I thought a very long time about being an MK or BM. I qualified for everything with my ASVAB, so I decided to do the most challenging rate, that still kept me excited. So who knows, I could always change my mind back again. I already have a degree, but I'm hoping to turn it into a Master's. Thanks for all the advice, its very much appreciated.
As for the weather, are we talking black flag days?
Yes, Black Flag days. We got ran anyway.
If you have a degree already, you will come out of basic as an E-3. MST is a deck rating, so you will be an SN out of the gate. I'm not sure how duty selection is done now, but back in the day, you picked from the available billets based on how you place score-wise during basic.
When it comes time for selecting your first duty station, choose it rate specific. If there are no MSO/MSU/Strike billets, get underway. That's the one thing I regret is never getting underway on a cutter. If you can get on the MST list right away, do it. Some units require that you get certified your billet position before you are allowed to be placed on any list. For example, at a small boat unit, you may have to certify COMMS watch & Boat Crew before getting placed on an A school list. Underway, they may want you to complete you DCPQS and underway watch/helm before being placed.
Once you get to your first unit, don't screw around. Get your certs done (hindsight being 20/20, they are fairly easy, especially if you have already "been in the real world"), then get the MRN PO stuff done right away. It'll give you a leg up on advancement and help you out after school. Once your certs are done, life gets a little easier.
You will wash dishes AT LEAST once as the messcook. I actually enjoyed this, but the cooks I did it for were pretty cool.
Stay flexible. When I was at Sta Grand Isle, we lost our cooks. I was the Section leader, OOD, Duty BO, Duty Coxswain AND Duty cook for my section for 3 months.
Volunteer for the cool shit. For instance, I enjoyed being the armory PO, the Judgemental instructor, Coxswain trainor etc. At one point I was put in for a tour as UTB instructor for the Ivory Coast (that would have been a cool gig) and range officer.
How is your PE right now? Start running. Start getting used to being yelled at, start doing pull-ups/push ups if you are not used to it now. Get a Boy Scout knot guide and practice the bowline, clove hitch, sheepshank, timber hitch, half hitch, round turns, etc. If your recruiter gave you "The Helmsman" ahead of time (if they still use it) start memorizing it.
Most important as far as I'm concerned, save EVERY SCRAP OF PAPER you generate in regards to your certs, training, U/W time, etc. I just went through 21 years of paper that I saved for my VA claim. It will come in handy. I still have my first set of boat crew PQS sign offs, and the BM2 that signed my stuff off just retired as a BMCM..... I texted him a picture of it.