Am I making a rational decision or emotional mistake?

[Morgan]

Hello. I’m a 27 year old college graduate. I am very unhappy with the status of my life right now, and am looking to do something different yet meaningful.

I’ll be 100% honest; I am so fixated on the Navy’s incentives that I may be ignoring the cons/risks. I’m sold on the loan repayment program, the opportunity to travel, making money with very few expenses (saving), and employment security for AT LEAST the next 4-8 years. The Navy has an answer to all my civillian woes. I’m going into this with the mindset that it’s going to be hard and I’ll probably be miserable, but what am I really losing? My family all says that there is a war going on and now is the wrong time to join. I don’t look at the military as a guaranteed ticket to war or a death sentence, but they do. If enough people disagree with you, then eventually you have to think you're wrong. So am I missing something? Are there more risks with the Navy that I am not considering? I don’t want to psych myself out from joining, but I also don’t want to be naïve either….please help me make a more rational decision!

[Anti M]

Off the top of my head, I'd say your chances of going into a war zone aren't all that great. Oh, there is a possibility, but I wouldn't call it a probability. I'm basing that on you being female. Of course, everything is subject to change. They're putting women on subs soon, which a lot of people never thought would happen. But there are far more sailors serving on ships than in the sand.

When I was serving, I was acutely aware it was peacetime. I knew I'd never be on front lines if it came to a war, but it bothered me to be a part of the overall war machine. Yes, I'm patriotic and was willing to serve as ordered, but I thought about it. It wasn't even cowardice or a fear for my personal safety, I dislike the idea of contributing to the death of any human, even "enemies". Actually, I think many service members don't like the thought of war and death, but they do like the idea of freedom and peace and are willing to do what it takes. Most of the sailors I knew were never "kill them all" types. Sure, you get a handful of that mentality, but there is also a lot of intelligence and compassion when it comes to today's uncertain world. I hope I'm making sense here.

What rates are you considering? Do you have any idea yet at all?

[Morgan]

That helps me a lot, thank you. Gives me more to consider, I appreciate the insight. As far as rates, i'm interested in media. My degree is in broadcasting so of course I would love to continue with that. But i've often been told that there is a very very slim chance of that being available. Beyond that, I have NO idea...I've looked all on the Navy website and other sources reading about possible rates, and i'm still very uncertain what i'd want to do beyond media. I do know that i'm not interested in medical...

[Anti M]

I went into electronics with zero knowledge or interest. Ended up loving it. Don't discount all rates because they're outside your area of interest. LOL, I can hook up my own stereo!

Yeah, medical didn't do it for me either, although my parents thought it was the only thing I was suited for. HA!

Yes, the media rates tend to be heavily manned, not many openings.

[Morgan]

Yea I’ve been told that’s how it works up at MEPS. I don't know if it's me, but from all the different descriptions I’ve read I'm still not understanding what the jobs entail. I'd like to think of myself as somewhat intelligent, but I have a hard time deciphering these job descriptions! Maybe I should make a list of those that seem interesting enough, post them on here and you all can help me better understand the position. My recruiter wasn’t much help here. Thanks all.

[Anti M]

I can tell what the daily life of an ET on shore duty is like. But shipboard, I didn't get to do that. For me, it was pretty much a 7 to 4 work day, with some duty days thrown in, and of course, training (the Navy NEVER stops training). And cleaning and painting, but not as much as you'd think. And working long hours if my gear was down; I worked on critical systems which had to be up and running perfectly. Seemed like the dang things had a knack for breaking down on Friday afternoon, LOL. I didn't work shifts like some of the sailors at my command did. Also, I advanced quickly, so I had less of the cleaning and grunt work than the junior sailors. You WILL learn to mop a floor! Builds character. On a ship, you will likely pull crank duty when you first arrive. This is doing the basic life chores that make the crew happy... laundry and kitchen type thing.

Boot camp is another world. You show up, keep your mouth shut and your ears open and do as you're told. I promise, almost everyone hates the first twp or three weeks, then it gets better as you all learn to pull together.

A school is kinda like college with duty days and PT, and a really, really strict dress code. You won't have a lot of freedom at first, but you'll earn it. You will be in a barracks (think strict dorm with inspections).

In the fleet... I can't answer that except from my own experience. You will have a lot more time to do as you wish outside of you work and duty schedule. I had my own place pretty quickly. On a ship, that can be true in port.

Or your experience will be entirely different. I hope you're laughing!

[EMC (SS)]

Just to make a simple point of it, I do not have a college degree (8 classes left). However I was offered a job for $70,000 with a $8,000 a year raise when qualified to train people on how to operate electrical equipment (yes I could say with who, but that would be unprofessional). I have decided to stay in the Navy for two main reasons. Firstly because it's fun and I enjoy the challenge of it . The other is the retirement and its benefits.

As far as the cell phone thing goes, I will explain it to you, most cell phones are able to take pictures and most of what you learn in Navy schools is Classified. I hope you can connect the dots from here. As far as why the head of your command didn't talk to you about it there, is that it is actually a matter of respect for the chain of command. That person expects that his Chiefs and Petty Officers can resolve the issue without him having to do it himself. This is the opposite of micromanaging and is generally considered a good thing.

Finally, since it seems that you don't understand why we clean so much let me explain. 1) Where we work is where we live and I like to live in a clean place. 2) Having an unclean or poorly stowed environment can result in people dying. Examples: taking a hard roll and a box falls out of the overhead landing on someone or not cleaning up some oil/fluid on the deck and someone slips and falls down a flight of stairs. 3) The cleanliness of your spaces is your division's calling card. Just like going to a job interview; you want to look your best to impress your potential employer, the division's spaces are trying to impress the chain of command and the condition of the ship is trying to impress inspectors. This is because some of us want to be the best. 4) Pride. I take pride in the work that I do, my personal appearance and the appearance of my work center. Simply because it is mine and represents me.

It is ok to not like the Navy. It is not something that you have to do. If you remember, you volunteered to do it and you took an oath. Life is hard, anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something. However there are reasons and principals that make sense and make life worthwhile. Service is one of them.

I am sorry that you haven't had a leader that has inspired you, but its not their life, its yours. I hope you do find something that you can be happy with, but I find it hard to understand how you can be this upset with the job that has continued to send you a regular pay check, with you not doing the job you were hired for, while it takes care of all of your medical bills and will provide you benefits and potentially pay when you get out. All because they made you clean stuff and yelled at you when you couldn't even do that right?

[EMC (SS)]

Cubbyball,
This will be my last post in reply to you as I believe that there is no point in further dialog as you don't seem to understand what I am trying to point out to you.
In just your reply post, you have insulted or tried to make less of the following:
- Anyone who has ever been placed on restriction
- Anyone who has not gotten a college degree
- Anyone who has ever lived in a barracks
- Anyone who doesn't hire a someone to do their cleaning
- Anyone who has worked as a janitor or other cleaning related job
- Anyone who is underpaid
Now I will completely ignore all of the veiled insults to me, as if a few flowery words would prevent me from being able to grasp the meaning of the remainder of what you have written, however I feel it is necessary to tell you how you have insulted my direct family.
- According to you my Grandfather, living in Poland at the onset of WWII, only received 5 years of schooling as when Germany invaded they closed down the schools. He later fought in WWII in the Polish resistance and then served 2 follow on years in the Polish Army. Then he later saved enough and came to America with his wife and (eventually six) children. Did so legally and supported his family. He bought and paid for a house working 70-80 hours a week as a janitor. He is beneath you? He is a lessor person then you because he was not educated and worked as a janitor?
- According to you my Father-in-law, who came from a broken home, served in the Navy for 4 years, was given partial disability as he received an injury while working on submarines, got married, worked as a mail carrier and raised 4 wonderful daughters, currently manages 3 subway restaurants. He is beneath you? He is a lessor person because he only has a high school diploma and still cleans at a job he is underpaid to do?
- According to you my Father, who's father was an alcoholic and routinely beat him and his mother, who dropped out of high school and never finished his degree even though he worked at a general manager for Kodak photo finishing and now is a manager of quality assurance for a manufacturing plant. He is beneath you? He is a lessor person because he never finished his education?
- According to you my wife, the mother of my children, who had one child that only lived for an hour, who waits for me ashore and takes care of the needs of my household and of my children while I'm gone, who supports my command and the wives of my Sailors as an ombudsman, who was home schooled and received a GED rather then a diploma, is active in our church with callings and who runs a business with a good friend. She is beneath you? She is a lessor person because of her family's choice in her education and because she has chosen to be a stay at home mother and sees it as an honor?

The shear unmitigated audacity that you have displayed is repulsive! If no one has previously informed you please allow me to be the first. It is NOT acceptable to talk down to other people as if you know something of their trials and struggles. It is NOT acceptable to tell someone that they are below you. This is the same attitude that is displayed by bigots of all types. Certainly as part of your education or raising you must have been taught some degree of humility or human decency. I know that the Navy has given you several briefs and discussions about these concepts.

Please don't even bother posting a response as I have no interest in anything that you have to say. The best thing you can do is delete your postings before you truly insult someone who lacks the composure to see that you're unfortunately an immature person that can't understand how words can affect other people.

[2 in the service]

You and your family are the fiber and core of the real America. Best wishes to you all!

[BunkerQB]

You are my kind of guy, a real credit to the Navy, our country and the world (this should cover everything). Your family and my family would get along. Any time you are in North Cal, you and your family are invited to dinner. If it comes about, pm me and I will respond with phone or regular email. Thank you so much for all that you have contributed.
Sincerely yours, BB

[EMC (SS)]

Potential Shipmate,
The Navy was a great decision for me and I am making a career out of it. I didn't always feel this way and from years 2-5 I was dead set on getting out. A lot has changed in my life to change my mind and lets say I grew up and understand a lot more then I did back in the day. What I think you need to ask yourself is why are you joining? If it is to get out of school, I hate to tell you this but when you enter the Navy you will have another 6 months-2 years of school before you get to do any of that traveling. You will be receiving a pay check to go to school rather then a bill though so maybe that will reduce some of the stress your currently dealing with. If it is because your looking for something new, want to do something worthwhile, want discipline, a job, see the world and/or experience to get other jobs the Navy is a great place to go.

Will you be assigned to a warship or war zone? Yes. This however doesn't mean that you will die or that you will even be close to anywhere where shooting is going on. In all honesty you are probably more likely to die driving on the Highway then you are onboard a Navy ship.

My advice is to make a list of the pros and cons and make your own adult decision about what you want. If you decide to join then read over your contract carefully, ask if there is anything else you are entitled to and ensure that you get information on your rating before choosing it.
Good luck,
Respectfully,
EMC (SS)

[BunkerQB]

Morgan, please take note. Cubbyball has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that those who don't belong in the Navy shouldn't be there in the first place. If you see even the slightest of resemblance between you and cubbyball, then please refrain from joining the Navy. The association is bound to be painful for you, the Navy and all those around you. Morgan, take your time. The Navy is just one door. Try some others. Don't be afraid to follow your own path. It's all about doing what you love. I have been in my profession for 35 years. I still love it. I learn new things every year to stay on top of all those youngsters competing with me. My sister is 68, she just started a Phd program in computer science. She is a civilian employee of the Navy. We all wish you the best of luck. Stay in touch.

[Lily AJ]

Cubbyball........... even if a person does go in as a Janitor, that is not a bad thing. I think ALL jobs in the Navy are important ones. They need someone to do every job, just like in the outside world.
I have a son who joined a year ago, and No he isnt a janitor and never has been, but if he was for awhile he would do what he had to do and make the best of it. He has an office job that he is quite happy with, and it helps that he is in HI. Now whether he stays in past his first term is still to be determined but for now it is what it is as he puts it and makes the best out of every day. And actually he is quite happy right now in his life.....and it helps.
I guess my point is the Navy isnt for everyone and because you had a bad experience doesnt mean everyone will. Just my two cents.