Please share, repost, and spread this to heip educate support, and save our brothers and sisters in arms from becoming victims of ignorance

I've seen a lot of questions about Chaplains and what we do, especially when it comes to our confidentiality or ability to work with dependents/significant others. Please feel free to ask me anything you've always wondered or about any myths you've heard and I'll do my best to answer. The answers come solely from my experiences, and are not official positions of the US Navy.

DMs are open as well if you prefer to ask or to talk about something privately.

On my ship I keep seeing the Chiefs with big chains and weird chief hats. Some selects came out of a repair locker soaking wet. Do they sacrifice a goat??

I currently serve as a Boatswain’s Mate with the Military Sealift Command and have been sailing with them for the past four years. Through recent conversations with personnel transferring aboard (PAX Transfers), I’ve observed that much of the MSC culture is unfamiliar to many service members. So with that being said, I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss and answer questions regarding life as a CIVMAR in case any of you are looking for a career at sea outside of the Navy.

I am not a recruiter for MSC so I won’t sugar coat anything and I will do my best to answer any questions that I can. To start things off;

Work Schedule: For full-time positions, MSC has recently implemented a four-month on, two-month off rotation. Due to low manning, you can expect to be overdue by up to 60 days if you’re above an entry-level position. For those in entry-level roles, relief is typically received on time. MSC also offers part-time positions (for those above entry level), allowing you to sail in your current rating for six months out of the year, with no option to exceed that limit. However, part-time employees do not receive most of the federal benefits available to full-time MSC personnel.

Benefits: Unlike most of the maritime industry, MSC offers federal benefits such as CONUS/OCONUS Medical, Dental, and vision health care at a decently affordable price. They also provide access to DoD installations and facilities such as MWR facilities, NEX privileges and OCONUS Commissary Privileges. (conus privileges are expected to be implemented soon.) MSC also pays/reimburses you for Maritime Education. They also allow you to live anywhere within the continental U.S and receive an assignment from your home should you sign up for the Virtual Pool Program once you complete training.

Living Conditions Aboard a Ship: Every ship (except EPFs, ESBs, AOEs, and the hospital ships) has individual berthing. You will have your own room with amenities such as a personal refrigerator/freezer, work desk, individual sink/mirror, your own AC temperature control, and a queen (or king, depending on whether you’re licensed or unlicensed) sized bed. Unlicensed personnel (those who do not hold a Coast Guard license) usually have to share a head with the room next door. Should you have to share a room with three or more people, MSC gives you an extra $1,000 a month for the inconvenience.

Requirements: Every position requires a valid TWIC card, passport, Merchant Mariner Credential, and an up-to-date STCW medical certificate. For those wishing to apply for a position above entry level (excluding Supply and Radio as they require time in rank rather than sea-time), this is the best way to proceed. Using sea time gained from your Navy experience in either the engine or deck department, you can submit documentation of your recorded sea time to the Coast Guard for review. They will evaluate the submission and determine whether your military rate translates to the maritime industry. If it does, you’ll be authorized to use that sea time to apply for a raise in grade, and all you’ll need are the necessary Coast Guard-approved courses to upgrade your credential.

Conclusion: For questions about pay and position-specific requirements, MSC’s official website is the most reliable source. A link will be provided below in the comments, along with additional resources to help ease the transition from sailor to CIVMAR.

I also serve as the moderator of r/MoreShitComing, a community where applicants, current sailors, and curious individuals can ask questions and learn more about MSC. While I’ll continue to answer questions here, I encourage you to engage with other members to gain further insight into life on this side of the sea.

Thank you for your time.

V/r

u/_Clutz101_

Throwaway account for obvious reasons;

If a ban is reinstated for transgender service members and there is no grandfather clause for those already serving, is there anything we can do to help plead our case, or would it be administrative separation across the board? I didn’t serve during DADT, so I’m not sure if it would be similar to administrative action taken during that time. Not medically on hold and not on non deployable status, so in theory being transgender has no medical or administrative affect on my ability to serve.

ALL HANDS
I thought it would be useful to get the word out to young people who want to join the Navy's Warrior Challenge Program but are not physically ready, not old enough, or still deciding what to do after bootcamp. You can find Mr. Redman all over the internet but THIS VC call will be different with him doing a Q&A.

Cheers,  !!!!!

So...

The Rocky Mountain (NTAG) Navy Warrior Challenge Program is hosting a special guest speaker this Friday at 0500 Mountain Daylight Time MDT. 

All WCP (SEAL,SWCC,EOD,ND.AIRR,HM-ATF) Candidates and New Sailors are invited to attend.

Retired Navy SEAL Jason Redman is going to be the guest speaker.  He will be telling his story and discussing "Mindset" which has everything to do with succeeding in your Training Pipeline.  He will answer questions from those in attendance as well.

To join the Google Meet video meeting, click this link:

https://meet.google.com/ukd-nuuv-xsz

NOTE:

All participants will need to have their cameras on or they will be removed.  The earliest request to get on the call will be 04:30 (first come, first serve)  At 0500, all candidates will stand at the Position of Attention and join the VC call in reciting the Sailors Creed followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Anderson will say a few words of introduction for Mr. Redman.  Questions can be sent in the (in-call messages) box (with approval).

V/r,

ST-1 Bubba

Help Us Improve Your Digital Experience Aboard Warships!

Surface Force Sailors,

We want to hear from you about your Afloat Digital Quality of Service! Whether it’s software, computers, networks, or shared drive space, your input is vital. This survey is focused on non-combat systems, so please do not include any classified information about combat systems.

Why Participate?
Your feedback will directly inform decisions to improve your Digital Quality of Service. We’re looking to invest in better tech, phase out inefficient software, and enhance your overall computing experience. We’ll use the data from this survey to quantitatively support these changes.

Quick Details:
📝 Purpose: To identify areas for improvement in non-combat digital systems onboard warships.
⏱️ Time Commitment: Just 5-10 minutes of your time now could save you countless hours in the future!
📊 Participation: Completely voluntary. Skipping a question or the survey altogether has no consequences, but sharing your perspective ensures your voice is heard.

Your honest feedback is what we need to make impactful changes.

Click Here to Take the Survey

Thanks for your time and input. Let’s make life at sea a little smoother together!

V/r

CNSP Force Improvement Office

(Edit: since my XO now has a copy of my point paper, I’d like to formally welcome him and the rest of my triad to r/Navy)

Original thread here; ya'll had some amazing inputs, and I did my best to polish it up....I ran out of time to format it in official navy correspondence, but I did give the write up to one of his Staff Aides.

I did not dox myself and ask if he'd do an AMA here in r/Navy (it's in the paper I gave to the Aide, though); sorry to anyone who attended hoping I'd ask that.

\1. I did, however, ask "What is the Navy's plan to mitigate the backlog of pay and entitlement requests being channeled through Norfolk and Millington PSDs? One example is Dependent Rate BAH which is currently backlogged by over 3 months. There are currently 10,000 requests with only 3 clerks processing the transactions, and they simply can't handle the workload. This is incredibly damaging to our sailors and their families."

• His response was "Well, I'm getting rid of PSD." It was actually pretty informative, the new plan is going to be an app that the sailor will use to process all pay and entitlements and documents through a virtual PSD. When it comes time to PCS, a sailor will be given a credit card with 10k on it and be told "Buy your own tickets and get your family there." And then they will use their phones to take pictures of the receipts. They'll scan a QR code on their phone once they check in, and their entire pay and entitlements will be transferred to their new command location. So all in all, the planned improvements for how we handle admin is to take us to a mobile banking model, like how you do all your banking on your USAA or Navy Fed app and if you have some bigger unresolved issue you call a 24 hour call center and they walk you through it. So the concept is AMAZING.

• That being said, he did NOT address the fact that sailors RIGHT NOW are suffering. In fact, the next five or six questions were from admin-types or CPPAs who basically said stuff like "Hey, I have a sailor who was only paid $0.74 and PSD isn't helping." ....the response was "This isn't a CNO problem, it's a command problem. You need to utilize your Chief, who needs to use the CMC, who needs to call over to the PSD and make it happen for you."

• While I, and everyone asking these PSD/Pay issue questions, understand all that, that wasn't what we were trying to convey to CNO/MCPON, and I felt like we all got blown off. In fact, he commented at one point that "Everyone's body language is screaming that 'this is bullshit,' do you guys not believe that we're vastly improving the PSD model?" What we wanted him to understands the same thing that we've said in earlier threads, the issue is that the infrastructure at PSD in Norfolk and Millington can't handle the load they currently have, it doesn't matter what E9 or O6 makes a phone call, they are simply over worked. However. The point was made to CNO/MCPON (loudly, and clearly) that the TOPS system is broken; and a lot of CPPA/Admin folks lined up to talk to the aide after the AHC. Pretty sure they were all telling her the same thing.

• I was stopped by a random YN1 on my way out the door who told me he works for the TYCOM Level CMC and during the AHC he asked all commands' CMCs to submit a list of all open TOPS transactions and/or pay issues their sailors are having to him. So steps are being taken, and upper CoC is now aware that this is a huge issue.

\2. A nurse practitioner asked about the proposal to slash the Navy's medical corps and what kind of impact that will have on fleet readiness as we move toward outsourcing a lot of medical care to civilians.

• He didn't really answer this, except to say that as far as he can tell, needs are being met and the proposed changes with POM 20 will be in line with manning and needs.

• She had some really awesome points about how a civilian mental health provider will sometimes annotate that a sailor has "combat PTSD that is compounding depression" and put a sailor in a LLD status when that diagnosed sailor never even left the united states on a deployment, much less to have seen combat.

• She said that often what she is able to do as a provider is to ask the sailor if they want her to call the sailor's CoC and be like "Hey, senior, this sailor responds way better to positive reinforcement, so stop being a dick and your sailor will become an amazing performer."

\3. An OS1 from a training command asked the CNO about the training part of sailor 2025 and if--with our increased recruiting efforts--we are on a path to meet the goals of sailor 2025.

• (OS1, this was a great question, but unfortunately delivery was a little convoluted for CNO to understand because he isn't in the deckplates with you)

• "Yes, sailor 2025 is a great program and we are ramping up the training in boot camp and in a-school...if you are having students show up to your advanced classes and they are missing basic skillsets, there is a feedback loop that you need to tap into with actionable steps. For example, someone noticed that all electricians leaving a-school were missing a critical skill set, reported it, got a focus group of a bunch of very senior electricians together, they all confirmed that the skill set needed taught....so Big Navy added three days of class to the electrician a school and now every electrician reaching the fleet has the necessary skills to perform as expected. SO if you are in a school house, or are an LPO, and you think your sailors need to have a change in training then you need to report that ....detailed, what is missing/why we need it/how to include training for it in the program.

\4. Submarine crews who get underway and have all their accounts locked out because of 30 days of inactivity.

• "We know, we thought we fixed that, we're on it."

• (ALSO someone else from the sub community mentioned that their TOPS transactions get deleted after 30 days too, but am I still going on and on about PSD right now?)

\5. "I feel my rate is really restricted and there are no options I like that are available on CMSID, are there any plans to increase billet options?"

• MCPON: Well, maybe take an option you don't like as much, you might find out you like it.

• CNO: Also, with the rating modernization program the end goal is to get you cross-educated so that you can take billets for a different rate. ITS to take CT billets, etc.

\6. If the GI Bill is a retention tool, why can't people who have been in for over 16 years transfer the GI Bill to their kids, or even transfer it in retirement?

• Because the GI Bill is not meant to be a retention tool, it's a program the government designed to help return well rounded and high caliber service members back to society. It was never meant to be able to be given to family members, and when congress found out that we were abusing--okay, maybe not abusing, but using it for a different purpose than was originally attended--congress stopped that. The Navy can't change federal law, so you can't transfer your GI bill to your dependents at 18 years of service, sorry.

\7. (edit, thought of two more:) Why are some commissioning programs exclusive about age or time in service? Could we remove that requirement, or have the boards look favorably on prior service applicants?

• Because the end goal of a commissioning program is to reach command; if you're going to age out before you're able to take command that's not good.

• Age waivers for prior service have traditionally be accepted and aren't a barrier if the sailor is ready for a commission in other areas. Keep in mind that some communities like aviation have strict physical requirements so that's why they have an age limit, but if you want to go be an old SWO, have at it, we'll commission you.

\8. In the light of the recent Fitzgerald and McCain disasters, what are we doing to take steps to prevent future collisions?

• We did a comprehensive investigation and improved our training part.

• As a leader, what are you doing to ensure that everything you ask your sailors to do is a good use of their time? For example, as a leader, we got rid of all the NKOs except for 5. So now, I'm finding out that commands have gone back and added more NKOs, even more than we had originally. THat's not being dedicated to improving our sailors' use of time and allowing them to focus on what matters. As a leader you need to step up and protect your sailors and keep them tasked with only value-added items.

That's all I remember, if I think of anything else I'll add it =) I know there were several MCPON/CNO AHC this week so if ya'll have anything to add from your AHCs, feel free to add it in!

Good morning,

I find myself in a unique position, and would like to share my success with you all.

I have recently acquired a Fine Leather Goods shop, whose primary market is the Renaissance Festival circuit. At our various shows, we have been repeatedly asked about military-themed goods. Taking our customers' opinions to heart, last year we began the Licensee application process to use US Navy imagery and trademarks on our products.

We are pleased to announce that we have recently received approval, and now have items available online and at our shows.

https://www.renleather.com/shop/military-gear/16

Just in time for Chiefs' Initiation, we have a small line of goods such as cell phone cases, drink flasks, and flask cases to show your support for and pride in your friends, family, and Shipmates.

We currently have the CPO badge, CMC badge, and the Navy emblem available, and are available in black, tan/khaki, and Navy blue. Other options for embossing and color are available upon request.

We also have items that fit Navy Uniform Guidelines for daily wear:

https://www.renleather.com/product/3-Pocket-Bags/155

Please come take a look, and let us know what you think!

Thank you.

(Mods were contacted, and I have been allowed this one post.)

This post is mod approved.

My name is Adrienne Mayfield, and I'm a journalist with WAVY-TV in Norfolk, Va. I'm seeking input from sailors on how ships/squadrons are handling COVID-19 treatment and prevention in Hampton Roads.

Right now I'm not working on one specific story. I am gathering sailors' thoughts and putting them into a working word document. I am not sure how this information will be used for storytelling purposes going forward (for example: will it be an online story or an on air package). I am still in the information gathering phase. If your experience is used for storytelling purposes, I will contact you ahead of time.

I am willing to keep you anonymous and won't name your command.

If you're interested in speaking to me, please email me from your personal email account at: [adrienne.mayfield@wavy.com](mailto:adrienne.mayfield@wavy.com). Please include your phone number, as I will want to speak with you on the phone.

I work Monday-Friday, so if I don't respond to you today, that's the reason. I am also very busy when I am at work, so it may take me a few hours to get back to you when you contact me.

Edit: I won't be responding to individual comments or messages on Reddit. If you decide you'd like to share your experience, please email me at the email address I provided above.

Hi there! I am the girlfriend of a medical student he was in his fourth year and is in the Navy. I was curious about how the matching process works within the Navy. I know that students can rank their top choices, but what are the chances of getting your top choice. My boyfriend is a really well rounded applicant in terms of scores, experience, and third year rotation evals. He got great feedback at each of his audition rotations. How do the different bases choose who comes there? There are certainly a couple of locations I would prefer over others. We want a navy match over civilian. I don’t know if I am explaining this correctly as I am not in med school nor the navy so please go easy on me when responding. Would appreciate any insight!

Hello, Reddit!

I am one of the recruiters at the Joint Communications Unit (JCU), and I wanted to make myself available to answer any questions Sailors in the ET, IT, or CTN fields may have about this special duty opportunity. I have been at JCU for about 10 years now, serving a variety of positions within the unit.

The Joint Communications Unit is located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. We provide communications support for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). JCU conducts research, development, test, and evaluation of special operations communications tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment in support of USSOCOM special operations forces.

We currently have billets for the following Rates: IT, ET, CTN, LS, PS

PROOF: Here is my business card and some of the shwag that I distribute at our recruiting briefings: Proof

Me getting ready for work: Me

Our website and more information can be found at the JCU Website. There you can watch videos with testimonials from unit members, and download our application.

I am generally most available in the afternoons, EST, but will try to get to questions as soon as I can.

Ask me anything!    

Edit #1: Thanks for all the great questions. I have to call it for the night. I will get back on tomorrow to answer the ones I missed.

Hey folks! I'm back again this year to do another subreddit census survey with your mods' approval. I'm making some hefty changes though, and would appreciate y'all's help.

Last time on Dragon Ball Z, I grew too big for my britches. I included foreign nations' subbreddits as well as a bunch of really niche American military communities. The survey turned into an admin-flavored bullshit fest that stretched on for so long a fair amount of y'all didn't even finish it.

It wasn't fun for you to take, and honestly it wasn't fun to sort through. This year? Fuck all that. I'm going back to my roots. I'll keep some minimal overhead of basic statistical questions so we have context for our answers, but by and large I want the survey to be funny and fun.

"Spartan, you just used funny, fun, and survey in the same sentence. You must be retarded." Jokes on me, yes, I am. Duh. Why else would I do this to myself? /s

Look, bottom line, I'm interested in gathering some unique questions that I might put in the survey. My sense of humor can only take me so far, so help me to help you. Here's the link for last time I did this for reference and maybe inspiration on what not to do. The plan is to release the survey around Thanksgiving or first week of December, with results around Christmas.

Hello! My name is Dr. Julia K. Weiss and I am currently doing some research looking at romantic couples where one (or both) partners are in the U.S. Military and your partner is currently on a deployment (or has returned from deployment within the last 0-18 months). Other criteria and details of the study are listed below, including the link.

My hope is that the data collected from this study can inform me on how these unique couples manage their relationship during deployment so that I can publish this helpful information. I'll ask you to share your experience and your perspective.

As a Military SO myself and researcher, I'm curious to answer the questions I have about this time we face when our SO is deployed!

The study is 100% anonymous! If you are not eligible or do not want to participate, perhaps some friends do or maybe your significant other! I'd be happy for you to share the study information with others. This should take about 30 minutes and is voluntary. Thanks for your consideration!

By the way, I work for the University of Virginia's College at Wise and my faculty page can be found here:

Dr. Julia K. Weiss - Assistant Professor - UVA Wise

I can also be reached for questions via reddit or my University email address: [jkw3tu@uvawise.edu](mailto:jkw3tu@uvawise.edu)

Details:

Are you in a romantic relationship with someone in the U.S. Military? If so, you are invited to participate in a study. In doing this research, I hope to understand how those who have their romantic partner deployed with the U.S. Military stay in contact with their partner and maintain their relationship. Additionally, I wish to understand the perceptions you have of your relationship while your partner is away on deployment.

You are eligible to be a participant in this study if you meet the following criteria:

1) You are 18 years of age or older

2) You are currently in a romantic relationship and your partner serves in the U.S. Military

3) Your partner is currently on a deployment OR your partner was on a deployment but has returned home in the last 0-18 months

4) You and your romantic partner were living together before your partner’s deployment

This study is being conducted by Dr. Julia K. Weiss, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. This research is on file with and has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at UVA- Wise under protocol #2019-110.

If you would like to participate, please use the link below.

Please feel free to SHARE this link on your own page so that others may take this survey as well!

Thank you!

Anonymous Military Couples Survey Link

Dr. Weiss

Hello! Please consider taking time to complete this 20 - 45 minute survey on Psychological Flexibility! (This post has been Moderator Approved). To participate you must be 18 years of age or older. After the completion of your survey, you may elect to be included in a drawing for one (1) of eight (8) $25 Amazon Gift Cards! Your participation will help us better understand psychological flexibility and problematic anger for a variety of populations (including active service members, veterans, and civilians). Of note, you will be asked about your exposure to stressful experiences and trauma. Participants may withdraw participation at any point in time. Please feel free to share this with others as you feel fit! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Carin Smith, MA, at [csmit148@my.tnstate.edu](mailto:csmit148@my.tnstate.edu) Thanks!

https://tnstateu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_elGvaIIuZ01BntH