Allow Me To Introduce Myself

56 Responses to “Tom Goering, NCCM USN(Ret)”

1. brat:

   September 7, 2008 at 8:54 pm

   Followed your link on SA New York to here. Welcome to blogland! :)

   I am going to bookmark your site, and visit as often as I can.

   Thank you to ALL your family for their service in the military family. Thank YOU!

   Brat

2. NCCM(ret):

   September 7, 2008 at 9:06 pm

   Thank you Brat! Welcome to my site :)

3. Marvin:

   September 14, 2008 at 1:42 am

   NCCM, Thank you for commenting on my website! You are once again, my first! Well, you know what I mean…

   As you can see I have a very early work in progress on my website, but that so called “news report” got me riled up and felt I had to respond!

   Aside from responding to that, I am definitely in the R&D stages and being part time, have been for some time. Your bio reminds me of where I am now. Little knowledge about all of this, but a desire to blog away anyway! I see news reports here and there and this has prompted me to find an outlet to speak out when I feel I should! I also plan on presenting a perspective that is a little more edgy, when it comes to my take on things. It’s just more the “true” me, and maybe my style when I feel that’s what I need to do.

   Again, thanks for checking out my blog, and maybe sometime you can shoot me a few pointers on the technical side!

4. European:

   September 27, 2008 at 7:21 pm

   Dear Sir,
   Your web site is truly an inspiration to all those who wish to join the American Navy.

   As an European, I found myself fascinated by the passion, knowledge and commitment you put in your articles — I also found them to be both educative and informative.

   I would therefore like to thank you for sharing your knowledge with the World Wide Web :)

   Your efforts are appreciated.

5. Kim:

   September 27, 2008 at 11:09 pm

   Greetings! Thank you for the comment. Actually quite impressed you found it somehow seeing it’s only the start. I do plan on continuing to and writing in it after boot camp and through my journey in A school. Although I know Nuke School is challenging I want to make time for my blog. The reason is like I said, I googled a lot, and found answers here and there but never quite a full blog with process and procedures etc. Especially coming from a woman’s perspective. And if I did find information it would not be updated.

   Thank you again for your comment. AND of course I have come to this site many times, I have it book marked ;).

6. Kim:

   September 28, 2008 at 2:43 pm

   Oh wow so both of your sons in the Nuclear Field! Amazing.

   Thank YOU for serving this Great Country. I can only hope to do the same. Also thank you for posting my blog on your website. It is much appreciated! I hope we keep in contact. I’m sure we will.

   I hope all is well with you and yours.

7. NCCM(ret):

   September 28, 2008 at 3:55 pm

   I and my readers look forward to hearing about boot camp, A school and of course Nuke school and beyond!

8. DEPJones:

   November 7, 2008 at 4:31 am

   Thank you for the comment! A whole Navy family, that is something to be proud of!

   I come from an all Army family, so they were definitely proud that I qualified for Nuke and didn’t go grunt. I am looking forward to having this challenging rate and the opportunity to serve my country!

   I set up that blog so that other people can be a part of my experience along the way, I hope to fill it with many adventures.

   Thanks again for stopping by!

   -Chuck

9. Karen Woodbury:

   January 4, 2009 at 3:37 pm

   Congratulations on an impressive website!
   You are really providing a great service for Navy folks and those interested in the Navy.

   I’ve recently ventured into website building myself. What a steep learning curve it was, and is! I found your website because of a Google Alert on Hammelburg, where the chess tournament is being held.

   I was in Hammelburg in September; visited the town and went out to the former Stalag 13. I posted info and photos about it on my website.(I was stationed in Germany years ago as a JAG officer)

   Best wishes for you and your family for the new year, and great job on the site!

   Karen

10. CTNSA Sawicki:

    January 13, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    Master Chief:
    Hopefully you will respond to this. I found on your website that those who pass the DEP PQS and meat all requirements will be advanced to E2 at their active duty start date. Well, I’m in an argument with PSD right now because they seem to think that the advancement is to take place upon completion of bootcamp. I have been surfing the web to find the instruction but your site is the only place where I’ve found that information. Master Chief, do you know where I can get the official instruction on that so I can take it to PSD and get this fixed? I’d ask that you’d please respond via e-mail or this forum.

    Very Respectfully,
    CTNSA Sawicki

11. mobias:

    January 23, 2009 at 1:11 am

    Hello Sir!
    Thanks for stopping by my lonely blog! you are only the second to comment on anything, and you are right when you say, it is neat when people actually take the time to give you some feedback!

    I did reenlist, like you advised would be smart. And I will probably gain the next Tech.sgt.[E-6] stripe in my shop, as i’ve recently passed my 7-level requirements, and everyone else has either gotten hired as a pilot, or hurt their back and on their way out. So, yes, i knew i’d stay in, just wish i could change shops in a year or so. I’ll stick it out until then.

    I wished now, that i’d joined the Navy! i have grown to love all things Submarine and naval history, but i am not a young lad anymore. I am resigned to late night campaigns in the awesome Silent Hunter III, and IV. heh :)

    Thanks again and good luck! I will be stopping by to read more on your site as well!
    -Ssgt.Matt

12. Embe:

    February 26, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    Hi Tom,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m curious as to how you found my post so quickly? We’re you doing a search on navy recruiting?

    If found your thoughts and experiences with parents and recruiting quite interesting. It’s nice to get a perspective from the recruiting officer. I appreciate that you took the time to share that insight.

13. Michael:

    April 10, 2009 at 7:24 am

    I have been a regular member in recieving the millitary.com messages and will like to enlist in the UK military service.
    How to i pursue my ambition or dream.
    thanks for understanding and was very ineresting going through
    the background information .
    Best Regards
    Michael

14. NCCM(ret):

    April 10, 2009 at 8:23 am

    @Michael – follow this link for information about enlisting into the UK armed forces – army.mod.uk/join/join.aspx

15. GOODWILL ELORM TAKPO:

    May 7, 2009 at 9:58 am

    Hello sir,
    Thanks for all the information well simplified. I really want to say that, you’ve done well by putting all this stuff together. I really want to ask if it is possible for residents from outside the U.S.A (Ghana) to be able to be recruited into the U.S army. If yes, what are the prcedures involved and if no why? thank you.

16. NCCM(ret):

    May 7, 2009 at 10:44 am

    GOODWILL ELORM TAKPO,

    Thank you for your kind comments and welcome to my web site!

    To answer your question you need to be a United States citizen, permanent resident alien, or U.S. non-citizen national and possess a Social Security Card. Contact your local US Embassy for details on gaining one of the status’ I have listed. Good luck!

17. Helena:

    June 5, 2009 at 12:24 pm

    I have an acquaintance who accepted command of NRD New England. I recently pulled up the website to see what it looks like. The NRD New England website has not been updated to reflect him as Commanding Officer. It still shows him as Executive Officer. Perhaps changes could be made to reflect this?

18. NCCM(ret):

    June 5, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Helena,

    Thank you for the comment!

    You may want to give him a call and poke him to update the info, his command is responsible for keeping their site up to date. :)

    Tom

19. Paul:

    August 20, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Hello, Chief.

    It’s funny how people wander onto each other’s blogs. Isn’t serendipity a wonderful thing? While a lifelong civilian, I’ve got a few close kin with military history. My brother was on the Oriskany in the mid to late sixties, I have two boys in the USA (I’m sure you don’t mind), and my wife’s father was a junior officer aviator in WWII. By the way, we were married 35 days after we first set eyes on each other – is that five weeks?

20. Wayne Tajiri:

    September 13, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Aloha Master Chief!
    Stumbled upon your website while checking out some Kef stuff. I was also stationed @ NSGT F-15, a plank owner. At the time I was an ET3 coming out of Diego, I was the initial Supply PO and outfitter of the site. ETC Shuetz was my chief, & Mr Heinz Stroebel was the civ engineer. It was a great tour, before returning to Diego for a 2nd tour. Will read more of you site later……till then….Mahalo and Aloha…

21. celeste:

    July 4, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    I found your web site very informative & a perfect way to End my 4th of July reading about A service man along w/his line of family members having been in the service Thanks for sending the link,& protecting Our Country’s Shores!
    Your Wife’s School Friend,Celeste

22. Dave Wamsley:

    July 24, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    Ahoy, Master Chief,
    Great website. I’m like your dad, I was on the USS Long Beach in ’64 for that historic cruise. What a trip. I still have maps, cruise books and pics from those days. I also have stories. I left Long Beach in ’65 to return to school but remained a reservist. I returned to active duty in 1973 and stayed until 1991. When you enlisted I was the PAO for NDR San Antonio. I have one son who did six and my youngest is going to RTC in a month or so. It’s a family thing, ya know.

    Fair Winds.
    Dave
    Journalist

23. NCCM(ret):

    July 25, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Dave,

    Thanks for the thumbs up on the site.

    I wonder what the percentage of Sailors from Operation Sea Orbit had children join the Navy – I bet its higher than average :)

24. Richard Don Simms:

    January 18, 2011 at 3:14 am

    Sir, My Dad,Omer Dee Simms, was killed in action aboard the USS FRANKLIN on March 19,1945. I was seven years old.Mom was strong and she survived the loss of her partner. Proud of my Dad. RDS

25. Mark Schumacher:

    February 15, 2011 at 10:14 am

    Hello Chief. I am seeking a Direct Commission in the Army Reserve. I hold a Masters in education and am a high school teacher. I have been told by my recruiter that due to a DWAI (traffic infraction in NY State) fifteen years ago I am ineligible/unwaiverable. According to my research, a single “misconduct” does not even warrant a waiver. What is your opinion? My best friend is a Navy intelligence Commander and has told me that the Army is not correct. Thank you

26. NCCM(ret):

    February 15, 2011 at 11:29 am

    Mark,

    A Driving While Intoxicated (a behind the wheel alcohol offense) will always require a waiver, regardless of how long ago it was. The Army Reserve may currently have a moratorium on waiving any past indiscretions, but normally your single issue would be able to receive waiver consideration.

27. LT/LDO/6180:

    September 22, 2011 at 4:03 am

    Tom,
    Good to see your staying connected. I’m posting this right now as a helo lands on top of my head conducting a vertical replenishment, somewhere in the Northern Arabian Sea. As a dude who you helped sucker into the ET rating 20 years ago out of Panama City, Florida…I have to say thanks. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have enjoyed my 6 years as an Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer (15.5 enlisted) and the opportunity to serve as a Commissioned Officer in our great Navy. I’m short on sea duty. Pushing 10 years consecutive. On my way to an OIC tour at NAS Jacksonville. Keep up the great work.

28. Larry Runser:

    June 11, 2012 at 8:04 am

    Hello Tom
    I just started following you, I try to keep up with the new Navy through Twitter and Face book, I find it interesting as you said you enlisted in Feb 1980, I retired in Jan 1980,It is a much different Navy than we had in the 60’s/70’s, thanks to shipmates like you, us old timers can keep up with our today’s Navy.
    Larry Runser
    USN Ret.

29. NCCM(Ret):

    June 11, 2012 at 8:34 am

    LT,

    Sorry for the delay in answering. I hope all is well and that you are now enjoying a little bit of well deserved shore duty!

30. NCCM(Ret):

    June 11, 2012 at 8:39 am

    Larry,

    They say, “Once a Marine, always a Marine” – I don’t think the Marines have that sentiment cornered by any stretch of the imagination. Once a Sailor, always a Sailor is just as true.

    Thank you, Shipmate, for your service.

31. Mike:

    July 13, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Master Chief Goering,

    We thank for your service, passion, spirit of generosity, and guidance! My son graduated college as a science major. He is in the process of enlisting for the nuke program. He did very well with the ASVAB. True to his character, he provided full disclosure of trying marijuana a few times as a college freshman. He is now waiting review of a waiver. Too much information on the internet; so many offer expert opinions. My question, with approval of a waiver and completing A schools with exceptional performance – is assignment of a sailor (first deployment, international, subs, STA-21 program) adversely affected as a result of the waiver? Thank you again for your service for our country and guidance to so many young adults.

32. NCCM(Ret):

    July 13, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    Mike,

    If he requires an enlistment waiver for the drug use, then he would be disqualified from overseas assignment for his first duty station – if he requires just the program waiver, he may be eligible, but as a Nuke, there is only the USS George Washington that is forward deployed – it is in Japan, so either way – that would be the only duty station he would be excluded from; it would have no bearing on him being able to apply for STA-21 (having never sat a board of this type, I assume the pre-service drug use may weigh in the decision of approval if being compared to equally qualified applicants that have no drug use), and, of course, he would be able to volunteer for submarine duty with an approved program waiver for Nuke.

33. Shiloh:

    July 30, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    Master Chief,

    Hello i have a question. I was wondering what the Navy’s policy on tattoo’s on the wrist? It seems i could join the navy reserves here in Oregon maybe. As i am a good candidate to join it’s just i am worried about the tattoo’s is all. The recruiter i talked to said if i could cover it up with my hand i would be alright. The thing is what the tattoo is, they are draft horse felt locks. As can cover one wrist with my hand and its covered up but when i try to cover up the other one there is maybe 1/2″ that sticks out. I was wondering if that will hinder my chances of being able to join. As they are not anything gang related or anything like that.I would like nothing more then to be able to join. Thank you for your time and service.

34. NCCM(Ret):

    July 30, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    Shiloh,

    I have no idea what a draft horse felt lock is, but your recruiter is correct. The fact that only a 1/2 inch sticks out shouldn’t be a problem, but if it is, I would think a waiver would be approved.

35. Army Veteran:

    April 29, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    Master Chief,

    I can’t thank you enough for this site and for the information you provided for me privately. I think my son is on a better path and that even with the juvenile diversion he will be able to find a rating that works. He spoke with his recruiter today who sent him to a special ops Chief for advice. That person is going to get him the list of ratings that are not eliminated because of the diversion. I understand it isn’t a long list and I wish we didn’t have to wait so long to get it.

    He understands your most important advice……. Believe that you will be doing your rating for your entire first enlistment……….

    He believes and it has made all the difference. He sounds much more realistic in his expectations and I am now much more confident that he will create a positive outcome for himself. Thank you so very much.

    His mom…………

36. NCCM(Ret):

    April 29, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    Army Veteran,

    Due to the charge, the ratings he would not be eligible for are these; AC, AIRC, AIRR, EOD, GM, HM, HMDA, MA, ND, SB, SO, UCT, CTI, CTM, CTN, CTR, CTT, AECF, IS, OS, IT, and STG.

    Here is a complete list of ratings.

    Now, I have no idea which of those ratings he would qualify for will be available, but he can get some idea of the possibilities.

37. Beverly:

    July 30, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Really enjoy your website. I am Navy Vet myself (’81 – ’91) and was a RM2. I sent you a message via FB asking a question .. trying to help a young man join.

    Thanks!!

38. NCCM(Ret):

    July 30, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    Beverly,

    Got it, and I responded :)

39. Tish [Last name redacted for privacy]:

    November 15, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    I am writing on behalf of my son Courtney [Last name redacted for privacy] who scored 93% on the ASVAB a few months ago. He only issue was weight. He has lost 25 pounds since then. We were wondering if DEP would be a good choice for him to keep him focused on his goal of enlistment?

40. NCCM(Ret):

    November 16, 2013 at 6:41 am

    Tish,

    If your son is within the enlistment weight/body fat standard and he is otherwise qualified, then he can enlist into the DEP with a date and rating/program to ship to boot-camp. If he is not yet in standards, he can communicate with the local recruiters his intentions of joining, and I am sure they will be able to supply him with additional guidance he can use to prepare himself for the Navy (study materials — things to know before one gets to boot-camp).

41. Cpl Casillas:

    August 28, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    Would anyone know when the “Q4 FY-2015 Navy Program and Rating Opportunities” becomes available by chance?

42. NCCM(Ret):

    August 28, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    CPL Casillas,

    If it has been released, it has not yet been made public. That said, I think based on the reduction of ratings and programs eligible for an Enlistment bonus (EB), and the with current suspension of the Student Loan Repayment Program that the ratings and programs that would be on the 4th Qtr list be waht is on the current incentivised with the EB list.

43. Cpl Casillas:

    September 2, 2015 at 6:03 am

    Thanks for the info. Master Chief. I was a prior CTR2 when I got out honorably in July 2011. In 2013 I joined up in the Marine Corps. I’m actually trying to go back and the ECM for my old rate told me that the Navy needs a 2nd class on subs with Morse Code. I just need to make sergeant before October of next year. I will definitely make that rank by the end of this year though, and I already went to Manual Morse and completed it back in 2009. I was wondering, if I took the DLPT in Russian if that also might better my chances as far as coming back into the ‘World’s Finest’ Navy? Also, I heard that trying to re-enter as a prior service member that I would be taking someone else’s re-enlistment boat space? Is that true? I also have to find a recruiter here in North Carolina who would work with me on that one which I’m pretty sure that I pegged a few. Also, with all that I’ve said, would there be a better way to increase my chance of an inter-service transfer without a break in service? Any bit of information would help. Thanks in advance Master Chief. This is a awesome site to keep up on the “latest and greatest.”

44. NCCM(Ret):

    September 2, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Cpl Casillas,

    You have many hurdles to jump when trying to complete an service transfer — first being permission to do so. The Marine Corps, in your case, would have to complete a DD form 368 — it is a conditional release. Once that is signed by the person that has that authority, then you would start your enlistment processing for the Navy — trouble is, those seats are very limited, but to even start to look, that conditional release form has to be signed.

45. Cpl Casillas:

    September 3, 2015 at 8:48 am

    It looks like it’s a good chance that could go through because my Job is over manned over 70%, and my bosses are willing to help me out to route it through the proper chain. May I ask why those seats are limited Master Chief? I mean to say, why is it that might make a person more or less eligible than another person? Also, when the DD Form 368 gets signed, could you explain where I would go from there, and the process thereafter?

46. NCCM(Ret):

    September 3, 2015 at 9:23 am

    Cpl Casillas,

    Prior service seats are always limited. It works like this; first their has to be a billet open in recruiting command’s system (kind of the same as a boot-camp seat for non-prior service, but a lot less of them), then to fill those seats, the Veteran must meet a bunch of other criteria (go to the main page of my blog, I have just recently wrote an article for both NAVETs and OSVETs — you can get a basic idea of the minimum qualifications). If coming back in your original rating, then that ratings must be undermanned; if not, then you would have to come in via PRISE III and get a new rating that is undermanned — it’s a process.

    Now, you cannot start any of that stuff to see if you can go Navy until you are given a conditional release from your current service; once you have that, you take it to your local Navy recruiter — then they can tell you if they can process you at all (officially) — I do recommend that you go see a local recruiter now just to see if you would be wasting your time pursuing the conditional release — prior service seats get filled up quick.

47. Justin [Last name redated for privacy]:

    October 15, 2015 at 1:38 am

    Hi Doc,

    first off, i have ADHD, and I am well aware of how the navy looks at those with ADHD. I also know how slim my chances are of getting a waiver.
    Okay so pretty much, i was diagnosed at 5 years old and have been on Adderal till I was 13 when I was taken off my meds. I have since graduated high school without any medicated help and am now 19 years old.
    I have sent up some school counselor follow up documents from 2nd grade to 8th grade about my ADHD, with a full psychiatric evaluation from the school of when I was taken off my meds and how it effected me, The papers and written statement that my recruiters told me to write and of course you an evaluation from a psychiatrist stating that I am no longer affected by my ADHD etc.
    my questions and concerns are: I was not able to supply the initial evaluation of my ADHD from when I was 5, but I feel like the school follow ups and evaluation from when I was taken off are sufficient. Would I be correct in believing so…..? I’ve been waiting for about a month now and was wondering on what you think my chances are? Anything else I should do maybe? Is it good that it’s taking this long? Or did they just trash my waiver because there wasn’t enough sufficient data. Any insight would be very appreciated. This wait is killing me.

48. NCCM(Ret):

    October 15, 2015 at 7:29 am

    Justin,

    MEPS responds within 5 days from when the documents are submitted — a month is too long. MEPS does not trash anything — they will either tell your recruiter more documents are required, pass you, or fail you; one of those three will happen when documents are submitted to the MEPS.

    The school documents are important, but you need to get your actual medical records — not a letter from the doctor, but the actual records. If you cannot get those records, then you need a letter from the doctor or institution that explains why the records no longer exist.

    For ADHD, if you were diagnosed prior to age 18, have not been on medications for more than 2 years after your 14th birthday, have no co-morbid disorders, have not required an IEP or accommodations and had no decline in function while off the meds, you will not be DQ.

    I am not NavyDoc. I am not a doctor. NavyDoc answers questions on this page.

49. Gizel [Last name redated for privacy]:

    November 24, 2015 at 6:22 pm

    Sir,
    I’m writing on behalf of my nephew he want to enlist to the Navy full-time as a Hull tech but he did had a one time misconduct stolen property inside the store less than 50.00dollars when he was 16 year old. It was not been recorded in the police. Since that event he didn’t run in any mischievous acts and graduated high school and work full time.
    My question is can he join in the Navy and does he need a waiver letter? Concern aunt and want the best for my nephew.
    Thank you

50. NCCM(Ret):

    November 25, 2015 at 9:50 am

    Gizel,

    Yes, he will require a Conduct Waiver for the theft. Whether or not the HT rating will be available or not will depend on if he is otherwise qualified for it and that there are openings for it — it does not come open that often — I recommend that he broaden his desires beyond a single rating.

51. Gizel [Last name redacted for privacy]:

    December 9, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    Sir,
    Thank you very much for your responds to my concerned in regards to my nephew joining the Navy but unfortunately he was denied as what the recruiter verbally told him. He did all the requirements and wrote a conduct waiver and had to wait for few months and supposedly he was schedule his bootcamp last month of november 2015 but before his ship out he was denied verbally with his recruiter.
    My question is can he join to other branches like Air force, Army, Marine?
    Thank you

52. NCCM(Ret):

    December 10, 2015 at 7:51 am

    Gizel,

    All waivers are branch of service specific — if not approved by one service, he can try another.

53. Mike:

    January 18, 2016 at 10:15 am

    My son’s medical records were sent before Christmas and we still have not heard anything. I’m concerned. The recruiter also told us it would be October before going to boot camp. Does this sound right ?

54. NCCM(Ret):

    January 18, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    Mike,

    MEPS responds to medical pre screenings within five days of them receiving them — that is per their own regulation. If his recruiter has submitted the documents, he has already been given one of four responses; one, approved to process; two, need more medical records; or three, temporarily disqualified; or four, permanently disqualified. There is absolutely no reason to have not heard something by now if the records were indeed submitted.

    To the October ship dates, I do not know the current status of the delayed entry program, but even if October was the first month that contained openings, although I do doubt we are already at a 100% DEP posture for this current FY, he would have an opportunity to roll-up into gaps that happen when people discharge who are in the DEP due to medical, police, or other reasons.

55. Mike:

    January 29, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    Just wanted to share with you the latest on my son’s quest to join the Navy. The Navy recruiter kept saying no response from MEPS. Well after your email back about the five day response my son pushed back a little and again they said the package was up at MEPS. Finally son went to Navy recruiter again and this said he was considering Army because of wait and recruiter said he personally delivered paperwork to MEPS. Son went Army recruiter and they said what you did about MEPS and five day and my son,fed up, went to Army and committed. First time Army talked to Navy recruiter they again said no records because they were personally delivered. Army recruiter checked around MEPS and couldn’t find records. Army recruiter went back to Navy recruiter and confronted him more aggressively and low and behold the Navy recruiter had them and gave them to Army. Unreal. Thanks for your help.

56. NCCM(Ret):

    January 29, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    Mike,

    I am glad I was of some help, but more than anything, I am saddened by what your son, you, and your family has experienced to date with the Navy.

    I wish your son the very best.

    Vr/Tom