will probably be taken but you can try. Batteries aren't needed. Flash cards may or may not be taken. Any kind of over the counter meds (advil, caffeine, etc) will be taken. Multivitamins should be fine.
Nope, you are issued some there (called go slowers). I second what the others have said; good socks, towel, toiletries, and some broken in running shoes. Underwear does not matter in color or form. Just be sure and bring at least one or two pairs of white since you will have to wear whites at some point probably and they are see through.
Some things others have not mentioned:
- Laundry Detergent (tide pods work great)
- Stamps, if you want to send letters home
- Multivitamins (only sweet thing you will get for a while)
- Wristwatch, cheap will work fine, but make sure it has a good alarm
- One of these. It will make your life easier come inspection time
Things that you will read online that you will not need:
- Tape
- Nail polish
- Tons of extra clothing items
- Lighter
I'll add to this list as I remember stuff. If you have any specific items you're thinking of feel free to ask.
I used this book and it helped me a ton. Just practice and practice. Every day do some math work. When you finish with the book, find problems online to solve and study further.
You could read Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, about the battle of Leyte Gulf in WWII. It's not at all reflective of the current navy, but can give you an idea of what "driving and fighting the ship" means historically, as that's the job of SWOs.
Definitely do all you can to memorize the things you mentioned, as any leg up on that will save you some pain later on.
If you have any means by which to learn navigation and plotting a course, that could also make your life easier in the middle stages of OCS. It's all on paper, so maybe reading up on some of the fundamentals will help you. And I have no idea how you'd go about doing so, but if you can find a way to practice doing mo-boards (motion boards), I'd recommend it. I'm not mathematically inclined, so I found it difficult, whereas the folks in my class with math/engineering backgrounds seemed to take to it very easily.
Oh, and learning the Rules of the Road will help you, too. There will be some testing on it in some of the later classes, and you'll definitely need to know them for SWOS after you commission.
Edit: I forgot, there's no more SWOS after commissioning. It's called BDOC now, and may or may not happen right after you finish OCS. At any rate, it's stuff you'll need to know.
I do! I have a 14 year old and an 8 year old (they were 11 and 5 when we got here.) The kids love it! They speak better Japanese than I do, and in my opinion, the younger they are the better. I am really glad that I exposed my kiddos to living elsewhere; it really increased their worldview.
There is very little I cannot do here that I can't do in the US and Japan is one of the most navigable and safest places to go. I am WAYYYY safer here (and my kids are too) than in the US. My 14 year old regularly goes to Yokohama or Tokyo with his buddies on the train. No supervision. It really is super safe and easy. The schools are good, and if you don't want to do that, there's a great homeschool community.
As for after, we do pretty well. There is very little direct STG crossover, but STGs in general are smart, and parlay other skills into jobs. I have friends right now who are in corporate training, medical equipment installation and repair, merchant marine, one is an author who writes military thrillers (I recommend Jeff Edwards Sea of Shadows to any STG. Jeff was one of the best STGCs ever in the Navy and is still one of my best Role Models.)
I don't want to derail the thread, but PM me and AMA - I've been here for over 3 years now.
Go with the grain!
I had the same issues you're describing when I started shaving regularly for work a few years back. I was shaving against the grain because it got closer, but I started getting very irritated and red, especially on my neck.
I started using "bump patrol" after shaving (http://www.amazon.com/Bump-Patrol-Original-Intensive-Treatment/dp/B000NPJHQU), and while it stung (at first, a LOT), and didn't smell very good, it worked. It worked well and it worked fast. I'm not sure if you'd be allowed to take something like this with you, but it'd be good to have in case you get irritated.
With that said, go with the grain, even if it doesn't get as close. It's so much better for your skin since you aren't ripping your pores open and stuffing shave stubble and bacteria and whatever other gross shit gets stuffed in there when your razor digs in. After I used the bump patrol to clear up my irritation, I started going with the grain, I didn't have any more issues.
Good luck in OCS!!
Did you just carry around a small dry erase board? Something like this?