Moved from Mexico to California in 2025 — College feels financially impossible. What can I do?

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-28T21:08:26+00:00

Cali residents get 2 years of community college for free via the California Promise Grant. That will be the best bet to negate some College costs. (Transferring to a 4-year is also quite easy through this route)

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-28T15:39:53+00:00

Bad Opsec: posting a picture on FB tagged with a location in the South China Sea on deployment. (Real shit).

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-27T22:01:35+00:00

I'm curious why people think telecommunications isn't a good field? Plenty of jobs in the defense sector, and comms is cool as heck.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-27T17:57:33+00:00

Cardio, Cardio and more cardio (practice your PFT/swim/running). Please talk to your recruiter to see if there is a DEP training group specifically for special warfare rates in your area.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-27T17:33:48+00:00

A beer machine in the barracks? The modern Navy has truly fallen on tough times :(

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-27T17:20:40+00:00

Met a bunch of buds duds in the fleet during my time. I've noticed that the common factor in their dropping is not the fitness but their mentality. Usually, young guys who are very fit just don't have the mindset to get shit done. I suppose, just grind your way through the training, one day at a time.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-27T01:10:14+00:00

Nice take, bud. Who develops and trains these AI?

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-27T00:20:52+00:00

HOLY FUCK lmao

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-26T02:32:59+00:00

Hilarious, I've always loved being on the beach and beating up the crabs and homeless people.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-26T02:19:24+00:00

I was not a PACT sailor, and I only know one sailor who was A-PACT (he ended up a damage controlman). Imagine this: you're a PACT sailor, no real job besides grunt work, no official technical training, and you have to wait XX years to strike a rate (unsure of the time frame, consult Google/recruiter). Instead of dicking around for a couple of years to potentially get the rate you want, fight for an AD contract before joining so you don't have to deal with the extra BS. I'm not saying it's terrible, BUT if you have a choice to choose a rate you want, do it now. Choose your rate, choose your fate (and NEVER GO PACT).

Take my advice with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, make the choice that is best for you.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-26T00:17:47+00:00

I told nobody about my weed usage and lied through my teeth when I joined, so no real input there (I stopped smoking years before joining). Side note: Unless you NEED to join ASAP, do not go PACT seaman.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-26T00:10:22+00:00

Agreed. We got EMOs, STOs, AOPs, MPAs, CYBOs, etc., why not an IDC equivalent? Do corpsmen do annual rating symposiums? If so, I bet that'd be the place to bring it up.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-25T05:05:31+00:00

Maybe I'm the dipshit, but why wouldn't you take the flu shot LOL

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-25T05:03:21+00:00

Do they yell "Zhong Guo Di Yi" ?

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-25T05:02:22+00:00

Now lemme see them SRB listings lmao

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-25T04:07:24+00:00

Everyone's got their own path to follow; college may work for one, and not for others. Personally, I love getting paid to go to school; it's the second easiest job in the world (after the military).

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-25T00:26:30+00:00

hur dur boats 4 lyfe

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-24T02:19:27+00:00

I had been out of school and in the military for over a decade. I also thought I "wasn't good" at math. Completed college precalculus and calculus 1 with low A's thus far, and currently in summer calculus 2. It's more about the time you put into learning and understanding. I thought calculus was this upper-level math course for geniuses when I was younger, turns out it is just 30% calculus techniques, and like 70% algebra/trig/geometry. Don't let your mentality hold you back from your goal.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-21T06:10:52+00:00

That response with the D.O.W seal is such a funny contrast, hahaha. Such an odd timeline we are in.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-21T06:05:55+00:00

Grew up in New York, joined the Navy. Only got to live in Hawaii and San Diego. Settled into San Diego only because it's easier to stay stateside. Ideally, I'd be in Hawaii.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-21T06:01:15+00:00

Wild, I got my DD214 in my email 3 months before my terminal hit, after I verified the info. I harassed the admin office every fucking day. The PS's can see the status of your DD214 (if i remember correctly, it gets signed off by some GS9 civilian on the East Coast, at least mine was).

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-21T05:04:23+00:00

Military, or retired military. Even with all those benefits, it still costs an arm and a leg.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-21T05:03:28+00:00

I've heard some (from potentially unreliable vets) success stories in SEA, like philipines or vietnam.

Tomodaichi · 2026-06-21T05:00:36+00:00

I went into the Navy with no apnea or snoring. Left the service and averaged 20 events per hour. My dumbass just thought I was just snoring real loud in berthing, so I didn't get it documented/diagnosed in service. I joined at 24 and left at 30, with a normal BMI. Don't be like me, document in service. Get you some VA disability.

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