Condsidering joining the Navy...?
830661
I have a nephew who is a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy and he is a recruiter too.  If you want, you can e-mail me through the link on my posting and I can put you in touch with him.
290843
idraw4u hit it in a nutshell.\nBest advice I can give is to find someone who is recently out after more than 6 years or is currently in with more than 6 years. Reason I say this is the first few years in any branch of the service is the worst. You're starting at the bottom of the ladder. Anyone with less than 6 years probably does not have a good feeling for the Navy. Over 6 years they have re-enlisted by seeing something positive in the Navy life.\nRecruiters-will not lie to you, however they will not tell you the whole truth. Misinformation by a recruiter can get them thrown in the brig, period. They are very good at what they do, like used car salesmen. They can show you everything available on the lot but there is a few they have to get sold and will try to "guide" you into buying it. Research on your own on what you would like to do as a job, keeping in mind on if it is a marketable skill when you enter life after the military. What schools can you get guaranteed after bootcamp? Accelerated advancement (higher rank, better pay)? Once you have found one or two skills you want, talk to a recruiter. Stick to your guns on what job you want, cause they will try to get you to take one of the higher priority job they have to fill. Every month, they get the new list of openings, so if they don't have what you want, check back next month or have them contact you when one comes up. This is your life decision, make sure YOU make it. Good luck and hope to call you shipmate soon.
1033806
regret NO WAY! I joined streight out of High School, boot camp, then to A school, went to BUDs and washed out the last day of hell week. went to a ship and to the first gulf war, saw many places and had a ship collision at sea, Lived in Singapore for 6mo, and apon returning to Pearl tried BUDs again, yes Its worth it, thats all I will say about that, placed with a SDV unit then with a SWTAB unit, Got out of active duity, went to reserves with a ASU unit then finished up with a SeaBee unit. \n RULE one in life (you make it so make it good)\nPeople say NAVY (never again volunteer yourself) B.S. You learn to Volunteer first to get a task you can do and not be given a task to do. It shows you will take a challange and do your best and it will be noted. Bravo Zulu My Friends, and Anchors Away.
766905
you should be in the Navy
1140693
You're just turning 18 & still have a year of high school left. You're coming up on a point where things are going to change whether you like it or not. Most couples like oyurs are going to split up & go to different colleges. You think you know what love is, but when people get to college & get some freedom from their parents it changes who they are, they spend a couple years growing into the person they are going to be rather than the one their parents have been shaping & controlling for years. I know it's hard to see, but when you look back on it that's the deal. \n\nIn your case, don't rush into marriage just because you're scared of losing someone. That's a horrible reason. I think it's best if you wait a couple years. I think you should go ahead & join the Navy. I don't know what her plans are, college or whatever, but its a big case of "if you love it set it free, if its true it'll come back to you." Do your best to make it thru, but understand both of you will be changing a lot during these transition years. If at 20 you both want to get married, then go for it & congrats! If you find you've changed so much & grown apart, then better to find that out before you're married then realize it two years in. You need to give her every opportunity to pursue her career goals too. Again, I don't know if she's going on to school or whatever, but you sure don't want to be a junior enlisted guy trying to support a family (they don't pay you nearly enough for that). I wish you the best of luck, and make a smart decision with your head instead of your heart. It'll all work out for the best & you have a whole lot of life in front of you.
644508
you should seriously reconsider your decision, look around at whats happenning in this world, you are very young give yourself a chance, you seem to be very smart so think long and hard about any decision you make to join the armed forces, our soldiers are the bravest and best in the world but i womder how many would tell you to pick another career, whatever your decision may be God Bless You and all of our brave men and women who protect and fight for our country, also don't forget to include your parents in this decision.
580408
as far as QOL is concerned, the Navy and AF are pretty comperable, although there will always be those that prefer one over the other.  \n\nBe aware that it's EXTREMELY hard to get into the AF right now, even through Interservice transfer, as the AF is more overmanned than the Navy is, and unless his Rating/NECs translate directly into a much needed AF equivalent, he may have a rough time being able to swap services.
634660
Join the army and see the navy.
275225
22 Navy Vet.  I see a lot of fingers pointing to differant branches, It's not the NAVY you want to join!  It's not really any branch.  I would say join the Coast Guard.  They are military, but then again not.  Run by DHS not DOD.  If you join, keep your mouth shut.  Keep your private life private.  The last thing you want is to be pushed over a side rail 1000 miles out at sea or attacked while out in the woods on training.  Maybe stay in school and choose another career path.
228530
Ok I'll do my best given my experience in the Marines and raised as a military brat to explain military life. As you know Marines get the opportunity to work with the Navy, being in the Navy even as a female you may be task to go to sea for 6 months plus. That means the only communication between you and your husband and kids will be via mail and the sporadic phone call. It's hard demanding and you'll work a load of hours. If you break the amount of hours down per month at work then calculate the amount you received in pay you'll see it's not much (below poverty). So if you’re in it for the money don't do it. Health care is great however, not the best. You'll stand around in uniform waiting for a prescription then along comes an officer and he gets his drugs filled right away. You'll wait. Job security definitely, study learn your trade, wear a sharp uniform and stay fit you’ll definitely be able to stay in. Become a "S^&*t bird" as they say and you won't last. Positive experience, well you'll learn what real discipline is and leadership. These are traits required in the civilian world.\n\nPlease do not believe every promise from the recruiter. They will promise you beautiful bases and great life overseas. Most people go in to the military, go overseas for an unaccompanied tour  (Meaning no family can come with you) for a year then you come back. That can be about as stressful as it gets. Make sure if you do go in that you have a guaranteed slot in a school to learn an MOS (Military Occupational Skill). This is a ticket into a school. This does not give you the ticket to graduate; you actually have to work hard and study to pass. I went to the Naval Aviation Electronic course and did 2 years of college in 8 months. A lot of my friends did not make it. They ended up going to the Infantry. \n\nAlso keep in mind that the Marine Corps has the highest divorce rate in the Military followed by the Navy. When I was in, about 75% of marriages failed. Life for the family members can be more difficult then it is for the enlisted person. They have to move, meet people, learn new cities, etc… Some people just are not cut out to be uprooted and replanted some where else. \n\nWith this said prior planning and an active role from your husband and kids can make the transition to Navy life a great positive change. You have to be committed first to yourself and family then to the Navy not the other way around. This will have a great impact on your success or failure in the navy and as a wife/mother.\n\nAs you said there are good and bad things about the Navy. Keep in mind that it is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. It is a hard life. You can do it, and you can do it happily with the support of your loved ones. If any of them find it difficult you’ll end up having a very hard 3,4,5 year tour. Think really hard before you make this step your family will go through a great sacrifice. \n\nI would advise you if the Military is what you want go in the Air Force. They treat the poeple better and the families are generally happier. They actually get stationed in cool places.\n\nI hope my rambling has helped in some way.
797836
First, provided you're upfront with your recruiter you normally won't get disqualified from joining the Navy for that kind of misdemeanor.  \n\nBut, before you plead guilty, I would encourage you to keep that court date, explain your situation to the judge, and very respectfully ask to be let off with a warning and no conviction.  Explain that you're about to go into the Navy, and you're afraid it might hurt your career...  Who knows-- it can't hurt.  If he says yes, great. If he says no, pay the fine right then and there.\n\nThe conviction won't disqualify you from serving, but you'll get asked about it over and over again, when you're up for re-enlistment, if you need to get a security clearance, etc.  If you can avoid that hassle, do.
1120345
I was in the Air Force and loved it.  If you're looking to get out into the wild and rough it a lot, then the AF isn't for you -- it's a bit more cushy.  But I had my share of field exercises as well, so it's not all easy.  I honestly can't think of any reasons NOT to join the AF, it was the smartest thing I ever did for myself.  But some other reasons to join any branch of the military would be the educational benefits, job training, early retirement (if you stay in long enough) and lifelong benefits, a sense of partriotism, job stability and the chance to travel/experience the world.  If you're already seriously considering joining, I don't think you'll be sorry if you do.  Good luck!
858997
If you are not going to college.....yet, then join.  If you decide to start taking college classes later, the Navy will afford you that time and it is almost free.  Now to your question:\n\nPro:  Great opportunity learn a profession, see the world, meet interesting people and learn the value of hardwork and teamwork.  It is great experience for both young and old.  Descent pay, but great benefits.  Again..., great places you will visit.  \n\nCon:  Family separation.  Long periods of time at sea working.  Sometimes long hours.  \n\nOverall, it is a great place to start growing up if you are young. You will see yourself grow over the next couple of years while being provided the opportunity for advancement and to be put in leadership position.  Pick a job you like and you will really enjoy it.   \nI am not a recruiter, just a former proud squid.
952979
The navy is a great branch of service.  The opportunities are plentiful, the duty is important, the travel is priceless in terms of seeing the world at no cost to you.  The learning is unprecedented in terms of knowing about life.  Those salty, older seamen take youngsters, like yourself, under their wing and teach you many of the important facets of living in the world, today.\n\n  I'm not talking about the academics taught in colleges and universities, I'm talking about the social and practical challenges that a sailor might experience in a foreign land, or aboard ship, or interfacing with fellow seaman, or simply the things mom and dad forgot to mention.  \n\nThe service is a growing process for many young men and women because you are still in the development years of your life.  Take advantage of it and enjoy it. Years later, you will look back at life as a seaman with great fondness.  This is not bias on my part, because I served six years as a Marine.
1144722
I'm ex-military and live in the largest military installation in the world.\nBeing ex-Navy you know exactly where I live.\n\nForgot about it dude, take your General, Other than Honorable and move on with your life.\nIf you get injured while on duty now...they will NOT allow you time to even rehab.\nIf you are not Duty-Ready IMMEDIATLEY FOR DEPLOYMENT....you ain't in and you ain't gonna be in.\n\nThey are having SEVERE problems presently, and will not even give you the time of day, certainly not take the time to even give you a hearing.\nThey won't give active duty personal hearings, let alone a boot.\n\nIt's pretty ridiculous, there are plenty of people WILLING to go Active Duty and STAY Active Duty but the cadre simply doesn't have the time or the ability to allow a process like an upgrade of a discharge.\n\nOne thing you MIGHT try......try a sympathetic ARMY recruiter.\nThey are DEPARATE for full time Active Duty bodies.\nIt wouldn't matter anyway.....they are now pulling SAILORS OFF SHIPS and training them WITH the Army for various "desert security forces".\nI kid you not.\nScary business.\n\nGood luck sailor.
447234
Like everyone else has stated above, you do not get your first choice.  They give you options, but remember as a marine your first duty is a rifleman, you are a foot soldier and most likely will see some type and form of combat in a war time environment. The only way out is if you have some speak law degree and or super computer skills, but that is normally left to the Navy to do for us.  You much understand that the MARINES own you, you do not think for yourself, you do not plan for yourself. If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife you would have been issued one in boot camp.  So if you have a girl, drop her.  I can not tell you how many "Dear John" letters are out there that have made grown men cry.  In the end you get only what you want out of the Marines, nothing else.  It is a commitment of your body, sole and life for the Stars and bars.  You would be the first and last line of defense and will be required to do things that you never thought you would or could ever do.  This is the worst case, my brother never saw anything more than the underside of a HumVee (JUNK) give me an old MUTT any time.
879169
Check out damage controlmen, they do alot of that stuff on a ship.  There is alot of different jobs in the Navy.  The Navy website has all the jobs listed and a short job description.  You can always talk to a recruiter to find out more.  If you do go talk to a recruiter bring someone along who can help you out also.  It doesnt always happen but sometimes recruiters can be a bit much to handle.  The website is the best choice for a quick job description with no pressure.