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!!

[Mom of a Linguist]

My husband, who was in the Navy and in the Reserves, had encouraged our daughter to go officer at the beginning. She chose to enlist instead and is thankful for that, even though she has talked about eventually going officer if she stays in long enough. Each position, enlisted and officer, has its own set of responsibilities and opportunities that are not necessarily open to the other.

[Navy Gunner]

I am a recruiter in Kansas City. If you have not talked to a recruiter by now, let me know and i can answer some questions for you and contact the local recruiter for you and have him give you a call. A degree will give you the oppourtunity to go into the officer programs and as you have a degree you will HAVE to talk to an officer recruiter. It is required. The officer ranks are very full as are the enlisted side. With a background in foreign languages you would be able to possible get into a linquist job which is in the naval intelligence community. I wish you luck and please contact me if you have anymore questions.

[Deborah]

My daughter enlisted the week after graduation last year. She then applied to OCS and finally went in February 22, 2009. We just attended her graduation on May 29, 2009. Because you have a degree, you can be an officer but it is not easy! You will have to find an Officer Recruiter. We live in Charlotte, NC and my daughter had to go to Raleigh to find an Officer Recruiter.

Watch this:

http://www.projo.com/extra/2008/ocs/

[Carol CGB]

I do believe the opportunities will be different, but remember, you still likely have to endure basic training, just like everyone else...LOL

It sounds like you have your ducks in a row, talk and question the recruiter thoroughly and think about the long term, remember this is commitment to your country for the next 4-6 years...but as a Navy Mom and a US citizen, I thank you for your decision, if you choose to serve your country. God Bless you.

[greeneregime]

Meagan, As a college graduate, you should most certainly go into the Navy as an officer. Don't let any recruiter tell you that it is not possible. Officer Candidate School is a tough three to four months, physically, academically and mentally, but the end result is worth it. I don't know anything about the linguistic path but, depending on the languages that you do speak, the Navy is in serious need of personnel with this training/talent. The leadership/management experience that you will gain is unmatched in the civilian sector, not to mention the travel opportunities and good pay and great benefits.

Because of the economy, more people are going into the military branches for job security, but the people who do not come up to standard are being released at the end of their commitments. This is mostly in the enlisted rates, based on sheer numbers, but goes on in the Officer ranks also. Our military, like any civilian company, can no longer afford to retain poor performers. Rather than waiting to hear back from a recruiter based on a written application, I would make an appointment with an Officer recruiter (be specific when making your appointment) and meet face to face. Many of the enlisted men and women who are put into recruiting billets for a couple of years, while doing a terrific job, do not have the experience to deal with the issues that will be of concern to you. Don't sell yourself short.

My husband is an Academy grad who went Nuclear Power and, after 27 years, is hoping to be selected for promotion to Admiral in the next couple of years. I have one son who went Nuke through Officer Candidate School and another son who is starting his fourth year at the Naval Academy, hoping to select as a Marine Corps officer. High school son also wants the Academy and only daughter, who looks so much like you, is planning on FBI after college graduation in a couple of years, though Mom and Dad are, quietly, hoping she decides on Officer Candidate School and NCIS.

Best of luck in your search and send us any further questions that you might have.

[SUZAN ALLMARK]

impressive choice! I think a women would have a better chance, working thier way up, in the Navy, Go for it, wish I would of joined when I was your age. Good luck at any rate, Suzan

[MeganCR]

Hi Suzan thanks for the reply I definitely think I am leaning towards enlisted because of the CTI position. I took the ASVAB this evening and passed with an 89 so let's hope the DLAB goes well tomorrow!!

[Achseh]

Good luck to you-- follow your heart not the money and you'll always be happiest. I guarantee it!

[SUZAN ALLMARK]

impressive choice! I think a women would have a better chance, working thier way up, in the Navy, Go for it, wish I would of joined when I was your age. Good luck at any rate, Suzan

[CombatCameraWife]

Hi Megan! I hope I can offer you my perspective and elaborate on what others have said. I have been around the Marine Corps my entire life (dad was one, husband is one), so my experience is not necessarily Navy, but I believe some things are universal when it comes to the military.

Those I've spoken to who are a bit older and join the enlisted ranks have expressed some frustration. You may enter the fleet and find that you end up with supervisors who are younger than you. Whether this will have any impact on you is really subjective. Some don't mind it, but others do. There's also the point that not only are you older, but you have a college education, and those around you are fresh out of high school. The small age/experience gap there will probably be noticeable for you. Keep in mind that fraternization is not acceptable in the military. You may find you have more in common with officers, but if you're enlisted, trying to establish friendships with officers can be risky.

As for quality of life, it will most definitely be better as an officer. Your pay is better, your living quarters are better, you are treated better. However, along with the 'perks' there is the greater expectation placed upon an officer to be THE ideal, THE example enlisted personnel should look up to. And if you do anything wrong, there is the possibility the hammer will come down on you harder than it would a young enlisted Sailor. Because more is expected of a Naval Officer.

Within the military, and this is especially true for the Marine Corps but I'm SURE just as true in the Navy, there is a general consensus among enlisted personnel (and even some officers) that Mustangs are more well-rounded and by default are treated with even more respect. That is why some people choose to go enlisted and get commissioned as an officer later. For the experience, which leads to greater respect. I am not saying everyone will respect you more if you're a Mustang, but it is almost always the case that enlisted personnel respect a Mustang more than they do a person who joins as an officer from the start. This is more "cultural" than anything. It is not "the rule" or anything like that. It is an unspoken understanding.

It really depends on what's important to you. Is this about honor or respect? Are you willing to give up the extra pay and better quality of life for an enlisted job that will be more fulfilling? Do you want the responsibility of being an officer?

I will say this. Although some people have told you "if you join as enlisted and decide you'd rather be an officer, you can just get commissioned." While this is true, it is MUCH harder to become an officer when you're enlisted than it is to simply join as an officer to begin with. Do keep that in mind. :)

Good luck Megan. If I were in your shoes, I'd go officer. I grew up enlisted and I married enlisted, and quality of life is important to me. But I'm not you. So choose whatever route will make you happiest.

[CombatCameraWife]

Oh, and no matter what, military linguists do well in the civilian world. So you've chosen a great field regardless!

[MeganCR]

Thanks again for everyone's opinions!! Well I passed the DLAB - score of 128 ! I signed enlisted for CTI ! I'm pretty excited but now nervous about boot camp!! My contract had April as the date I leave but I'm trying to leave earlier. Thank you all for helping me with my decision!!!