posted from old MK thread;
Gears
The cake is a lie...
Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted 1/1/2010 3:52 PM (GMT -5)
I am an active duty MK. I have been stationed at a wide variety of units, attended multiple "C" schools, and enjoyed some interesting TAD assignments. Feel free to ask any questions you want.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."
Rexdriver57
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2009
Total Posts : 6 Posted 1/7/2010 12:29 PM (GMT -5)
Gears,
My son is currently an FA assigned to the "A Gang" on a 378, and he likes it very much. He is 99% sure that he wants to go MK, but the DC guys like to try and "recruit" him away. When he joined, he was originally interested in DC. I have a couple of questions that I hope you can shed some light on:
When he graduates A school, will he have much choice as to where he wants to be assigned as an MK?
After A school, are his chances of being assigned to an afloat unit more or less than being assigned to an ashore unit as an MK? About the same? Coin toss?
At this point, he plans on making the CG his career, but you never know. Would you say that the job opportunities in the civilian world are greater for someone with MK training than DC training? I was recently told this by a retired CG officer, just wanted your take on it.
Thanks for your input, I don't have much chance to talk with him these days since he is living on the ship. Take care.
Gears
The cake is a lie...
Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted 1/7/2010 4:52 PM (GMT -5)
Rex,
I started out as an FA on a 270' in Main Prop, I was successfully recruited by the MKs.
At "A" school they will receive a list of open billets, one for each person in the class. 20 people 20 billets. I don't know how the selections for those billets are made. When I was in "A" school we had large cutters, river tenders, stations, support teams. The class after us had almost all stations. So, it's a roll of the dice.
What choice he has depends on how the school divies up those billets. Some classes do it by assignment priority, and some do it by class ranking.
The job opportunities really depend on what he wants to do on the outside. If he wants to get into NAV ENG, small engine repair, marine mechanics, AC&R, MK for sure. If he is interested in becoming a fire fighter, welder, wants to build his own Ark (don't laugh I've seen it) DC for sure.
I don't know what all of the opportunites are for "C" schools for DCs, a DC on board his unit can fill him in. But, there are a whole bunch for us. I have personally been to Caterpillar 3304, Fairbanks Morse Opposed Piston Engine, MTU Diesel Engine, Honda Outboard, Advanced Hydraulics, AC&R, Engineering Administration, and Centralized Supply school.
On top of all that, there is an MK at every unit in the CG. If he wants variety in his career, this is the best way to do it, IMHO. If you want to go more indepth drop me a PM.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."
Rexdriver57
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2009
Total Posts : 6 Posted Yesterday 9:16 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks Gears, that was great help not only for me, but I assume also for other MK candidates reading this board. My son got his drawings and quals done and passed his board in a little over a month onboard, so I know he is very motivated to stick with MK, and he really likes it a lot.
Thanks again, it's nice for parents as well as CG members to have a place to go and get a straigh answer.
Gears
The cake is a lie...
Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted Yesterday 12:3 PM (GMT -5)
Anytime Rex, I'm always willing to help recruit a future MK. Someone needs to keep those pesky BMs in line.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."
boatforces
Trust me. I do this all the time...
Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 40 Posted Yesterday 5:05 PM (GMT -5)
Admit it Gears, an MK's life would be a hollow shell if it wasn't for us "pesky" BM's keeping you guys on your toes. :)
In the CG you're either a Boatswains Mate or you work for one
Gears
The cake is a lie...
Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted Yesterday 5:28 PM (GMT -5)
This is true Boatforces, we really have a parasitic/symbiotic relationship don't we?
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."
Vr,
Chuck
These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885
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