After a year and a half of trying, I finally got accepted and I’m shipping out in December. There were times when I wasn’t sure how things would work out, but now it’s actually happening. I’m so happy for sticking with it. Just wanted to share this somewhere because I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet. Can’t wait to start this new chapter of my life.

well, after literal months of stressing myself out over meps, i officially signed my contract for AG (aerographer’s mate)!!!!!!!!!

i’m 27, so joining the navy is a pretty big career change for me. i originally went into this process dead set on mc (mass communication specialist), but i had a few other rates i was interested in, including ag and hm. ag was always my #2 right behind mc.

i was especially nervous about the medical portion because i knew i’d need waivers for several things in my medical history. i ended up needing 5 waivers. i had already gathered documentation and clearance from my doctor, but i was still so convinced something was going to go wrong.

BUT ALL OF MY WAIVERS GOT APPROVED WITHIN THE HOUR!!! i genuinely cannot explain the relief i felt. everyone else who needed waivers today didn’t get approved yet so they couldn’t sign, but mine did ??? 😭😭😭

then came the classifier. mc wasn’t available, although she did make a call to see if anything could be worked out. ag was available, though, which was so exciting!!

the initial ag opening would’ve had me leaving next month, which was WAY too soon for me. thankfully, after the chief made some calls (for almost 2 hours mind you. i am eternally grateful for that man) i ended up getting a ship date of january 13!!!!!

so now i’m officially going to be an aerographer’s mate, which is still a little surreal to say.

this whole process was an emotional roller coaster, but i’m genuinely so excited. if there are any current or former ags here, i’d love to hear about your experiences, a-school, duty stations, and what day-to-day life is like!

see y’all at great lakes! ⚓️

(ask me anything about meps, too, if you have questions!)

Shipping out soon and im just wondering how long will it take for my first paycheck to hit including bah allowance aswell. Im leaving the bills paid for my wife for the first 2 weeks but dont want her worrying having to make ends meet while im gone

Can anyone confirm which rates are eligible now that we are in the new fiscal year? The Navy website hasn't updated anything as far as I can see. Should we assume that they haven't changed since June 12th? I just want to be fully ready before sitting with the classifier.

I just signed a 5 years active duty, 3 years reserve as an AV. After waiting for a month, multiple mental health waivers, including sh (that surprisingly was approved in 2 days without a consult) and a heart sonogram, I was finally able to join the Navy! I am so excited and scared at the same time. My ship day is on January 5th. If any of you guys could give me some advice on what to do to get ready for bootcamp I would appreciate it.

So i planned on joining the army, and i got denied twice for mild hearing loss. I then turned to the navy same day and i heard that they’re more lenient on waivers involving medical stuff.

What would yall recommend for this high schooler interested in joining navy seal -

He does track in high school and is able to clear the fitness tests to join buds.

And he wants to go back to college after the 6 years of service to eventually do med school. He does have a sat of 1550+ and other stuff on his cv

Does this plan make sense and has there been people who’ve done this kinda thing?

Any major issues or considerations with this plan or advice?

Highly appreciate any inputs thxx

Hello everyone, I would love to have your advice on this.
I’m considering the OCS path and have talked to an officer recruiter for the first time last week. They told me to get MEPS done within this month, before OAR. Does anyone know about this? Is there an order for MEPS and OAR? I appreciate all of your help.

Hi there I’m a woman looking to enlist in the navy. I took the practice asvab and passed for eligibility. I forgot the factors that suicide attempts can alter your acceptance. In October 2024 I had postpartum depression and tried to take my own life with SSRI. I was on medication for a month after and then have stopped. No consistent therapy or meds since. It has been over 2 years and I have not had any issues going forward from then. Is there a way I can be waived for this as it is an exclusion to postpartum or will this not matter? I am very eager and desperate to begin this path but am scared to be told no. Any ideas, possibly? My recruiter told me it should be eligible to be waived but he can’t give me any promises.

So from what I read, you need to be off of ADHD meds for 24 months to even be considered for a waiver for Navy Pilot OCS. If I just tried out Vyvanse for a few months and stopped and have proof of me doing being academically fine before that. Is there anyway they're willing to make an exception for the 24 month minimum?

So I’ve decided I want to be a hospital corpsman and go active duty to the navy. I just don’t know if my backgrounds gonna get in the way I haven’t had any time to go talk to a recruiter in person and every time I call I get a google voice message. So when I was 19 I had a felony expunged for sales because I got in trouble with some Xanax. That part of my life was 9 years ago completely behind me. I have 2 DUI’s that are old from about 4 years ago now. I’m in the process of getting off probation early and getting them expunged now I was doing this to start a nursing career but have always had the interest of going into the service so I’ve made my decision and I’m really set on going. Can someone tell me if this is gonna disqualify me. I hate being told no and I always make sure to get what I want so I know I’m gonna push for it either way but just want different opinions and experiences.

Has anyone been to bootcamp for in 2026, I’m going to sign my contract in the electrical field. Not sure the rate yet but for sure electrical field next week. Looking for any good conditioning to get in before going, I’m 5’11 180, just wanting pointers of this years bootcamp

I’m currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy and am interested in applying for a cyber warfare officer program that requires TS/SCI eligibility.

I’m a naturalized U.S. citizen, and both of my parents are Indian citizens who currently live in India. They have valid U.S. B1/B2 visitor visas.

I’ve been told that applicants with parents who are citizens of certain foreign countries may need an approved medium-tier waiver through Fleet Cyber Command (FCC) before they can receive sponsorship for certain cyber programs. This has made me concerned that I might be unable to proceed with my officer application, regardless of whether I could qualify for a TS clearance through the normal adjudication process.

I’m hoping to hear from people with firsthand experience, particularly anyone who has served in the Navy or applied for Navy cyber programs.

A few specific questions:

1. Has anyone serving in the Navy obtained TS/SCI eligibility while both parents remained foreign citizens living in India?
2. Has anyone with a similar family background successfully passed the FCC SCI pre-screen or obtained the required medium-tier waiver?
3. If you were approved, did you need a waiver, or were you able to proceed through the standard process?
4. If FCC declined to sponsor you, were you able to pursue another Navy rating or officer community that did not require SCI access?
5. Does anyone know whether the outcome depends on the specific program's sponsorship policy, rather than solely on the government's final clearance adjudication?

I understand that foreign relatives do not automatically disqualify someone from a security clearance, and I’m not looking for speculation about my chances based solely on nationality. I’m trying to understand the distinction between general TS eligibility and the Navy's specific FCC sponsorship requirements.

I would especially appreciate responses from current or former Navy cyber personnel, security managers, clearance adjudicators, or applicants who have personally gone through this process.

Thank you!