Construction workers build, repair, and modernize residential, industrial, and office buildings, as well as roads, airfields, and harbors. Related to this field is the repair work of hull maintenance technicians. These men and women perform the metalwork and carpentry necessary to keep all surfaces and structures shipshape. More specifically, some jobs involve maintaining firefighting equipment, replacing defective piping and plumbing fixtures, and inspecting lifesaving equipment. Obviously, an interest in tools and machines is important, as well as manual dexterity and the ability to perform detailed work. Only qualified applicants are accepted into this rank. Construction engineers are helped by engineering aides. The latter conduct surveys, prepare blueprints and sketches, and lay out all kinds of construction. Once the actual construction work begins, they aid in maintaining quality control until the project's completion.
The expansion of computer systems to aid in information utilization has not escaped the Navy. Data processing occupations fall into two ratings: data processing technician and data systems technician. The former operate computers, write programs for processing operations, and perform office management functions. The latter adjust and repair digital computers, video processors, tape units, buffers, key sets, digital display equipment, data link terminal sets, and related equipment. As with other careers requiring technical training, assignment may be shore or ship duty.
Health occupations include not only doctors and dentists, but also technicians and assistants. There are many opportunities for careers in this area. For example, hospital corpsmen assist medical professionals in providing health care to service personnel and their families. Specifically, they apply first aid, minister to the sick and injured, take and process x-rays, and perform similar health-related duties. A science background proves very helpful. Similarly, dental technicians assist dental officers in treating patients. They arrange appointment schedules, instruct patients in oral hygiene, assist in surgery, and prepare materials for fillings.
Manufacturing occupations employ skilled and semiskilled workers. Skilled labor requires considerable training, while unskilled workers normally learn on the job. Only a small number of sailors are used by the Navy as molders. Molders work in foundries in which molten metals are formed into parts, operating and maintaining the ovens. Physical strength and manual dexterity are important qualifications. Future prospects are good. Steel-workers utilize special equipment to construct or demolish steel structures. They erect or dismantle bridges, buildings, piers, and similar facilities. In performing these tasks, special equipment such as the oxyacetylene blowtorch is used. Those interested in this job should be able to handle tools, equipment, and machines. Career opportunities appear to be good.
Among the fastest growing fields, both in the Navy and society in general, are mechanical and repair occupations. Workers learn their skills on the job or through formal apprenticeship training. Men and women, who inspect, adjust, test, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines are rated as aviation machinist's mates. They work on both helicopter and jet engines. Excellent opportunities exist in this career area. Machinist's mates maintain and repair ship propulsion equipment such as propellers, pumps, oil purifiers, and reduction gears. They also maintain elevators, air-conditioning equipment, and steering mechanisms. Those interested in mechanical and repair occupations should have the ability to work with machinery and equipment and the strength to perform physical tasks.
Scientific and technical occupations ratings account for a very large percentage of careers in the Navy. Some examples are aviation antisubmarine warfare technician, missile technician, ocean systems technician, and torpedo man's mate.
One of the important peacetime contributions of the Navy lies in weather forecasting. It is the aerographer's mate who monitors temperature, wind speed, humidity, and other factors used to predict the weather. Once the data have been collected, they must be plotted and analyzed, often with the help of computers.
Gunner's mates are responsible for the operation and maintenance of guided missile systems, rocket launchers, gun mounts, small arms, and similar armaments. Operations specialists operate radar, navigation, and communication equipment in the combat information center near the ship's bridge. Persons in these positions identify ships and aircraft and determine their distance, speed, and altitude. Scientific and technical occupations are probably among the most glamorous in the Navy-the kind frequently shown in recruiting films. Opportunities remain good to excellent.
A wide range of careers falls under the heading of service occupations. Included here are cooks, barbers, police officers, and building custodians. A mess management specialist operates kitchen and dining facilities, ordering foodstuffs, preparing menus, and serving meals. Some supervisory people manage the officers' and enlisted personnel's quarters. The management of barber, tailor, and uniform shops comes under the function of the ship's servicemen, who also administer the recreation clubs, retail and commissary stores, and laundry and dry-cleaning plants. These responsible positions require skills in keeping accurate records and dealing with people.
Workers in social science occupations specialize in aiding people with their problems of daily living. For example, legal men and legal women provide assistance in matters such as voter registration, indebtedness, wills, taxes, customs, legal forms, and claims filing. Likewise, men and women career counselors interview personnel, administer tests, and make recommendations for assignments. They suggest career opportunities and avenues of advancement. In all people-oriented ratings, facility with language and empathy with people are important assets.
Transportation field occupations encompass a large number of naval ratings. Traffic control at airfields and on aircraft carriers is directed by air control men and air control women. These specialists coordinate the safe movement of aircraft with radar information and voice radio. They must remain alert to visibility, weather, and lighting systems. Good eyesight and speaking voice are critical tools to this occupation.
One of the oldest jobs in the Navy is the boatswain's mate, who keeps the outside surfaces of ships in good condition, maintains machinery and equipment on ship's decks, handles cargo, and operates barges, tugs, and small boats. This crew member also supervises deck crew in cleaning and painting and teaches seamanship. In addition to these functions, part of the watch standing duties includes the actual steering of the ship-in fact they drive the ship!
For the enlisted person, the Navy offers many benefits, not the least of which is training. However, it behooves the prospective recruit to gain all the education possible prior to enlisting. After service in the Navy, whether for one hitch or a career, many opportunities become available in civilian life. Most private companies are anxious to hire persons with naval training and experience.
See the following articles for more information:
- Find Your Calling: A Checklist
- 5 Ways To Build Your Career Outside of the Office
- How To Impress Your Interviewer When Making a Career Change
- 5 Tips For Successful Networking
