The Military thread

[illest318i]

Whats up guys, I have been thinking of joining the navy for quite sometime now. Im 19, graduated earlier this year. The reason why I wanna join is because I would like to travel to other countries and see new things. Anywho what do you guys think of the military and is there any vets on r3v or some of you guys who want to join as well?

[smerfs]

I know a know a few people in the Canadian military (none in the navy though), and they all seem to enjoy what they do, so much so that I've recently been thinking about enlisting myself after I'm done university. I don't see wanting to travel and see new things as a very good reason to enlist, typically people join due to family ties, the feeling of patriotism, wanting to help defend their country, wanting to blow shit up. so I hope that you've thought it through a bit more than that!

[MR E30 325is]

Marine Corps Veteran, 2008-2012.

It isn't for everyone, thats for sure. You do get the opportunity to travel and see a lot of new things though.

Definitely think it through, very thoroughly. This isnt some contract with T-Mobile. Its as real as it gets.

[woodisgood]

I was in the Navy, 1994-2000. Only do it if you have a clear goal. Wanting to see the world is not a good reason.

[turge]

I'm debating between AirForce and Army at the moment myself. My recommendation, coming from friends who have served, is to go ROTC if you plan on going to college. There are many perks to going Officer including better pay and other benefits.

Although best quality of life goes:

1. Air Force
2. Navy
3. Army
4. Marines

I wouldn't go Navy though since I get sea sick.

[Kershaw]

coast guard goes around quite a bit too.

[turge]

^ Interesting fact about the Coast Guard too. It operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peace time and can be transferred to the Navy by the President during a time of war.

Check out these links:

http://www.uscg.mil/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Coast_Guard

[Pl3wA]

join the army they said
see the world they said!

[mrsleeve]

If your smart enough go through the navys nuke power generation program. Whne you retire andenter the civilan work force you will find a high paying good job with out issue, running a reactor for a civilian nuke power station

[ainadude]

FWIW, a lot of military folks consider the Air Force the cushiest of the services. To that end, I remember being in a clothing store in the Far East somewhere and laughing at a T-shirt that read "U.S. Air Force: Two-drink minimum".

Far worse things you can do with your time at age 19 than spend a few years in one of the services. As others have pointed out, signing up is nothing to take lightly, but there are some great opportunities there if you take it seriously and apply yourself. Good luck, regardless of your decision.

[Keith M]

Choose wisely, not so much what branch, but what job you will do. I was in air traffic control and hated it. Because of the amount of training I received, I was unable to transfer to a different field.

3rd MAW USMC 87-91

[gkurey]

In the Navy now...I love what I do. I am an officer and am in aviation. The navy offers a wide variety of opportunities and can really get you set up for life as a civilian after. If you have aspirations to go to college, like was mentioned earlier, look into ROTC. If you want to enlist, and go short term or long term...pick something that will be beneficial to you after.

Nuke, Fire Control, Electronics Technicial are all rates that pay huge bonuses in the navy and can help you on the outside as well. I know a ton of enlisted guys that have earned bachelor degrees while serving and using credit from navy training to earn their degrees, all on the Navy's dime.

Is it always a cake walk? No...can you always go on vacation, or do whatever you want at any time? No...but military service is a sacrifice you make for a greater good, and it doesn't last forever...you have to be willing to put up with some BS and remember all the good things you are getting. Not to mention a steady paycheck, good benefits, and great training.

The people you are around will make or break your experience...as is true with any employment experience you can find in or out of the military. Best of luck on your decision...I hope you choose to join up...if you have the right attitude and will, it is a really great and unique experience! Any more questions, PM me! I have experience in the nuke power field and also aviation, both Navy.

[SGT4677]

Marine Corps Veteran, 2008-2012.

It isn't for everyone, thats for sure. You do get the opportunity to travel and see a lot of new things though.

Definitely think it through, very thoroughly. This isnt some contract with T-Mobile. Its as real as it gets.

This is good advice.
I was Navy 1982-1986,I ended up learning a good trade and working on F-14 Tomcats. I'm still working in that field (Avionics) today. I even got to make a little movie in 1985 that you might have seen.

Get into something that will transfer to the civilian world and that you will still be able to do 20-40 years later.

[JA1991]

I say good luck getting into anything. Right now they are cutting back heavily. I am in the Coast Guard Reserves and have been waiting almost a year to get a ship date for basic Training. The only reason i picked the Coast Guard is because they are stationed in the States, and some Territories/islands unless you want to go over seas. You also get to pick your rate, you get the same pay, same benefits, and i'd rather save lives than take them.

[samiam3356]

If your smart enough go through the navys nuke power generation program. Whne you retire andenter the civilan work force you will find a high paying good job with out issue, running a reactor for a civilian nuke power station

Best friend is doing this. He teaches at the nuke base in Charleston and will be able to retire (20years) next year and probably end up working for the TVA making 4 times as much, along with his benefits and pension.

He's been through 1 marriage and working on destroying a 2nd. Military divorce rates are crazy.