Should I join the Navy?

[EDM95]

I'm strongly considering joining the Navy.
My family's beginning to be disappointed by me and work is very hard to find right now.

If someone with a bit of U.S. Navy experience could help out, that would be great. I'm interested in using the four years to either learn a skill for civilian work or decide to reenlist, which I would definitely consider doing.

Why join? Why not? What should I expect?

 

[JusMX141]

It takes a certain type of person to join the military- I am not that type of person. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

I'm not a military hater- I have lots of friends who are in the Army, Navy, and Air Force...one of my best buddies from High School was actually fortunate enough to work with the Air Force Thunderbirds for a while; but I've seen the military ruin a lot of good people, too.

One of my ex's whom I've remained friends with over the years married a guy who enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany for a few years, leaving her at home with their two kids. When he came back he was a completely different person- no motivation, wouldn't get a job, and began cheating on her with tons of women. Needless to say they're now divorced.

Another fellow I know that comes into my workplace joined the Army and spent some time in the Middle East about 5 years ago. He's probably three years younger than me, was in quite good shape when he enlisted, and now his knees and back are destroyed to the point where he's on disability and cannot work because of the heavy backpacks and large amounts of walking he did while he was over there.

I don't see the benefit, honestly.

 

[snowborder714]

I don't think you're the type of person EDM. You've been contemplating this for how long? Most people I know or hear about know they want to join a branch for some reason or another (serve country, family history, etc.). You've been kicking around this idea and still haven't done anything about it, which leads me to guess that it might not be the thing for you. I could be wrong though.

 

[manny correa]

im on the same boat as justin.. i to am not that "kind" of person to join the military. also having the fear of being able to lose your life doesnt sound like fun.. i just lost a close friend in the FORT HOOD shooting. r.i.p private velez.

 

[habitatguy187]

The ratio of people who've died over there compared to the # of people who have been over is not much different than everyday US citizens going about their daily routines.

I don't ask what type of person you are, because it really doesn't matter IMO. Granted some are more prepared mentally and some adapt better, but there's all types of people in the military and they usually come out just fine.

My question is this; What do you have to lose? Do you have a girlfriend/wife or kids? Do you have a college degree or a trade that you can live off of the rest of your life? Or are you just living paycheck by paycheck with no real future in mind, just waiting around for something to happen?

I've wasted 3 years of my life working a crap job that has no future, and now that I just had my first child I'm realizing that. I finally have two good job prospects I'm waiting to see pan out (police dep. and post office) If neither fall through then I'll probably be joining up.


I have many friends in the military, my best buddy just got back from Japan. Been there two years, went to the philipines, australia, tokyo, all over. And he loves it. Sounds like fun to me.

 

[phunny]

It takes a certain type of person to join the military- I am not that type of person. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

I'm not a military hater- I have lots of friends who are in the Army, Navy, and Air Force...one of my best buddies from High School was actually fortunate enough to work with the Air Force Thunderbirds for a while; but I've seen the military ruin a lot of good people, too.

One of my ex's whom I've remained friends with over the years married a guy who enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany for a few years, leaving her at home with their two kids. When he came back he was a completely different person- no motivation, wouldn't get a job, and began cheating on her with tons of women. Needless to say they're now divorced.

Another fellow I know that comes into my workplace joined the Army and spent some time in the Middle East about 5 years ago. He's probably three years younger than me, was in quite good shape when he enlisted, and now his knees and back are destroyed to the point where he's on disability and cannot work because of the heavy backpacks and large amounts of walking he did while he was over there.

I don't see the benefit, honestly.

I really think your post is offensive. First, your friend was no good to begin with.... The military does not make you a "loser." That's why business's will higher prior military over some college grad any day. Second, his knees and back are destroyed? That's a pretty useless statement. What was he doing? Was he doing things properly? I'm sure whatever it was, wasn't the norm. You think we all come back destroyed? I'm 225lb and ran 4 miles yesterday in well under 40 minutes. So you statements are bogus.

On to the question, either join or don't. It's not a life long commitment, I believe you can still join with a 2 year commitment. The reason that guys join for 4 or 6 years is so they get the job they want, and the bonus they want. I have many friends I talk to regularly that are still in, enlisted and officers so I know how it is on both sides. It's a great experience and will give you life skills you can't get anywhere else in the world.
My company pretty much highers ex-military exclusively as supervisors. We send them to college 2 days a week and they work 3 days a week. We pay all the school costs along with giving them a very nice salary. I think starting salary is almost 70k plus they can work extra days for $305/day. Not to mention all of the bonus's and things we get. And like I said, all prior military.

manny correa
If you're that worried about dying you probably shouldn't join. You are with guys 24/7 that you would gladly give up your life for. We go to war to help protect the innocent people that are having horrible things done to them, but we die to protect our brother next to us. You will lose someone that you know and it's something you learn to deal with. You sound like you are a pretty fragile person, if I'm wrong than just ignore this.

-charlie

 

[EDM95]

That's alot of good info thanks guys. Well I guess we will see what I will do it's all up to me now.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

It takes a certain type of person to join the military- I am not that type of person. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

I'm not a military hater- I have lots of friends who are in the Army, Navy, and Air Force...one of my best buddies from High School was actually fortunate enough to work with the Air Force Thunderbirds for a while; but I've seen the military ruin a lot of good people, too.

One of my ex's whom I've remained friends with over the years married a guy who enlisted in the Army and was sent to Germany for a few years, leaving her at home with their two kids. When he came back he was a completely different person- no motivation, wouldn't get a job, and began cheating on her with tons of women. Needless to say they're now divorced.

Another fellow I know that comes into my workplace joined the Army and spent some time in the Middle East about 5 years ago. He's probably three years younger than me, was in quite good shape when he enlisted, and now his knees and back are destroyed to the point where he's on disability and cannot work because of the heavy backpacks and large amounts of walking he did while he was over there.

I don't see the benefit, honestly.

I don't to find your post offensive, but you are strongly misguided. An occupation does not make who you are, you're actions do.

You're Ex's-ex was going to cheat on her, no matter what he did cause he's just a loser. There is no reason NOT to bring you wife to Germany. I brought my wife... even slipped up when she WAS there with me. So "separation" is not going to make/not make you cheat either. I will say I was demotivated, but only because of the idiot that was over me while I was there. Things changed when I came back. I got back into Church and turned my life around. I started to trust in God to make things right instead of doing it myself.

I went to Afghanistan... it took me maybe 3 weeks to get used to my Combat load. I never got in combat so my story is different. I will say this. I was encounter by many very beautiful, exotic women. But with God in the center of my life, there was little motivation to cheat.

So where is the benefit? I make nearly $80,000 a year. I have no college, no certifications. All I have is 6 years exp. plus another 1.5 deployed and a TS/SCI clearance. I can't take all the credit. I believe God has a lot to do with it.


Final thought.... Your occupation doesn't make you... You make you're occupation. HOOAH!

 

[habitatguy187]

^^^

Nice testimony

 

[dSmgs-T]

there are always pros and cons to EVERY situation you can think of. with the military, i believe the pros weigh out the cons considerably.

life changing experiences, some of the best training for jobs, schooling, more respect and responsibilities which make you a better person in general.

the change is something you would just get used to. but to think about your future, it is totally worth it!

have you spoken to any recruiters or researched the navy at all?

 

[4g64fiero]

The navy isnt the nicest to their lower ranks.

To each his own. I prefer air force, personally.

PS any two year assignment to Germany should have allowed for the wife and kids to go. Sounds like he ditched her before the deployment.

 

[JusMX141]

I don't to find your post offensive, but you are strongly misguided. An occupation does not make who you are, you're actions do.

You're Ex's-ex was going to cheat on her, no matter what he did cause he's just a loser. There is no reason NOT to bring you wife to Germany. I brought my wife... even slipped up when she WAS there with me. So "separation" is not going to make/not make you cheat either. I will say I was demotivated, but only because of the idiot that was over me while I was there. Things changed when I came back. I got back into Church and turned my life around. I started to trust in God to make things right instead of doing it myself.

I went to Afghanistan... it took me maybe 3 weeks to get used to my Combat load. I never got in combat so my story is different. I will say this. I was encounter by many very beautiful, exotic women. But with God in the center of my life, there was little motivation to cheat.

So where is the benefit? I make nearly $80,000 a year. I have no college, no certifications. All I have is 6 years exp. plus another 1.5 deployed and a TS/SCI clearance. I can't take all the credit. I believe God has a lot to do with it.


Final thought.... Your occupation doesn't make you... You make you're occupation. HOOAH!

VERY well-said, Sean. Almost makes me want to enlist!

Again I wasn't trying to offend anyone- my statements were merely observations I've made of those close to me who were involved in the military. My father is a Vietnam Veteran, and I'm quite proud of him for all he did through what he experienced while he was over there, and if things turned out differently I probably wouldn't be here to write this today. It's not like I came out here and said "all you military fvckers are dooshes" and had nothing to back it up, I just stated it takes a certain individual and personality type to be military material. This isn't me, and as Brian said above if EDM is contemplating the decision this much, it's not for him either.



I do have a question for those both actively or formerly involved in any of the divisions of the military....can you tell who wants to be there versus those who are there strictly on a basis to better themselves through training? Maybe this question is more for someone who has been newly-enlisted, but some of you veterans can surely think back a couple years.

Think of it like Dodgeball in high school....it's obvious to pick out the guys who don't want to participate, and therefore they're the ones who get hit first. I guess I'm asking those who have wanted to be active in the military from an early age if they can tell who wants to be there or who is unsure, or is there a time when EVERYONE is unsure if they've made the right choice by enlisting?

 

[laserspeeddemon]

VERY well-said, Sean. Almost makes me want to enlist!

Again I wasn't trying to offend anyone- my statements were merely observations I've made of those close to me who were involved in the military. My father is a Vietnam Veteran, and I'm quite proud of him for all he did through what he experienced while he was over there, and if things turned out differently I probably wouldn't be here to write this today. It's not like I came out here and said "all you military fvckers are dooshes" and had nothing to back it up, I just stated it takes a certain individual and personality type to be military material. This isn't me, and as Brian said above if EDM is contemplating the decision this much, it's not for him either.



I do have a question for those both actively or formerly involved in any of the divisions of the military....can you tell who wants to be there versus those who are there strictly on a basis to better themselves through training? Maybe this question is more for someone who has been newly-enlisted, but some of you veterans can surely think back a couple years.

Think of it like Dodgeball in high school....it's obvious to pick out the guys who don't want to participate, and therefore they're the ones who get hit first. I guess I'm asking those who have wanted to be active in the military from an early age if they can tell who wants to be there or who is unsure, or is there a time when EVERYONE is unsure if they've made the right choice by enlisting?

I backed out of my first DEP contract. Signed up a second time with a better job. I didn't like it for pretty much the 6 years I was active. It wasn't I was deployed that I found that I am very passionate about serving my country. So I contemplated more then EDM. God has my spirit, my country can have my flesh.

 

[brownfinger]

I've gotta +1 Justin's remarks. I have no military experience, just to be open about it. I'd think if your motivation was a sense of duty to your country, then you wouldn't be asking our opinions. You'd be at boot-camp missing your DSM and your GF.
Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 guys that I know who joined-up and had a little more than they bargained for. Two got their backs permanantly ruined, one of those two also got regular massive doeses of gamma radiation far beyond the Navy's own standards. The two other guys, one got a ruined marriage, the other got a messed-up head.
While it seems like the Navy is a good bet for not getting shot-at as much, I'd think that joining because you don't know what else to do with your life would be a better idea if we weren't actively fighting two wars right now.
Oh, yeah, there's a 5th guy I know, even better than the other 4. He's a pot-head, plays in a band, has no real job. Former Marine. He's a bitter, little lush. He hates our government now, and is generally miserable a lot. His back is trashed, too.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

I've gotta +1 Justin's remarks. I have no military experience, just to be open about it. I'd think if your motivation was a sense of duty to your country, then you wouldn't be asking our opinions. You'd be at boot-camp missing your DSM and your GF. Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 guys that I know who joined-up and had a little more than they bargained for. Two got their backs permanantly ruined, one of those two also got regular massive doeses of gamma radiation far beyond the Navy's own standards. The two other guys, one got a ruined marriage, the other got a messed-up head.
While it seems like the Navy is a good bet for not getting shot-at as much, I'd think that joining because you don't know what else to do with your life would be a better idea if we weren't actively fighting two wars right now.
Oh, yeah, there's a 5th guy I know, even better than the other 4. He's a pot-head, plays in a band, has no real job. Former Marine. He's a bitter, little lush. He hates our government now, and is generally miserable a lot. His back is trashed, too.

See my above post.

 

[98RedGs]

See my above post.

You've given great advice bro and I've read all your replies/threads about the military before and am glad to see that you've put god first and with him are now headed in the right direction.

Concerning the military I feel that if you are iffy on joining then it probably isn't for you. The one guy I know joined the Army and was a jumper so as of now he says his knees are really bad but other than that he feels he left the army with a lot of experience and the money to put himself through school since he couldn't depend upon his parents. He joined for personal reasons (woman problems) and decided running off to play soldier would be the best bet to get away from her.

Don't join to run from problems...

Just my .02 tho.

 

[420aNEWB]

I really think your post is offensive. First, your friend was no good to begin with.... The military does not make you a "loser." That's why business's will higher prior military over some college grad any day. Second, his knees and back are destroyed? That's a pretty useless statement. What was he doing? Was he doing things properly? I'm sure whatever it was, wasn't the norm. You think we all come back destroyed? I'm 225lb and ran 4 miles yesterday in well under 40 minutes. So you statements are bogus.

On to the question, either join or don't. It's not a life long commitment, I believe you can still join with a 2 year commitment. The reason that guys join for 4 or 6 years is so they get the job they want, and the bonus they want. I have many friends I talk to regularly that are still in, enlisted and officers so I know how it is on both sides. It's a great experience and will give you life skills you can't get anywhere else in the world.
My company pretty much highers ex-military exclusively as supervisors. We send them to college 2 days a week and they work 3 days a week. We pay all the school costs along with giving them a very nice salary. I think starting salary is almost 70k plus they can work extra days for $305/day. Not to mention all of the bonus's and things we get. And like I said, all prior military.

manny correa
If you're that worried about dying you probably shouldn't join. You are with guys 24/7 that you would gladly give up your life for. We go to war to help protect the innocent people that are having horrible things done to them, but we die to protect our brother next to us. You will lose someone that you know and it's something you learn to deal with. You sound like you are a pretty fragile person, if I'm wrong than just ignore this.

-charlie

i myself live here in Ft.Hood and i don't find the post offensive maybe as time goes you will realise how true the statement where he says it ruins many people lives....it does ive seen cheating wives cheating husbands....and sluts on craiglist....i myself have experienced this trust me...and the majority i say of the people are doing things they are not supposed to....but then again thats their life .......

OP: Join if you have not many options...i know money is needed now at days but is it really worth it ?

 

[spoonman]

If you want to join the military I suggest that you join the Air Force, and if not that then the Navy.

But if you are looking for a career or training so you can make a good living busting your a$$, I suggest you join the United Association of Pipefitters. The UA is a union for welders, plumbers, and pipefitters. There is a 5 year apprentice program that not only trains you both on the job and in the class room but you even get paid to be there training. Pipefitters usually work in large power plants, oil refiners, commercial construction or laying pipe outside. It is simple to explain they read the blueprints, arrange the pipe, and then weld together. It is a very challenging career (hard work, long hours, travel, sometimes dirty) but it pays very good. Welding is a Gold Collar job (not blue collar or white collar), certified Journeymen on oil rigs make $40+ an hour, if you are good with Tig Aerospace pays even more. I know 8 journeymen and 2 apprentices, they all love their work and all make good money. I am actually a professional TIG welder/Fabricator and will be joining the UA in March, I wish I had joined sooner. I make $27. an hour now, first year apprentices make $14.50 which is less than I am making now, but in a few years I will make $30+.

So if you are looking for a good direction to take making a career, I recommend joining your local UA. They teach you a skill that is needed all around the country. I do not just love the UA because some recruiter told me about all the cool stuff but because I see how much real members love doing it. I wish I had joined sooner.

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada

BTW Union is the way to good they get paid a lot better, only do non-union jobs if you have to $20 compared to $37, yeah with $17 more an hour I am pretty sure I can cover my union dues.

Damn I would be a good recruiter

 

[laserspeeddemon]

i myself live here in Ft.Hood and i don't find the post offensive maybe as time goes you will realise how true the statement where he says it ruins many people lives....it does ive seen cheating wives cheating husbands....and sluts on craiglist....i myself have experienced this trust me...and the majority i say of the people are doing things they are not supposed to....but then again thats their life .......

OP: Join if you have not many options...i know money is needed now at days but is it really worth it ?

What is it with the reiterative nature of this thread?!?

Your job does not make you or your spouse a cheater. If you were going to cheat, YOU WERE GOING TO CHEAT!!! Do you think that if your "friend" was a construction site manager, that his spouse wouldn't cheat with him while he was at work?

I lasted 14 months away from wife. My wife and I didn't even have a problem.

 

[brownfinger]

If you want to join the military I suggest that you join the Air Force, and if not that then the Navy.

I suggest you join the United Association of Pipefitters. The UA is a union for welders, plumbers, and pipefitters. I make $27. an hour now, first year apprentices make $14.50 which is less than I am making now, but in a few years I will make $30+.

So if you are looking for a good direction to take making a career, I recommend joining your local UA. They teach you a skill that is needed all around the country. I do not just love the UA because some recruiter told me about all the cool stuff but because I see how much real members love doing it. I wish I had joined sooner.

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada

BTW Union is the way to good they get paid a lot better, only do non-union jobs if you have to $20 compared to $37, yeah with $17 more an hour I am pretty sure I can cover my union dues.

Damn I would be a good recruiter

This guy is giving good advice.

A guy I know who got out of the Navy a few years back, he drifted around as a partying, bartending, man-whore. He had his fun, then decided to settle down. He joined the brotherhood of electrical workers, or whatever they're called.

Now he's married, got a kid, get's paid good. It all happened pretty fast, too. I only met him about 4 years ago. Maybe you'd have to move if there's no active construction/economy around where you're at.

 

[bagged420a]

Joining the military is something you should do because you like the thought of what they do, not because you are having a hard time in life. Yea, its a good way to bail you out, but if your not 100% wanting to do it and your only doing it to get out of a slump then your not going to enjoy it. With that said every friend I have that is military loves there job, thats from all branches.

 

[s2000b4idie]

No. !!!!!

 

[laserspeeddemon]

This thread is turning into garbage.

There are too many "I knew a guy" responses and few are paying attention to my "I have" responses.

I served my country, I'm out now... but not by choice, I am fighting to get myself back in.

 

[dSmgs-T]

^^
agreed!

i cant wait til i get in finally. ended up going with 25U.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

I was 25B, I hated sitting behind a desk in a combat zone.