Out of college - thinking of joining the Navy

[MeganCR]

I came across a job advertisement for language/translator opportunities with the Navy while browsing one day. I graduated from college in 2007 with a degree in foreign languages and have been at my current job for a year. I like what I'm doing but would really like to travel and use my degree so I applied for the job with the Navy and am waiting for a recruiter to contact me. I guess my question is - will my experience be different than someone joining straight out of high school? I really have no idea what to expect. Any advice would be great, thanks in advance!!

[Brenda Sue]

I would talk with the recruiter - but I would think MAJORILY different than just joining out of high school. I think you could go in as an officer!! Wow - what opportunities for you!!!

[Karen-Sara & Lauren's Mom]

Hey Megan:
I have one daughter at the DLI in Monterey, CA learning a middle eastern language. After 3 years of college and not much direction, she talked with a recruiter and left 6 weeks later! She's very bright as I am sure you are and although she loves it, she's finding it VERY difficult. My second daughter just graduated with her Masters in Sociology and she too joined ! She leaves for RTC in 5 weeks and will be doing the same thing as her sister. (Maybe a different language). The job market after the Navy for linguists is lucrative. Many companies as well as the government agencies hire these people quickly. If you're interested, talk with a recruiter, take the test, then also take the language test. They will offer you a contract with a defined job. (That's one of the better aspects of joining the Navy). The first daughter to join has met all kinds of folks, and just like in the real world some become friends, others not so.

[SueS (ABF Mom)]

If you have a bachelor's you would go in as an officer... don't let the recruiter tell you otherwise! Major differences

[MeganCR]

Thank you all for your replies !! Karen-Sara & Lauren's Mom: what is your daughter finding to be difficult, learning the language or is it the experience? I'll admit the part I'm most afraid of is boot camp, how did she do with it? It's great to know about the contract with a defined job - thanks for sharing ! I have an appointment with a recruiter on Saturday !! Nervous!!!!

[Karen-Sara & Lauren's Mom]

Megan:
It's ok to be nervous, not unlike picking a college. You're committed for a long time period. My younger daughter Sara was 23 last year when she joined. She's fluent in French, not sure if that has helped her or not. If you have taken a language, you can take a proficiency test and depending on how you do on that, you get a monetary raise. Sara tested pretty good and now gets an extra $150.00 per month for that. The difficulty for her is that the Language Institute has a 50% attrition rate, that's how many do not make it to the end! Sara is in her 33rd week of a 62 week "A" school, halfway but, it's 5 days a week, all day.Plus she has her Navy duties also, which means she a "watch" every now and again and she has to muster every morning with her division and needs to do "PT" most every evening. She's staying busy. The language itself is extremely hard. She needs to study a lot and goes to study sessions with the class. The "RTC" (boot camp) was an experience for her. If someone in the division messes up, they all pay. They get screamed at constantly,but it's to break you down and rebuild you into a sailor. Advice for her from others we knew was to keep your head down, mind your business and don't volunteer for anything. She did that and on graduation day, Megan, the transformation is so emotionally awesome, it's really unbelievable!!. Being nervous abut RTC is natural, the food sucks for a vegetarian, no sweets at all, starchy, etc. you get the picture there. My other daughter Lauren is 26 and because of the economy, she decided to join to get a steady income and health insurance and she really admires what her sister is doing. Sue from above is erroneous about being an officer right away. Lauren has a Masters degree and after a while she will be applying to Officer School. You cannot do that right away. The benefit you get for having a college degree is pay grade (Sara graduated RTC as an E4 instead of 2 or 3.) So she makes a bit more salary. Go meet with the recruiter, he/she will give you the lowdown on what's what. You may be completely honest with them and they will guide you the rest of the way. Megan, good luck, write back with any other questions you have and let me know how it goes on Saturday!!-Karen

[SueS (ABF Mom)]

My meaning is that she does not HAVE to go enlisted. There are different positionss and different recruiters. If she chooses enlisted that is fine, for sure. I guess I just want you to reseaech all options and going in as an officer is one of them.

[PETTY OFFICER]

the fact that you have bachelors does not make you elligible for officer position, we look at gpa's and competitiveness, we dont just commision anyone of the street to lead sailors bcos they have a degree!
going enlisted does not prevent you from competing for an officer position.

[SailorAtSea]

As a sailor I can tell you right now that this is a difficult decision. I loved languages, but I got the red tape. Now I'm working on electronics, much to my amazement since it was the last thing I ever thought I'd do. I love Japanese. I studied it in Japan. They gave me BS about not being able to take a language test and not having 'openings' for officer candidates at the moment. At the moment I'm looking into crossrating or becoming an officer. Language only has one option as an enlisted, which is CTI. I have to warn you about that. If you like it, it's a good job. Keep in mind you won't really go anywhere. It's a desk job, plain and simple. You don't get much chance to see the world. You will have 3 places you might be able to go. A school you don't really get much of a decision (if at all) about which of the 3 you will go to. The best one is Hawaii, but you'll be there a long time. You also have to meet expectations of physical fitness, not just for big navy, but also for Aircrew. They go through some rigorous training, and they don't want anyone up there with them who's not to standards, so to speak. The training is very long too. I would recommend going in as an officer. It pays much better, with more opportunity to manage people. They will need good officers who can go places where they are needed. You'll have much more opportunity to go to sea. Being an officer would be a great opportunity if you don't mind being a leader 100% of the time, and taking responsibility when those stupid people just out of high school and think the world is theirs decide to do something stupid. Even if enlisted don't like officers sometimes, we highly respect them for standing up and representing us when we take a fall. I know people who graduated college and are enlisted out here. Most of them like the ship, but they don't like being talked down to all the time like children. That's the most I've really heard of complaints for them. As for your recruiter, don't ever, ever let them make you do something, or tell you that they're going to do something for you without proof. They need you and your business. If your recruiter tells you something come here to this forum because everyone and their mothers (literally) will help you and tell you whether or not they are pulling your leg. I wish you all the best.

[Achseh]

There are different recruiters for Officers than enlisted. With a degree, you should be an officer, however there are some who decide they want to do the enlisted thing and are quite happy with it. Do your research and know yourself before you sign anything.

[MeganCR]

Thank you all so much this has been very helpful - I really appreciate your time and thoughts!!!

[HondaGirrl]

Hi Megan;
With all honesty, your experience will be different from someone who is coming out of high school. I'm currently in the DEP program and I leave for boot camp in three weeks. I joined the Navy also to travel and also for leadership skills and education. I currently have an Associate's degree so I wasn't eligible for OCS but I'll come out of boot camp as E-3 enlisted. I plan on finishing my Bachelor's and then go to law school (I hope to be a JAG officer in the Navy someday). One of the things I'm experiencing is that I have a "life" that I have to put on hold. For example, finding someone to handle my finances while I'm in boot camp, putting in my resignation at my current job, packing and moving things out of my apartment, finding storage for my truck, etc. It's all very hectic and bit stressful. But on up side, whether you go in as enlisted or an officer, you'll be looked up to as a leader because of your experience in the civilian world (i.e working a job, handling personal finances, etc.) Joining the Navy has been the best decision I've made. I believe the Navy has a lot of wonderful opportunities; you just have to step up and grab it. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions.

[MeganCR]

Thank you for your insight - I am also worried about finding someone to take care of my current life if I join. My parents are great but I will kind of feel bad piling it all on them - they have enough stress! I'm sure they would be happy to do it though. I'm glad you feel you made the right decision - that is encouraging ! Best of luck in boot camp and after!!!