What to dowith my last 2 months

CAPTSGT172 · May 03, 2008, 05:00:04 PM

I'm on the delayed entry program for the Navy.shippingout on 27 JUN for Great Lakes. Which meanes I have less than 2 months to go as a CAP cadet. Anbydy got a good sugestion for what I can do in 2 mo that would be cool as my last things todo as a cadet?

Stonewall · May 03, 2008, 05:24:17 PM

PT. Yeah, PT seems like a good idea, but after watching Carrier, doesn't look like PT is too important. What MOS?

CAPTSGT172 · May 03, 2008, 05:39:28 PM

Quote from: Stonewall on May 03, 2008, 05:24:17 PM
PT. Yeah, PT seems like a good idea, but after watching Carrier, doesn't look like PT is too important. What MOS?

No, PT isn't too imporant for your average sailor! LOL! My recruiter would not fit into an air force uniform is you knowwhat I maean. He laughed at me when I asked if the Navy had weight standerds like the air force, showed me a picture of his dad in the Navy with a BEARD.
My rate will be storekeeper, but I'm going to try out for the SEALs in Boot Camp. I dont want to be a storekeeper, but the recruter told me that I cant enlist directly into the SEALs and that theyll take anybody if they can pass the Seal test. I've been doing this Seal PT routine that I found on the internet, and I'm doing about 60 pushups in 2 minutes and Im up to running 5 or 6 miles every other day to get ready. I already can swim really good too.

http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/

mikeylikey · May 03, 2008, 05:48:36 PM

^ Don't forget about situps! Also, get a variety of activities in your DAILY PT routine. Don't limit just to what you are going to be tested on. Try to get short runs in on your "off days", 5-6 miles is great everyday, but you will get better results if you do something else cardio 6 days per week with one day recovery. I agree completely with Stonewall, PT you but off. BE the guy that leads the run, always outperform everyone else. It really is noticeable!

Good luck in your Naval Career!

Now I am off to watch the NCIS marathon on TV. That is about as close as I come to the navy these days since I miss JAG because it is on too early when I am getting to work!

(JAG=best lawyer/military show ever, except for SGT Bilko)

Stonewall · May 03, 2008, 06:24:15 PM

SEAL, huh? Go watch GI Jane and Navy SEALs. You'll learn exactly what you need to know for your testing.

Better grow some gills and webbed feet. I'm sure you've seen this, but maybe it'll give you a heads up on what to expect. I'm no SEAL and I've never done anything cool, but I watch a lot of Military Channel...

PS: Just out of curiousity, did you get your Mitchell? Did the Navy give you any rank advancement for being in CAP?

Cmdbuddy · May 03, 2008, 07:15:09 PM

His screen name is CAPTSGT172 (emphasis mine), so I don't think he got his Mitchell.

Here's some information about Fitness Standards for Navy SEALs.

http://www.thesealteams.com/SEAL_workouts/

JohnKachenmeister · May 03, 2008, 07:22:41 PM

See your recruiter and get a new job.

If you do not want to be a SK, and you do not make it through BUDS, you will still be an SK and you will hate every minute of it! Try for HM (Hospital Corpsman) and volunteer with the Marines. Try for anything you like, but make sure it is something you like.

Your promotions will still be in your rating. You will have to learn to be a good SK to get promoted to petty officer and up through the ranks. Being a SEAL is a qualification, not a rating.

Stonewall · May 03, 2008, 07:56:49 PM

Quote from: JohnKachenmeister on May 03, 2008, 07:22:41 PM
Try for HM (Hospital Corpsman) and volunteer with the Marines. Try for anything you like, but make sure it is something you like.

My buddy is an HM in a Special Boat Team (SWCC) and LOVES it!!!! I'd go for HM, everyone loves medics...

Flying Pig · May 03, 2008, 09:54:29 PM

Thats the nice thing about HM's. You can be in the Navy OR the Marines as a Corpsman, and have your choice between SEAL's and Recon, Force Recon, or a regular grunt unit. When you get tired of working for a living, you can transfer back to a Navy unit!

Plus you can be a Marine reg Corpsman and you get to wear the Marine uniforms with your nasty sailor rank swen to the sleeve. Well, except for the dress blues....those you dont get.

When I was a Sq. Leader I always said the Corpsman I had was the best Marine in the Platoon! We taught him how to call for fire, call Close Air, and he qual'd with all of our weapons. Plus he won the Okinawa Ironman contest. That guy was a genetic freak is what he was....

As far as what to do......Just relax and dont accept any last minute dares from your friends!

CAPTSGT172 · May 04, 2008, 01:18:03 AM

What i asked for at first was what I should do in cap my last 2 months, althouh I appreeciate all the extra adivce on what to do in the Navy.

I'm locked in as a SK. I don't think I can change that. I get a bonus for that rate, too. Thats' the Seal sight and I have been reading to get ready for BUDS. I don't have a body of water nearbye to swim 1 1/2 miles in fins, but I do know I can swim 1,000 meters without stopping, no problem, and I've been running quite a bit. I'm not sure that I can do 14 miles right now, but I will if I have to eventually. And I do a lot more than just pushups. I ride a bike, I do situps (160 in 4sets of 40, working up to 250 in 5 sets of 50 before i ship out), different kinds of pushups, pull ups, a thing called a flexed arm hang, and I just found a trail near my house that had those exercise stations, so I run and exercise at the same time. (I'm 5'9" and about 145 pounds, most of that is muscle!!

)

But I want to do some cool stuff in CAP before I got to the Navy. THat's what I'm asking for ideas about..

Thanks!

(Oh, PS, no i did not get my Mitchell, but they gave me E-2 anyway because I have been in CAP for 2 years...)

Stonewall · May 04, 2008, 02:17:01 AM

You know what I did? And a long time friend of mine did something similar before he went into the Army (15 years before me). Go on a long hike or camping trip. Me and some friends spent 4 days camping. Just the guys out near a lake and the ocean, and all we did was fish, surf, hike, swim, cook and have fun....basically we relaxed and reflected on our life. My buddy, a 30 year CAP veteran, hiked for 2 weeks on the Michigan Trail.

That's what I'd do.

mikeylikey · May 04, 2008, 02:21:49 AM

^ Appalachian Trail here!

Man, CAPTSGT172, coolness on the E-2. Sounds like you know where and what you want to do.

I envy your upcoming training. The first few months in the military are by far the best and most memorable.

Cmdbuddy · May 04, 2008, 02:39:49 AM

Did you apply for any NCSA's?

It's a little late to apply for NCSA's, so if not, maybe catch an Encampment or two.

Actually... forget that.

Forget CAP and go pick up chicks and hang with your family and friends. That's a lot more exciting.

Gunner C · May 04, 2008, 01:21:31 PM

Quote from: Cmdbuddy on May 04, 2008, 02:39:49 AM
Did you apply for any NCSA's?

It's a little late to apply for NCSA's, so if not, maybe catch an Encampment or two.

Actually... forget that.

Forget CAP and go pick up chicks and hang with your family and friends. That's a lot more exciting.

Better idea:

Make it through BUDS and use a cattle prod to fend off the extra chicks.

Seriously, if you want ot make it through BUDS, start HEAVY PT NOW. You'll need everything in the program that you saw, plus start a weight training program. If you are skinny, start putting some wubby on your body. Not too much, but really skinny types have neither the energy reserves nor the insulation required to spend hours and days in the water.

If you're really serious, make this your ONE AND ONLY MISSION. It's going to take that much dedication.

GC

JohnKachenmeister · May 04, 2008, 04:36:25 PM

Sorry to hear that you are locked into an SK job. Remember, your heart, mind, and body may be ready for BUDS, but a broken ankle will put you back into the supply room.

But, I really don't think you are as "Locked in" as you might think. Give some thought to other jobs, something you may like better. Then tell the recruiter that you have come up with a new plan. He won't like it, but having to piss off a recruiter for a few days vs. being stuck in a job you hate for at least 8 years is a no-brainer decision.

You came on here seeking our guidance. You have mine. The decision is yours.

Stonewall · May 04, 2008, 04:54:58 PM

Listen to Mr. Kachenmeister. There are two "swearing ins". The one at MEPS when you enlist and the one the day you ship out. Trust me, I speak from personal experience when I say you can walk into your recruiter and say "I don't want to go unless..." Tell him that you've changed your mind and that you want something else. If he says no, tell'em to have a good day and go see the Army, Marine, Air Force or Coast Guard recruiter. Your MEPS and ASVAB will transfer over. Again, trust me. BTDT, I even got a t-shirt.

mikeylikey · May 04, 2008, 06:13:36 PM

^ Don't they lock you in these days when you delay your enlistment??

I know it used to be the way you described, but there is still a contract for the delayed enlistment program......I think??

Gunner C · May 04, 2008, 06:38:02 PM

Quote from: Stonewall on May 04, 2008, 04:54:58 PM
Listen to Mr. Kachenmeister. There are two "swearing ins". The one at MEPS when you enlist and the one the day you ship out. Trust me, I speak from personal experience when I say you can walk into your recruiter and say "I don't want to go unless..." Tell him that you've changed your mind and that you want something else. If he says no, tell'em to have a good day and go see the Army, Marine, Air Force or Coast Guard recruiter. Your MEPS and ASVAB will transfer over. Again, trust me. BTDT, I even got a t-shirt.

He's right. You've got them by the "short n curlies." Tell them what you want. They'll make it happen. Trust me, too. BTDT, got two t-shirts.

GC

CAPTSGT172 · May 04, 2008, 07:52:48 PM

OK, thanks for the tips.

Just so you know, I have been running, working out, weight training, strength training and all that for about 6 months now. (I signed the papers about 3 weeks before Christmas, and was already working toward my goal before that) I will be increasing my pushups and situps, in preparation for leavng, for the next 2 months. I'm also going to add a half a mile to my run each week, that should put me in a good spot.

I have been doing all the Seal PT that I found online and like I said apart from the swimming 1 1/2 miles in fins (no open water nearby) and things like that, I'm right at the top of my game on the rest of those.

I would like to talk to some SEALS about what to expect, I've seen that thing from discovery channel and my dad offered to send me to this weeklong thing in Virginia that supposedly prepares people for SEAL school.. Boot Camp I'm not worried about.

BTW, my ASVAB scores were pretty crummy so that's why i'm an SK, not an electrician or a plane captain. I hope to change my rate once I'm in and can get requaliifed.

RiverAux · May 04, 2008, 10:00:50 PM

QuoteI have been doing all the Seal PT that I found online and like I said apart from the swimming 1 1/2 miles in fins (no open water nearby) and things like that, I'm right at the top of my game on the rest of those.

No reason that you couldn't swim with fins in a pool....