would navy recommend more college

[Rebecca-Jordons mom]

Just a quick question. My son and I are meeting with the recruiter tomorrow, but my son was wondering if one more semester of college would benefit him before signing up? He already has 42 college credits, and the first recruiter told us he'd go in as an E3, but I'm not sure if that was 100% truthful or not. I"m not sure how to answer him on this, so thought someone could offer more insight. I was going to ask the recruiter this tomorrow, but thought I'd get a heads up from this group before getting his advice!

[JacquieKSMM3]

My son just went to boot camp Sept. 08, after 7 months DEP he enlisted in the Nuke program and entered BC as an E-3 pay rate. He has no College credits at all he just graduted High School in May of 2008. His rate was an E-3 because of being in the Nuke program.

[Anti M]

The program changes often, so what is true one day may have changed the next. But I assure you, it is in writing somewhere. Insist on seeing the current regulation if you have doubts.

Ah, the nuke program. Very intense, my nephew is there now.

[Rebecca-Jordons mom]

thank you very much! This website is awesome and I appreciate you all so much. Hopefully my son will make his decision on what he wants to do, and it will be the navy, and I can help others like ya'll have helped me!!!! This new recruiter sounds very honest and forthright, and has told me that he will not pressure my son into doing something he is uncertain about. Another good thing about him is that he knows alot of my sons friends that have enlisted the past year. One of his best friends is also in the nuke program, and is loving it, so that's a plus!!!

[Navy_recruiter]

ok heres the low down, about.com is wrong and outdated. in order for a kid to get e-2 he needs 24 college credits, for e-3 he needs 42 college credits, it is and never has been 60 credits.

heres the other thing, most kids who join are going to be in dep for atleast 6-12 months anyway before they ship, rarely will they get a seat leaving before then now a days, it does happen but its rare. so i tell the kids i put in to go to the local community college where class's are cheap and knock a semester or 2 out, this way it keeps them busy while they wait and gives them something to do, and it makes them smarter.

about nuc. if a kid comes in the nuc program he will be an e-3 anyways, so credits and college doesnt mean much here excpt to have them, all nuc's are e-3 when they come in. also a nuc can only go on a sub, they have to volunteer, or an aircraft carrier, so while its not impossible, it is very, very improbable that they will see the middle east on land. most defiantly on a ship, but not on land.

hope that helps.

also ask the recruiter about the a2e program.......

[Navy_recruiter]

make sure to have a copy of his official college transcripts prior to him going to meps, its the only way they can put e-3 in his contract that day.

[Rebecca-Jordons mom]

Thank all of you. He met with the recruiter and will finish his testing and interviews for the Nuke program next week. His recruiter told me the navy is not signing up any new recruits next week???? so he can talk to job classifier, etc and then come home without signing anything.After talking (texting) to his friend thats in the nuke program, he's really excited about the possible opportunity to go for that, although my brother who is a retired master chief, strongly discouraged him from trying for that. He said it was a very hard school, and many don't make it...and have to be reassigned. I don't think he realizes how intent his nephew is to make this happen. Any advice would be appreciated!!! And although he already has his 42 credits, if he does make the nuke program, he will be an E3anyway, but having his basics out of the way will help him achieve his bachelors degree after nuke school, so i strongly recommend any credits they can get going in...

[Debbie06 (Medical Discharge)]

Rebecca,

My son just left for bootcamp on Monday and left with a Degree in his field of choice. He went into RTC as an E2 but will advance to an E3 upon completion of RTC.

[Anti M]

The thing with college credits is that while they can "expire", they do so slowly. If he ever wants a degree, getting more education is not a Bad Thing. If he does enroll in a community college while in DEP, ask what their refund policy will be if he leaves sooner than anticipated. Since it will be military orders, SOME colleges take that into account.

I had a couple years under my belt when I enlisted, when I hit my C school (not nuke, far simpler, LOL) I went to the college on base (Army base in GA) and took a few night courses to consolidate my credits into an Associates degree. That meant when I got to the point I was working on my first BS, all those credits held up and transferred. Work the system! Of course, if he goes nuke, he'll be too busy for college... it is intense.

About.com is a decent starting point, but as with everything you find online, do double-check for the most current regulations.

[Dee]

How many more credits does your son need to graduate? If he is close to graduating he might want to finish his degree. After graduation he could then apply for OTS (officer trainig school) if I am not mistaken. You might want to inquire about this as well. OTS will open up different avenues he may be interested in pursuing in the Navy.

[Nancy W.]

Hi Rebecca,

I don't know if I can answer your question straight up, but I can say this. Our son entered with some college credit, and I believe he went in as E3, too. What seemed to be more important was that he was a leader and stepped up to that task from the beginnng in the DEP program. In Basic Training, he worked hard and was a leader, too. Once he was out "in the fleet," so to speak--he was an Airman, working on P3's, he again was a hard worker and a leader. He was recognized for his effort, and eventually encouraged to apply for STA 21. He got in and completed his college education doing NROTC. Now he is in Flight School, again working hard. He loves what he is doing, and has loved being in the Navy. He decided early on to stay in. He also hopes to pursue graduate education in due time.

Hope that is helpful information!

[jean]

Yes the more college the better
I wish my son had more college
before he enlisted but he did much better in the Navy school than in the regular college
pnm of Austin
jean

[codysmom]

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between ROTC and the reserves. My daughter is a Junior in college and all of a sudden has started talking Navy.