Considering joining the Navy, need input (Vanity)

[erod]

Hi FReepers!

In the past two weeks my life has been turned upside down, I got forced out of a job I was working in for three months, long story I did nothing bad, but it was due to a bad situation. Anyway, I’m looking for work because I have bills and I want to have a career doing something fulfilling.

I’m starting to think that maybe I should join the Naval Reserve. The gig would give me good benefits, decent pay, and a future so when this recession is over, instead of saying I sat on my ass for a year at least I can say that I was working for Uncle Sam in a professional role, I have a college degree, I graduated in 08 when the market tanked, and I have had a hard time finding work in my field: marketing.

I’m a little older than the average recruit, I’ll be turning 28 in January, but I feel like if I got myself into shape and went into boot camp that I would be fine. I don’t want to make a permanent career out of the Navy, but I think it would be good to serve my country and get some professional experience while riding out the recession. Any advice on what to expect for boot camp or military life would be great.

Thanks, -Erod

[ScottinVA]

If you`re OK with having the military-hating social engineer-in-chief as your ultimate boss, go for it. I retired from the AF after 28 years (2004), but can`t in good conscience recommend the military to anyone now.

[mmichaels1970]

Unless you get a Navy job that requires swimming, you won't be in the water.

Except during boot camp, of course. Unless things have changed, you do have to pass a basic swimming test in boot camp.

You also have (or at least used to have) the option to swim 500 yards rather than jog 1.5 miles for your semi-annual PT test.

I do agree that in my time at sea, we never once had a "swim" call. We were able to get some good tans on the black non-skid surface of the top decks though.

[dis.kevin]

NAVY - Never Again Volunteer Yourself

I am a Navy vet. It was a great experience for me personally, but that was some 28 years ago.

[erod]

Thanks!

[JRandomFreeper]

Wow. They have changed that since 9/11. Thanks for pointing that out.

Back in 2001, my age was a big, hairy deal. Even with prior service.

I started the process on the 13th of September, and didn't swear in until January of 2002. That included time to get 2 waivers for hearing loss and color-blindness.

/johnny

[erod]

Thank you :)

[erod]

Yeah I would assume I would enter in as an officer I just got to find out how to do it and I think you provided me with some of that info thanks.

[JRandomFreeper]

I second the suggestion to check out the Air Force before deciding. Really!

Sorry, Col. But as a former zoomie, if I had a do-over from 1980 forward, I'd go Navy.

The food in the Navy is nearly is good as AF, and the opportunities are MUCH greater, imho.

I do not regret my time in the AF, and I'll have 'High Flight' read at my funeral, but I'd advise a younger me to go Navy.

/johnny

[stormer]

Rum, sodomy, and the lash...

[stormer]

“Unless you get a Navy job that requires swimming, you won’t be in the water.”

Hopefully...

[Peanut Gallery]

In order to enter as an officer, you have to be recruited as such. You would not go to Boot Camp. In this case, you’d go to OCS. USN and USAF are both top choice. Look at your degree and what the AF and USN are looking at (needing). Specifically talk to the officer recruiter.

If you do not get recruited as an officer the highest rank you can expect out of Boot is E-3. During Boot, you’ll be an E-1. However, in OCS you’ll be E-5 during training and O-1 on graduation.

[rlmorel]

If you have never served, serve. You won’t regret it, even if there are times it DOES suck when you are in. Even if you serve four years and get out (like I did) the things you learn and the things you see likely won’t be repeated ever agin in your life.

The advantage I give to the Navy is that if you get sea duty (not on a sub) you are likely to see many more places in four years than you would in nearly any branch of the military.

On the downside, the Navy seems to be hell-bent on a political correctness trajectory that is taking them places I don’t like. But make no mistake, all the other services will go in that same direction as well, so be forwarned if that is a sensitive issue with you.

As for what you choose for work, it rarely pans out into civilian job opportunities. I suggest parachute rigger...:)

Those guys always seemed to enjoy themselves.

[rlmorel]

Nowadays, without even so much as the benefit of rum and the lash, it seems.

[murron]

Or Marines?

[douginthearmy]

If you are going in, go in as an officer. Something to be very WARY of, recruiters get no points for bringing in officers. Nearly every recruiter will encourage you to enlist and tell you how much easier it is to become an officer once you are in. Also they will tell you an officer with 1 year of enlistment will be more respected. They will also tell you anything else they can think of to get you to enlist.

If you really want to enlist, there is nothing wrong with that. But if you already have a degree it just doesn't make any sense whatsoever to not go for commission.

[Hot Tabasco]

Any advice on what to expect for boot camp

Navy boot camp? Lots of pizza and video games......and fun in the showers.

[murron]

My son was in the Marines, so I’m partial to the Marines. But any branch of the military is a good choice.

[Hot Tabasco]

Any advice on what to expect for boot camp

Navy boot camp? Lots of pizza and video games......and fun in the showers.

[eastforker]

I am gonna suggest something a little different. Sign up for a combat arms MOS, active duty. Yes, it i a little more dangerous but you will find some things out about yourself you might not otherwise ever know. Combat MOS’s is not all grunt work. Rank comes much quicker and you learn certain skills you would otherwise never experience.

[fso301]

Go air force. Spacious, well appointed quarters, full course meals, laid back work environment and great recreation facilities.