Graduating from "A" School fairly soon. What should I expect in the fleet? What are some good tips for being a successful sailor?

2016-12-14T12:11:50-05:00

Response by AN Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2016 12:13 PM

2016-12-14T12:13:04-05:00

PS, My "A" School is Aircrew Survival Equiptmentman (PR)

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-12-14T12:20:45-05:00

Never pass up an opportunity to listen and learn. That is why we have two receiving devices and only one sending device.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 14 at 2016 1:17 PM

2016-12-14T13:17:16-05:00

Attention to detail, particularly in your rating. Start work on your quals as soon as you can, don't wait. Always be willing to learn, and especially be willing to be wrong, if you are. There's nothing wrong with occasionally being wrong -- only if you don't learn from it.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 14 at 2016 1:18 PM

2016-12-14T13:18:21-05:00

Welcome to the ranks. I started out as an E-1. The biggest thing to realize is most things that you'll start on is for a reason. I had my 90 days in the scullery before they retroactively pinned E-4 on me. You learn by doing and the first thing is keeping things squared away. It's critical for shipboard life. You'll learn habits. I was an O-5 aboard an LCC and would always stop to pick a piece of trash off the deck or clear the way for a sailor with a load. You get into these habits so everyone's life is a bit easier and more importantly, safer. Your positive attitude and willingness to heave to will get noticed. Be visible, not invisible. If you have a spare minute, help your shipmate lift that load into place. Actually make the spare minute to do that. So much of your success and reward will be directly tied to how you do your job and how well you take care of those around you. Enjoy the journey.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 14 at 2016 2:07 PM

2016-12-14T14:07:23-05:00

Simple answer is PT like a beast. Figure out what it takes to advance in your MOS and surpass that. Always be competitive.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2016 10:52 PM

2016-12-14T22:52:55-05:00

Not a Sailor or a Marine but I was advised to also read the Commandant's Reading List, as well as any Army reading lists I could find. If you have the spare time, the mind needs sharpening too.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 15 at 2016 10:31 AM

2016-12-15T10:31:11-05:00

Have Fun, I'm Jealous been retired almost 20 years now.

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Dec 15 at 2016 11:02 AM

2016-12-15T11:02:04-05:00

First of all, Congratulations on Graduating from A school.
There are a lot of words of wisdom that other men have stated, but I can add, LISTEN, KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN AND YOUR LIPS TIGHT. Do your best, remember, you are PART OF A TEAM when you are on a United States Military Vessel ( be it a truck, sub, ship, aircraft, etc. ), it takes a TEAM to make it run successfully. Be PROUD of being a team member. Make certain you have your shipmates back ( or their "six" ) and they should have yours! Enjoy the fleet. My tour of the Western Pacific was one that I still remember fondly after *cough* years ago. Always be on time, be respectful of your seniors and treat your subordinates as how you would like to be treated by those senior enlisted/officers. It is a GREAT BIG WORLD out there.....Have fun!
You NEVER know who you may bump into down the road! Godspeed young sailor!

Response by Pvt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2016 10:13 PM

2016-12-15T22:13:13-05:00

dont fuck up.

Response by PO3 Rick Chervenak made Dec 17 at 2016 8:57 AM

2016-12-17T08:57:24-05:00

Start looking for a "C" school in your rate that will help you advance faster. When I graduated Corpsman "A" school, I then put in for "FMF", and after FMF training, I applied for Pharmacy Tech "C" school. You always want to make sure you are not only advancing your military career with as much education as possible, but also ensure you are receiving education and work experience that will transfer to civilian life after the military. It makes the transition much easier when you retire or separate.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 7:41 AM

2016-12-20T07:41:01-05:00

Welcome aboard! Do what your told, learn everything you can and most of all enjoy the experiences

Response by PO1 Vince Shavico made Dec 20 at 2016 8:26 AM

2016-12-20T08:26:42-05:00

I know Navy means Never Again Volunteer Yourself, however I volunteered for every job, good and bad that came along. I soon became very respected for my knowledge and experience. It also gives you good perspective as you rise in the ranks and have to assign onerous jobs to your junior personnel. Also be ready to jump in and help anytime. You will do well.

Response by SCPO Larry Knight Sr. made Dec 20 at 2016 9:26 AM

2016-12-20T09:26:01-05:00

Welcome aboard shipmate,and a "BZ " (bravo Zulu) on your second significant accomplishment of your Naval career path. You've received a enormous amount of significant responses,from some prior "salts" so I'll just add a few suggestions. Add a college degree to your list while you are looking forward to improving your chances in advancement. In addition add surface warfare qualifications to the list when you're command says you are eligible to begin. Get with your LPO and LCPO, and divisional career counselor for these insights. Now for your reporting to your first ship, always think "Safety" on board not only for yourself but your shipmates. Become an active member of the damage control party, learn you're way around in the dark as well as daylight in the event of a casualty. As a young brown shoe listen,learn and respond to the activities on bard. If you want to excel up the ladder of advancement do what all have told you plus,include a varying types of command assignments ie; types of ship's and shore assignments if you plan to go past a first enlistment. Good luck on a stellar career path,and in closing what and how you succeed in the Navy will have a direct reflection as too how successful you become after the military. Move up not out.

Response by LCDR Larry Franco made Dec 20 at 2016 9:33 AM

2016-12-20T09:33:08-05:00

You are beginning the greatest adventure of your life. Enjoy the ride! As to being successful in your chosen profession, that's fairy easy. Embrace your rating and learn it. The U.S. Navy does a great job of teaching us our particular jobs but like any trade, you master it in practice. No one becomes a master craftsman in a classroom, am I right? Connect with your shipmates, learn from them and support them. You are all on basically the same journey in life and there is room for everyone to succeed if they choose. Know that success is a just that, a choice, and it begins in the shop, flowing up through the division, department and finally the ship or station. Depend upon and follow the direction of your Chiefs and 1st Classes. Their only function is to ensure your success and the success of your shop. Get warfare qualified as quickly as possible, take pride in your accomplishments, but above all else, enjoy the ride! 20 years flies by in the blink of an eye Connier, and you'll soon find yourself reminiscing with other sailors on these times with great fondness. I'm jealous of you as I think back on my own career. Full Speed Ahead Sailor!

Response by PO2 Chris Hearne made Dec 20 at 2016 9:38 AM

2016-12-20T09:38:15-05:00

Well, IMHO, as soon as you get to the fleet, besides knowing your Chain of Command, the main things I had to learn was where I ate, slept, worked, and smoked, and not in that order. Take NKO courses. Try not to get in a relationship with a coworker. Don't burn bridges with the ship engineers - they will remember you (cold/scalding showers, A/C problems, having aux steam hooked up to the toilets, etc).

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Dec 20 at 2016 10:00 AM

2016-12-20T10:00:09-05:00

OK You are the new breed of Parachute Rigger! One of the people that you always wanted to be friends with in the fleet, along with Pay Masters and Postal Clerks. Even though you are about to graduate A school just know that your training is just starting. "A" school is merely the foundation that your Career will be built on. We used to have our Advancement Books but I understand now they are on CD's Keep your PR 3&2 close at hand and review it often. Once you are in your shop and are settled ask your Chief or LPO, to get ahold of the CV NATOPS Manual (Especially if you are assigned to a carrier) That will be your biggest asset on your road for your EAWS wings plus understanding how a Carrier operates. The next thing you need to learn is something many new sailors fail to understand, That ship is not just a hunk of Steel. She is a beautiful Lady! If you treat her with love and respect, she will keep you safe. Those you serve with aboard her will become your Family. You will eat sleep, live with them for years. even if you are part of a Squadron. you will deploy. I have been on both sides of the Coin. You work WITH your family to make things better for yourself your Squadron, your CAG your SHIP. That way everyone who leaves that pier comes home to that pier, and hopefully with another stripe tacked onto that Crow! Listen to those appointed over you. they are there to help you guide you train you. The best Skipper in the Fleet is only as good as the sailors who he or she has working in the scullery, the bilges, or sweating in the reactor spaces. (I know I worked for the BEST) That Naval Aviator will never be Top Gun if that AO down in the belly of the ship does not build that bomb correctly or test the Missile, and they will certainly never get off the pointy end of he ship if that Jet mech fails to do their job correctly. Tradition is that if by some reason that Aviator ever needs to use your equipment, and it works as advertised, once they return to the ship, the records are checked to see who packed their chute. That Aviator buys you a bottle of your favorite posion at the next port-o-call! The NAVY has a lot of wonderful Traditions, do not let them die, (the pentagon is screwing them up enough)

WELCOME TO THE FLEET!! and the family!! Make us Proud!!

Response by PO2 Robert Moore made Dec 20 at 2016 10:14 AM

2016-12-20T10:14:11-05:00

Since you're an AN, I presume you'll be headed to a carrier or such. First piece of advice......practice being a "swivel head". Pay very close attention to where you are and what you are doing. Listen to your Chief/Master Chief.

Response by AA Erik Knudson made Dec 20 at 2016 10:15 AM

2016-12-20T10:15:14-05:00

Yes don't go for flight line. There isn't any. LOL

Response by AA Erik Knudson made Dec 20 at 2016 10:16 AM

2016-12-20T10:16:00-05:00

Don't run to get flight line. There isn't any. I kept it all.

Response by PO1 Robert Johnson made Dec 20 at 2016 12:25 PM

2016-12-20T12:25:52-05:00

We have to presume that as a newly minted airman on his first assignment that you will be subjected to some irregular challenges. Shall we say "Things that don't make sense, that has you chasing all over the place, etc. They are your "Welcome aboard". Gracefully accept the challenges and you will have earned respect from your shipmates and your deployment will go very well..

Good Luck and following seas.

Response by PO2 Marshall Clowers made Dec 20 at 2016 2:53 PM

2016-12-20T14:53:09-05:00

Capt. Ball has some good words of advice.
Also, don't be a suck a**. Nobody likes a suck a**. As a junior enlisted your going to catch some crappy jobs. Nobody is dumping on you, we've all had crappy jobs to do and now it's your turn. In years to come it'll be something you can use to bond with other sailors. Because they had to do it too. Do your time in the line shack, barracks support, etc. It's "good training".
Speaking of training: PQS, or whatever they are being called now. Get that qual book and get to learning. Making yourself valuable is key to success. Warfare designation is a requirement now (optional when I was in). Learn your command! When you first get the book for your EAWS it looks intimidating, there's a lot to it. But as you dig in and learn it you are (by default) accomplishing everything you need to be successful.
Get that coursework done and don't stop studying. I don't know how tight the PRs are, but know that rating manual inside and out. Knowing what's in that book can be the difference between tacking on a crow (or another chevron) and sitting it out until the next test.
As a PR there are going to be pilots who will (literally) put their lives in your hands. It's a Big Freakin' Deal! There will be plenty of time to screw off. But when you're on the job, the job takes the priority.
Good luck sailor. I've been out for 20 years now and miss it often. You are in for some interesting times. I must say I'm a bit jealous.
AT2(AW) Clowers
VC-6 (Pax River RPV Det)
VX-1 (Pax River)
HSL-40 (Lead Dogs of Det 10 to USS Groves)
USNR NMCB-24 (Go SeaBees!)

Response by PO1 Kevin Arnold made Dec 21 at 2016 10:11 AM

2016-12-21T10:11:34-05:00

Go with the flow of things at first. Just because you got out of A school does not mean that you know everything. Yes you know the basics, but just know it is just the basics. You will learn a lot more once you get out into the fleet. Have some common sense as well. If what they tell you doesn't sound correct don't be afraid to ask questions or look up the correct procedure yourself.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 11:40 AM

2016-12-21T11:40:18-05:00

I love Capt Ball's remark, "Be Visible"! That along with making sure you keep a positive attitude, are willing to learn, get your quals done so you can beneficial to the mission and help others be ready around you will put you in a good position within the command. First impressions are everything! Also, in A School you have a class leader/instructor telling you what you need done...not so much in the fleet.... YOU make your own path and are responsible so find yourself a good mentor and keep charging like you are right now :)

Response by PO2 David Walimaki made Dec 21 at 2016 6:35 PM

2016-12-21T18:35:53-05:00

Remember that "A" school is elementary school. You WILL be taught, and learn more once you join the fleet. Your new shipmates WILL mess with you. Stupid tasks, mess with your mind....just take it. It is mostly for fun...for them. Go along to GET along, you will be accepted much faster. Fight it...it just lasts longer. Learn EVERYTHING you can. Ask questions. Learn EVERYTHING you can. Do your work. I did more painting on my ships than I have since....and I was an OS. EARN respect, by learning EVERYTHING you can. I was a watch supervisor when I was an E-3...BECAUSE I learned everything I could, practiced it, and proved I could do it......and EARNED the respect of my co-workers AND the officers.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 11:52 PM

2016-12-29T23:52:36-05:00

Study study study. Get your quals done as soon as possible. Pull your own weight