Considering the Navy

[MoonlightShadow]

Hey all! I got a call from my local Marines recruiter today asking to meet with me. Well, I'm not too interested in joining the Marines. I'm not much of a front lines sorta guy, lol. I'm gonna meet with him anyway, but it got me thinking...

Could going into the military benefit me? I think so. It seems like a really good life experience, not to mention all the benefits! Soooo, thinking about it for a bit I'm really leanin' towards Navy. Oh, and this really isn't a spur of the moment decision, I've been considering this for years now. For a while there I was with my girlfriend and was hoping to stay with her, so I didn't pursue it at all. Now that we're seperated I'm back to thinking about it seriously. No real train of thought here...uhhh...err...

Anyone here in the Navy who could offer some info about the Navy before I talk to a recruiter? Interesting stories, warnings, funny events, anything really. Wow, talk about an unorganized messege. :lol:

[Perseph0ne]

No experience with it myself but a member on a private forum I'm on is in the navy. He really likes it, he's a younger guy (round the early 20's I believe). He seems to be very happy with the choice he made, though he said it was a lot of hard work at the start.

[MoonlightShadow]

Well, no doubt there will be PLENTY of hard work. Nothin' good comes easy... :hahugh:

[MoonlightShadow]

One of the only things that really bothers me is how much my mom freaks out at the idea of me joining.

[Perseph0ne]

Indeed. He's American too, btw. So he's been through the process you would go through. A lot of tough exams he said, I think.

[Perseph0ne]

One of the only things that really bothers me is how much my mom freaks out at the idea of me joining.
That's because she's worried her baby boy might get hurt (not being patronising, that's probably how she views it). It's the whole out-of-her-reach-to-protect-you thing again. Especially with current events.

[halfwaynowhere]

my best friend recently joined the Navy, she's in the delayed entry program, and she's leaving for training in June, so she has only had experience with the recruiter, and with MEPS... the Navy right now is the least in need of new recruits, so if there is anything wrong with you, they will turn you down immediately, my friend is missing a finger, and they tried to turn her away, she had to petition her way in, she lost so much weight in order to meet their requirements, and changed a lot of her lifestyle, so she really had to get in... they finally accepted her, and she will be a Damage Control person, she has meetings to go to every wednesday until she leaves, i have no clue what goes on at these meetings, but i know they are important... i'm not much help right now because she hasn't even started training, but i can ask her more if you want to know about the signing up process...

[Yvonne Belisle]

I am a navy vet and my husband is active navy. He is currently in Kuwait. I loved it. My husband enjoys it. Do not sign any papers for your recruiter without a garenteed school in writing!!! Do not believe you will get the training you want after bootcamp without it. Bootcamp is strict but being in the fleet is just like working a regular job but sometimes you go away for a while to work where you can't come home for a while. It isn't for everyone but both of us have enjoyed it.

[Pesha]

Well my being in the Army did not hurt me. So if Navey is your desire then go for it.

BB
DS.

[Shadow Dreamer]

First and foremost: Freedom is something that is paid for, it does NOT come free. The freedom that any and all people around the globe enjoy is paid for in blood, sweat and tears; particularly the blood sweat and tears of those young men and women who are brave enough to pick up the torch of freedom and carry it for us. If you are considering joining any of the military services, you have already admitted to yourself that you want to do something to support those freedoms. I served my time in the US Army, and would gladly go back if I could, but alas, I am too old to rejoin. In the service, you will face hardship. Yet those hardships and trials will be things that you work through with your team mates, the men and women in your unit. You will experience suffering. Yet, that suffering and hardship will teach you how to be stronger, and that knowledge is something that will be with you through the rest of your life. You will make friends in the service, friends that will be with you for the rest of your life, though they may be thousands of miles away from you...and these friends will be closer to you than your own brothers and sisters, since they have lived through the hardships, trials and suffering with you, right at your side.

The service is hard, very hard. It is a challenge every day, and yet, every day is an accomplishment that no one can take away from you.

Having said all that, I challenge you, and ask all other prior military personnel to join me in challenging Moonlightshadow to join the Navy, regardless of what anyone else around him says, I challenge you to pick up the torch of freedom that has passed from our hands and carry it on to light the way for the rest of us.

~SD

[Perseph0ne]

That was a very inspiring and motivating post, Shadow Dreamer.

[Leander]

US Navy's probably a good idea at the moment - there is no terrorist fleet is there? Bush has forgotten about Communists who do, so it's likely to be the safest military option. See if you can join as an officer though - in the UK if you do you can be driving a destroyer (as captain) within two years of joining, but that might be because we have no Navy anymore.

(Stupid Blair...grrrrr...defence cuts...40% tax...aarrgghh NEW LABOUR! PARTY OF ALL THAT IS EVIL AND UNHOLY!! :evilway: ) /end rant. Sorry about that :bigredblu

[Perseph0ne]

Don't even get me started on Blair. The man has the kind of face (and personality) that you just want to slap. Cherie Blair pisses me off too. My current biggest peeve are the petrol prices. I stopped at a station the other day....£1 per litre!!!

[LostSheep]

Did this character from the Marines invite you for a chat because you'd previously expressed an interest, or are they just desperate for cannon fodd- manpower to supply their endless imbecilic wars?

[Tarotboy4]

well, I don't know to much about the armed forces. My uncle was and I think still is in the Navy, and he seems to like it well enough. My brother was in the Army, and was not fond of it. My father always told me that if I was ever to enter the armed forces to go into the air force. That way, come war time, I could stay behind and fix the air planes while the officers went to fly in the missions. Which would be perfect for me since I absolutly refuse to fight in a war and kill people because my government has a problem with them. Sorry, just my two cents on the subject.

[Mjollnir]

Did this character from the Marines invite you for a chat because you'd previously expressed an interest, or are they just desperate for cannon fodd- manpower to supply their endless imbecilic wars?


As a former Marine I find this rather insulting and your sig. under your SN speaks volumes. If you knew anything about this country you would have known it is the elected officials who dictate and enforce policy...not the military... so to say they need manpower to "supply their endless imbecilic wars" shows lack of knowledge as well as comprehension so if your unhappy with the current administration vote in the next election and do something about it.

[pawnman]

Hey all! I got a call from my local Marines recruiter today asking to meet with me. Well, I'm not too interested in joining the Marines. I'm not much of a front lines sorta guy, lol. I'm gonna meet with him anyway, but it got me thinking...

Could going into the military benefit me? I think so. It seems like a really good life experience, not to mention all the benefits! Soooo, thinking about it for a bit I'm really leanin' towards Navy. Oh, and this really isn't a spur of the moment decision, I've been considering this for years now. For a while there I was with my girlfriend and was hoping to stay with her, so I didn't pursue it at all. Now that we're seperated I'm back to thinking about it seriously. No real train of thought here...uhhh...err...

Anyone here in the Navy who could offer some info about the Navy before I talk to a recruiter? Interesting stories, warnings, funny events, anything really. Wow, talk about an unorganized messege. :lol:

Go Air Force...shorter deployments and cushy bases. Oh, and if you have a degree, try to go the officer route. The pay is much better and the training, while still intense, seems less difficult.

[tarotgirljess]

first off double check all sources. recruiters LIE! It's their job to talk you into doing this.if they tell you the sky is blue. get up and check for yourself. talk to ex navy, currant navy ect. I have nothing against the armed forces and think it's great if you know what you are getting into. so be sure you know what you are signing up for. good luck and best wishes. and many thanks for even considering the military.

[phoenixblayze]

i went into the army, hurt myself in basic and was medically discharged, but i am really glad for the experience. if i had not broken i would have really enjoyed it. i liked being part of a team. it gives you confidence and good work experience for your civilian life if you dont make a career out if it. listen to your instincts, if you want to do it, do it. i dont think its a bad decision if its something that you really want to do.

[LostSheep]

As a former Marine I find this rather insulting and your sig. under your SN speaks volumes. If you knew anything about this country you would have known it is the elected officials who dictate and enforce policy...not the military... so to say they need manpower to "supply their endless imbecilic wars" shows lack of knowledge as well as comprehension so if your unhappy with the current administration vote in the next election and do something about it.

i was talking about the politicians, the guys who send in the troops to do the dirty work when their policies fail; believe me, i have nothing but respect for those who actually do the fighting, and i do apologize if i gave the wrong impression. My opinion of the politicians still stands, though ....

... the sig quote is pretty accurate though, you're right ...

[Mjollnir]

i was talking about the politicians, the guys who send in the troops to do the dirty work when their policies fail; believe me, i have nothing but respect for those who actually do the fighting, and i do apologize if i gave the wrong impression. My opinion of the politicians still stands, though ....

... the sig quote is pretty accurate though, you're right ...


Then I stand corrected and no apology necessary, unfortunately though I do agree somewhat on the politicians.....

[MoonlightShadow]

Thanks for everyone's input! I believe I mentioned in my intial post, but I'm not really looking to go into the Marines. I'm meeting with him today just out of curiosity, really. He called me, but it rekindled my interest in the military. I'm going to get in touch with a recruiter, but also with my aunt who was in the Navy for a while. I'll also be sure to check back here if I have any other questions because it seems as though we have plenty of knowledgeable people on MW!

Thanks again.

MoonlightShadow

[WokeUpDead]

Did the Village People put you up to this? What do the people in the navy think about that song anyways?

[MoonlightShadow]

Did the Village People put you up to this? What do the people in the navy think about that song anyways?

Haha, no. Though I will admit humming the song to myself every once in a while.

Okay, I talked with the recruiter from the Marines today and DAMN are they good salespeople. I walked out of there wanting to join the Marines. I've been looking into the different branches of the military now and I'm not sure what I want anymore! lol

[pawnman]

I'm stationed at a Navy base right now, and I can tell you...you don't want to joint the Marines. The Marines are out there running miles at a time at 0500, the Navy guys are sitting around outside enjoying the sun at noon. The difference is pretty amazing. And, from what I've seen, the Marine leadership seems to think that Marines need a babysitter 24/7, because they never go anywhere without an NCO or officer. The Navy guys are almost never being bothered by a superior, at least not out in public.

[Dave the Druid]

Go Air Force...shorter deployments and cushy bases. Oh, and if you have a degree, try to go the officer route. The pay is much better and the training, while still intense, seems less difficult.

I have to second that. I am an Air Force vet and it was a good expirence. Failing that there is always trying college at some level.

[MoonlightShadow]

Hehe, after getting out of the office and looking into it more and talking to people I've narrowed it back down to Army or Navy.

[Shadow Dreamer]

Hehe, after getting out of the office and looking into it more and talking to people I've narrowed it back down to Army or Navy.

I would have to recommend the Army, but I'm biased.....

[treefae]

okay here's my biased opinion.my husband is a marine and we are in navy housing now while he is here training the reservists.navy housing is alot crappier than marine housing because there is so many more people i feel like i live in the projects.in my opinion marines take better care of their people and their families as far as deployments go.navy work less than marines when they are on land but are away from their families quite alot when on sea duty.my husband isn't a frontline guy,he works on computers for radar.tech work.he could easily get out and get a well paying job.it really depends how you do on your tests.my husband is in a mos that is small so it he pulls rank quicker.navy has so many more people than marines,if you bomb on your tests you will be in a job with an enormous amount of people and you sit at the same rank for a long time.i don't know if you have a degree but that gives you cush at any branch.the only navy guys i know that go to iraq are the corpsman.it's true that air force has better living standards and pay better.my husband doesn't run every morning but then again he doesn't mind doing it when he does.marines are'nt made to be lazy.i'm happy because he loves his job and he's proud of what he does.good luck with your decision.

[SilverMaiden]

Like any job and career, do your research on your prospective employer.

With military yours will be more complicated. You have to research the military branch you choose, the current government and potential change in government.

Research the navy code of conduct. Research the current trends in military issues that the government has done and is planning on doing with your specific branch. Pay attention to who's in power, their goals, their style of who they engage where, why and how much they allow the military higher ups decide. Research what the DOD has in store in for the branch you choose to join. Research what your obligations are. See if it fits with you.