Why isnt it a good idea to go into the navy at 17?

Gordon C

17 is a bit young to go into any part of the armed forces. some hate it and get out only to rejoin again a few years later. I would say that 21 or 22 is a good age to join. You will be treated more like an adult as so you will get promoted a bit fasted. Joining at 17 is just like wasting 3 or 4 years of you 22 year carear.

Have gun, will travel.

I think unless she is mature, she won't handle it. Did over 20 years and had about a forth of the under 19 yr olds cry for mommy, no joke and just not be mature enough to handle it. Just have her make very sure it is what she wants to do, not just to escape mom and dads house rules or because of a recent breakup with a sweetheart.

AlexWallace23

In the Navy, you can sail the seven seas
In the Navy, you can **** that guys butt til it bleeds

To be serious, the Navy goes out for about 6 months at a time. At 17 you might not know what it is like to be away from home for that long. It is going to be very hard to be gone for that long and have to be around the same people everyday. This is probably the most common experience for people when they join the military.

Julia Encarnacion

It's a bad idea only if your friend isn't suited for military service, or if she's joining for negative reasons -- such as just trying to get away from home, or something like that.

Otherwise, I think it's a good idea, though I think it would be better if she did it after finishing high school.

I joined the Navy right after high school (over 20 years ago). While I was in the Navy I thought it was just okay -- not bad, but not great either. But now, looking back on it, I don't regret doing it at all.

.

genghis41f

Go for the RN, but I'd recommend waiting until you're 18. the only reason for this is that if you join before 18, you're actually putting in extra years.

E.G. I'm in the RAF. I joined at nearly 19 (had my 19th birthday at basic training). My length of service was 9 years (and 18 on reserve). From the day I joined, that clock started ticking. Another lad joined the same day as me, he was only 17 (just). his time was set as the same (9+18), but his clock won't start winding down until his 18th birthday. So technically, he's in the RAF for 10+18.

This doesn't seem that important, but technically, you're giving a year of your life to them for free (one for the Queen, as we say in the military).

Besides, the rules are a lot tighter for the under 18's. My mate (same lad) had curfews while in training. He had to sign back in on camp at 10:00pm or the RAF Police would punish him. (stops the young'ns drinking...apparently.

Good luck, hope you make it in! Just wait until you're 18! It's easier!

Skippy

My best mate joined up at 16. She was looked after so well by the rest of the crew, they did everything to protect her. on the down side she drank too much and tarted about quite a lot. She didn't really enjoy the job she chose and she's a homely type so she applied to leave after a year and a half, because she applied before her 18th birthday she was let out without minimum service.

Flying Fid

!7? I joined up at 15. I had a good life in the fleet air arm on aircraft carriers, travelling around the world in the last days of Empire. It is not as tough these days, but it is a good life all the same. The worst thing is rejoining civvy street, now that IS tough! Very very stressful.

kman1830

Who said it's not a good idea,it didn't hurt me.

superman in disguise

Sorry, but I think it IS a good idea. I went to sea aged 16 (In the Merchant Navy), got trained, saw a lot of the world and got paid for it.
My son joined the Royal Navy aged 17. He joined up as a typical teenager - bored, anti-everything, no idea what he wanted to do in life etc. He finished basic training at HMS Drake and was no longer a teenager (Yes, in age he was, but not mentally).
He served on ships and shore bases all over the world and they trained him so that when he left (Aged only 22!) he walked straight into a high tech job with company car, good salary and a great future.

Had he not joined - what would he have done for those 5 years? Where would he be now?

He made the right choice, so tell your friend to think very hard before turning it down. He may well regret it.

Oh - tell him there are plenty of girl recruits too, so no need to worry about losing out on anything! My son is now happily married (To a girl!) and is doing well.

Sorry - just noticed the female aspect - the same holds true - just change 'he' to 'she' in the above answer and make sure your friend marries a guy. Did that make sense? Hope so!

OK - BAD things!!
The training is extremely hard and some recruits give up in tears, especially the girls.
Long hours, little sleep whilst training, the punishment for even the smallest thing is quite severe - like scrub the parade gound at midnight with a toothbrush and still have to be up at 0530 with kit clean and ready.
You can get posted (After training) to a dump of a place or to a ship that sits in Pompey for weeks and never goes anywhere.
The initial pay is poor and boy, do you have to work for it.
Duties, watches and routines can be very hard, or very boring, or both.

I still think the +'s outweigh the -'s, but you added that you wanted the bad points too.

STEVEN E

i signed up for the navy when i was 17. i changed my mind at the last moment and decided not to go. if i was you i would spend a year thinking if you definitely want to go. by the time i was 18 i was glad i didnt

slap-happy

I did. Finished high school in the service. Have to have parents permission.

Do not see any thing wrong with it.

Can not be put in battle zone till 18

mini the prophet of fubar

i can think of no good reason not to join any of the armed forces apart from the fact they all get involved in warfare - you state the person involved is female so they are probably going to be safer in the navy in a time of war than a civillian woman as they are unlikely to be a frontline trooper or a mainland civilian target

iwasnotanazipolka

No problem. Just 2 things - finish high school first and get your parents' permission. You will be eligible for better training with a high school diploma.

Carol B

Pen friend of my husband is lieutenant commander in us navy and she has been in long enough to get to that rank she travels all over the world and loves the life,so apart from your friend being homesick cant think of anything once you have signed up at that age they would give you a month or so to change your mind but after that your in until you have served your time its not like an ordinary job you cant just leave if you don't like it so think hard first if the life is for you.!

GRUMPY

I think its a FANTASTICALLY, GREAT IDEA!. I know you can't compare the Navy with the Marine Corp, BUT I joined the Marines at 17. Was shipped overseas within a few days of me turning 18. Total wake-up call. I will NEVER regret my time in the corp (8+ years) I learned a lot about life and stronger recommend the service to EVERYONE.