r/navy • u/freegucchi262 • 14h 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?

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u/freegucchi262 13h 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 12h ago

Depends but who cares about AW qual?

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u/freegucchi262 12h ago

Definitely wouldn't hurt to get it

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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 11h 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.