NDNavy Diver(ND Navy Rating)
Navy Divers perform underwater ship maintenance, salvage, construction, and explosive ordnance disposal support. They operate in some of the most challenging environments in the military.
Overall
Quick Stats
- ✓Vision: Uncorrected ≤ 20/200 each eye, corrects to 20/25; lack of color vision disqualifying; no waivers
- ✓Normal color perception
Security Clearance
Secret~$3K–$15K civilian sector value
Requires a National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC). Processing typically takes 1–3 months and is initiated early in your training pipeline.
ASVAB Requirements
Line-score options — meet any one
Who This Is Best For
Best for physically elite individuals who are completely comfortable in the water and want adventure combined with highly specialized skills. Special duty pay, unique deployments, and a direct path to commercial diving careers paying $80K–$150K+ make this exceptionally rewarding. The physical standards are demanding and non-negotiable — if you can meet them, few rates offer this combination of challenge, pay, and post-Navy value.
+Pros
- ✓Active enlistment bonus available
- ✓Strong opportunity advancement outlook
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“Not gonna lie, the pipeline is the hardest thing I have ever done. But the community is tight and the job is incredible.”
“Best job in the Navy bar none. You get paid to dive, the community is tight, and the work is exciting every single day.”
–Negative & Mixed
“Attrition rate is insane. Most people who start the pipeline do not finish. Have a backup plan.”
“The pipeline is no joke. Dive school has a high attrition rate and the physical standards never stop.”
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0 charsRecruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“This is the most elite program in the military. You will be among the best of the best!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchThe attrition rate is 50-80%. Most candidates do not complete the pipeline and get reassigned to fleet needs. Physical and mental demands are extreme and ongoing.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Navy Divers have the coolest job in the military”
💀 Reality
Source: GlassdoorThe training is brutal, the water is cold, and the work is physically punishing on your body long-term. Joint problems, ear issues, and back injuries are common. The job is incredible but your body pays the price. Make sure you understand the long-term physical cost, not just the adventure.
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Horror Stories
Real stories people have shared about this rate. Swipe to browse.
“MK 16 rebreather dive, Little Creek, 170 feet. Training evolution, simulated hull inspection. My dive buddy's rig went into overpressure and we both went to bailout. Ascent protocol is six feet per minute with mandatory stops — slower than a gentle elevator. My buddy panicked. He kicked for the surface. I held his BCD strap to slow him. We came up too fast. I surfaced, tasted copper on my tongue, and took one step onto the dive platform before my right leg stopped working. Joint pain hit my shoulders ten seconds later — like somebody had driven an icepick into the socket and twisted. The recompression chamber was a six-hour ride. I was lucky. My buddy stroked out on the platform — arterial gas embolism — and was DOA before the comms reached the ambulance. Naval Safety Command's diving mishap database logs twenty to thirty Type I/II DCS cases a year in the community. Every ND I know has either taken a ride in the chamber or watched someone who did not come out.”
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0 charsRelated Reading
Guides on picking a rate, ASVAB, bonuses, promotion, and life after the Navy.
Getting Started
How do you choose the right Navy rate for you?
Choosing a Navy rate means weighing your ASVAB scores, lifestyle preferences, civilian career goals, and willingness to deploy or go to sea. Start by identifying which ratings you qualify for, then narrow the list by what matters most to you.
Getting Started
What is the ASVAB and what scores do you need?
The ASVAB is a multi-aptitude test that determines which Navy ratings you qualify for. Your sub-test scores combine into line scores, and each rating has minimum line-score requirements. Higher scores open more options.
Career & Pay
Which Navy rates have the biggest enlistment bonuses in 2026?
Active Component (Active Duty) only. Per the CNRC GENADMIN dated 10 April 2026, the Nuclear Field carries the biggest source-rate bonus at $40,000 (FY26 ship dates) and a $75,000 EB cap. Top Special Operations and submarine ratings sit at $30,000 EBSR with a $60,000 EB cap. All other rates cap at $50,000. The Loan Repayment Program adds up to $65,000 on top, separately. Reserve component (SELRES) bonuses are governed by a different message and are not covered here.
Career & Pay