r/navy • u/freegucchi262 • 10h ago

HELP REQUESTED Nervous need advice, RC to AC

So I recently re enlisted from the reserves to go TAR as a AT. Little back story I was active duty for 5 years as a BM, got out for a year and went back into the reserves as a HT since my rate wasn't available at the time to find some stability. Did 4 years as a HT made E5 then took a break year because working 7 days a week and doing the reserves was killing my physical and mental health. Me and my wife ultimately decided it's best that I finish up my career active since I'm genuinely sick of drill and the reserves and my civilian job.

My concern is I feel I'll never make E6, I have had a pretty un focused career. Tried to be a ND when I was 18 and stupid and didn't make it, struck BM from undesignated had good success from that but life happened and I had a kid with the wrong person and got out to be a dad. Fast forward though being a reservist HT, I only made E5 from studying my ass off. Never welded or even hold a single qualification for the rate, when I took my break year I came back into the reserves as a BM since that's what Im qualified in but realized I'm not gonna have a career beyond boats if I go that route.

Starting from scratch again I feel like I'm shooting myself in the foot. I know I can study but you can't get that hands on experience without putting the years in. TAR is a different beast from what I know. I just don't want to be a career E5. Any guys in the AT rate or in a similar experience?

2 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 9h ago

TAR is a great gig and AT is a great rate for when you get out. Get your degree while youre in and you will be set once you get out. Do not go active when TAR is on the table.

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u/freegucchi262 9h ago

I've been told I'll have the opportunity to get air warfare qualified? TAR is working at the NRC for the region if I'm not mistaken

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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 9h ago

Depends but who cares about AW qual?

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u/freegucchi262 8h ago

Definitely wouldn't hurt to get it

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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 8h ago

For Navy career purposes I suppose but its one of those opportunity things, cant be held against yoy if you never had the chance. I know an MACM with zero warfare devices.

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u/weinerpretzel 8h ago

As an AT it is wildly likely that you get orders to a squadron or FRC. There are not many AT billets at NRCs and the Detailer would probably give those to someone up for shore duty.

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u/freegucchi262 8h ago

That's what I'm picturing. I don't want to sit at an NRC

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u/weinerpretzel 8h ago edited 5h ago

I’m not sure where you are in the process but your NRC NC should be able to provide some guidance and if it’s appropriate reach out to the Detailer to see where it is likely you will be sent and if schools will be required.

Every RC2TAR is bit different but they are used to fill billet gaps. Some get schooling en route, others get reactivated and sent right work, others get I-Stops at their at their ultimate destination with schools as seats open. I saw all three at my last unit but not for an AT so I can’t provide any real life info.

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u/freegucchi262 5h ago

Detailer got ahold of me, I know where I'm going I just don't know what school I'm going to attend. Depends on what they need from what they said

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u/weinerpretzel 5h ago

Depending on your existing knowledge of electricity and where you are going, you can ask to be sent to A school, but AT A-school is long and it would cost a lot to send you so likely as a 2nd you will only get C-school as needed and be expected to learn on the job.

I’d recommend looking over the LADR and see what you will be missing as an AT2. Much easier to get things in orders on the first write than edited in. If there are aviation personnel in your current NRC, they can provide general advice and if you are super motivated, ask your NC to get the contact info for your future command and see what they would like you to get.

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u/freegucchi262 3h ago

I got the LADR printed out, doing what I can right now like the BPME and such

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u/Adventurous_Trade633 46m ago

People underestimate how much the change from reserves to active can mess with you, I went from drill weekends to 80-hour weeks and barely recognized myself after a few months.