I want to enlist...but my family isn't thrilled...HELP?

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

So, I want to enlist as a Navy Diver..I've talked to recruiters, i'd be leaving for boot around decemeber of 2012...but the thing is..i've brought them SO much info, i've been looking into this for MONTHS...at LEAST 8 months..I want to do this..this is EXACTLY what I want..they know of the benifits, and college, and all of that..but they aren't very encouraging...They kinda just say "okay"..

Also..my friends keep saying it's a waste of my life..and time....is there any ideas on how to get a little bit of support??

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you Anti, I intend on making it my career, and staying in until I can no longer re-enlist.
I've looked into the lifestyle throughly..I really like it. A challenge gives me something to work towards, and that's what the Navy will give me.

[Anti M]

Excellent. I am looking forward to hearing how you liked boot camp, although it gets better in memory than while you're in the middle of it! May your journey be fulfilling, exciting and rewarding.

Had I been able to co-locate with my spouse, I'd have served a full twenty as he did. I was born and raised Navy, I loved my time serving even when I had bad experiences, and I stuck by my hubby's career. Being retired Navy is a wonderful perk.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you, I will definitely come back and let everyone know how it went, I'm graduating early next year, so I'll get to sign sooner, leave sooner, and get started, I am SO excited!

[Craig]

Man, I just love a great Navy debate.... You learn so much when your talk about these things... Woo-hoo...

So let's piece apart Anti M comments:

Her 1st paragraph concerns BAH. She says that "I wouldn't tell any sailor joining they'll get housing". Why not tell them? Why keep them in the dark? Let them know the rules so they can use the rules to their advantage. If the barrack is over 95% full, even an E1 can put in a request chit to move off base and collect BAH. Heck, my son was a single E2 and received BAH because of this. Yes they want the barracks to be manned, they just won't give you money to live off base if there is room in the barracks. However, the bottom-line for this is the Navy will pay for you to live somewhere. Does Walmart or any other civilian company pay for you to put a roof over your head? No....

Her second paragraph talks about education expenses. I must admit it sounds like she had a real sucky LPO or Chief. When you submit a request chit through your chain-of-command to be allowed to attend college classes, they assume to responsibility that you will attend those classes. They must make every effort for you to attend once that chit is approved. If your LPO decides that they need to call you in for mission related things, and it forces you to fall behind to much on your college work, then all you do is have the LPO send the CO the official withdrawal letter saying they needed you for mission. Believe me, the LPO best have his ducks in a row because the CO will come down on them if he couldn't have found a replacement for you. CO's hate when this happens. Here is the offical rule on this: https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/nta.cfm
Which says:
"I must withdraw involuntarily due to military duties, transfer, emergency or hospitalization?
- Notify the school and "officially" withdraw from the course. Make sure you will be receiving a "W" grade.
- Request your Command write a letter to NETPDTC N8131 (see address below) confirming your reason for the involuntary withdrawal and ask that you be relieved of paying back the amount of the TA used to fund the course you could not complete.
- If your TA funded a non-reimbursable fee, you are responsible for paying the amount of the fee to the school if they have not already invoiced the Navy, or to the Navy if the school has already been paid."

As far as not finding upper level courses, I never had a problem. However, I was in the computer science field, and yes it might be a problem getting upper course credits let say if you wanted the medical field. But in those cases, all you do is take "Field Study Classes". I did this many times.

As far as the money, It also seems like she never applied for the "TOP UP" program that allows more money not covered by the $250/credit and cap under the TA program. Again, the programs are out there, and just because Anti M failed to apply for them, doesn't mean you have to fail too. Just read the rules, and you'll be so much ahead.

Her third paragraph says don't take the sales pitch with a grain of salt. I totally agree. Thank God you are doing your research. And to expand on her comments, don't just "ask some of us who have been there", I might add "and that knows the rules". Which she means by "Never assume you know what's available, always ask for clarification and regulations", believe me, she 100% correct there.

Lastly, for her 4th paragraph. Yes you do get 30 days vacation per year, but much like civilian companies, they will only allow you a certain amount of time off due to manning levels. Just imagine you asking a civilian company for 30 day vacation. Heck, you wouldn't have a job when you got back. They would know that they could do without you for 30 days, they probably can do without you forever. Heck take 1 week here, one week there. You can actually extend your vacation out to 45 days by doing this. The reason is you would check out on Monday, then check back in on a Friday. You are then only charge 5 days leave and not 7. In those 2 months, you will earn another 5 days (2 1/2 day x 2 months).

Man, I could just go on and on.... but I'm sure you get the point.

Believe in those that can back up their information with actual Navy instructions, you'll be much further ahead....

[Anti M]

Smiles and nods at Craig.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you two, you're both civil, it's nicer when people are, good lord. Rather than a battle about this. Haha.
I appreciate very much all the information given, I've been saving links, when i'm done studying for my ASVAB and done carrying that book around to learn what I need to I will be printing pages off and carrying those to read. Thank you, SO much!!!

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you Lydia, You guys really are SO helpful!

[Michimom (MM Nuke Mom)]

Nicole Lee, how old are you? If you are under 18, you do have to get your guardian(s) to sign the paperwork, so I can understand you wanting to get your family on board. My son was 17 when he signed everything, and both his father and I had to sign off--one alone was not enough. It sounds as though, if you don't get the family support and you are under age, you would just wait until you can enlist on your own, and that's great.

Either way, the whole situation would be best all around if you can get support of your family and friends. I think that's important no matter what you do with your life--civilian or military life; always helpful to have those closest to you at your back. If you can't get all or a majority of your family and friends with you on whatever you choose, focus on those who are supportive of whatever decision you make. It is always good to listen to opinions opposing your own, as it might make you think of issues you may not have thought of before. Oftentimes that just reinforces your decision. Always good to look at the big picture, with all its pros and cons.

Good luck!

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Yeah, I'm under 18, My Uncle & Aunt would sign for me, they're the ones getting custody of me because my father disowned me and my mother is diseased..They are more willing towards the decision(My aunt works on the arsenal, so she works with military) my grandma is the one that just hasnt come around. My friends, eh, not a big deal, I will make more friends in the military, and if those I had before choose to stay around, so be it, I'd hope they do, but it's their choice, thank you Michimom!

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you NavyWife, haha, that last part really made me laugh.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Haha, right?

[sarahw1961]

My son has been in for 13 years but I still remember the day he called & said Navy recruiters were coming THAT NIGHT! The first visit there were 2 - the 2nd visit there were 3. It was kind of intimidating to walk in my house & see them sitting there with my son, but once we began talking - and they answered every question I could think of - and some I hadn't - I began to feel more at ease with the idea. My son's recruiter was available to all of us all of the time (I understand this isn't always the case!) and helped me more than I can ever tell him. Jeremy was 17 when he went in (turned 18 in boot camp) and plans on staying at least 7 more years - I guess the benefits side finally sunk in to him.

He once told me that it was useless to send him to college - that I might as well open the front door & start throwing money out - same difference. I'm truly thankful he joined the Navy - he's made so many friends, seen so much of the world, met his wife started a family & has a great career and if he retires after 20 years - he will be 37!

You sound as though you have many of the qualities that he had as a teen-ager - responsible, respectful & smart! You will go far in life. Hopefully your grandmother will come around - it's possible that she's worried silly about you - that's our job and that will never stop. Have the recruiters talk to her - encourage her to ask questions - lots of them! And good luck with this! We need more sailors like you!