thinking about joining!!

[apernice]

so im 19, an EMT and i really want to go into the NAVY. my dad was in the NAVY i long time ago and is sooooo happy that im even thinking about it. my mom, she says she's happy but i know she wants me to go to college instead. im just really scared. people say that they dont get the jobs that they want and that its very hard. i love a challenge and can deal with that but it would be dissappointing to get a job that i dont want. i just want some positive feedback! and also my questions answered:

how short do i have to cut my hair? is there only one base for BC? what can you bring to BC? what is the best study materials to use for the ASVAB? any type of workout thats best to get prepared?

im just really nervous/excited/anxious all at once.  i really want to go into fire rescue and i know i need like a 95 on the ASVAB for that. but is there a height requirement?  

[mom 56]

bootcammp is great lakes i think your hair you can put in a bun if not shoulder lengh as far as the job you can always try and get it in writing when one comes up i know they are really busy not many jobs if you start running that would be good . good luck to youwhat ever you decide

[Kathy (AOMom)]

Girls in BC have to have their hair not touching their collars, it will be cut or you can get it cut before you leave, but after bootcamp you can grow it out, just in uniform it has to be up if it is long enough to touch the collar. You dont need to bring anything to bc except a few things, like calling card, stamps, no more than 25.00 in cash and the clothes on your back, the Navy will provide you with everything, even "granny panties" and eyeglasses if you wear them.
There is an ASVAB study guide you can buy, but I think they have online practice tests (not sure where to look)
If you DEP in with the Navy, your recruiter should be able to give you some workout info that would be best. The Navy is full right now but they are always looking for good people to fill positions, if the job you really want is not available you can wait, your recruiter should have the info on available jobs and if there are any requirements (such as height)
Best of luck.

[trburcza]

Have you looked into the BDCP (Bachelor Degree Completion Program)? That program lets you finish college, while you are in the Navy. Check with your recruiter and see if there are any jobs in the program you think would be good fit for you. My son has been working on entering this program for the last several months. It is a lengthy process, but one I feel is worth the effort and time. Best of luck with you decision. I personally feel that they offer great opportunities, especially in health care. Since you are an EMT, it might be a good fit! Also, you are GUARANTEED the job you want once you graduate college.

[AJ]

Your hair has to be above your collar. If it grows fast, they will cut it. Trust me,.. get your hair cut BEFORE you go in. Otherwise,.. you'll look crazy. lol It's not a salon in bootcamp.
Bootcamp is in Great Lakes. I'm from Chicago and can take the cold. If you're from a warmer climate, don't join in the winter. lol The winters here are pretty intense.
Any ASVAB book is good to study from.
There isn't anything to be scared about. Think of it as training when you get out.
You can still go to college while you're in. I don't want to give you any illusions that that is going to be an easy task. It's a new NAVY now.

If you end up going green side, a lot of commands require you to get your FMF pin before they will allow you to get tuition assistance.
As far as workouts,.. RUN!! lol NAVY is pretty easy. A mile and a half, sit ups and push ups. If you can do that,.. you'll learn it in bootcamp.
My sister joined with me. She's still in. When we were in bootcamp together,... she couldn't run AT ALL.hahaha. She learned... QUICK!!. If you fail your first Physical Readiness Test,.. you WILL get set back in training.
Don't freak out about it. It's just something a little different. There is a swimming portion. It's a joke. You jump off a platform into a pool... then you tread water and swim in a circle like once or twice (not the full length of the pool), then you get out. You'll mess up in bootcamp (they'll fnd something),.. so you'll learn pushups!

It's a great chance for you to get some hands on. A lot of employers love to hire people that were in the military.

[apernice]

thank you so much. im from upstate new york so i rather join in the winter. and yeah the physical bit is kinda scary just because the only physical activity is going up a cuople of flights of stairs to get a pt.

[AJ]

Girl I know the feeling. I swam in college. I just figured it was going to be swimming all the time. NOPE! lol I suggest running. I wish I did that. I got tired running 5 steps. hahaha! but I did it!! You'll be fine. I was really worried about it. There is NOTHING to worry about.
If you start running now you will be fine. There are certain times you have to get for you age though.

[Cola's Mom Div 303 PIR 9/10/10]

Just wondering, I have looked for comments about BC in Chicago in winter & havn't found much, but you mentioned it, how much different is it than in the warmer months. Besides Its cold, does it make it harder and more miserable? I imagine it may be better in summer, just one less thing to have to deal with, but if you have no choice?...

[AJ]

I'm originally from the UK/ Australia. I call Chicago my home though. lol I've been living here for over two decades now.
Chicago has all four seasons. When it's winter, it is cold as hell. Below 0 temp. Summer is VERY hot.
Remember Great Lakes is right on the lake. So you WILL get the lake effect.

If you're in DEP you've a choice of when you join. Just wait until the weather get's nicer. I love the fall. That's just me. Not too cold, not too hot. I ended up joining going in November. It wasn't too bad for me. However, my mates from the south,.. well,.. hahaha I felt bad for them. It was not a good time at all for them. It was a cold one. Probably about 8 degrees or so. Not too bad for someone from the area. Still cold though. My best friend joined in Summer. It's too hot for me.
If you want to lose some weight,.. summer might be the best time of year for you to join.

[Cola's Mom Div 303 PIR 9/10/10]

Thanks for the info, anything under 30 deg. is almost intolerable, don't know how you did it.

[adam]

i went in febuary and my wife went in september years ago, let us just say you cant shovel "heat" oh and your skin gets soo dry.. i have mechanics hands and evan i was putting lotion on because my knuckles were cracked and bleeding..

[RipleysWife528]

My husband is a corpsman (he was an EMT before he went in, too), and he posts youtube videos about Navy Corpsman life and answers lots of questions for people who are either already enlisted or thinking of joining. He's happy to give tips and advice and insight into what it's like to prepare, and what to expect. If you'd like, you can check out some of his videos at www.youtube.com/user/guitarjcr. Good luck!

[metalsetsmefree]

i dont believe there is a hieght requirement and you can always say no if they dont offer you the job you want! i had to a couple times before they offered me what i was interested in,