Hello there! Navy vet from West Palm Beach, FL.

[Justin Mandigo]

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Justin. I’ve been in the Navy for the last 7 years. Did 6 active and joined the reserves this last year. I’ve never thought about diving before but I was at a crossroads where I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life now that I joined the reserves. I’ve been on full time orders for the past 9 months and those orders end September 30th. Now I’m back to wondering what I’m going to do for income. I was looking into using my G.I. Bill for diving school. I live in West Palm Beach, FL. I've contacted Sea Experience through email about their diving programs and have had a lot of information thrown my way but I still have questions that I don't think they can answer. Hopefully some veterans that have used their G.I. Bill for the same thing could elaborate. Please see my questions below and thank you to anyone who can help.

#1. The Open Water to Divemaster program will take 6 1/2 months off my education benefits but the program will only take 6 weeks to complete. Will I only receive 6 weeks worth of housing allowance or will I receive 6 1/2 months worth?

#2. The program is full time (5-6 days per week), leaving no time to earn extra income to pay bills. The housing allowance where I live is roughly $2,100 per month and is not enough to pay all of my bills. How did you supplement your income? Did you save up money before you started? Were you able to survive solely on the housing allowance?

Thank you

 

[Annika1]

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Justin. I’ve been in the Navy for the last 7 years. Did 6 active and joined the reserves this last year. I’ve never thought about diving before but I was at a crossroads where I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life now that I joined the reserves. I’ve been on full time orders for the past 9 months and those orders end September 30th. Now I’m back to wondering what I’m going to do for income. I was looking into using my G.I. Bill for diving school. I live in West Palm Beach, FL. I've contacted Sea Experience through email about their diving programs and have had a lot of information thrown my way but I still have questions that I don't think they can answer. Hopefully some veterans that have used their G.I. Bill for the same thing could elaborate. Please see my questions below and thank you to anyone who can help.

#1. The Open Water to Divemaster program will take 6 1/2 months off my education benefits but the program will only take 6 weeks to complete. Will I only receive 6 weeks worth of housing allowance or will I receive 6 1/2 months worth?

#2. The program is full time (5-6 days per week), leaving no time to earn extra income to pay bills. The housing allowance where I live is roughly $2,100 per month and is not enough to pay all of my bills. How did you supplement your income? Did you save up money before you started? Were you able to survive solely on the housing allowance?

Thank you

Try contacting Rainbow Reef dive operator in Key Largo, FL. They usually have a handful of people they help with housing and they work on getting dives towards their DM and sometimes boat rides towards becoming a boat captain. See you if can contact the owner there and what they can offer you. They have several dive operations all pretty close together. It’s a good place to get what you’re looking for. Ask around Key Largo.

 

[Justin Mandigo]

Try contacting Rainbow Reef dive operator in Key Largo, FL. They usually have a handful of people they help with housing and they work on getting dives towards their DM and sometimes boat rides towards becoming a boat captain. See you if can contact the owner there and what they can offer you. They have several dive operations all pretty close together. It’s a good place to get what you’re looking for. Ask around Key Largo.

Thank you for your comment. I’m married so I would prefer to stay locally. There are 2 good dive shops that have good programs. I just need to actually find someone that has went through the same process that I would be going through. Thanks again.

 

[Annika1]

Thank you for your comment. I’m married so I would prefer to stay locally. There are 2 good dive shops that have good programs. I just need to actually find someone that has went through the same process that I would be going through. Thanks again.

The guys working in the boats get tips and housing while they get their dives in. Just a suggestion, but I understand your situation.

 

[Tripp]

Howdy from Texas and Welcome to ScubaBoard! We are excited to hear about your training progress! Good luck from all of us!