Mission Kinda Sorta Possible

[Here_to_Help]

Most former Corpsman I’ve spoken to have told me that getting orders to serve aboard a ship right out of A school in near impossible, so if that is indeed the case, what would be my best strategy to get stationed aboard a ship
Any and all information on the matter is greatly appreciated
Thanks

[dvldocjoe]

Getting a ship assignment straight out of NHCS is very very difficult. Out of my class of sixty six, we had one availability. 8404 (Tony) and I went back and forth on this in a previous thread.

You could ask which C schools would give you the most advantage is one route.
Find green side units that are deploying on ships soon is another option.
Finish your first duty station and request a ship afterwards.

I am curious as to why you want a fleet assignment so bad?

[8404]

Originally Posted by dvldocjoe

I am curious as to why you want a fleet assignment so bad?

Perhaps the poster enjoys sailing ...

[IDCWife]

11 years 3 months on active duty with NO SHIP. He did deploy with a Marine unit on a ship, but never as ship's company.

[Here_to_Help]

While I’m not opposed to other types of duty, I just have a strong desire to be a part of a fleet unit. I remember going down to Norfolk when I was 7 years old to watch my Uncle take command of the Wasp LHD-1, he took me all over the ship, including up on the bridge where he let me sit in the Captain's Chair, it opened up a whole new world to me and I loved it. In high school I was involved in NJROTC, which allowed me the opportunity to tour other Navy ships. I've spoken to many navy personnel retired and active, almost all of whom speak very fondly of being stationed on a ship. It seems that the quality of life is better on Destroyers and Cruisers, but maybe that’s simply just opinion. All that said... I simply love the idea of being on a ship, and would like to know what I could do to ensure that I’m placed on one within my first enlistment.

Thank You

[8404]

Originally Posted by Here_to_Help

... would like to know what I could do to ensure that I’m placed on one within my first enlistment.

Your question has already been answered within this post and within the following thread:

Click this ====> corpsman on a ship

[dvldocjoe]

Good luck on trying to get the orders.

I ended up on the Jarrett (FFG 33) by default since my wife was spousal co-lo at NHCP and it was the only junior corpsman billet available at the time in San Diego.
I did enjoy the amphibs better than small boys due to space and the way it rode.
PM me if you want to know all about shipboard life.

[indy]

As I've posted in the other threads on this topic - unless you happen to get extremely lucky by being in the right place at the right time, the odds of getting a ship immediately following A school are very very small. The Navy has a finite number of seagoing billets for HM and they fill up very quickly on Active Duty. Also keep in mind that the medical dept is one of the smallest depts on even a large ship. General Duty HMs (NEC 0000) usually number between 15-20 on a big deck such as a carrier. Smaller ships carry less. Usually there is one or two of the bigger NECs such as X-ray, lab, etc on the big decks, none at all on the small boys.

If the opportunity to get a ship ever pops up at any time during *any* orders negotiation, I highly encourage anyone to grab it, no questions asked. But the likelihood of snagging it out of A school? Remote at best...