Just joined the Navy - Any tips for the new guy?

PO1 Glenn Boucher, unfortunately being warfare qualified is mandatory these days, and your time frame starts as soon as you report to a ship/squadron. I don't agree with that, I've always thought that a Sailor should become qualified in rate first but nobody asked me for my opinion, LOL.

So it is essential to get that SW or AW pin if you want to get recommended for retention and advancement.

Although once you get out that pin means exactly squat. Do you want to guess how may people have asked me if I got my SW pin in a job interview? ZERO.

PO1 John Miller, yes I know it had started around 1999 or so that warfare quals became mandatory. I always found it funny seeing a non designated E-3 dual warfare qualified during their first 6 month deployment. They don't know their jobs and they certainly don't meet many of the qualifications, yet everyone is getting signed off. I actually failed on my first attempt to get my ESWS onboard the USS Reeves (CG 24), because the XO made it very tough on the oral board, and there was a select list of personnel who could sign off on your qualifications that you actually completed the items. My second time around it was easier because I was better prepared. No one should be able to earn a warfare qualification in 6 months.

ENS Jeremy Medlen, maybe subs, Boomer, and Recruiting Excellence mean something, but ESWS means literally nothing on the outside world and not much more in the Navy. The only reason I ever got it was because it became mandatory. That's the day the ESWS program died in my opinion was when it became mandatory.

When I first joined the Navy in 1992, I only saw Second Classes and above with ESWS and it always said to me "That guy really knows his shit if he's got his ESWS pin!" Now a days it's not uncommon to see an E2 with their SW and possibly dual qualified SW/AW before they make Third!

ENS Jeremy Medlen, you are also correct. Not one job interview I've had since I retired from the Navy asked about my having a warfare pin!

Other communities where a pin tells you right away that person knows their stuff is obviously exempt. In addition to the ones I/you mentioned above, I would also say Naval Aviator and the SEAL Trident.

MCPO Jim Weatherford -
Well said, Master Chief! Perfect!

**I will add, also what I said about AF Chiefs... Let's go with "Chiefs" in general... They all walk on water. :)

CMSgt (Join to see) - sheesh, you give her an extra stripe & suddenly she's all, "tosseth these boulders down upon yon peons from Mt Olympus" :P

SSgt (Join to see) -
Yep, learned that from the new packet I was given at the Super Secret meeting of the Order of E-9s... First thing they taught: "Throwing of yon boulders from upon High". Second thing: The underground lair where one has massages and is fed grapes. :)

this guy is correct. Just as ur told, & keep ur mouth shut! Its all a mind game. I joined in 85 & went to great lakes,Chicago & never had a problem. I really didn't enjoy showering with 80 men. I was 16 when I joined, & it was alright. Have fun!

There Seems to be a theme here.
The only time you want to be late? Is medical, and you will be late leaving not arriving. Always be 15 min early regardless of where you go.

Like the Horizons commercial says:
Early is on time
On time is late
Late is unacceptable

Don't volunteer!

I always heard a good rule of thumb was to be between 10 and 5 minutes early. If you any earlier than that, you are wasting time being unproductive and if you are any later than that, you are not managing your time wisely and procrastinating.