True or False: The military doesn’t really offer experience relevant to the real world.

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences? Let's hear them Navy Moms :)

"The military doesn’t really offer experience relevant to the real world."

[Mari]

Robin this is very good information for us new moms to know. It makes it a little easier to know that when our sons/daughters leave the Navy they will be able to work and have good jobs. What area of work did your son go into. I'm still trying to learn what the IT and ET all stand for but I'm getting there, lol.

[Robin]

Mari,
My son is an Electronics Technician. With the experience he is gaining in the Navy, he will be set when he leaves the military.

SueMBlu~you are right on!

[Anne]

FALSE!! My son, who has been in the Navy for just over 2 years, is home on leave now. I have to say, as much as I don;t want to admit it, the Navy has prepared him quite well for "real life". He can cook, clean, manage his money, and is able to work with a team attitude extremely well. Heis still funny and goofy and when he's here, he does seem to forget about the clean part! His clothes are ALL over the place! But when he has to rally, he does. When he gets out I have no doubt he will be independant and confident, he will be an effective member of society and a gentleman. We gave him thiose qualitites, and the Navy has fine tuned them. I think the Navy, as well as us, nurtured an awesome young man!

[Robin]

Isn't it funny how the clothes thing never seems to get better! LOL

[Reenie1206]

Before my son joined the Navy, he tried college. It just wasn't for him. He worked a full time job, where he was late most Monday mornings, after a weekend filled with parties. Now that he is in the Navy, he's getting an education that no way could he have gotten otherwise and he's NEVER late! He can clean up after himself, cook, do laundry, (where was the Navy when he was 15!) He now thinks of the consequenses before he acts. Something he didn't do before the Navy. So I'd have to say that when he does decide to leave the Navy, he will be far more prepared to handle the rreal world than some.

[Melissa Greenfield]

False: Our son was a major in criminal justice in college for a year in a half before deciding to join the Navy. He wants to be a police officer and in time FBI. In stead of still being in a class room reading about it he is living it. learning hands on, getting experiance that college or police training could not give. When he comes home to get a job as an officer they take ones with experiance before a newbie.

[Jeanine #762]

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration for engines and cars, how to maintain and repair big engines, how to maintain and manage your finances, how to take care of yourself so you don't have to rely on your spouse and even be helpful to them. You could say the Navy does prepare you for relevant life issues. And all it takes is a few years committment on their part and they have usually learned these topics before one year is up.

[Brandon's Mom]

I believe that EVERYTHING they learn is relevent to the real world. Knowledge gained and experience learned is useful in both the civilian and real world at some point in time, some is more valuable to others for different reasons, and it is up to the individual as to how they utilize it. My son has no regrets and is thankful and proud of the opportunities he is experiencing. I support him, as well as all of our men and women willing to make that commitment and sacrifice. I would certainly not classify them as subliterate masses, but dedicated young men and women willing to make the utlimate sacrifice to help to keep us safe, while gaining valuable knowledge, experience, and training.

[Cheryl Boyer]

I haven't found anything else out about Six Flags yet, hoping I'll get a call from Cate for Mother's Day and I'll ask her about what she said. I'm still mulling it over, we're going to have an infant with our group, so it may not be a great idea, but we're definately hitting the Pier and I'd love to see Sears Tower, but most of all, I plan on taking my sailor to the mall for girl's day, get her a great manicure and pedicure (I'm sure she could use a good foot rub!)...What are your plans?

[Stacey]

Wow, this is so untrue! My daughter currently works in 2 seperate surgery suits covering many surgical needs aboard the USNS Mercy, the Navy has given her the experiance to get a great job in the real world ( she has already had offers)and the educational $$ to get her nursing licence. I work in a hospital where many Dr's and Nurses have gotten there start in the US Military, so for those who my read this statement "The military doesn’t really offer experience relevant to the real world."
and think its true remeber that the next time you need medical care you are probably looking into the face of a military veteran.

[Bonnie P]

Wow, how can anyone think they don't get experience relevant to the real world. Do they actually think college gives them relevant experience? In just the short time my son has been in I have seen so much maturity. Plus real life experience and working experience directly related to civilian work. I could go on and on but I know most of the people here get it.

[EM2 Jake]

I'm not sure about other rates, but for the submarine nuclear ones, we have a lot of experience that applies directly to real world jobs. Mine in particular, electrician, especially. Every day I do things that any electrician working in an industrial setting in the civilian sector does. Often, I get to do things that they don't too :)
I'm also working on an apprenticeship that will give me a Department of Labor certificate equivalent to going to a trade school to become an industrial electrician.