Useful skills to learn

[sharkbomb]

Hello everyone,

I enlisted about a month ago as an HM and will be in DEP status until I ship out in late April. I've been living away from home (due to college/work) for the last 4 years but, until I ship out, I will be living with my family again. Basically, I am going insane and need to find ways to keep myself busy.

Needless to say, I've got plenty of time on my hands. I was wondering what kinds of skills or knowledge might be worthwhile learning before I leave for boot camp. My recruiter has told me the obvious stuff such as the sentry orders and sailor's creed, but I'm looking for something that will fill a solid 2 months. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I took some basic Arabic classes in college and was hoping someone could clarify something for me. Will the military pay someone extra for having proficiency in a critical language no matter what rating they are in? Can a Hospital Corpsman qualify for the extra pay? If so, it might be worthwhile for me to pursue that. It would be much appreciated if someone could clear that up for me.


Thanks

[Da-Chief]

If there is a need for arabic translators and you pass the proficency test, yes you earn more $$. But if they don't need any, you won't.

As far as things to learn etc.. Start reading the history of the Navy etc. If you can get your hands on a "BLUE JACKET's MANUAL" do so and start reading.

V/R
HMC

[Psyphr]

Chances are anything you learn as a civilian, you'll have to unlearn to learn the "Navy way." That doesn't mean one way is better than the other...it just means that, as a Corpsman, your scope of practice is vastly different than any comparable civilian job. HM 'A' school is easy....the most challenging thing for me there was getting BLS straight. You learn the real stuff once you hit the Fleet. And if you're going greenside, you'll start at FMSS and the pinnacle of your training is going to be OEMS. Find yourself a copy of the Combat Life Saver and Operational Emergency Medical Skills (OEMS) books and learn them. This won't help you in Corps school...but it will help you in real life. To distinguish yourself from your classmates, you may want to find a good book on close order drill.

[DeeDee]

Being able to tell the difference between right and left is a definite asset :D - if this is a problem I would suggest you polish up on that skill (HA HA)

Congrats on your enlistment and good luck
DeeDee
Proud Corpsman Mom

[immer_zuverlassig]

In addition to the prior recommendation of reading the "Blue Jackets' Manual"; my recommendation is to polish your public speaking skills if you feel there is room for improvement.

Many HMs have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform their assigned jobs........the outstanding HM can perform his assigned job and deliver his message to patients in a way that projects sincerity and inspires patient compliance. Good communication is a pillar of trust that patients desire....before you know it, you could be the preferred "Doc" at the battalion, onboard ship, or at the hospital. Take care of your guys and everything else will fall into place.

Good luck.

[dustmans]

Here's some info on Foreign Language Proficiency pays
http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25804
and
http://languagestudy.usna.edu/dlpt/flpb.html

good luck!

[The_Dirty_Name]

This is very good info here for a FMF hopeful like myself.

I’ll need to start researching and studying Basic Life Support and Operational Emergency Medical Skills soon.

Thanks.

[8404]

What about the DEP handbook the recruiters give you to study. The recruiters sign off on each section. Completing this while in DEP will give you E2 upon graduation in bootcamp. However, you must be proficient in bootcamp.

I know a guy who completed the DEP handbook and was supposed to get E2, however he failed a couple of PRT tests and graduated an E1 seaman recruit.

[DeeDee]

It's nice to see that older posts can be of use to new recruits.

:)

DeeDee

[The_Dirty_Name]

What about the DEP handbook the recruiters give you to study. The recruiters sign off on each section. Completing this while in DEP will give you E2 upon graduation in bootcamp. However, you must be proficient in bootcamp.

I know a guy who completed the DEP handbook and was supposed to get E2, however he failed a couple of PRT tests and graduated an E1 seaman recruit.

I'll need to remember this.

___

Here is my guide. Keep note, I am just a DEPer.

Read this first: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/l/aanavybasic1.htm

I.
Navy Chain of Command.

President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
Secretary of Defense (SECDEF)
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV)
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET)
Commander NTC (CNTC)
Commanding Officer RTC (CO RTC)
Executive Officer RTC (XO RTC)
Military Training Officer (MTO)
Military Training Assistant (MTA)
Division Officer (DO)
Division Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO)
Company Commander (CC)
RecruitFrom Rod Powers (http://usmilitary.about.com/mbiopage.htm),


II. 11 General Orders of a Sentry

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
6. fd
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8. To give the alarm in case of fire and disorder.
9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.
10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
11. To be especially watchful at night and during the time for challenge, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

III. Sailors Creed

I am a United States Sailor

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.

I proudly serve my country’s Navy combat team with Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

IV. Recruits chain of command
Recruit Chief Petty Officer (RCPO)
The RCPO is the Chief Honcho among recruits. The RCPO is the primary recruit assistant to RDCs and is responsible for:
1. Maintaining good order, discipline, and security within the division at all times.
2. Ensuring compliance with standing orders and regulations.
3. Assisting RDCs with implementation of schedules.

4. Reporting any abnorrnal condition to RDCs, including violations of good order, discipline and security, when RDCs are not present.

­­­­­­­­­­­Recruit Leading Petty Officer (RLPO)
The RLPO is the second Honcho (among recruits) in charge. The Recruit Leading Petty Officer is responsible to the Recruit Chief Petty Officer (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-1.htm) and RDCs for:
1. Assisting the Recruit Chief Petty Officer.
2. Ensuring compliance with standing orders and regulations.
3. Assuming duties as Recruit Chief Petty Officer when required.

Recruit Master-at-Arms (RMAA)
The Recruit Master-At-Arms is responsible to the Recruit Chief Petty Officer (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-1.htm) and RDC's for:
1. Configuration and cleanliness of division spaces.
2. Procurement, proper stowage and use of all cleaning gerrequired by the division.
3. Supervision of the division in the absence of RDC's, RCPO or Recruit Leading Petty Officer (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-2.htm).

Port and Starboard Watch Section Leaders (PWSL/SWSL)
The Port/Starboard Watch Section Leaders are the senior Recruit Petty Officers for respective watch sections.
1. The Starboard Watch Section Leader (SWSL) shall serve as the division's watchbill coordinator. Watchbills will be prepared and subsequently submitted to the RDCs via the Recruit Chief Petty Officer (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-1.htm).
2. The Port Watch Section Leader (PWSL) shall coordinate the rotation of the ship watchstanders with the RDCs.

Recruit Yeoman (YN)
The Recruit YN is responsible to RDCs for:
1. Performing general clerical duties in the division and assisting RDCs with preparation and maintenance of divisional reports, records, class attendance rosters, mail pick-up and distribution.
2. Coordinating with the Medical YN (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-6.htm), Education Petty Officer (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-10.htm), Athletic Petty Officer (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-11.htm) and Religious Petty Officer (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-12.htm) to ensure compliance with special schedule events.
3. Attending the Mail Orderly, Medical/Dental, BMO/Testing and Physical Fitness Testing briefings.

Recruit Medical Yeoman (MYN)
The MYN is responsible to RDCs for:
1. Assisting the RDCs in preparing and maintaining recruit medical documentation.
2. Coordinating appointments with the Medical Liaison.
3. Tracking the status of all special physicals.
4. Attending the medical/dental brief.

Recruit Dental Yeoman (DYN)
The DYN is responsible to RDCs for:
1. Assisting the RDCs in preparing and maintaining recruit dental documentation.
2. Coordinating appointrnents with the Dental Liaison.
3. Tracking the status of all special physicals.
4. Attending the medical/dental brief.

Recruit Section Leaders (SL)
Section Leaders are responsible to the respective Watch Section Leader (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-4.htm) for:
1. Supervise and assisting the recruits in respective sections.
2. Monitoring personal cleanliness, military appearance, clothing care and watch standing for recruits assigned to respective sections.

Division Laundry Petty Officer (LPO)
The LPO is responsible to the Recruit Master-at-Arms (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-3.htm) and RDCs for executing proper laundry handling procedures.
The LPO is also responsible for maintaining the Cash box and division expense log.

Recruit Education Petty Officer (EPO)
The EPO is responsible for assisting RDCs in administering and mustering night study and mandatory night study classes.
The EPO will attend a BMO/Testing brief.

Recruit Athletic Petty Officer (APO)
The Recruit Athletic Petty Officer is responsible to RDCs for:
1. Assisting RDCs with Physical Readiness Training (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blnavyfitnessmenu.htm).
2. Providing non-participation or substandard performance documentation to the Recruit Medical Yeoman (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-6.htm).
3. Attending a Physical Fitness Testing brief.

Recruit Religious Petty Officers (RPO)
There will be at least a Catholic and Protestant RPO appointed for each division. If a division has three or more recruits of the same religion, a religious petty officer shall be appointed to represent that faith. RPOs are responsible for:
1. Ensuring all recruits who desire to pray are afforded such an opportunity at tattoo
2. Attend mandatory meetings at the Chaplain's Office Thursdays at 1900 commencing on the first Thursday following 1-2 DOT (Day of Training) and continuing until graduation, with the exception of FAST Cruise and Recruit Reception Night.
3. Report to the chapel each Sunday 30 rninutes prior to the scheduled service to serve as a chapel assist or usher.
4. Ensure all personnel desiring to attend divine worship services are aware of location and time of services.

Recruit Mail Petty Officers (MPO)
The MPO is responsible for pick-up and delivery of all mail. Designation as MPO includes special qualifications at mail orderly orientation and custody of a mail orderly card.

Recruit Damage Control Petty Officer (DCPO)
The DCPO is responsible to the Recruit Master-at-Arms (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/blaa0151500-3.htm) for:
1. Correcting any fire hazards.
2. Maintaining division fire extinguishers, to include proper location and working order.
3. Assisting RDCs with minor repair and general maintenance of the compartment.
4. Documenting any material discrepancies on the MDCOL that cannot be corrected.


V.
Some Tips from a Shipmate

KNOW the 11 General orders.
KNOW all of the details pertaining to rate/rank recognition.
Learn how to make a rack (bed) with 45 degree corners.
Practice ironing military creases in a long sleeve, button down, collared shirt (which would be similar to the Utility shirts issued in Boot Camp)
I strongly suggest reading the Bluejacket's Manual. Pay particular attention to Damage Control, Seamanship, First Aid, Uniforms and Grooming, and History.
Memorize the phonetic alphabet.
Attend all DEP meetings!
Stay fit (or get fit). Jog, do push-ups, sit-ups, etc., The PT is not hard, but if you're in shape, it can be fun.
At least advance to E-2 by completing your DEP PQS. You may not care now, but I'll tell you, it sure is nice to graduate with a couple of stripes on your sleeve, instead of nothing. And, of course, it will help you out down the road!Above contributed by SWCN Frey, a recent graduate of Navy Boot Camp



_____



All thanks to Rod Powers: http://usmilitary.about.com/mbiopage.htm



P.S. study up on the Marine Corp if going FMF. Furthermore, practice standing at attention (learned that from this site).

[JarheadJohn]

How did she miss this? She has been looking at all of this stuff online, said she feels stupid because she doesn't know any of it.