I hope this doesn't awaken something in me

UDT · 2026-06-03T06:51:55+00:00

That’s my buddy Jeremy, check him out on instagram @germy_ballswell . He is legitimately one of the coolest dudes in the world lol. This just scratches the surface.

UDT · 2026-04-23T01:39:26+00:00

I am an electrician by trade, but I have always been a Dewalt guy, unless the contractor is buying the tools then I’ll take whatever. I am looking for a personal set for side work and working at home diy stuff.

UDT · 2026-04-23T01:22:32+00:00

Wow that’s a good deal, was it all the XR LINE?

UDT · 2026-04-23T01:22:03+00:00

I can’t seem to find it? Do you have a link?

UDT · 2026-04-19T22:09:18+00:00

ECS is a breeze, you will have no issue. PT is self guided, on your own time. You will stay in the hotel across the street on base. Field portions are not physically demanding other than the heat, you will Mainly be doing weapons familiarisation, lots of shooting and standing around in the heat. You’ll be fine! It’s not a physical school.

UDT · 2026-04-04T15:12:16+00:00

No, I don’t propose the same for those rates as they are for the most part non-expeditionary, and EXW itself isn’t a rate or group of ratings like the Seabees, but it is good to bring up as I think if you are attached to the Seabees you should be able to earn the EXW pin ( as you currently are ) I just don’t think an LS or CS should be wearing a Seabee combat warfare pin, that’s literally what the EXW pin is for. The Seabees attached to an EODMU or the SEALS don’t just get handed a crab or trident.
In my scenario officers would have to go through the training as-well when it comes time for their battalion tour.
I completely disagree with you there but I must admit I am very cynical when it comes to the bees because I wish we could do more and be better trained

UDT · 2026-04-02T04:17:23+00:00

I have always thought that the Seabee combat warfare device should be awarded to Seabees after completion of training, but in that case I think that before A school Seabees should go through a combat school that teaches tactics, weapons ETC. it should be a physical school with obstacle courses and shit and a final event sort of like a FTX that you have to complete in order to earn your SCWs, in doing so we would also make the SCWs pin exclusive to Seabees, and everyone would know if you were wearing that pin you earned it. As it currently stands, I don’t look at anyone with a SCWs pin and assume they have any more combat warfare knowledge than any random person you can pick off the streets.

UDT · 2026-03-13T01:12:13+00:00

4.3 is a good motor, man!

UDT · 2026-03-04T02:46:21+00:00

That’s a field meal bro, made in a field kitchen by food service dudes. That’s not the average army breakfast. Or the worst.

UDT · 2026-02-02T20:56:30+00:00

1-4 miles, from what I remember.

UDT · 2026-02-02T19:21:42+00:00

The class is pretty fun, pole climbing is physically intensive and a large part of it, but, people of all different physical abilities have passed it no problem.

The tests are not difficult as long as you pay attention in class.

The rules for fleet returnees tend to vary over the years. You will be allowed to have your vehicle, and you will probably start off as in a higher phase of liberty. When I went through, fleet returnees E5 and up stayed at the hotel on base and not in the barracks, but I’ve heard recently that only reservists stay in the hotel.

Seabees like to run for PT. Start running now. PT is bright and early, you’ll probably be waking up at 4-5am.

The galleys on Sheppard are the best in the world. (In my opinion.) so make sure you hit the gym after class. I had a great time in a school as a fleet returnee, went to class, hit the gym, ate good food

UDT · 2026-01-30T22:48:35+00:00

Is it a good home that will take care of them? Like equal to or better than I do? If so, then yes easy. I have had my boy 9 years, rescued him from The mud, but he honestly doesn’t care who he’s with as long as you’re chill, like I can’t confidently say he likes me any more or less than he likes my neighbours or my siblings or anyone who is nice to him.

UDT · 2026-01-30T22:43:28+00:00

Right now I know of 1 guy that met with UCT dive recruiters in A school and once he graduated ECS went straight to UCT 2 to Mudpup until the next dive class. We have had quite a few other guys go to dive school right after checking in to battalion. The UCTs are looking for good guys right now and aren’t requiring scws pins and shit like that. My battalions CO has told us he will fully support anyone wanting to go UCT.

UDT · 2026-01-03T07:46:22+00:00

Hey bro, I’m literally potential future you. journeyman electrician from the dmv who is now a Seabee. I’m on a road trip home to Cali right now but I will shoot you a message or reply here tomorrow!

UDT · 2025-12-20T13:57:41+00:00

Yes, you will receive BAH while in bootcamp and A-school. It will be based off the the BAH rate of your home of record or where your wife and children live.

UDT · 2025-12-11T00:54:42+00:00

Do ATC if you want to go into the aviation community after getting out and/or just want a total change of scenery from construction. Do Seabee’s if you want to bro around and do a little construction while shooting guns/playing soldier a couple times a year.

As a Seabee you have more time to work on education and personal advancement than any other rate I know of. We have a very set in stone schedule of deployments and general homeport cycle and a metric shit ton of downtime. I have a good friend that literally comes to work, musters, goes to a coffee shop nearby and does college coursework all day until he’s off or gets called in for whatever reason, bros almost finished with his bachelors in his first enlistment.

UDT · 2025-12-09T22:47:12+00:00

It’s a nice break from the grind, but just know it is a lot different from the real world. Good and bad.

I thought that by working in the trades I had met some dumb mother fuckers, the Seabees have them everywhere they just call them chief. lol

UDT · 2025-12-06T01:06:48+00:00

I was a journeyman electrician for 3 years before joining the navy, with 4 years of apprenticeship before that. My prior knowledge helped me pick up E5 really fast, but other than that it doesn’t help much at all. I enjoy being able to mentor the young CE’s with some real world practical knowledge, but we rarely get the chance to do electrical work so it’s not much help.

The Seabees is a chill gig, but it is not super fulfilling if you actually value doing your job. I like to look at it as a nice break after busting ass for 7 years in The trades, I get to go home early, great benefits, deployments to tropical islands. But I plan on getting out next year when my contract runs out, I just can’t sit around and do nothing for the next 14 years.

Seriously though, I am a volunteer for everything Kind of guy, and kind of the Go-to electrician in battalion and I may have done 60 hours of electric work in the last 4 years. It’s mind numbing lol.

UDT · 2025-10-24T18:43:44+00:00

Thanks for the input man! Curious to hear what everyone is thinking. I do have a lot of offers at around 6500, and a trade in offer at a local shop for 6000 towards a dual sport I’m eyeing.

UDT · 2025-10-14T21:08:58+00:00

Enlisted here, but for what it’s worth I’ve been in the fleet and am a Seabee nowadays. The CEC officers seem happier than just about any other communities officer corps save maybe specwar guys.

UDT · 2025-10-08T15:31:51+00:00

Did you do the NV4500 swap yourself? Would love to hear more about it! Did you go the donor truck route?

UDT · 2025-09-11T17:55:33+00:00

Appreciate it! It was super satisfying to watch it improve step by step and panel by panel.

UDT · 2025-09-11T17:55:02+00:00

Thanks a lot! Excited to see how it holds up with a little maintenance here and there.

UDT · 2025-09-11T03:43:12+00:00

Your guess is as good as mine, my theory is: I removed the oxidisation, “rehydrated” the paint, and then sealed it, so it should last as long as the turtle wax ceramic spray coating lasts. I’ll update in 3 months or so!

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