u/Express-News5902

I ship in November, United States navy, my job is EO(Seabees).

So I will more then likely will not spend any time on a ship. I don’t know if that will help or not help me get more money.

what exactly should I put my money into?

I will be sad if I do not end my 5 year contract at 26 with at least 90,000-100,000$ to my name.

I do not plan on buying a 30,000$ car or buying stupid stuff like 500$ shoes or 100$ hoodies/shirts I’ve never been materialistic. I plan on keeping my car( my current biggest asset if I sell) which I paid for in cash or selling my car here soon, and buying one for like 5000$ once I’m done with school and Bootcamp since I won’t be using it for the next few months.

What exactly should I be investing per month? And into what? I want to minimize what I spend but I also don’t want to live as if I’m poor.

I get they say liberty call and I go get to hang with my family, but for how many days? also wondering how many days I’m given between graduating and going to A school, I’ve heard for my rate everyone acts like they got no idea where I’m supposed to be.

from what I understand, I’ll most likely be in either Mississippi or California and possibly Virginia.

do I have any say in where I wind up or do I just get placed there? and Are those the only States I can be stationed in?

used Ć because it won’t let me post, can’t find it in the mega thread. but I already signed for EO and ship in nov. first time I went to the recruiter the only thing that looked cool to me was ND. was not even aware that the Seabees had divers. and I keep hearing different things. do I still have to be in my rate for 2 years to even get into it? and my asvab is off by like 3 points for UĆT, is there waivers for this?

yes im aware I haven’t even been to Bootcamp yet im not trying to route my future before even graduating, I’m just wondering. Thanks

specifically asking if there is any app that actually takes you to the EXACT building # in apartment complexs , google maps always brings me to the wrong one so I have to drive around the whole neighbourhood trying to find the building # and waze always takes me to the club house.

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.

Would love to hear it from someone who went from enlisted to officer.

I just recently signed an enlisted contract. but my ultimate goal is to fly military aircraft (any, idc what it is).

I already understand I just made my chances pretty slim of that ever happening and I knew that well before I even went to meps. Part of why I enlisted vs trying to become an officer is, I can’t afford a 4 year degree right now or afford to wait 3-4 more years to join. but why exactly is it so insanely difficult to transfer over? and is there anything that makes enlisted first any easier?

I’m currently in the DEP for the navy and go to Bootcamp in November but if I am able to get 24 college credits , I can go in as a e-2 instead of e-1 (higher rank/pay) and if I can get 48 I can get in as a e-3. I was wondering if getting 24 or 48 is possible from now until Nov 16th.

And if I do, how do i not get held back and also not be suffering?

I’m going to be at RTC, my birthday, thanksgiving, christmas, and new years. does anything special happen on these days?

also I don’t plan on telling the RDCs or really anyone that it’s my birthday.

I understand that I get 2.5 days per month, but how much of that can I accumulate over time? like if I don’t take any time off for 2 years, do I then have 60 days of time off accumulated. or is there a limit to how much I can accumulate? and what exactly happens if I accumulate to much and it never gets used?

and is that the only time off I get? Or do I also have vacation time and or sick days I am able to have?

I signed for EO(Seabee) navy btw. idk if that changes anything.

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.

I was at meps and me and this kid were talking and he was asking me literally the most basic questions, and I was absolutely blown away some people join and don’t even know the simplest answers to questions they have.

this kid literally said, “how do I not sign a contract like what do I even do if my jobs not here“ “my recruiter said I have to sign one when meps processes me or they won’t let me come back“

not gonna lie, I was shocked. he also asked me if his specific job will be available like I’m the one who sent him to meps and can see his line scores and gave him a physical exam.

Anyways this is just some advice , before getting into the DEP I talked to 3 diff recruiters in 3 different branches and every single one of them lied to me about one thing or another, my 4th recruiter, I asked him absolutely nothing that has to do with anything that changes the trajectory of my enlistment. except for days I need to be there and sign things, and when I go to meps, and just basic questions. nothing that has to do with my life when I’m in the navy. I’d suggest more people do the same and you might save yourself from signing for PACT, and from signing a contract that will make you regret joining the navy.

I’m not looking down on recruiters, they definitely do not have an easy job and have to deal with no call no shows all day and get 100s of phone calls and get their time wasted everyday and have to deal with a wide variety of people. But please DO SO MUCH RESEARCH THAT IT MAKES YOUR HEAD HURT. Understand you cannot trust everything your told during your enlistment process.