Climbing up the Navy Rank and the ASTB

[haymansupperman]

My question to you is if you're so gung-ho, what have you been doing for the last four years?

As for your OP, here's my advice: there's no shame in wanting to do the career/skipper/admiral gig. Just don't go around flaunting it.

Like Otto pointed out, things will change. Those of us that have been around a while realize just how much of a toll the Navy takes, how much the service has changed (in both good and bad ways) since we joined, the good and bad leaders we've been exposed to, and the good and bad jobs, and how all of these may have shaped our goals over the years. For an Ens to blather on and on about how he's going to be skipper one day--that just makes me think he's a clueless tool that will climb on his friends' backs to get ahead.

If you want the stellar career, it's going to be because you love being in the Navy (if it's for any other reason, then you're a complete tool). Just take that joy factor, apply it to your day-to-day job, and your positive mental attitude will take you far (something I've definitely struggled with over the years), assuming you're competent with everything else. You'll do well at your job, and the rest will take care of itself. So just focus on the job and doing it well and with a great attitude. Don't focus too much on the scrambled eggs.

Oh yeah-- this is something you should really never talk about ever again. You're going to be in the company of some truly smart people, most of whom are working hard to get ahead, just like you. Are you really that cocky so as to believe you're better than them and will advance more quickly? The better question to ask [disclaimer: I'm not a SWO] is what job on the boat is best to have for your fitrep. Also, what community/non-community jobs should be good for your career and what jobs may not be good for your career. You're not going to advance any quicker, but you'll understand what you need to do to be competitive for department head, and then command.

Grate advice, For the last four years of my life I have been in college, I did not know which direction I wanted to take my life. At first I thought about academia, and for a while I pursued archeology. Unfortunately, it pays close to nothing and requires a shit load of work just to get published by some shit publication. I went to Jordan for a year and learned Arabic, for the fact that it helps with a lot archeological work, during that period I became a journalist and worked for an English language newspaper. I eventually met up with some guys from West Point who were studying in Jordan. They were younger than me and they seemed to have their lives on track. Although they were big ass wholes with huge, "I am better than you" dicks up their ass, they inspired me to follow up with a career in the military. And now here I am. My need to advance in a career like that of the Navy has nothing to do with my ego. I really want to leave a legacy behind me, and this is not something exclusive to he Navy. My biggest fear is that I might end up like Mr M, waiting for retirement. By the way is that chick with the big breasts Mr M former wife?

 

[m26]

During that period I became a journalist and worked for an English language newspaper.

Really?

 

[haymansupperman]

Really?

Yes

 

[navy09]

Grate advice, For the last four years of my life I have been in college, I did not know which direction I wanted to take my life. At first I thought about academia, and for a while I pursued archeology. Unfortunately, it pays close to nothing and requires a shit load of work just to get published by some shit publication. I went to Jordan for a year and learned Arabic, for the fact that it helps with a lot archeological work, during that period I became a journalist and worked for an English language newspaper. I eventually met up with some guys from West Point who were studying in Jordan. They were younger than me and they seemed to have their lives on track. Although they were big ass wholes with huge, "I am better than you" dicks up their ass, they inspired me to follow up with a career in the military. And now here I am. My need to advance in a career like that of the Navy has nothing to do with my ego. I really want to leave a legacy behind me, and this is not something exclusive to he Navy. My biggest fear is that I might end up like Mr M, waiting for retirement. By the way is that chick with the big breasts Mr M former wife?

Huh?

 

[haymansupperman]

Huh?

What is the confusion? Someone asked me what I was doing before hand, I just answered their questions? Read the previous posts, it might give you some insight into what I am talking about.

 

[BACONATOR]

What is the confusion? Someone asked me what I was doing before hand, I just answered their questions? Read the previous posts, it might give you some insight into what I am talking about.

He was just surprised that someone would publish you with your awful spelling, grammar and god-knows what else.

"Grate" and "ass wholes" are prime examples.

Was this publication something people paid for, or was it the type to be stuck under my windshield wiper?

Your career desire has nothing to do with ego, yet you want to leave a legacy behind? Those aren't exactly mutually exclusive in my eyes. And before you go judging "Mr M" and his well-endowed avatar, why don't you do something with your life that is of any significance instead of judging others who have achieved far more (and that's not saying much).

 

[eddie]

Mr. M, I hope that sticks.

 

[nittany03]

Kid, it's all right to have goals. A lot of people want to join the Navy so they can spend their youth doing something of more import than making someone's stock go up an eighth of a point. But your attitude towards virtually everyone but yourself comes off as condescending, at the least. Academics are a bunch of jokers. West Point guys manage to somehow be inspiring and ass-clowns at the same time. Which leads me to wonder how and why you can be inspired by those you apparently hold in contempt, but to each their own.

You're not entitled to anything except a shot. Not a shot at being an Admiral. You're nowhere near that. A shot at being an Ensign. Then you'll get a shot at your first choice of community. After that, you'll be given the chance of earning a warfare qualification. Then and ONLY then will you be looked at to see whether you've got what it takes to be a department head, let alone screen for command. And all this is YEARS before anyone will even THINK of whether you're flag material or not, assuming you're even still IN the military, and not a terminal O-4 or O-5 as you apparently so dread.

There's some solid guys who are terminal O-4s or O-5s, for various reasons. There are MANY terminal O-6s. You insult each and every one of them as saying it's "your worst fear" not to be a flag. I personally know or have known many of these men and women in my military career. You haven't even proven you've got what it takes to hold their proverbial jock. You may be the next Chester Nimitz; it doesn't matter. You haven't proven squat.

You'd better get used to the fact that these aren't dope-smoking hippie liberal arts grad students you're competing against. These are by and large some of the most driven, talented individuals on the planet. SOME OF THEM ARE PROBABLY BETTER THAN YOU.

All you can do is bust your butt and let the chips fall where they may. That's what Mr M did; that's what I did, and that's what everyone on this board who wears the wings of gold has done and will continue to do. You have no idea of the amount of stress and burnout that comes with this "glamorous" job. That starts in flight school and continues on as you acquire more and more responsibility. Maybe some day, you'll be sitting at home with a wife and kids sick of Daddy being away all the time. Will you throw them to the curb because terminal rank is beneath you?

Don't get me wrong, there's loads of fun, too. But the most washed-up officer on this board has accomplished more than you have. And you have no right to look down on them. If you want this job, eat some humble pie.

NOW.

 

[Beans]

He was just surprised that someone would publish you with your awful spelling, grammar and god-knows what else.

"Grate" and "ass wholes" are prime examples.

Was this publication something people paid for, or was it the type to be stuck under my windshield wiper?

Don't forget the misuse of "rout" in the original post.

I love a good dogpile.

 

[Picaroon]

Welcome to the site! Use the search function to find SWO/IW info and ASTB info, I guarantee most of your questions have been asked and answered already.

Are you sure that your recruiter told you to take the ASTB? The ASTB is an aviation specific test, whereas the ASVAB (or Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery), is a test that helps you figure out which areas of the military you would be best suited for.

The ASTB has multiple parts, some of which are only required for aviation/intel applications and some of which everyone takes (OAR). Why would he take an enlisted test if he's planning to become an officer? His recruiter probably wants to get a feel for what he's competitive in using his ASTB scores as a gauge.

 

[cfam]

Gotcha, didn't know that. Of course, his recruiter could be trying to sell him on the enlisted side of the house as well, wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

 

[Edub]

I hope this guy isn't writing my eval.

Word of advice though: If the uproar and slamming of your posts and their grammatical errors offended you; THE NAVY IS NOT FOR YOU! This is very typical banter between people in the Navy and you have to learn to take comments that hurt your feelings with a grain of salt. Verbal slam is the only weapon the Navy Sailor has left, and we are not afraid to use it. He said it...