I was thinking about joining the navy, any advice from people that are in the navy now?

A LITTLE ABOUT ME: 21, married(husband supports it) , and almost finish with my basics in college(but i do plan on continuing when i come back). I really only plan to stay there for four years.Ever since in middle school i thought about the navy, even know when i hear anything about the military i feel like i am suppose to be there, like i am needed.What would you say are the pro and cons? What do you recommend i should think about first? Would you say its the same as college ';not for everyone';?





Note: This is a serious topic for me, so please no immature answers. Also don't be ashamed if you write something long. ;o)


Thank you all in advance!I was thinking about joining the navy, any advice from people that are in the navy now?
It's a good career jumpstarter. You'll get GI Bill so you'll be able to finish college. It's not easy, you had best be in good shape and meet weight standards. You'll also have to take an ASVAB test and pass moral screening to get in. They do have higher standards for female recruits--what a male can get away with is frequently disqualifying for a female because there are fewer quotas for females.





The AD1 above is correct, your contract will be for eight years. If you sign up for four years of active service, you'll be discharged after completion of your active time, and do the remainder in the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve--all this means is that if the crap hits the fan, they can, and will, recall you to active duty--you do not have to become a drilling reservist, unless you want to and can find a billet).





Pros--steady paycheck in tough economic times. Chance to travel to a new location (or locations, if you serve on a ship) and learn a new skill. Great benefits, to include benefits for family members--the health and dental alone are worth it.





Cons--it's NOT for everyone. You can't decide you're having a bad day and skip work. You have to follow rules. You wear a uniform (this can be a pro if you hate getting ready in the morning--there's no deciding what to wear). You have to TAKE orders, for a couple of years, before you can start giving them. You stand duty in addition to your job, which can involve nights and weekends. You must maintain good physical condition, and you're tested twice a year. You could be assigned to a ship and go on deployment for six months at a crack, and there's not a lot of privacy in junior enlisted berthing (there's less in boot camp).





Look around on the net, and read and learn all you can. Then, if you still like the idea, go speak to a recruiter.





Good luck in making your decision!I was thinking about joining the navy, any advice from people that are in the navy now?
Question for you.


Why do you want to be stationed somewhere in the Gulf where you can fire off missles that kill innocent families? Do you ever think about who we slaughter every day out there? Do you care whose lives you are about to ruin? Is that okay for you to be a part of a system that goes into countries unprovoked and kills it's citizens? That's okay?


This country hasn't ';defended'; anyone on these shores since WWII, everything since has been agression, and you want to add to that?
bring condoms, many lonely men on those ships, i am serious, i have several family members who served for over 15 years now, all they can say is that at first your far away for a time before you can be stationed in DUBAI or other exotic bases., so yeah maybe worth it BEFORE your married, not after.
DO NOT DO IT......WE ARE IN A WAR. tHEY WILL START TRAINING NAVY AND AIR FORCE IN GROUND WARS.... NEED THE MEN POWER!!
Finish your college first if you can, or get as many years under your belt as possible. It'll give you better pay and you can also choose the option of going through OCS and being commissioned as an officer. Also, all military contracts are EIGHT years. Most people think it'll just be four, but you need to do 4 as reserve.





Also think about what sort of job/rating you'd like to have in the Navy. Do NOT go in as an undecided, they'll sign you up as a Boatswain's mate and you'll spend all your time swabbing decks.





To Sparty: Grow a pair, instead of whining behind your computer screen. You don't like this war, that's fine. Many of us don't like it as well. You think we don't feel bad about some of the stuff the US military has done? But we all swore an oath to this country and to doing what the Commander in Chief commands. Now that Obama is in office, maybe we'll finally see the beginnings of peace in the Middle East. So kindly shut your trap, many of the liberal folk I know (myself included) get badmouthed due to fools like you.