Navy people only! do u think u made the right decision in joining the Navy?
821471
I was a female in the navy for 4 yrs. I learn a lot and had great fun doing it. The freinds you make in there last forever and it is a different kinda friends too. More special I would say. I got out in 96 and still talk to a few of my closer friends. As far as jobs no it didnt help me in a way, the job I had was an operational specialist. radar, navagation, and that kinda stuff near the bridge of the ship ( top ) If I had it to do over again I would make sure that the job I got was one that would trasfer to a civilian job. Which mine didnt. But having been in the Navy looks great on resumes.I will never regret my choice to join. What an andverture. traveling was the best. Singapore, Guam, Hawii,Hong Kong, Germany, Persian Gulf, Dubai let alone the states. I would strongly recommend if to a female for sure, specially if you have no outlook for college or anything like that. Cause I didnt even want to think of college.. So I hope you choose what is good for you and have fun doing whatever it is that the future stores. Best of luck to you
540866
Nope.....not appropriate.  My recruiter in no way affected/effected my decision to enter the military.  I doubt very much you did either to ANY of them.  All you did was act as a middle man.  \n\nBe honest....most of the wide eyed children who passed through your office had already made up their mind.  Either by force (Mom and Dad) or beligerance (get away from Mom and Dad).\n\nAs we mature our views change.....are you going to post that in the paper everytime that happens?\n\nYour heart is in the right place....that in itself is admirable.
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.
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.
524972
It's perfectly OK that you are still unsure about the path you want your life to take. Many people are still unsure when they are ready to graduate from high school or college. Don't worry about what your friends think. Each of us makes these choices when the time is right for us. You will, too. Take your time and don't let anyone push you into making a choice before you are ready. God Bless!
805300
i don't think its your parents decision. its up to you to decide if you want to join or not.
845883
I left home when I joined the Navy, haven't been back.  \n\nI am sure my parents are as happy I left as I am.
597891
Go with what your heart feels. If you think that joining the National Guard is what you want to do and it makes you happy, then join. I love it.
905804
My friend is in the DEP too, for the Navy though, he was suppose to go Feb. 13, but they told him that they could probably fix it to where he can leave earlier. He's really excited about it. Good Luck.
681495
So you decided to become a sea going bell hop.....\n\nFirst off I want to say you might have made the best decision or the worst decision in your life. The military isn’t for everybody. First things first you got to get to MEPs once your there they will give a physical and ask you some questions. Once you get to boot camp you’re going to think this was a bad idea. Just remain calm and don’t panic and keep your mind on the task at hand boot is one of the most important events in your military life when you get into trouble where ever you are you will automatically go back to your most basic training. So pay attention! Secondly don’t get pissed off at your drill instructors they may seem to hate you but just remember they hate every one equally and they are just there to help you. First they will try and make themselves the enemy so that your unit will bond with each other, most people think they try to break you this is false. They try and make you hate them so much that you will wish they were dead. At this point you just need to obey and you need friends. If you alienate your self in boot camp you will only find your self alone. Alone you are vulnerable and you will not make it. Near the end of boot you’ll notice a change in your drill instructors they become like your family with a mother a father and a big brother try and figure out their roles to understand how they will react. \n\nAs for advice in dealing with your parents, this will be the hardest part you’ll need people back home that support you they need to have enough respect for you that you can make your own decisions as an adult. Yes Bush is an Idiot, but at the same time as a sailor, marine, soldier, or airman you can’t choose who and when you want to serve. That is something that some one out side of the military cant understands. Say for example that you joined up before the Iraq war or even before 9/11 you can’t say I am not going to war. You just have to make the best out of your situation you have to tell your self how can I make this better how can I improve this situation. One of the best qualities about Marines is their ability to improvise, when you are fighting a war that you don’t agree with just see what you can do to make it better, a lot of people do this every day most just feel that they are fighting for their buddies to keep them alive. Just remember that you can’t second guess you’re self that you have to do the job or you or a friend will not make it home. No pressure right? On top of that you may never see Iraq. The best advice I can give you in the field is if you’re in the infantry trust in your friends not your weapon remember it is made by the lowest bidder. \n\nAll in all joining the military is a unique experience one that will help you on your way to opening a business just look at the rise in companies after the second world war hence why they are called the “Greatest Generation.” We just have to have a positive out look on a very negative situation maybe just maybe our boys and girls coming home will be like that generation.
819844
My recommendation would be this.  Go to each of the armed services recruiters and talk with them.  Before you go, write down exactly what it is you want from the military, i.e. job, benefits, etc.  Second, take someone with you, preferably someone older than you like a parent, grandparent or aunt/uncle.  Tell that person you do not want to make a decision right now, you want to find out as much as you can, before you make a decision.  Ask that person to intercede if the recruiter starts pushing you towards making a decision.\n\nRecruiters are taught methods and questions to use that will get you thinking along their lines.  I know I worked with them before and saw/used many of them.  Once you have all of your questions answered, leave.  Thank the person for their time and leave.  Do not make a decision until you have talked to each of the four branches.
894263
not every one is strong enough to be a military spouse.  \n\nso, which do you want more..her, or to go Active Duty?  Can you honestly say you wouldn't resent her at some point if you stayed with her, but didn't go Active?\n\nUltimately, do what will make you happy.  do not EVER give up on a dream just because of some woman.  And I say this as a ten plus year Navy Spouse.
442415
Personally I prefer college then navy.\nLearn more than contribute.\nPrepare more than enjoy more.
696086
As a career Sailor, my opinion will shape this answer.  I enlisted as a nuke MM, but 'extraordinary circumstances' shifted my path and I enjoy my life as a flight deck AB.  I would submit to you that neither duty is better in terms of actual career progression (the US Navy is vacancy driven, so as long as somebody leaves, somebody else gets promoted); however, I would clarify that career progression revolves around YOU.  Your attitude, coupled with your 98, should get you in the door, but pure passion for doing the best with the least will get you to the duty station you want, in the rating you want.  After 15 years of Naval service, I can attest that hard work gets the winners to the top.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that submariners get a little extra hazard pay (submarine pay) for their service, but I prefer fresh air.
1033821
I got pregnant by a guy who thought was a night in shining armor (turned out to be a jerk in tin foil).  When I miscarried at 12 weeks I was devastated!  I had serious depression after that.  I stopped living in a way and was just there.  One day it dawned on me that I needed to leave if I was ever going to move on.  3 weeks later I was at Naval boot camp in Chicago.  That led to meeting my wonderful hubby and having a beautiful son.  I'm even pregnant again!  I'm no longer in the Navy because I wanted to stay at home to care for my son myself but I know that if I hadn't of joined the Navy that day, I wouldn't have the wonderful life I have now.
933828
No. We're recruits in the navy until we graduate boot camp.
427735
I spent 4 years, 8 months, and 27 days in the USN. It was the best and worst time of my life. Getting out was harder than staying in cause I had to start all over in a world I knew nothing about. I lost 5 family members while I was away in the Navy.When I got out,  I took a big pay cut, ended up filing bankruptcy, but now 8 years later, I am making good money, mainly because of the education I got in the Navy. You can't get an education like that in college. Consider the military a great place to start. You can make it in the "real world." Staying in the military may isolate you from all the changes in the world, like it did me. The longer you stay in, the harder it  may be for you to adjust when you leave. Especially if you have a wife, and/or kids, you should get out. You served your time. Greater love has no man than he lay down <a portion of> his life for his <country>