Is the Navy right for me?

[jennymarie]

Hi Everyone,

I'll be turning 25 next month. I graduated from college with a BS in Finance and although I currently have a decent job, I feel like I'm not going to go anywhere in life if I don't make a move. I feel I could be so much more professionally and as a person in general.

I'm wondering if the Navy is an experience that would be right for me. I just feel like I need to do something more meaningful and fulfilling with my life. The Navy stood out with all of the various opportunities and the ability to travel the world. It would be a life changing experience and make me a better person.

I'm used to being away from my family as I live a twelve hour drive from them now so being away is not a huge concern. I have a boyfriend I've been with for two years but he supports me in whatever I want to do.

As far as a position, I don't mind finance related work, but I would much rather be doing something more hands on and more in the action. The only thing I would be concerned with is finding a job once I am out of the Navy.

Could anyone that joined when they were older please shed some light on your decision and where it has lead you?

Also, I read that most ratings are 4 years active and 4 years inactive. What type of leave comes during active duty time? What are the requirements of inactive duty?

Thank you!

[Concernedad]

I would suggest going to the Navy website and looking over the career opportunity sections. See if there is a job there that would interest you. If so, next step is to visit a recruiter in your area and discuss your options.

There is much we cannot tell you from your short blurb.

Are you willing to be away from your boyfriend for potentially a long period of time?

Are you physically fit?

There are many other questions I can think of, but I'll let some others chime in first.

[jennymarie]

Thanks for your reply! Being away from my boyfriend would be the biggest challenge. I am physically fit, I work out 4-5 times a week.

[Anti M]

I loved the Navy; I joined at 22.  I was an electronics tech, which I knew nothing about, but did well with the hands on work.   I wasn't very fit, and I passed.   Sounds like you are more interested in enlisted than officer, but be sure to research both opportunities.   Many will push you toward officer, but I knew plenty of enlisted folks with degrees.

The BF situation can be worked out.   Not your biggest concern.  Lots of long distance relationships, join the GF groups and ask around.  

Leave is paid vacation days.  You would earn 2.5 days each month, for a total of 30 days a year.  The trick is you don't get a lot of leave in A school, unless it is Christmas.  Once you're in the fleet, taking leave will depend on your command's operational needs.  You may only get two weeks at a time, or get the less desirable time frames.  Lots of variables, so very difficult to give firm answers.  You can travel as far as you like on leave, but you can be recalled (unusual).  

You'll get liberty, which is normal time off if you don't have duty.   Every command has a limit on travel miles on liberty, so no flying out for long weekends without an out of bounds chit (300 miles is average).  

Your chances of being called up off inactive reserves are slim.  They activate the regular reserves first.  When you get the letter saying you're done, it is a good feeling though!

[jennymarie]

Hi Anti M, thanks for your reply!

How long did you stay in the Navy? Did you find it easy to find employment afterward? Also, what are the benefits like after serving?

If i'm not deployed on a ship when active, will I be stationed to work at a base? Is there any choice of location?

What is expected of someone on inactive duty? Is that correct that it's 4 years active and then four years inactive?

[Anti M]

I served nine years, would have stayed longer, but could not get spouse co-location.  We'd been apart two years, and I didn't want three more years on different continents.  (We did the same job, no billets open for us both in the same place).

I had trouble with employment, but I was in Japan and had a very specific skill set.  Had I been in the US, I'd have had no problem.   I did find a job on base, so we did alright.   Veterans get preference for a lot of jobs in the US.  My husband served a full twenty years, he gets retired pay, a good medical care plan (which covers me as a dependent), base privileges, and life insurance. As vets, we have used the VA for some medical, and for education benefits.   Retiring is far more desirable than just serving one set short enlistment.  

Yes, if you aren't on a ship, you're at a base.  Most rates have a sea/shore rotation, meaning they spend a set number of months assigned to a ship (which may or may not be out to sea) for several years, then several years at a shore command.  You can request a location, but you go where the Navy needs you.  The request is called a dream sheet for a reason.  No recruiter can guarantee you a location, never think you can enlist and serve near "home".  Doesn't happen except by chance and in rare cases.  

The 4/4 is just one type of contract. That's a detail to talk over once you know what you qualify for.  When you're on inactive duty, you just go about your life.  No drilling or checking in, just have valid contact info on file.  The Navy prefers you stay off drugs and out of prison, LOL.

[judy r]

Just  read your post and can understand questions to a point but if you have to ask if it is right for you then chances are it isn't

[Concernedad]

Maybe not. Maybe she just needs more information before making a life changing decision.

If I were making a career decision, I'd be ask many of the same questions. She's not a kid right out of high school, she has a college degree.

[Anti M]

I agree, this is the type of stuff many potential recruits and their families never think to ask, and the type of answers military families already know so it doesn't get posted.  I find it astonishing kids enlist without asking basic questions about day to day or Navy details... they see the exciting videos, the sales pitch, and hop right in.   Knowing the gritty stuff and then enlisting, that takes guts.

[ebigirl]

Amen to that Anti M...my son did exactly that without any advice from myself or his father. Yes, he was 19 and didn't have to and didn't tell us anything, but found he was lied to by his recruiter more than once. That was/is HIS tough lesson and decision that HE has to live with. He's making the most of it.

jennymarie: my son was told (in Nov 2010) that IF he went in as a (Regular) Reserve, he would get into bootcamp faster and be able to "switch" to Full Time Active Duty after bc with NO problem. Guess what, this is NOT true! He decided on his own that he wanted to be a Seabee. He didn't want to "get stuck on a ship" for months at a time" in his words. This is a good choice for him. He signed up for 6 years, and has 5 to go. The Navy is in the process of disbanding Seabee Active Duty Units, and we have been told that the Marines are going to incorporate some of them into their programs. Some with many years on and close to the 20 year retirement mark are being "laid off", and will not recieve any retirement benefits.

Be careful of any and all promises made to you by anyone, and make sure everything is in writing before you sign a thing! Good luck.

[Concernedad]

Just to add one thing. Many of the more advanced jobs are 6 years with 2 inactive.

BTW, would you prefer to enter as an officer? And can you deal with not being in control of your day to day decisions?

[jennymarie]

What would be considered advanced? With my background, I've been looking into the Supply route, which could lead to officer. I'm thinking this would be a good fit especially for a career after the navy as well. It would be quite a jump going from a civilian to an officer leading others, but I guess that's what the training is for. I haven't decided which route to take yet though.

As far as not being in control of day to day I understand that comes with being in the military and would expect that.

[Anti M]

Advanced would be career choices such as nuclear power field or advanced electronics (AECF), and a few others. The schools alone run up to two years, so they have longer enlistments.