ND
Navy Divers perform underwater salvage, repair and maintenance, submarine rescue and support Special Warfare and Explosive Ordnance Disposal while using a variety of diving equipment. They also maintain and repair diving systems. Candidates may also volunteer for Navy Diver during basic training at Recruit Training Center, at "A" school, or at any time during their enlistment prior to their 6th year of naval service. In-service recruiters (Dive Motivators) at RTC give presentations on the Navy Diver program, conduct the physical training screening tests, and assist interested people with their applications. People who enter the Navy in the nuclear power, advanced electronics or other five or six-year enlistment programs are not eligible for the Navy Diver program. Navy Diver training is physically and mentally demanding, but the individual who accepts the challenges is rewarded with extra pay for diving, plus extraordinary duty assignments. Enlistees are taught the fundamentals of diving through formal Navy schooling and on the job training. After "A" school Navy Diver candidates attend Second Class Diver Training at Panama City, Fla. Advanced First Class Diver, Saturation Diver and Master Diver training are available during career progression stages.
Navy Diver (ND)
The duties performed by Navy Divers include performing underwater maintenance, including propeller changes and hull repair, on ships and submarines. They use diving equipment including scuba, and state-of-the-art surface-supplied diving equipment and systems, and they maintain and repair diving equipment and systems. NDs participate in research and development of new diving techniques/procedures, and perform underwater search and salvage operations. Navy Divers also act as hyperbaric chamber operators, inside tenders and supervisors.
Qualifications, Interests, and Working Environment
Personnel who volunteer for Navy Diver must be in excellent physical condition. Comfort in the water beyond good swimming ability and no aversion to confinement in close spaces is a must. The ability to perform detailed mechanical tasks under stress and/or adverse conditions is important. Helpful attributes are a good memory, resourcefulness, and administrative capabilities. Navy Diver candidates must be U.S. citizens eligible for security clearance. The motto of the Navy Diver community is “We dive the world over”. Because divers may be assigned in any part of the world, their environment will vary as widely as water conditions; cold, muddy water where underwater tasks can be completed by feel only, or warm, tropical waters clear enough to perform underwater photography. Diver ASVAB Test score requirements.
Credit Recommendations
The American Council on Education recommends that semester hour credits be awarded in the vocational certificate and lower-division bachelor's/associate's degree categories for courses taken in this rating on oceanography, general, and business studies.