I, Glenn Slaughter, aka "Your Hero", will change all that!
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Check out the Defense Information School Course Catalog for a listing of all the courses you can take. Scroll down to Visual Communications and click the link next to Basic Mass Communication Specialist Course - USN and that will show you an overview of what you'll study as an MC.
Click here to go straight to what you'll learn as an MC. (These links worked as of 11-18-2014)
Here's a list of stuff you may want to know about MC "A" school:
This is what my experience was like. Yours may be different. Flexibility is key!
- I arrived at Ft. Meade, Md Sept. 23, 2009 and I graduate Apr. 15, 2010. That's almost 7 months. This is the longest "A" School in the Navy. (unless the Nukes beat us)
- 99.9% of the people I met, from the second I arrived, were nice. Good vibes are here!
- Every branch is here! I've saluted Army, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Learn the ranks!
- I started out sharing a room with 3 others, and a head (bathroom) with 15 others. From there I shared a room with 1 other, then finally got my own room with its own head. (the student leader or section leaders get these) After a couple of weeks, everyone had a room with a refrigerator in it.
- PT is only difficult for a few. We get up at 4:30am Mon, Wed, Fri and do push-ups and sit-ups. Then we run, outside when it's warm enough, in the gym when it's too cold. It's too cold right now. Outside we run to cadence like in "Full Metal Jacket". The hardest part is lack of sleep.
- The food is good. The DFAC, or dining facility, serves bfast, lunch, dinner. There's a sandwich station, salad bar, grill, hot baked foods, desserts, and tvs with ESPN that we can barely hear.
- Classes aren't too difficult for me, but they've given trouble to a few. Here's why:
- They hate a certain aspect, like writing or taking photos. We do it all here.
- They have trouble talking to strangers. We take photos of random people and interview instructors we've never met before.
- They can't handle the military side of life here. For example, being on time to everything.
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For example, I can be on time but I'm not great at having my uniform 100%.
I realized this the first day when I got called out by a 1st class petty officer for having my sleeves rolled up incorrectly. I didn't get upset, I just realized I had to double and triple check myself every day until I got better at looking squared away.
It helps me to know I'm on display every day. As the student leader I stand in front of the detachment, which averages 60 souls based on class levels, and give briefs twice a day. You can be damn sure someone notices if I'm not A+.
While I'm on the topic, the structure of the student body is:
Three sections of about 20 students each. One section leader and one assistant section leader, themselves students, head each section.
Section 2 is pictured on the left during their evening duty muster.
The section leader and assistant section leader assign specific cleaning tasks to each student.
Three sections of about 20 students each. One section leader and one assistant section leader, themselves students, head each section.
Section 2 is pictured on the left during their evening duty muster.
The section leader and assistant section leader assign specific cleaning tasks to each student.
That's six section leaders with one student leader acting as the bridge between them and the chain of command that runs the detachment.Each section has duty every third weekday and every third weekend.
Those on duty muster (meet) at certain times to clean the building. And when it snows, the duty section shovels. It's fun for about 10 minutes.
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Alright, the next post is going to jump ahead to present day. There will be stuff left out that's happened from the time I arrived til now. Should've started this blog sooner...
There are now four duty sections, and a student leader and assistant student leader.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a bigger job for the section leaders!
DeleteHow difficult is it to get this job? I'm in the process of joining the military right now, and this is the job I want to have. I'm open for other options, because as a Navy brat and an Army wife, I know how the military is and they can't guarantee anything... But I'm just curious as to how hard it really is to get the job you want. Also, since the A school for this job is so long, do you ever get to have visitors, or get to leave on the weekends? Ft. Meade is not far from my hometown, so I'm just wondering if I would ever be allowed to have my husband visit during the weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt's a small rate, which makes it tougher to get, but if you're willing to wait (by entering DEP), then your chances are better. The most important thing is score well on the written/verbal ASVAB stuff, and be firm on wanting MC.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have liberty every weekend, unless you have duty, which is roughly once a month. So yep, no problem on your husband visiting.
Im planning to enlist as an MC, and I have a wife and young child. Seeing as how this is a 25 week 'A' School, I wanted to know if my family could be relocated there (Ft. Meade temporarily) off base. I know I'd already be collecting BAH while in Basic, but my understanding is that this length of time in 'A' School qualifies dor family relocation...please advise?
ReplyDeleteif they move them now then they wont move them to the command after. I think you should wait till you get to the command
DeleteYes, your family can come live with you.
ReplyDeleteJoseph repost that comment please. Blogger rejected it for some reason.
ReplyDeleteWhat C schools are available for MCS? And what are the chances of getting into one right after A school?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was there, and I believe it's still the same, there was a video, a broadcast (radio), and a photo/multimedia C school. It was common for one or two top-performing A students to go directly to C before entering the fleet.
Deletehow hard would it be to cross rate to MC
ReplyDeleteAs of four months ago, it was not possible to cross rate to MC. (And the numbers probably haven't changed much since then.) We're at 102% manning levels so right now it's boot camp pipeline. Once things become more balanced, it'll open up, but probably just to strikers at first.
DeleteCheck out FY14 Manning under Zone Information:
Deletehttp://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/enlisted/community/administration/Documents/MC%20SLIDE.pdf
Nuke "A" is 18 months (+/-), SECF is 10-14 months depending on rate, MT "A & C" school takes 10 months and AECF is 9-10 months. I would say hardly the longest A school in the Navy.
ReplyDeleteJust saying.
Thanks Tucker, yeah we're not even close. My recruiter tried to get me to go nuke after I scored well on the asvab. No way. Lol
ReplyDeleteHow does liberty work at Ft. Meade? My girlfriend should be getting there pretty soon and I would like to visit her two weeks after school starts as I'm deploying right after. Would she be allowed out of the barracks? And if so to what extent?
ReplyDeleteYou'll be able to visit her in the afternoons after school, and on weekends. She won't have overnight liberty until several weeks after that.
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn, I know it's been a while since you've taken the ASVAB but I was wondering if you could help me figure out something...I see the MC rate requires a computed (VE+AR) score of 110 to qualify. In my math VE(PC+WK) the max standard score is 62 and for AR it's 30. Which gives a max of 92. Am I computing something wrong?
ReplyDeleteI just took a look at the numbers and my eyes are glazing over. The man you want to ask is Master Chief Tom Goering over at Navy Cyberspace. His contact form is a bit tough to find. From the home page click Navy Blog then you'll see a red Contact Me link where you can type your question. The ASVAB computations have changed several times since I took it, but he stays current on that stuff.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteHey Glenn, I have an Associates in Television Broadcasting and I'm currently full-time employed as a TV news Photojournalist. I want to expand on my career and join the Navy Reserves. Does everything I've read on this blog still apply to reservists? Do you know if reservists get any BAH for family while in this lengthy 'A' School?
ReplyDeleteI just asked an MC who used to be in the Reserves, and he says yes you get BAH.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't f-ing understand about the NAVY is that for something as simple as making videos, taking pictures, and writing, you have to have an f-ing 110 ASVAB score to be looked at. What kind of BS is that? I remember my asvab score was somewhere in the mid 50s and I had a bunch of crappy job offers. I've been making and editing videos, pictures, writing, and designing websites since I was f-ing 10 years old. SELF TAUGHT. What kind of BS are they trying to pull? Do they know the easiest college degree to get is a communications degree? I seriously can't comprehend this nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThe maximum ASVAB score is 99. The requirement for MC is Verbal (VE) + Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) = 110. I don't know how they came up with the 110 though. If you took the exam and scored poorly on those two portions, there are study guides that can help. I picked up an ASVAB guide in Barnes & Noble and it helped a lot. It tells you exactly what to study for.
ReplyDeleteHey Glenn, I'm an E-5 in the reserves, thinking of cross rating to MC. Do you know if school would be a little different for me, such as a liberty and rooming? Or does rank and prior service not matter much?
ReplyDeleteSchool would be different you you. You'd get your own room for sure. I'm pretty sure you'd be on your own for liberty and PT. There's a former ND2 there now that I can try to put you in touch with if you want.
ReplyDeleteYes, fill me in. Definitely wanted more information from ND2. I'm in the same boat.
DeleteLet me see if I can track him down. I'm not sure if he's still at the school. I'll ask the current students. Shoot me a message on the Facebook page and remind me please.
Deletewhat is the annual salary for a MC specialist?
ReplyDeleteThat will depend on your rank. Check out Navy Cyberspace for the latest pay chart. It's run by retired Master Chief Tom Goering and is a great source for current, accurate information.
Deletehttps://www.navycs.com/charts/2014-military-pay-chart.html
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI'm graduating with a B.B.A in Marketing. I have been thinking of joining the Navy but really trying to figure out what job I would be good for. Does a bachelors help "pipeline" you into this MC A-school? I do understand that I will first need a 110 score in the aforementioned areas on the ASVAB. Also, please forgive my ignorance and misuse of any military jargon.
Thanks in advance for your response.
Hi, your degree will make you a more attractive prospect. The Navy loves enlisted with degrees. That said, you won't know if the job is available until you get to MEPS and talk to a detailer. The recruiter will not know this information. My advice is get an ASVAB study guide, kill the test, and tell the recruiter you only want MC. This should reduce the possibility of them trying to push you towards a undermanned job. Hit me up with any questions.
ReplyDeleteHi Gleen. Unfortunately I was a bit shy of the added scores at 103, so I'm assuming that would disqualify me from MC, right? If I join the Navy, I am positive this would be my top pick for a rate. I wanted to retake the ASVAB since I didn't study prior to taking it, but my recruiter suggested not to since I'd risk scoring in the lower mental group. I have a bachelors in Sociology and minor is Psyc. My cumulative GPA in college was barely a 3.0, but I'm a good writer. I've always excelled at processing information and presenting it to people...
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn. Just wondering if there are any exceptions to having an added score of 110 in AR and VE. I was slightly shy at 103, but I really want this rate if I do enlist in the Navy. I wanted to retake the ASVAB since I never studied but my recruiter suggested that I do not since I would risk scoring in the lower mental group. I have a bachelors in Sociology, minor in Psyc. Learning about people, writing, and taking photographs are all passions of mine. How long were you in DEP prior to going to basic?
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm not sure about exceptions. I'll check on that. If it was the actual ASVAB and not the practice one (at the recruiter's office) then you can retake it after 30 days. Your score should improve after getting a study guide, but keep in mind the test changes, so it is possible your score will go down. I was in DEP for seven months before I shipped out.
ReplyDeleteHello Glenn I am snmc newly struck stationed on a ship over in Hawaii I am married and haven't received orders yet idk if this thread is still looked at but I was wondering if I'll see my wife a lot will I be more shore duty or sea duty and whether or not I should attempt to talk the detailed to sending me to a school on the way to next command
ReplyDeleteHey Glenn was a pac sn just picked up mc and was wondering what life was like as I am married and wanted to know if I'll have a a lot of time with her I know different rates have different hours. Also eligible for the make up exam for e4 advancement is 65% right now so do I have a chance in reality btw stationed on a cg and have had no contact with any mc at all
ReplyDeleteCongrats on MC! Your hours on shore will be a normal 8 hours, starting at 7a or 8a. Making E4 for MC is pretty easy. It only gets super low at E6. Hit me up on the I Am Your Eyes Facebook page if you want to talk more. I check those messages pretty often.
ReplyDeleteMy significant other is going to be going to Ft. Meade for his MC A School. I live about 2-3 hours by plane & am trying to plan my visit(s) up for when he starts to get weekend liberty. It's been pretty hard to figure out the hotel situation nearby. Are there any resources or recommendations you can provide? Otherwise I may just stay in Baltimore & rent a car.
ReplyDeleteAlso after he does this 170 days of A School, is there a possibility that he will be directly sent off for C School? He's currently a reservist but vying to go active service or active reserve if he can.
Fort Meade has a brand new hotel called Candlewood Suites. It's right next to the Defense Information School. Their phone number is (410) 674-7700. On April 4 the base is implementing a new visitor access policy. In the past, visitors could just drive on base after a vehicle search. Now they'll have to stop at the visitor center and get a pass. They can be reached at (301) 677-1064 or (301) 677-1065.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how the reserves work but when I was at the school there was a chance to go directly to C school after A. I think now they try to have fleet time between A and C school.
ReplyDeleteI tried to look up the 'I am your eyes facebook' but only found a closed group using another language in the description. My name is AN Montano and my NC1 has contacted the MC ECM to switch me to pact seaman and get me the MC rate. Right now the only thing stopping me is having a recommendation from an MC. I missed the score by one point so I need a waiver and the are happy to do so if I have a MC mentor of some sort. I am currently stationed in Norfolk and would like to get in contact with more people in the community. Someone can use it for their eval while they mentor and explain the rate. My email is desirem19@gmail.com if you can talk more. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI could not locate the facebook page you spoke of. I found one that had the description in a different language but it was a community page. I have a lot of questions because I am working on striking and my NC1 contact the MC ECM to get work out the details. I need to contact a local MC specialist in Virginia and was hoping to get in contact with more people. My name is AN Montano and my email is Desirem19@gmail.com thank you for your time!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...how did you try to get to the FB page? Did you click the link on the right column? It's working for me. Here's the link, just hit me up there and we'll talk about it.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/I-Am-Your-Eyes-122199361139641/
I just typed a long question here, so if it already posted, I apologize. My son is graduating from boot camp next Friday and then coming to Ft. Meade. When will he be able to have his computer/cell phone/civilian clothes? And if we give him his cell phone at the airport in Chicago, will they ship it home similarly to boot camp or will they simply take it until he can have it? Can you describe the phases of liberty he will earn with a timeline? Thank you so much in advance.
ReplyDeleteYeah it duplicated but I deleted it no worries. It's been a few years but I can tell you how it worked for me, and it's probably still similar. All personal items are stored in a secure area of the barracks on Fort Meade. After two weeks he'll get that stuff back. I'll ask about the phases but for us we had full overnight privileges in about a month. I'll post more here if I find out.
ReplyDeleteOk here's what the barracks just said:
ReplyDelete"They get their cell phone right away. Overnight liberty, not until phase two, which is one month after checking on board, provided they complete all their quals. They get one overnight on phase two with an immediate elder family member as their liberty buddy. They get phase three if they pass functional area one with an 80 or higher. Then they can do as many overnights as they want."
Thank you so much! This information means so much to us!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, hit me up on the Facebook page if you have more questions. Just search I Am Your Eyes or click the link on this site...it's on the right sidebar, real tiny words.
ReplyDeleteAs long as my score is good and I stick to wanting MC, I should receive it? I'm a photographer looking to gain experience in the field, get published and see the world. This is my dream job in and outside the military.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there's no way to predict what will be available when you go to MEPS. Not even your recruiter will know, as that information is shared with someone called a detailer, who hands out jobs at MEPS. The MC community is very small so there's not as many jobs being handed out compared to the larger ratings. (like aviation)
DeleteThat said, you can try to avoid some of the BS that sometimes comes with the enlistment process. Get an ASVAB study guide and score high (you're more marketable), be willing to enter the Delayed Entry Program if a seat at the Defense Information School isn't immediately available, and tell the recruiter up front that you only want MC (less chances of them trying to push you towards some other job).
Hey Glenn, I did not expect to come across information regarding MC A-School, so thanks for that. I'm currently submitting a cross rate package to MC, im currently an STG at the end of his contract. MC is what I originally wanted, and it's my dream job. I'm willing to reinlist for 3+ years for it. I just wanted to know how many fleet returnees have you come across? And what kind of experience did they have with what MCs do? Our ECM is willing to release me next month, and the MC ECM is willing to accept my conversion package. This is rare occasion and may be my last and only shot at this. I personally have a BA in interdisciplinary studies which concentrated in Mass Communications and Public Affairs with a minor in Film. Also my evals show that I have been a squared away sailor since day one. But, I wanna know what kind of sailors I'm up against. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHey CJ, I've only met 3-4 fleet returnees at the MC A school, but they all came from totally unrelated MC backgrounds. Most of them didn't know jack about our rating. haha
ReplyDeleteHello Glenn, can you tell me the difference between an Air Force Photojournalist vs. a Mass Communication Specialist in the Navy? I wonder if they are the same, also as I read the description and duties for Mass Communication Specialist on the Navy website, I was not really interested in all the aspects of the job. I am specifically interested in photography, not too much on broadcasting and interviewing, I wonder if you could possibly master or focus on certain aspects like photography as an MC? Thank you for answering my questions
ReplyDeleteThey are very similar! I honestly can't list any major differences. Both jobs do it all and the Air Force is very good at it too. The good news is you WILL take lots of pictures, as photography is the main job out in the fleet. The other good news is you won't do much broadcast after A school, unless you really want to. The bad news is you won't be able to avoid interviewing. Some days you can just shoot photos but other days you'll have a story assignment so you'll have to interview in order to write it.
DeleteOh really, well thanks for letting me know, I am just not a fan being in front of camera, I rather be behind it. Anyways, from your experience can you name a few pro's and con's from being an MC in the Navy? Since you say that an Air Force Photojournalist is quite similar to an MC in the Navy, do you think that you would travel more as an MC or a photojournalist in the Air Force or are travel opportunities are similar in both branches? Also can you possibly train in other disciplines while as an MC, like animation, illustration or graphic design? I do not want to bombard you with many questions but I really do appreciate you time to answer, I am just attempting to gather as much info as I can.
DeleteShip life is definitely a grind. It's loud, people get on your nerves, and the bathrooms can get filthy. (kids don't know how to lift the seat to pee!) But it's the best rate in the Navy, as you will get to report on the whole ship's activities, as opposed to being stuck in one workspace.
DeleteTravel opportunities are probably about the same. The Air Force gets stationed overseas, but will work on one base. The Navy gets stuck on one ship for 2-3 years, but that ship does port calls in other countries.
Yes all those opportunities are there for MC. We even have special schools you can get sent to in order to learn advanced technique.
No problem, happy to help. Hit me up with any other questions.
Hi Glenn, from your experience as an MC, do you think you could possibly try other disciplines like animation, illustration, web layout or web design while enlisted as an MC? I heard it is possible as an Air Force photographer, but I do not know if you could as a Navy MC. Also do you think that the duties you perform as an MC could transfer into the civilian sector?
ReplyDeleteThanks
It depends on each command, and what they need, but yes you should have the opportunity to try out all of those specialities. One MC I know even designed his own comic series for a ship he was on. Another ran a website at a shore command. And absolutely everything you learn as an MC will translate, especially if you decide to get a job with the U.S. government. They are always looking for our skillset.
DeleteGlenn,
ReplyDeleteIn your experience and knowledge, what are the opportunities MC's have in terms of photography? Like, I heard about aerial documentation, combat documentation and diving photography, but I do not know if these are possible for MC's early on their career or if they are possible what route would an MC take to get involved in those areas of photography.
Thank you
Aerial documentation is the most common, as you'll have the opportunity to get qualified to fly on helos and jets to shoot photos. Combat documentation is possible but not quite as common. I'm not sure if there's any underwater photography anymore, as the Navy just did away with Combat Camera, which had the dive billets for MCs.
Delete