Talked to Navy recruiters today...?

Pat

DISCLAIMER REGARDING RECRUITERS!!!

Past performance is not indicative of future results
Your mileage may vary
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CV59StormVet

They're telling you the truth. There are several ways of getting your education while on active duty in the Navy, ...I did it by going through PACE (Program for Afloat Continuing Education) and taking CLEP tests. In just over 5 years, I managed to get enough credits to acquire a BA in Business Management from Central Texas College and received a letter of commendation from Rear Admiral Walter Davis (Commander, CVW-6) for my effort. 4 Years later, my degree together with my awards and community service earned me the rank of Chief Petty Officer the first time before the board.

As far as them telling you you'll see the world, they are making an understatement. In 21 years active duty (14 years of which were spent at sea aboard aicraft carriers) I made 2 WESTPACs (Western Pacific), 3 MEDCRUISEs (Mediterranean Cruise), 1 IO (Indian Ocean) and 1 Caribean cruises on four seperate carriers (Forrestal, Nimitz, Constellation and America). I've been to the following places:

Japan, The Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand , New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa, Tahiti, Guam, Midway Island, Hawaii (4yrs shore duty at NAVMAG Pearl Harbor), Panama, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Greneda, Bahamas, Scotland, England, Portugal, Monaco, Morocco, Gibraltar, Spain, France, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Italy, Algeria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, all coutesy of the United States Navy.

Lady Mala

No, they aren't lying. I am a retired Navy Chief and I finished my bachelor's degree while serving. The part of the world you see depends on the coast you're stationed on.

Do well on the ASVAB so as to get the biggest choice of jobs. Try to find a Navy job that will have connections in civilian life. If you have to sign for an extra year to get the more highly technical jobs, do it. You start at a higher paygrade and that year flies by.

Benefits? You'll always have a place to sleep, a paycheck, and 3 meals a day. You will have opportunities for advancement and extra Navy schooling. You'll see some part of the world. You'll make REALLY good friends. Your initial clothing issue comes in boot camp, so you have nothing to buy when you get to your first school.

I loved the life. It's not easy. It gets old. People annoy you. Like anywhere, right? Listen to your superiors, they won't steer you wrong.

Welcome aboard (I hope!)

Mrsjvb

Education: possibly, not easy. Military duties always take precedence. you can earn college credits simply by attending Boot camp and A school. the education office on base can help you pick the best path to maximize your return.

Bennies: Free room and board, free medical, 100% Tuition assistance for up to 16 credits a year,plus other intangibles. The GI Bill, Thrift Savings Plan.

mattmo3735

Are the recuiters lying to you? Technically no....but there not telling you everything either. I just recently got out this last august and I can tell you a few things.

Yes you can get a college education while active duty, HOWEVER its almost impossible to do with the schedule you'll have and whatever free time you do have is now gone at this point, and believe me your going to want your free time.

Yes you do get great benifits while your in, BUT the pay isn't that great, the doctors aren't that nice, your GOING to lose your wisdom teeth if you haven't already, the barracks are ok depending on where your at, and the food at the galley/mess hall gets really old and boring really quick.

Yes you do get to travel the world, BUT you get to see alot of places you really rather you hadn't. Iraq, Afganistan, Korea, and third world countries around the globe.

I'm not telling you not to join and I'm not telling you to do it either. All I'm saying is like any job in the world that your ever going to have there are going to be ups and downs and the military has a great way of showing you all the ups, while sweeping all the downs under the carpet. Take the ASVAB. See how you score. See what jobs they offer you. Talk it over with your family and friends and after considering everything! then make your decision.
Good Luck.

Mister

Good Opportunity

Better look into on-line universities. Get all of the training you can from them through A and C schools then get an aircraft carrier and see the planet...saving your money and don't go anywhere starting wars.

Navy is a good choice
Vote Obama

Everything they said about education, travel, and benefits is true. But of course they are only going to tell you the good parts. Life in the Navy can be rough. You'll likely spend months at sea on a ship, living in cramped quarters with people you may or may not like. You don't get to choose where your duty station is. Depending on what job you get (which will be determined by your ASVAB score), your work can be very dirty and grueling. And if you decide you don't like your job, tough luck; it usually takes at least a couple of years to change. And then there's the long-term contract commitment...

You sound like a smart individual. Military experience can definitely be an asset to you in the future. Just be sure you get your information from more than just the recruiters. They are salespeople and have a quota to meet. It was good of you to come here and ask. Good luck!

Konux

no they are not lying, the Navy will pay for your Education and you will have great benefits. you will also have a guaranteed paycheck on the 1st and the 15th of every month and you will earn 2.5 days of leave every month. You will travel the world, just not in the way you think. There will be alot of hard work but the ports are well worth it.

devil_doc1988

theres alot of variables here...alot depends on what u wanna do(wat u wanna go to school 4) and wat u wanna do in the navy...theres always some room for school even if its a class here or a class there..anymore ?'s let me know

schofield m

the recruiter said the truth. basic might be hard, but it is worth it i assume.

i am enlisted in the marine corps.

BrewerB

The navy will pay for four classes per year while your active duty and you have your gi bill when you get out. You should also get about 20 hours, or a third of your associates from your navy school which will transfer to any college. As far as see the world they put me on a mine sweeper and I saw the gulf of mexico for training and the arabian gulf on deployment. I was on a mine sweeper though, all male crew ship made of wood. Carriers are nice. Be careful about what job you pic. OS, QM, PC, ET, FC, PS are all good jobs where you wont work much the first 2 are sea going rates though so you would do your first 5 years on a ship. The last couple you only do your first 3 or 4 at sea and you sometimes get the option to go on shore duty first. The last 4 I listed will give you a good civilian carrer when you get out. You wont ever get shot at with any of those jobs there all office or electroninc jobs.

Ex Air Force/Navy

They are not telling the truth. When I was Navy we worked 88 hours a week out at sea and then when the ship was docked we trained 60 hours a week. No time for college. Also you will be going to school full time to learn your job.

Pastor_of_Muppets

go for it...its all there, especially with the Navy, them and the Air Force are really good when it comes to college and stuff (although all branches have college benefits) ASVAB is a breeze, i had some doubts about it, but i got an AFQT of 86 without studying anything. Navy is great for travel too, and the education while being active is true, but thats with the on-base classes, and using computers...and there is the Seaman to Admiral-21, where you go to an actual college/university to get your bachelor's degree, while you are considered Active duty...nevermind people like "J", she probably goes to some community college and flips burger at McDonalds and is jealous she didnt join.

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Amanda, Navy not Army, learn to read

Alwaysotr7

I wanna see somebody with a bachelors degree in a field they are not training for. Can't get bachelors degree in a field your not training for unless you plan on staying in for 10 years.

thez2

I am planning on joining the military and from talks people in the military, they've told me the recruiters will pretty much tell you everything you want to hear.

I'd say your best bet of getting truthful information would be from talking to the CO of a local Navy college ROTC unit. Hope that helps.

Amanda

Don't do it. Do you honestly think army life is exactly how it's shown in the commercials? Because you won't be rock climbing to stick American flags on cliffs or sitting around working on computers, trust me. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.

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