What is it like in the Navy?

gugliamo00

This is kind of a tough question. I think the Navy, as with any endeavors in life, is going to be different for each individual.

I think you'll find it's what you make it. There are people who will tell you horror stories. There may be people who can't seem to find anything to complain about. I remember on the second day in Navy Boot Camp. We were up before the sun and marched to breakfast. Nearly all the guys were complaining about the hour and the cold. I remember thinking that the sunrises were incredible, and I preferred marching in the cool of the day rather than in the heat. They complained about the heat too. There are those who will complain about the food, the accommodations, the people with whom they worked, the people for whom they worked.

I enlisted in 1960 at age 20 after completing a BA degree in math. I enlisted rather than fo for an officer program because I didn't know if I wanted to make the commitment. In Boot Camp my specialty (rating) picked me. When it came time for me to reenlist for my E-6, somebody dusted off my degree and recommended me for OCS. I retired at 45. I won't say it was all fun and games, but I kind of liked it. I went places a lot of people never heard of, and did stuff that most people never get a chance to do. Had I not enjoyed it for the most part, I'd hardly have stayed in 25 years.

There are people who will suggest you go for some officer program. I found that inadvisable for me. Being enlisted allowed me to find my management style. When I became an officer, I found I was kind of thrown into the deep end and expected to figure out how to make it to the side. I found my management style developed as a petty officer gave me the leg up that made the job a whole lot easier.

But that's me. I don't know how it's going to be for you. Neither does anybody else. If you're bright, if you have a strong personality, if you have firmly-rooted values, I think the Navy... probably just about anything else you want to try... will be a positive experience.

ignatz

WET.

D N T B

To vague of a question to answer correctly. It depends on your "job" you are qualified to do. How much of a "go getter" you are. I volunteered for every TAD (Temp. Assigned Duty) I could that sounded interesting. I was never bored. I would do it again in a heartbeat. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it. I.E. if you sit on your but and play computer games and do nothing, then expect to get nothing out of it.
I have my 2 oldest boys of 4 that are in. The third will be going to BUD/s when he goes soon.
Attitude is EVERYTHING, let nothing get in your way. Accomplish everything you say you are going to do.

Pirate

Good read and links about the Navy

http://navydads.blogspot.com

ChrisLive

If your not in college and don't have a decent job- then do it. If you are in college-STAY IN and get your degree- then if you still want to do it become an officer. I served four years and was deployed three times- while this might not be typical- be sure you can handle being away from friends and family for extended periods of time.

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