From what I've read on prior posts, a recruit requests to be a Fireman or Seaman in basic.  Will or does this affect where you go for your first unit?  Also, I plan on going Hull/Engineering, would it be wise to choose one over another?  Thanks.

Seaman is on deck, fireman is below deck

So... if you want to be a FN, put it in your comments on your dream sheet. If you end up graduating as a SN, you can always request to switch at your unit.

And if you want to go hull/eng, say that on your dream sheet too. "I want to be an FN because I want to work in the hull/engineering areas" There's no guarantee, and like gears said, you can switch. But FNs get to see the hull and eng sides of the job.

and the bilge, you will see the bilge often up close and personal

Ive done both,

I was a fireman for 7 months and now I am a seaman because I am striking BM.

The job is basically the same because no matter what you are cleaning something, its just that Ive been outside more in 2 days on deck then I was ever in engineering. Its really nice I forgot what being outside was like.

My shop in engineering was smaller and I liked that, in Deck Force we have a bosn', cheif, two BM1s, two BM2s, three BM3s, and then like 6-7 nonrates. In my engineering shop we had like 7 people. 3 fireman, 2 MK3s, an MK1, and a chief.