Posted on Jun 20, 2024
Can a Marine get a divers badge without attending a military dive course?
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A couple of guys I work with say they have a "dive bell" badge. They say they got it after completing civilian diver training. As a former member of the Army, diving was a SOCOM job that you had a specific MOS for (at the time was 00B) and needed to attend special training and qualification. Are these guys pulling my leg or is there a different reason the marines do this?
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Posted 6 mo ago
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I highly doubt it. I know dozens of Marines with Civilian scuba qualifications (myself included) and none of us are wearing Dive devices on our uniforms.
The only Marines I know with a bubble(dive badge) on their uniform attended the Navy Dive School.
The only Marines I know with a bubble(dive badge) on their uniform attended the Navy Dive School.
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They are most likely pulling your leg. I know several individuals that are certified divers, parachutist and even pilots through civilian training and not one of them wears the military badge for that training. Just because you have completed the training on the civilian side it does not always translate to a military qualification. The reverse is also true - military qualifications do not automatically transfer to civilian qualifications.
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SGT Kenneth Brockman
I thought so. Things tend to change from time to time in the military, but this seems like a biggie. I wanted to get some more perspective before talking about stuff I'm not sure of.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
People that have those badges are as sensitive about them as people with CIB's or Ranger Tabs. I do know that 12D Diver MOS has a really low completion rate, so I'll give them some slack if they are sensitive about non-qualified people wearing the badge.
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Only diver MOS in the Army is 12D, the SOCOM dive course would be an Additional Skill Identifier. The Navy Diver rate is ND Navy Diver. Marine Combatant Diver is taught by the Navy and is mostly for Recon members. The Marine Corp is not my side of the fence, but I haven't heard of anyone that was giving the Rating or MOS because of civilian experience.
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SGT Kenneth Brockman
I kinda figured. When I was in 02-10 the MOS was 00B but changed shortly before I ets'd
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CPT Lawrence Cable
The only 00D designation that I am aware of is 00D Newly Commissioned Officers Awaiting Entry on Active Duty for Officer Basic Course Attendance or to designate Non-MOS/Branch Special Assignments.
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SGT Kenneth Brockman
There was a big overhaul in MOS designations around the time I got out. 63B turned to 91B (wheel mech) etc. I came in as a 45D bur it morphed into 63D now it's 91P.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SGT Kenneth Brockman Yes, I am aware of that. I went from 12 Series, to 21 Series and back to 12 Series. As far as I can tell, the 00 designation has always been basically a place holder.
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