Out of college - thinking of joining the Navy

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Permalink Reply by Kaysan (Vicki's mom) on June 26, 2009 at 3:32pm

My daughter graduated from Arizona State in 2005 with a degree in drawing, but really had no direction and was not making enough to re-pay her undergrad loans. She enlisted last April at age 26. She was originally signed to aircrew and after boot camp sat on hold for many months due to medical issues that were eventually resolved. However once she started aircrew it was clear she didn't have what it takes( physically or mentally). She re-classed as a storekeeper and got a great assignment in Japan.
She has decided the Navy is not really her thing and will not stay past 4 years. They are repaying her undergrad loans and with GIB her grad studies will be paid for. She does not like "boat" life, but has enjoyed Japan very much. If she had gone to OCS no loan repayment, that is was prompted her to enlist.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Thompson on June 27, 2009 at 2:15pm

MeganCR do you like to travel? If so than this will be an opertunity. I traveled twice around the world hit a lot of foreign ports and enjoyed my career of twenty years plus. if you keep yourself focus on other various foreign lanuages and learn to repair equipment as well you will enjoy this adventure. the one thing I will let you know the rewards are unbelieveable cause you will see alot after your tour of duty. Now of course the Navy might not be for everyone, some may decide to get out after their four or six years and then some decided to stay in. What every you do would be fun in a fanistic way. If you have a degree you would go in as an officer. Big decision and you may be scared or nervous. Right now this would be a great time to see, since people are getting laid off. You would have a pay check and an opportunity to see the world. Put your faith in God and he will guide you like always does. God Bless you in your decision. Barry

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Permalink Reply by shelly on June 27, 2009 at 6:02pm

Hi Megan, Today is Saterday how did it go???? My daughter went into OCS,she is in intell, she is overseas ,her 3rd tour of duty, She is very happy, love's her Navy life!!! My son went in inlisted, at the age of 27, he left A School as a AZ3, 3RD class petty officer, he has been in a year now, and also is very happy with his Navy life!!! I wish you lots of luck, with whatever you decide to do. God Bless, Can't wait to hear backfrom you!!!

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Permalink Reply by MeganCR on June 27, 2009 at 6:11pm

Hi all! Thanks again for all of your responses! Well I went to the recruiter's office today and was there for two hours with all of my questions!!!I think it went really well - I learned a lot and am going to sign up to take the ASVAB and DLAB tests in a few weeks (I want some time to prepare!) . I'm still unsure about going officer vs. enlisted just because I think I would like to do the hands on work rather than overseeing. Not sure though since there are so many perks to being an officer! Ahh it's going to be a tough decision...well let's see if I pass the tests first!! :)

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Permalink Reply by Mom of Patrick on June 27, 2009 at 5:51pm

I think the Navy has been a wonderful experience for my Son. I think personally, the Navy treats their staff better than the other services. I know this because I'm an Army veteran. If you are wanting to travel a lot, then make sure you get assigned to a ship when you join, or are with a group that goes out with the ship, like my son, he is part of Air Wing 5, which goes out some of the times, and always on the long deployments. He loves the navy and likes to visit new places and experience unique cultures. If you like this situation, make sure you can handle homesickness, living and sleeping on a shelf, and long hours, then the Navy is for you. Of course, if you go in as an officer, they have better accomodations I think.

One of the many thinks I like about the Navy is that they never leave a man behind (or woman) if they can locate them. Once when someone fell overboard, they search for a week at least. However, of course the Navy provides flotation vests and they have locating signals as well.

I would say, if you can handle all these conditions then the Navy is for you. My son manages to handle all of these things, and loves it. If you can, find a fleet week, and go to the Navy booth. Perhaps they can answer your questions, and also go to visit your local recruiter. Since you are a college graduate, go in as an officer. Good Luck and enjoy your future with the Navy.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Goodman on June 27, 2009 at 6:18pm

Congrats on College, the Navy could benefit you very well and your skills allow you great choices, talk to your recruiter. I have had four at once in Navy, now down to one, lifer on submarines it appears...
You are very valuable in a world where communication is so important, take the test and get your scores. My children have been in Hawaii, Japan and Italy as well as the US. I know it's been good for all of them!!! I miss them and dad too, but we could not be prouder!!! God Bless Sherry

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Permalink Reply by Viki on June 29, 2009 at 10:40am

You would be making $$$$$ with that college degree

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Permalink Reply by MeganCR on June 29, 2009 at 9:13pm

Mom of a linguist-thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. You definitely gave me a lot of good information that will help when I make my decision!

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Permalink Reply by Mom of a Linguist on June 30, 2009 at 2:22pm

Megan---If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to ask. If I can't answer them, I'll ask my linguist daughter.

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Permalink Reply by lynnie on June 30, 2009 at 1:00pm

I joined N4M because of the same reason MeganCR posted about, and I was so happy when I came across your post! You gave me a lot of insight into how this particular job/path in the Navy is organized, which is thankful, because most people I spoke to knew very little about it. I wanted to thank you as well for the information....and ask that if I happen to have any questions, would you mind if I shot you a line to ask them?

Thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by Mom of a Linguist on June 30, 2009 at 2:38pm

Lynnie,
Absolutely, if you have any questions, shot me a line. As I told Megan, if I don't know the answer, I'll find out.

You have to be really dedicated to the job to stay in long enough to get the interesting positions. (Or, perhaps it's just a matter of being grown-up enough to take the unpleasant parts of a job along with the exciting things). I think my daughter is the only one of her initial Russian class at DLI who is still in. None of the others chose to re-enlist. To my mind, that is a tremendous waste of training money and effort. It is VERY expensive to go through the language school in Monterey.I don't know how the Navy can get around that to encourage people to re-enlist at the end of their tour of duty.

At the beginning, my daughter was SUPER gungho Navy. She has toned down considerably, but realizes that her opportunities with the Navy are much greater right now than they would be as a civilian. No where else would she be able to advance in Russian as she is in the Navy. And she is good at what she does.

I had told her, when she left for boot camp, to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way and she has done just that. She has done everything she can to find ways to be better at her job.

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Permalink Reply by NAVYRECRUITER82 on June 29, 2009 at 9:04pm

Well it all depends on what you are looking for. Since you have a degree already, i usually tell my applicants to go enlisted first and see how they like it, because you can always go officer from enlisted and like most big orginizations they look to hire from within first. Just some food for thought.

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