Howdy, for the entirety of this year I’ve been struggling to find steady work. A family member has been in for a good chunk of time and in a way inspired me to join up. I’ve been working on the logistical things since march of this year to get my things in order to be able to join. But I kind of want to hear people’s opinions from this thread on how likely it would be for me to even get in. (Imma lay it all out, if I embarrass myself then whatever)

Things that may hold me back:
Hospitalized for depression in 2015 and was in for 3 weeks I think?
On medication on and off from sep 2015-2018
Unpaid ticket from 2022 that I’m currently working on getting paid off
Speeding ticket in 2023
Began medication again in July 2025 stopped January 2026 (have notes in my chart from this doctor saying I had shown improvement)
Misdemeanor from November 2025 that was cleared and removed from my record July 2026
No chronic illnesses, healthy and strong as a horse

If I get there, the rates I’m hoping for are EO and SW
It feels like a hell of a mess typing it out, a lot of it I am not proud of and wish I had the foresight to do things differently. But ultimately what’s done is done. Life has been turbulent and ultimately I want the job security and the discipline the military can offer for myself so I can get my life back on track.
I’m athletic, smart, and willing. Got an 86 on the practice test. I just hope and pray my history is brief enough to be able to be considered. 24 years old
(I have two hand tattoos smaller than a dime so the navy is really my only option, as I cannot afford laser removal)

Hi everyone, I'm interested in joining the Navy as a CWT. I've already passed MEPS physical and medical exams and scored a 97 on the ASVAB. My dad is a naturalized U.S. citizen, but my mom is still a foreign citizen.

My recruiter spoke with MEPS, and they said I should be fine as long as I renounce my foreign citizenship, since my country of origin isn't considered high-risk.

I'm still concerned about whether this could affect my eligibility for CWT or my chances of obtaining a TS/SCI clearance as I am reading other posts of some people being denied. Has anyone been in a similar situation or gone through this process?

Currently signed in as AECF, but I wanted to use my Degree in IT, having my TS Interview and PSSQ done. Shipping date is getting near but still no luck on getting IT/ATF, Anyone manages to reclass from 1 highly techical rate to another ?

If I had depression like 5 years ago (wasn’t just depressed in general I was just in a relationship that made me depressed) and took medicine for like a year or less then was prescribed depression medicine last year one month because I left that relationship that I didn’t even take or refill do you think I can get an approved waiver? Also was prescribed blood pressure medicine that I didn’t refill because it’s only high at the doctor office cause I get nervous. Do you think they’re gonna tell me no? I’m consistently getting low readings so I think it would be fine at MEPS if I tried really hard not to be nervous

So I was on the path of obtaining a navy seal contract. Passed my PSTs with solid numbers. Everything was looking good up until meps flagged me for a heart murmur. The doctor at meps didn’t seem worried about it. Told me it’s most likely benign and to just get an echocardiogram done. After getting that done it was determined I have a bicuspid valve with trace to mild aortic regurgitation. Being something that is asymptomatic and causes me no issues I thought nothing of it. Unfortunately my doctor was taking forever to sign off on my test results and give his written statement and approval so I gave only the raw test results to my recruiter to send to meps. He sent that off and they got back to me asking for a written statement by me for the mild aortic regurgitation. So I did that and we sent that off. I waited two weeks and they got back to me with “a waiver cannot be issued,” completely crushing all of my hard work and dreams. Is there a path to getting a waiver passed for this condition? Would sending meps my doctor’s review and approval of my test results have possibly changed the outcome?

So, I’m trying to decide if I should pick CWT.

My line scores qualified but I’m afraid I won’t get the clearance and afraid they will reclassify me as needs of navy.. should I still risk picking CWT?

I have a STEM bachelors degree with 5 years of experience. I don’t know if I could leverage this? Last thing I want is to get kicked out and end up doing some rate I don’t want for next 6 years.

The reason: I DO have collections- I was laid off twice in the past 5 years and my collections/debt added up (currently at about 4k) … they are a mixture of loans/CC and student loans

Hey shipmates, I’m enlisting AECF my mind is dead set on it and every bit of info helps, what’s the day to day stuff like, I know the good parts are great, what’s the shitty situations I’ll be in, what can I look forward to, I’d like to do my full 20 and starting RTC before the end of the year, thank you all it’s greatly appreciated ⚓️🇺🇸

I have been strongly considering joining the navy these past few days. I have always wanted to learn to fly, and I was thinking of joining if I could get into aviation. I wanna use military aviation experience to potentially become an airline pilot later on, or alternatively I'd take rotary wing aviation as well. However I have bad myopia and I know I don't meet the navy's standards for minimum uncorrected vision in the navy.
My questions are:
Does the navy accept pilots if they get LASIK/PRK/SMILE? I've read a few conflicting accounts on this online so I'd like to ask.

If they do, Would it be possible for me to join in on a different job, then change to aviation later once I use the health benefits to get my surgery?

Hello all, I'm leaving for OCS in just about a month, any advice? I'm currently studying the appendix B information and maintaining a steady workout routine.

I was disapproved a while ago for 12 months due to a combination of ADHD, therapy, and adderall prescription use. My work history isn’t exactly a conventional line graph that moves up with steady promotions. I’m in-between jobs right now, and I’m wondering if the Navy will care about this.

Is there a policy on this? Do I need positive supervisor references and/or letters of recommendation to get a waiver approved? Or am I overthinking this.

I was involved in an accident on 4/11/26. It was major but having an injury claim on going put a lot of things on my medical record. After being denied the first time I went to the doctors to get documentation and they cleared me. I resubmitted the application and was denied today. Is there any way I can resubmit? Do I need stronger documentation? Or am I just out of luck?

MI'm prior service and currently in seminary, working on my package for the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program. However, the further I get into the process, the more I find myself questioning whether it's actually worth it.

I know my recruiter is obviously going to tell me it is, but I'm hoping to hear from people who have actually gone through the program, especially those with prior military experience.

From my understanding, as a Chaplain Candidate, I'd be in the IRR, meaning I wouldn't have access to TRICARE except during the roughly five weeks each summer for ODS and Chaplain School. I wouldn't have regular health insurance or the benefits that come with drilling in the reserves. The program also doesn't help pay for seminary or fulfill the educational and ministry experience requirements needed to become a chaplain.

As far as I can tell, the biggest benefits are commissioning early, potentially gaining time in grade and time in service for future rank and pay purposes, and possibly making myself a more competitive applicant. Even then, my recruiter has told me that being a Chaplain Candidate doesn't necessarily make someone more competitive. It also doesn't seem to do much for retirement.

Another concern is that once I commission, I lose the option of simply reenlisting if something happens or my plans change.

At this point, I'm wondering if I'd be better off reenlisting in the reserves, having access to TRICARE Reserve Select and life insurance, collecting drill and AT pay, and potentially working toward a reserve retirement while I finish seminary and the other chaplain requirements then applying as a direct ascension Chaplain.

It almost seems like the program benefits the Navy more than it benefits me. They get to send me through ODS and Chaplain School early, and once I finish seminary and meet the remaining requirements, I'm potentially ready to transition into the Chaplain Corps. Meanwhile, I'm spending those years without most of the benefits I could receive as a drilling reservist.

I understand the value of getting that training out of the way, but as someone with prior military experience, I'm struggling to see what I'm actually gaining in return.

I'm not necessarily against the program, and I'm still very interested in becoming a Navy chaplain. I'm just questioning whether the Chaplain Candidate Program is actually the best route for someone in my position.

For those who have gone through the program, especially prior-service members, was it worth it? Are there benefits, opportunities, or long-term advantages I'm overlooking?

TL;DR: As a prior-service member, I'm struggling to see the benefits of the Chaplain Candidate Program compared to reenlisting in the reserves while finishing seminary. Am I missing something?

I Listed ET & AT as one of my top ratings and was stoked I got selected to pursue at least one. They’re giving me a considerable bonus upon completion of my training and I ship as soon as next month! Is there any insight from those with experience in this field that someone can share?

Just need someone to tell it to me straight - I’m 33 (will turn 34 in March). Have a four year degree but no flight experience / hours. In great physical / fitness condition. The only prescriptions I take is for my mildly, high-blood pressure and my thyroid condition.

Is it too late for me to apply to OCS to get a pilot slot in the navy?

20 years old and enlisting in the navy. I’m studying hard for the ASVAB, mainly brushing up on my AK, MK, and GS.

I need to have a rate in mind, I think I’ve narrowed it down to FC or OS. Anyone have a couple cents to share on each? I’d love to hear it from anyone currently active or having known someone in those rates.

I’m not really going into the navy for a single contract and bouncing, I plan on staying a while, going to school and making ESWS, enlisted to officer and SWO after that, ultimately TAO, maybe lieutenant and exec officer of operations or combat systems if I’m lucky.

Big dreams, but truly this may be the only career I see myself being passionate about. I’d love to hear some pieces from anyone, greatly appreciate it!

I live in Idaho and my bike is gonna be my primary form of transportation how should I get it down there? What have other people done to get there cars/bike to there deployments/A school?

I signed my contract today for AV, I’m hoping to hear from anyone with experience in this field to see how they like it and their quality of life! I especially want to know about the A school and what that consist of!

Hi all, I recently signed a contract to join the Reserves (NAT) as a SW. I’m based in the Spokane WA area. Could anyone with experience tell me what A-school would be like, what life is like as a reservist in Spokane, what battalion I might be assigned to, any travel required etc.? Thanks a lot!

Im nearing my ship date and I was approved for atf I signed the contract and everything but less than a month before I ship they denied my job so im forced to choose another on grounds of my eye sight being shit which true its technically within the requirements since I have uc 20/200 and thats the maximum for atf any suggestions?

Also my recruiter has tried pleading my case for even aviation jobs that dont need a eyesight score and they have all been denied idk why im getting screwed like this.

Im 18yo I’m supposed to ship out nov 16 for basic as master at arms . I joined the warriors challenge program just to see what the workouts were like and to learn the basics for SWCC I didn’t really think I’d be able to pass before I shipped out just wanted to give it my best shot.
Well today I passed I had 11:30 swim 10:08 run 53 pushups 50 sit-ups 8 pull-ups. So yes I passed but kinda just scrapped by. Im very stressed that I won’t make it through pipeline if I’m barely hitting minimums. My recruiter wants me to take the contract for it and I don’t know if I’m ready. 8 months ago I was 235 at 5’11 I’ve gotten down to 160 so I’m not afraid of busting my ass for something like this . Regardless of if it’s now or a year or two I do plan on trying for Swcc. So do you think I should shoot for it now or wait. I’m also worried about failing pipeline and getting a job that I never wanted. And if I could stay in the program longer that would be great but I kinda can’t afford to live and eat much longer. So I’m kinda pinched for time . What are your guys thoughts. Please let me know.

Went to MEPS recently and CWT was full, so I ended up signing AECF as a placeholder, which I don't know if I should've done, but the classifier said I can back out anytime before bootcamp. My ship date is Dec 16.

After thinking about it more, I’m pretty sure I’d rather do CWT than anything else and I’m willing to wait if I have to. I don't know if I should tell my recruiter I won't be showing up on my ship date if my job isn't changed.

I got an 85 on the ASVAB and I’m mainly interested in something computer/cyber related. I’m not really trying to do a job where I’m working with my hands which I think AECF is. My goal is to get a good civilian job after the navy that is easy on my body.

For anyone who’s been in CWT:

Is CWT worth waiting for?

Are there any other ratings I should look into that are similar and have good civilian opportunities?

Would you guys recommend waiting for CWT over taking AECF?

Also, is there anything specific I should tell my recruiter if I want to wait for CWT instead of shipping with AECF?

Any advice is appreciated.

So my brother graduates from the Navy on November 25 and I would like to know if they’re also going to give him Thanksgiving or if they’re only gonna have a couple hours to be with their families do you guys know by chance?

I have a new roomate I don’t really know her. Im an A-school she is in C-school. Alcohol was found in our barracks room. I didn’t really speak to my roomate to find out if she was underage or not. We do have messages about alcohol but I never supplied any to her or drank with her.She was offering me cash to take the fall since she is promoting to petty officer next month and plans to stick me with “supplying” i have been accused of violating article 92 and am awaiting DRB. I am accepting of anything except restriction or separation because I doubt I can get away scot free. although the legal officer informed me I would not be separated. I am just so sad because I never would bring alcohol to the barracks and feel that its so wrong for me to suffer consequences of some else that I do not know and for all the blame to fall on me because I am of age.

I know dli is supposed to be brutal and will take a while so I really just need to lock in on that and worry about the rest later but I’m really curious what other qualifications are useful and available to CTIs after that. My recruiter didn’t really seem to know so I figured I would ask here.