Not sure if I'm ready

[ebruno]

My husband has convinced me to join the navy. We havent talked to a recruiter or anything yet. I am still in college and I have 2 years left. I'd like to join as a nurse officer. Just wondering if there were any enlisted opportunities so that I could join while in school and have the navy pay for my education and then transfer to an officer job. Not sure how it works and the husband hasnt explained it. Also I'd like to wait until he deploys (June 2010) to go to boot camp and all that stuff. I am also worried about leaving my daughter who is almost 2. Any advice? How long does boot camp last? How long will I be away before I get stationed somewhere? Will I get stationed where my husband is stationed? Will I have to go on a boat right away for a long time? My husband has never been on a boat but have been on numerous deployments. Anyways let me know what ya'll think.

Leah

[Achseh]

My advice? Finish school first. By that time your daughter will be older.

There is no guarantee or program that I know of that will guarantee that if you enlist you'll later be automatically accepted into an officer program. I''m sure someone with more experience with that can answer (Hoppi?)

Once you are in there is no guarantee that you'll be stationed together. There is no guarantee that you won't be deployed right out of school. I'm sure AntiM can help you with advice about trying to be stationed together.

I can tell you that it doesn't sound as if you and your husband have very good communication about something as completely life altering as this decision will be. You both need to gather more information and TALK about it to make a decision together rather than having him convince you of something that so clearly makes you somewhat uncomfortable.

If being a nurse is what you want, there are other funding options out there beside military service.

Good luck!

[ebruno]

I should probably add that my husband has been in the navy for 13 years.

[ebruno]

Add also that I am out of town and this just came up yesterday and havent had a chance to really talk about it. He said I could join as a corpsmen I guess doing medical stuff and continue my college and do a officer transfer program. We do still have alot to discuss. How long is boot camp and A school?

[Chris A.]

Boot Camp is 8 weeks (average, sometimes 7½, sometimes 8½). A school will depend on what your'e going to do, job-wise. It could last several months to over a year. What will happen to your daughter while you're gone? You wouldn't be able to have her with you for a long time. Would that be good for her? I think you need to seriously think this through. My advice? Finish school first, then re-evaluate. Having a college degree can be a huge help and will open up more opportunities for you.

[Anti M]

I would not join just to get college paid for. And there is zero guarantee you can get into an officer program from the enlisted side. You need to speak with a recruiter, who will steer you toward enlisted programs. you would also need to speak with an officer recruiter, to fully explore those options. Talking to a recruiter obligates you in no manner.

Right now there's not many women being accepted into Corpsman rating. Again, ask the recruiter. Plus you must pass the ASVAB to see what rates you qualify for.

Your child is quite small, and while it is easy to calculate how long boot camp will take you away (8 to 9 weeks), many schools have long waits and holds, and what says XYZ on paper may triple in time. You and your husband will have to fill out a family care plan for who will care for your child during that time. That plan is a legally binding document, so you'd have to think it through. The Navy won't accept a verbal plan, "Oh, mom will help". So that's one factor.

Two married sailors cannot be at the same command, although they can be on the same base. These days, one will be on sea duty, the other on shore duty. The Navy does NOT have to station you together, although they will try to get you near each other. Even then, that does not guarantee you will be all that close geographically, or that your schedules will align. You will still need a Family Care Plan, because there will be days you both are away. Day care is hard to find, and does not cover contingencies such as appointments, and so on.

I'm all for people joining the Navy, but you'll need far more research than asking here. Best of luck to you.

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Great answers Anti M!

Something for the OP to think about is are you ready to leave for 6 months, thinking your hubby will be home than find out 4 months into your deployment that your hubby is getting deployed also. So just when you are going to be getting home from deployement your husband just left. You can go 6-12-18 months with out seeing your spouse when you are both USN.

Also right now it is very hard to get in as a corpsman, the USN is in need of male corpsman.

As for the being stationed together, Anti M, hit is on the head the USN does NOT have to station you together. You can be in Norfolk, and your husband can be in San Diego.

FYI, the USN calls the SHIPS, not boats! Depends on the rate you go if you go on a Ship right away.

FYI, I was dual USN until my hubby retired this past Sept. So I do know what I am talking about.

[Arwen]

FYI, the USN calls the SHIPS, not boats! Depends on the rate you go if you go on a Ship right away.

Unless you're talking about submarines. ;~)

[Hoppi aka Angie]

My 2 cents, if you are going to post you don't think you are ready to join than DON'T join!

What does your husband do in the USN?

[ebruno]

I'm done with this website. You people are rude. Sorry I asked a freakin question.