[OT] I'm Going To Enlist In The Navy

[Paladin]

First of all: recruiters = lying scum of the universe. They can never be trusted and should be considered CE at all times. If they could sell you their first born to get you to pick an MOS, they would.

Speaking as a disabled U.S. Army veteran, go Air Force. They have the cushy jobs that will actually help you get a job once you get out. The food is edible, you'll never have to sweat, and you'll never get close to combat (unless you're a pilot). As for the Navy - do you really want to be stuck out to sea for 6 months at a time? Does anyone? I never understood the inclination...

As has been said, get whatever you agree to in writing. Then re-read it. Twice. If you don't, you'll be scraping barnacles off a hull, or bird poop off a runway. Be very careful of the exact language of the contract - remember it's written by recruiters. There is usually a clause that says something to the effect of: "If you don't complete your assigned course of training, you may be re-assigned according to the needs of the (insert branch here)." Re-read that one 3 times, and make sure you're okay with that before you sign your life away - there's a lot of bird poop with your name on it out there.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Oh, boy, good subject!

I'm active duty military, and the military is currently paying for my master's degree. There are lots of great options out there in today's military -- more than most people imagine. The important things is to do your homework. Check out what all the services offer, and consider what programs best meet your interests and needs -- both long- and short term. I've known many of soldiers who, with hindsight, wished they'd taken a bonus over a college fund, or vice versa, as their life goals have changed.

Going into the military is an adjustment -- it is a different culture. People are people everywhere -- but the military has its own language and way of doing things. Basic training/boot camp is designed to turn a civilian into a military member, and I guarantee it will be the toughest thing you've ever done in your life (until you go do something harder in the service ...). You'll meet lots of great people, and so long as you keep things in perspective, can have a great time. You -- not the military -- define your level of success and potential.

As to choosing services and programs:

First, there are as many horror stories out there as there are good stories, and some of both are even true. Most people in the military don't know how the recruiting system works. Most recruiters have a primary specialty in something else, and are sent off to recruit for a couple of years, in what is essentially a sales job. The system, more than the recruiter, has a great deal of say in what a potential applicant receives. The applicant has the ultimate control of the process -- only you can say yes or no, and sign your name.

How do I know? I've been a recruiter, and I've supervised recruiters. (Those who hate recruiters may cuss me out now, privately.) There are more good ones than bad, but there are occasionally bad ones. Don't let it worry you. But like anything being sold -- if it sounds too good to be true, it may be. Much service information is not false, or even deliberately misleading, but can be confusing.

For example -- your choice of job skill (MOS) is determined by a guidance counselor at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) -- not your recruiter. You will be shown a number of possible jobs, based upon your scores, your physical limitations, and the available positions. The services have needs, and will try and fill those first. You might want to be an in-flight missile repairman, and the service may have that job, and you may even qualify -- but you won't see it unless there is a training seat available (and available seats change on a daily, even hourly basis). The guidance counselor may want to put you in another job, like left-handed wrench repair, instead, since that's what the service needs. Most of the incentives out there -- short enlistments, college funds, bonuses, station of choice, etc -- are designed to fill those critical MOS skills. Be flexible -- if all you want to join the military for is to be an inflight missile repairman, tell them that up front, and insist. But if what you really want to do is see the world and get a little extra cash, tell them that and keep an open mind -- there are a lot of options that could fit those needs.

The service will give you what is in your contract. Read it carefully, and understand it. Some services offer open contracts with respect to MOS; others retain the right to change your MOS if you fail to qualify for you're original MOS -- based on the needs of the service. When I was in recruiting, the percentage of recruits that received a specific MOS in their contract (and this may have changed in four years) was roughly: Army 100%, Navy 85%, Air Force 50% (the AF often assigns "job fields", rather than specific MOS), Marines 15% (you join the Corps to be a Marine first, MOS second).

All of the services have great programs that could meet your needs and interests -- figure out what you want from the experience (not necessarily $$ or specific rank -- those are like power windows and sunroofs, to use a car analogy) and find the service and program that can give that to you.

I'd be happy to answer other questions here.

Good luck!

 

[Dinkeldog]

I had an excellent recruiter when I enlisted into the Navy that gave up all the bonus points he would have received if I'd gone Nuke. Instead, he put in a lot of extra time and effort into getting me an audition to go into the Music Program.

I've seen Nukes work, and enlisted or officer, it's what I would consider a hellish existence. My Midshipman cruise was on board a ballistic missile sub (USS Alabama-Gold), and for 70 days I got to see the guys working 12-hour shifts every day because of a shortage in the field. Granted, that opens up some advancement possibilities, but I wouldn't consider that worth it. If you're going to go that route, go officer. Talk to your local NROTC unit. You can be enlisted in the reserves and be in the NROTC unit.

It's always better as an officer.

 

[hong]

I am shocked, shocked you hear me, to find that noone has yet mentioned the Village People in this thread. And Azure Trance being from New York and all.

 

[CTD]

It's good to see lots of info backing me up. Olgar, that was a nice look at the other side of recruiting. I learned a phrase in Army Basic Training: "Don't thank me, thank your recruiter!"

The Drills would say that anytime someone thanked them for something. Pretty funny.

The power in a military contract, is the signature of the civilian that obligates them to become a solider. Once you give that signature, you loose free will. If it's not on the contract, you don't get it. Remember that. Only sign if you fully agree with the contract.

Be an officer. Not only is the pay better, there are less people who can tell you what to do.

Lastly, Go Army. We aren't as soft as the flyboys or squids, and we live longer than a leatherneck. Admittedly, Marines are tough, and train harder in Basic than any other branch, but at the end of the day they are the ones who have to storm a beach...

 

[Eye Tyrant]

Okay, I just got out of the Navy in August after 8 1/2 years of Active Duty. IF you are positive joining is what you want to do and you are signing for a 6 year hitch, let me suggest going the Nuke route. You will be worth a helluva lot more after 6 years in the Nuke field then in any other rate. Whoever said to go Hospital Corpsman doesn't have a clue (no offense intended, but it's true). When I got out a few months ago there were guys from the nuclear rates that were getting offered 70k to start at civilian Power Plants and Nuke facilities after one hitch in the Navy working in a nuclear rating (job). Granted working with nukes isn't the most glamorous or safe job in the world, but you will have serious job security making some fat duckets when you get out. And that is the key, you have to get out, don't become some lifer (atleast if money is important). Sure, the nukes and "bubble-heads" make more $$ then the average squid, but not nearly as much as they can earn in the civilian world.

So take it from a recently discharged (yes, Honorably) Boatswain's Mate, if you are going to join the service, make sure you get everything you can out of it. Don't let the recruiters screw you. Most importantly get whatever they promise you (ie. E-2 advancement or whatever) in WRITING!! Otherwise you can't hold them to anything. And definitely get the Navy College Fund. This provides much more $$ for school then the G.I. Bill (but get the Bill too).

Email me if you have more questions.

 

[Cedric]

I was a Reactor Operator in the Navy...power school class 9204. I have to say it was one of the greatest experiences in my life.

However, do not lightly go down this path. If you aren't pretty good at math and science already, don't even think about this. It takes dedication and hardwork.

Everyone in the nuke program is intelligent...and we still had about a 60% attrition rate...mostly academic, but a lot were administrative (underage drinking, lying, cheating...all of them will get you booted from the nuke program).

During NPS (nuclear power school) I often spent 9 hours a day in class and 5 hours after that in study...this was the norm.

During prototype training, I worked what turned out to be roughly 13 hour days, on a 5 week rotating shift the went from days to swings to mids and back again.

I learned heat transfer and fluid flow, reactor physics, chemical and radiological controls and tons more.

I've been out of the Navy now for 7 years, and I don't work in the nuclear industry...and have never really done anything "nuclear" with my Navy experience for the most part.

But the most valuable thing I learned, was how to learn. I can pick up new material, concepts, ideas and just about anything I want, quickly and easily. Something I was not able to do before Power School.

Your mileage may vary...but if your are up for a life changing challenge, this is a good once.

Cedric

p.s. On a side note, I could have worked in the civilian nuclear industry, especially if I had finished off my degree...I just chose not too. I work for Dell now, and I'm very happy here.

 

[bolen]

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[Paladin]

Paladinwife here and I thought I'd add two shillings since I, too, am ex-Army...Let me just say that the Air Force is your best choice, in my opinion...the least combat route anyhow. And I understand that they treat the people who join them in a somewhat human fashion. I know so many jarheads (Marines) that I can't even count the number, and all of them seem to be zombies after basic. They all have the must get married make umpteen babies agenda or the I'm ready to die for my country agenda. If you want to die for someone, join the Army National Guard, at least then if you die, it will be because someone attacked the state you actually live in and the people you know and not some country you've never even heard of who treats their women and children (not to mention their men) like they are just cattle hearded into the nearest cave to set off all the traps.
While I fully understand the pull that the money these branches of service offer to a poor college goer is sometimes great, your life can be greater, especially if that is all you really want from the program. And, while I greatly appreciate the men and women of our armed services who are out there trying to defend this country, I would venture to guess there are more than a few people overseas right now that are wondering just how this happened! Not to mention, when you join up...THAT"S IT, your life is theirs, whether you like it or not. You can't just go home for the weekend, or take vacation when you please. My sister's husband is in the Army, and about two years ago, they sent him to Korea for a year. Guess what... she stayed here, not being allowed to go unless he was going to be gone 2 or more years and even then it wouldn't matter because there are some places they can send you that you couldn't take family no matter how long you are there (and Korea has some of those places). Now, he is in DI school in Georgia, thank God, or he'd be headed overseas as we speak.
Also, be careful not to fall in love or change your life situation in any manner before you leave, 'cause, like I said before, Oh well, too bad...You're leaving whether you like it or not. There is a good side, you can get your car and yourself inspected by MP's everytime you get on and off post to do anything, like grocery shop, go to a movie, eat lunch. That part is great. And don't forget, that you family might not be allowed to visit you if your post is on lockdown! And of course crawling out of your marital bed after a full night of cranky screaming newborn before light to go to the base and do PT is also loads of fun.
What I am trying to say, is if you are a person who needs to be in charge of your own life and likes to be in control...DON"T JOIN!
Don't forget, you can have all your military dreams dashed by being medically discharged during basic training for a case of shin splints (something you never knew you had until you got there), or getting the barrell of an m16 shoved through your chin, or getting an m60 broken over your knee, or getting a back injury during judo training. And, stay away from other trainees...some of them are really stupid, almost every company has 1 or 2 nimrods who pulled the pin and threw it instead of the grenade, or pointed a loaded weopon at you or someone else while on the range, not to mention two hundred thousand other ways that you (or someone else) can get yourself hurt or killed while in training. And, for those of us who thought training was fun, didn't think it was so fun when we were using those skills in Desert Storm and Panama and various other places were people were actually trying to kill us just because we have more freedom than they do, or we believe in God, or we treat woman like equals, or whatever other B.S. reason they have for shooting one of us down.
Take all the advise here very seriosly, my friend. This is a life decision, even a reserve duty can turn out to be more than you bargained for. Good luck and God bless.

 

[bolen]

I was waiting till you turned this into a political debate.

", didn't think it was so fun when we were using those skills in Desert Storm and Panama and various other places were people were actually trying to kill us just because we have more freedom than they do, or we believe in God, or we treat woman like equals, or whatever other B.S. reason they have for shooting one of us down. "


I will not even touch this.