Applying to Navy

[smithbrian86]

Completed my fitness evaluation yesterday. I watched three chaps fail before me! They were all close to standard though, so I am sure they will be able to meet it with some practice. I am applying for NCI-OP and NES-OP, I was told that these are popular trades. Should I be thinking about a back-up choice in case I can't be placed in one of them?

 

[FSTO]

If you like being outside, driving boats, working with your hands and handling weapons, the bosn trade is for you!

 

[Navy_Blue]

Be sure of what you want.  Checkout all your options.  If you want to make a career of this its important to know what your getting into.  Things at the CFRC tend to be populare when they need people in the trade.

 

[smithbrian86]

In regards to what Navy_Blue said about the CFRC, I had heard some grumblings about that from other people. I'll be sure to do the necessary homework, thanks for the information.

 

[SweetNavyJustice]

I entered the CF as a NES OP.  It's an interesting trade with lots of room for promotion if you work hard.  The great limiting factor in this is that it's an exciting job WHEN you get to actually do the job.  Being that your job is electronic warfare, and fire control (weapons) you do bery little when alongside (docked in harbour).  Likewise, when at sea, you spend a great deal of time manning the equipment but in a non-operational sense;  again, this can be quite boring.

As for NCI OP, if you want to keep more mentally active then this would be a better choice when compared to NES OP.  There is better alongside training through simulation for them, and they keep more active when at sea.  Eg, things actually pop up on radar (NCI OP), while there of seldom something to shoot at (NES OP). 

For what it's worth, if I was choosing a third choice (or even a first), I would want to pick a technical trade within the navy.  Eg. Weapons Tech, Tactical tech, etc.  If you're going to take the time to be trained, you might as well pick a career that can have some use when you retire. 

Otherwise, as was mentioned previously, if you like working outside and keeping really busy all the time then Bosn' is your best bet. 

No matter what job you choose you'll get pleanty of opportunity to travel all over the place once you get to your ship. 

Good luck!

 

[NavyGirl280]

My husband is currently an NCIop. He is excellent at what he does and he likes it but its not what he wanted when he signed up. He originally applied for Pilot....

Be choosy when your deciding. Dont think your slowing anyone down or disappointed anyone by making the wrong decisions. This is your time and your choice. My husband has been in for 4 years this month and he is still trying to remuster into Music. They dont want to part with him as hes one of the best they have on board his ship (not cutting anyone else down) however this is what he was told. At the same time, he enjoys being an NCIop and I think you would enjoy it as well should you decide to take this trade.

S.Bradbury     

 

[navymich]

Even though you are applying for reg force, another thing to think about is the reserves in the future.  Whether it is when you are old and gray and had enough of the full-time thing, or you have finished your 3 years and want to go back to school or such, it is a fairly easy stepping stone to transfer over to the reserves and still keep your foot in the door.  On this note, not all trades in the reg force are available in the reserves.  So, if this is something that you are thinking in the back of your mind, research this a bit too.

As well, not knowing where you are currently located, try to talk to some people that are currently serving in the trade you are interested.  The boards here are great to ask questions on, but sometimes face-to-face is good too.  If you are landlocked, you can always check out the nearest Naval Reserve Division too, and they can talk about trade-related experiences.

 

[smithbrian86]

Well to put things in perspective, my nearest recruiting office is Kitchener, Ontario. So not alot of navy culture around. For information I have relied on recruiting office materials, DND website, and other online sources. My interview is on March 21st, and other then taking the steps you have talked about I have pretty much hit the ceiling of what I can find out.