Duties performed by NDs include:
- Perform underwater maintenance, including propeller changes and hull repair, on ships and submarines;
- Use diving equipment including scuba, and state-of-the-art surface-supplied diving equipment and systems;
- Maintain and repair diving equipment and systems;
- Participate in research and development of new diving techniques/procedures;
- Underwater search and salvage operations;
- Act as Hyperbaric Chamber Operators, Inside Tenders and Supervisors
Working Environment
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 waters where underwater tasks can be completed by feel only,
or warm, tropical waters clear enough to perform underwater
photography.
Qualifications and Interests
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.
Career Outlook
In the Navy Diver Rate, the ND will not only work to fix Naval Warships and support craft, but will have the opportunity to learn and dive cutting edge equipment in support of SO and EOD ratings.
Currently advancement opportunities are at an all time high and the future outlook is very good for growth as well. These factors, along with a great opportunity for travel, make any decision to leave the Navy a very difficult one.
ND - First Class Diver
FIRST CLASS DIVERS use underwater demolitions for cutting, pushing, and freeing submerged objects. They operate and maintain submarine rescue chambers, and ensure that proper logs and reports are maintained and submitted as required. They are proficient in the operation of Navy approved underwater breathing equipment, support systems, and recompression chambers as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of Diving injuries and illnesses, particularly those requiring recompression therapy. They also maintain, test, repair, and adjust Diving equipment, assist in planning Diving operations. They are qualified to Dive using surface supplied mixed gas (HeO2) and all approved air Diving apparatus. They perform salvage and rescue operations using underwater tools and supervise Diving operations as designated by Commanding Officer.
ND - Second Class Diver
SECOND CLASS DIVERS perform Diving jobs such as applying patches, clearing ship propellers and underwater cutting and welding. They test, repair, and adjust all Diving equipment and dress and tend Divers. They know the laws of Diving physics and are able to recognize symptoms of decompression sickness and Diving accidents, and are able to assist in their treatment. They also perform underwater work such as taking measurements, making templates and fittings, placing shores, pouring cement, using excavating nozzles, and removing and repairing ships' appendages.
ND - Master Diver
MASTER DIVERS are the experts in all operational and emergency procedures involving Diving and salvage. They possess a thorough knowledge of mixing and analyzing gases, including computation of Diver gas requirements and consumptions, salvage theory and methods, submarine rescue operations, towing, and underwater ship husbandry. They manage preventive and corrective maintenance on Diving equipment, support systems, salvage machinery, handling systems, and submarine rescue systems. They manage and administer certification and quality assurance programs on Diving systems and equipment to include RDT&E. They are responsible for all training and readiness assessments of the Diving force.
Security Clearance Requirement: Secret
Other Requirements
- Must be U.S. citizen
- Vision no worse than 20/200, correctable to 20/20
- Must have normal color perception
- Must meet physical requirements IAW MANMED
- No history of drug abuse.
- Must be under age 31.
Note: Candidates may also volunteer for ND during basic training at Recruit Training Center, at "A" school, or at any time during their enlistment prior to their 31st birthday. In-service
recruiters (Dive Motivators) at RTC give presentations on the
Navy's diver programs, conduct the physical training screening
tests, and assist interested people with their applications. People
who enter the Navy in the nuclear, advanced electronics or other
five or six-year enlistment programs are not eligible for diver
programs. This course is physically and mentally demanding, but the
individual who accepts the challenges is rewarded with extra pay
for diving, parachuting and demolition plus extraordinary duty
assignments.
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
- First Sea Tour: 36 months
- First Shore Tour: 48 months
- Second Sea Tour: 36 months
- Second Shore Tour: 48 months
- Third Sea Tour: 36 months
- Third Shore Tour: 48 months
- Fourth Sea Tour: 36 months
- Forth Shore Tour: 48 months
Note: Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement.
VALPARAISO, Chile (June 29, 2011) Petty Officer 2nd Class Roprigo Fuentas, right, and 2nd Sgt. Bernardo Alcaide, navy divers assigned to the Chilean Buzo Salvatoaja, walk along the ocean floor during diving operations. Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-3, is participating in Navy Diver-Southern Partnership Station is a multinational partnership engagement intended to increase interoperability and partner nation capacity through diving operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jayme Pastoric/Released)
UMM QASR, Iraq (June 14, 2011) Chief Navy Diver Billy Goold, assigned to Commander, Task Group (CTG) 56.1, removes a working line from a sunken pier. CTG 56.1, Army, and Iraqi divers are working to raise and remove the pier. CTG 56.1 supports maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter D. Lawlor/Released)
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