Whats the Navy Like?

[Markbone]

been contemplating joining for a little while, mainly the Information Tech field.

anyone here been through that, maybe offer some firsthand experience as to daily duties, experiences, pros/cons?

Right now im 23, going to college (and struggling, even though i am smart), and just tired with the menial job/life i do have. from what little research i have done it seems like a VERY beneficial idea to me. get certified in IT, get a bachelors, and serve my country at the same time. I scored very high on the asvab (in high school and the practice test i took last night at the recruiters) and im physically fit, so i doubt boot camp would be difficult.

any help/input is greatly appreciated!

[Fjold]

If you go in as an E-3 or below on ship your daily routine will be an 8 hour workday striking in your speciality (also you will work on the mess decks as a janitor/dishwasher for a month or two per year) At least one 4 hour watch per day that may be during your normal workday hours or not (the watchstations are manned 24 hours per day).

Long hours, miserable food and living conditions and hours and hours of sheer boredom. 6 months or longer cruises on westpac/medruns so it's very hard on relationships.

[Markbone]

If you go in as an E-3 or below on ship your daily routine will be an 8 hour workday striking in your speciality (also you will work on the mess decks as a janitor/dishwasher for a month or two per year) At least one 4 hour watch per day that may be during your normal workday hours or not (the watchstations are manned 24 hours per day).

Long hours, miserable food and living conditions and hours and hours of sheer boredom. 6 months or longer cruises on westpac/medruns so it's very hard on relationships.

so minus the watches and dishwashing its what im doing right now?

the strain on family/relationship i fear might be worse than any boredom i could imagine. i can find ways to entertain myself, i surprise myself sometimes hahaha.

[sephy]

Why not finish up college and do OCS? How much longer do you have?

[Markbone]

At the rate I'm going probably never. Its difficult being motivated where I an right now in life. I was looking at the sta 21 program though. That sounds very enticing...

[Grassninja]

Swabbing the deck and painting bulkheads would probably give you the proper motivation to finish school.

There, I just saved you 4 years of your life.

[develown]

Go to school; you can always serve your country later if you still want to.

Its not all shooting pirates in the face, its going to be a lot of cleaning and carrying heavy stuff.

[Fjold]

My niece's husband (30 years old, with a business degree) just joined the National Guard and just left for OCS (I think that's what they call it in NG). They told him that after he completes school, to count on a year in Afghanistan.

[tacticalcity]

Finish college first. I recommend you join your school's ROTC so getting a commission will be an easy (ok easier) process. Life as an officer is much, much better than being enlisted. ROTC pretty much ensures you will get a commission. Not so much if you try to get one after the fact.

In the beginning the military will be stress like you have never imagined. Don't get me wrong, it is well worth it. But using it as an excuse to bail out on the current demands of your life is the wrong reason to join. You will be in for a very rude awakening.

If you enlist to escape your civilian life, when all you had to do was tough it out a little longer and earn a degree, you will likely regret it. Most people I knew who joined to escape life back home did. Those who joined because they really wanted to serve their country, loved it. Especially those with bars on their shoulders. Much, much better life. Learn from our mistakes. Most of us telling you to finish school first, were enlisted and could have been officers, if we had only been more patient.

[Markbone]

since you have a degree available to you in the foreseeable future..

you may find a more rewarding career as and officer.. and don't limit your opportunities to "fleet" Navy.. there are lots of exciting opportunities in the NECC that can take you to places and offer experiences that you could never imagine..

although it's not for everyone.. after 20 years I can testify to that..

I do strongly recommend that you give it a try.. so long as you don't do anything stupid to jeapordize your career or enlistment/commission status.. you almost can't go wrong with that on your resume.. and if it's right for you.. possibly find a great career by staying in.

pm me if you have some specific questions.. I am close enough to you to meet and I would be happy to introduce you to some folks over at NWSSB that could better answer you questions.. I know a lot of IT's and we had a large group of them in NCW where I retired from.. My last Master Chief for example who lives in LB..

be careful with recruiters.. they have goals and objectives that are not likely the same as yours..

good luck.. and don't hesitate to contact me..

thanks for the info and the offer, i may take you up on that when the semester is over (2 weeks-ish).

haha yeah, i was asking more questions and speaking more than the recruiter was. im not taking this thing lightly, i want to know as much about everything before i sign anything.

Finish college first. I recommend you join your school's ROTC so getting a commission will be an easy (ok easier) process. Life as an officer is much, much better than being enlisted. ROTC pretty much ensures you will get a commission. Not so much if you try to get one after the fact.

In the beginning the military will be stress like you have never imagined. Don't get me wrong, it is well worth it. But using it as an excuse to bail out on the current demands of your life is the wrong reason to join. You will be in for a very rude awakening.

If you enlist to escape your civilian life, when all you had to do was tough it out a little longer and earn a degree, you will likely regret it. Most people I knew who joined to escape life back home did. Those who joined because they really wanted to serve their country, loved it. Especially those with bars on their shoulders. Much, much better life. Learn from our mistakes. Most of us telling you to finish school first, were enlisted and could have been officers, if we had only been more patient.

ahahaha i wish it were that easy....been going to school (local JC) for about 5 years and have no idea what im doing there. dont even have an AA...and there are no scholarships for a single white male so ive had to work as much as i can. yes i know other people have accomplished more than i have but its getting to the point where just waking up makes me depressed. also, no ROTC program at the JC. i do want to serve my country as well, sicne high school ive debated enlisting, but after reading about the IT section in the navy (and based on what i am working and going to school for) it couldnt be any easier. or so it seems. the certifications i would need (plus the bachelors) are ~$1000 a pop. i would be in debt with school loans for the rest of my career if i tried to go about this the civilian way.

i dont feel like i would be "bailing" on my current demands but just opting for new scenery, albeit very gray scenery.

regardless, ive got a few weeks left in the semester, and a whole summer of thinking to do. I would like to get my Bachelors ASAP but i fear it would be too late in the game.

[CavTrooper]

Its all beach volleyball and awsome sunglasses. Expect to ride fast motorcycles and hot women. Being able to play piano and sing before you in is a plus.

[Markbone]

Its all beach volleyball and awsome sunglasses. Expect to ride fast motorcycles and hot women. Being able to play piano and sing before you in is a plus.

so, its just like Top Gun then?

[develown]

I currently work with a lot of navy folk and i can let you know there isn't much volleyball and sunglasses, but there are a lot of toilette's that need to be cleaned

[GoatLovin]

I went to the DoD fire academy with a handful of ABH's. They made the Navy seem pretty fun. Lot's of stories about smuggling alcohol on while in port. Oh, and porn EVERYWHERE.

[Markbone]

I currently work with a lot of navy folk and i can let you know there isn't much volleyball and sunglasses, but there are a lot of toilette's that need to be cleaned

what level/position were these toilet cleaners?

I went to the DoD fire academy with a handful of ABH's. They made the Navy seem pretty fun. Lot's of stories about smuggling alcohol on while in port. Oh, and porn EVERYWHERE.

hahaha nice, sounds like a monday to me LOL