Scary decision: to Navy or not to Navy?

[Court M3]

same here. Got any navy questions PM me. Not as bad as you think.

[zandi]

Hows the airforce and the coast guard?

[abepark]

hey dude I'm in the same boat as you, but I'm a bit older. I have a good head on my shoulders and I'm just done with the civilian life and need a change. I don't have any military backround (my dad never served, my grandfather was in the army core of engineers).

I loved and have been on boats (sail powered) since I was a little kid. I could never have a job where the primary mission is to shoot a gun at people. I'm really close to joining the coast guard because of hurricane katrina. Never thought I'd join a military branch, and still don't feel the coast guard is one (I know it is). My basis for joining is people should help people (flame's awaiting). I think helping people should start at your own country. Yes this is a scary time and joining a military branch is a scary decision, what has helped me is talk to the people that are in the military branch, they will give you the real stories, and give you lots of insight. I want to learn diesel engines and get the experience that the world relays on.

just my two cents is don't join till we have a new president and maybe give him a few month to adapt to being the president

One question I have is basic training the same for all the military branches? you get sent to the same place and get almost the same structure of boot

[FL318is]

Ok gentlemen, heres my side. I was in a similiar situation so I enlisted in the USN.

I had a great time but could not wait to get the f..k out. I was in for 4 years and never saw the first boat. No prob with that. My first duty station was F*****G Mississippi. That so sucked ass that I still have nightmares. There was one girl in town and we just called her Boom-boom. That duty station was shit.

I traded with another enlisted guy and got Pax River Maryland. This place was GREAT. The base is beyond compare. DC was a short drive away and St Marys College had plenty of parties.

While I was in I did alot of things I would not have done without the benefit of the military. I started taking classes at the University of Maryland. I had 2 full semesters before I was discharged.

My point is this. Its a win and lose situation. You will lose the freedom to decide whether you come or go. You might get a duty station that SUXS and be powerless to do anything about it. Technically they own your ass.

If you go in, have some clear cut goals and dont waste time.

If you do not go in, get a job at Costco and go to school, work on your degree.

Last note, I am glad I went in. HOWEVER, if I had it to do over again I would just go to school.

[willsol]

Coast Guard... or Air Force.

NEVER NAVY... I know a ton of Navy here in Norfolk and not one of them would join the Navy if given a second opportunity.

[blunttech]

hey dude I'm in the same boat as you, but I'm a bit older. I have a good head on my shoulders and I'm just done with the civilian life and need a change. I don't have any military backround (my dad never served, my grandfather was in the army core of engineers).

I loved and have been on boats (sail powered) since I was a little kid. I could never have a job where the primary mission is to shoot a gun at people. I'm really close to joining the coast guard because of hurricane katrina. Never thought I'd join a military branch, and still don't feel the coast guard is one (I know it is). My basis for joining is people should help people (flame's awaiting). I think helping people should start at your own country. Yes this is a scary time and joining a military branch is a scary decision, what has helped me is talk to the people that are in the military branch, they will give you the real stories, and give you lots of insight. I want to learn diesel engines and get the experience that the world relays on.

just my two cents is don't join till we have a new president and maybe give him a few month to adapt to being the president

One question I have is basic training the same for all the military branches? you get sent to the same place and get almost the same structure of boot

no, boot camp is very different between branches.

[franco90]

Join the Marines and yes the coast guard deploys to Iraq

[z31maniac]

Growing up I always thought I would just go to college and become a brililant something, right now I am thinking about becoming a surgeon. I have the mental capacity, but things in my life have destroyed any plans I could have ever made.

My parents devorced, and mom married a guy that was sorta well to do. At least they never worryied about bills, or the three new cars in the driveway. Mom always was a crazy lady, and has recently kicked me out for the 10th and last time.

Long story short, I am seriously looking into joing some branch of the military. I have always loved sailing and the ocean, blah blah, so the Navy is my first choice.

Anyone else gone this route? I grew up thinking that only dropouts and losers went in the military, but I am sure this is not true...

Just thinking aloud, anyone>>>>>>?

So you can't keep yourself from getting kicked out of the house and now you're giving up on what you really want out of life?

You sound like a quitter. My roommate in college worked 50 hours a week to pay his way through school while also being a full-time student.

I say suck it up if that's what you really want to do.

Sounds like you are looking for justification to quit your life's dream just because it will be a tough road......you won't get that from me.

[abepark]

anyone got study tips for the asvab? I'm about to take it tomorrow, I've been studying with the kaplan test but seems to me the time on each question is gonna kill me. I'm making flash cards as well.

[Ral]

I just left Pensacola, where the Rescue Swimmer course is. I have some friends that became officers after being Rescue Swimmers, so I could possibly provide more info on that. I'm currently in Primary flight training in Corpus Christi, TX so my experience will be a little bit more limited than Court or some of the other guys (I have nearly 30 months of training before I'm operational if I end up going Tailhook, then I'm in for 8 years at a minimum after that, more likely longer).

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I love the Aviation community within the Navy, and should you go in I would recommend you go either aviation, intel, or Corpsman. (Corpsman is a great gig, and there's a lot you can do with it. They deploy with Marine infantry units, if you're looking for action, or it can be a source to begin a medical career with.)

[Das Boots]

Joined the Navy when I was 20 thought I would only do 4....ended up staying in for 20 (a lifer). Came up through the ranks and different duty stations in ConUS and overseas. One of them was being a Recruit Company Commander in San Diego. Saw the world and then some.....A very fulfilling career indeed and without regrets. Retired as Senior Chief. Lots of great memories & experience, learned 4 languages fluently, enough for me to write a book...maybe someday when I am done with my day job...if my memory will still be with me by then. Now, enjoying the benefits with some of my BMWs.

[VacMan]

Although this thread has had some good responses, the original post is from 2.5 years ago. I'm guessing he didn't go since he still posts here all the time.

[jflip2002]

I am about the same age as you. It really sucks not knowing what you want to be or what you will be doing. I have already completed 1 1/2 years of a bachelors in biology and yet I don't know what the fuck I am going to do when I am done! I have found out though, that we are not in the only ones. I talk to people all the time that are questioning what to do. Just do something man, anything, as long as you aren't out on drugs, working full-time at a dead end job with no plans, then something good will come out in the end. Just work hard and don't be stupid. Maybe something will dawn on me in the next 2 1/2 years while I finish my bachelors.

Georgia aquarium FTW. Thatd be FUCKING BAD ASS. That or coral research in the Maldives, indo-pacific or the likes would be awesome.

But OP, Just keep on doing SOMETHING like others have said. My cousin went in the navy, didnt learn shit, and now that hes out he has a dead end job. Its not really where you go, as long as you go somewhere and work for something it seems like. But who am I, Im still in CC lol.

[318isbmw]

Makes me laugh that some of you are calling the OP out. He posted this 2 years ago...

[FL318is]

Funny, way funny.

2 yrs!

Guess we know which of us reads the instructions first before assembly.