What's your Sailors DEP program like?

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Permalink Reply by Bob, Andy's dad on July 31, 2008 at 9:12am

My son Andy was on DEP for about three months. They did pretty much the same thing. He called his recruiter every Monday to check in. Andy had some advantage in that he had 4 years of Navy Jr. ROTC. He was the C.O. his senior year. He already knew the entire DEP book. This was a big help for him. He was able to get signed off the very first meeting. He did not like DEP very much for the same reason. So, it was a double-edged sword for him. He had to attend, but, it did not help. On the other hand, if the new DEPper has no ROTC or Navy background, it really helps. I remember when I enlisted, I knew nothing. I was DEP back in '79 but dumb as a box of hammers about the Navy. DEP helps.

Permalink Reply by Richard Thomas on October 21, 2008 at 8:26am

I have to admit the DEP program here in Decatur, AL is wonderful. The Chief here, a man by the name of Bradley, is a hoot and you can tell he honestly likes his job. The kids simply adore the man. The recruiters here are like big teens themselves which is great for the kids. They hold cookouts and informal gatherings alongside the mandatory meetings for PT and naval business. They have done a wonderful job here and I praise them for it.

I think that my daughter got very lucky when she was recruited by these men. They can see the potential in her and they tell her she has the potential to do anything she wants, which is exactly what she needed to hear. I can't thank these guys enough for their work with my daughter in the short time that she has known them.

Permalink Reply by MarkM on March 7, 2010 at 4:19pm

I would just like to request a change in the terminology for this group. There are no sailors in DEP. That is a title that is earned by passing Battlestations 21 in the 7th week of training. They are Deppers, then Recruits, then Sailors. It is a huge difference.

Thanks