What is something that I should consider when thinking about going into the military?

Question

I will be 27 when and if I chose to go into the Navy. I am also a female. I have friends that both love and hate the Navy. I want to make sure that I don't a mistake either by going or not going. I want to change the direction my life is going and I seem to be leading in the direction of going. I have a great job and I like it but it doesn't challenge me and I have no room for advancement. One of the things that really upsets me is that I am a supervisor and if I make a decision based on the rules we follow at work and someone wants to go over my head, my boss always gives in and does the oppisite of our regulations just so he gets rid of the problem. I also could make a career for myself that I wouldn't have the opportunity outside of the Navy. What do you think? If you think I should go what are somethings I can do to get myself ready for the challenge ahead? Also what challenges mental and physical would you say that there are ?

I do believe in this country and all that we stand for. I am a proud American and I think to help someone in need is the right thing to do. So for all of you who ask if I would die for this country yes I would. I believe you need to stand up for what you believe is right no matter what the consequence is. So spare me with your politcal agenda. I am not some teenager that has not a clue about her country. For those of you who disagree with war I'll say this if it wasn't for the men fighting for freedom you would not be able to talk so freely about your views. What have you ever sacrficed for something sacred.

Answer 1

I think kaylamay64 had the best answer overall. Here's my 2 cents:

Based on what you said yourself, your biggest mistake is not going. Why? Because you will spend the rest of your life wondering what if? and making excuses why you didn't. If it turns out to be total BS and you hate it(and some people do) or you just don't decide to reenlist, then you just ETS and move on and collect your veteran benefits like everyone else who gets out when their time is up.

I'm not going to pretend to tell you what it's like or give you advice about the Navy or being female, but I can tell you that your inital entry training (boot camp/basic/whatever) is going to suck, and no matter who tells you it's easy, you will be physically sick, and physically tired, but by the time you graduate, as long as you put at least 75% effort into what you are trained on, you will be a resident master of all your newly acquired skills. You will feel on top of the world when you move on to the fleet, or permanent party, or whatever the Navy calls it. At that time the Navy (or whatever service you join) will become more like a regular job because you will already have the military discipline and understand the basics expected of you daily. If you are a turd then you can expect your time to suck and you can expect your supervisors and peers to screw with you a lot harder than you were used to as a civilian.

The benefits that the military offers are great, but you have to put real ADULT effort into getting them. You have to be proactive. "Joe" thinks only about girls, Playstation 2, and getting drunk when he's not on duty, so he gets out after 2 or 3 years and wonders why the only thing he got out of the military is the GI Bill and a paid off car.

You say you are 27 so you should have a little experience into being proactive to develop yourself personally and professionally. Tuition Assistance pays $4500 a year to you unconditionally to take college while on Active Duty. Use it!!!

Consider you will be a E1-E3 and you will be doing basic cleaning and simple tasks until you show your supervisor that you are capable of more responsibility. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

The Navy will challenge you on both ends...instead of supervisor, you will be a "grunt" So, getting used to being yelled at and having to follow a different schedule is something to keep in mind. The other part is breaking you down. They will test your emotional control. At least your not going to the Marines or Army, its worse.
I would say, look for other jobs in the field you are in now, your life doesn't evolve around that single job with no advancement...there are actually people out there who are great to work for. Most of the time though, it is not in the corporate world. The Navy is a good choice, but its like starting all over, and if you are very motivated, you can move up the ranks.
Best of luck on your decision

Answer 3

i am a female and decided when i was 18 to join the us army. best decision i ever made! the one thing i hate about now being in a civilian job is that all the "rules" are BS! the "rules"'' never seem to be followed, the SOP is non existant and there a back stabbers everywhere, and everyone has an excuse for everything! i loved the military and regret getting out.
i'm 41 now and have grown children, am too old to re-enlist.
I loved that the rules were the rules for everyone and you had your rank and you worked towards higher ranks just like everyone else did. the commadrie was wonderful and i always liked that i never felt alone as most every other soldier was going through or had gone through the same things i was. I NEVER felt less than a male soldier and was never made to feel that way. i always felt equal. i remember in basic training initially being made to feel like i was slime of the earth, but by graduation i felt like i owned the world. i was proud to serve my nation. the military is a great place to advance yourself and i have always been given respect when anyone learns i served. I would suggest checking out all the branches and then deciding where to go. i chose the army as i felt the marines was to hardcore for me and the air force and navy not hardcore enough. The army was my ultimate choice and they were also the only branch that would no make me cut my hair(it was passed my waist, this was 20 years ago though). i have nothing but fond memories of my time in the army and feel it has helped me be the independent person i am today. My husband and both my children always come to me to help solve a problem as they know i wont give up. when i joined i was a spoiled younger child who was a cheeleader in high school. I still to this day feel like i can do anything i set my mind to and know that was a gift from the military. there are pros and cons with all the branches and you just need to decide what you can and cant live with. The civilian world seens rife with mewling whiners and the "rules" change so often that i cant keep up, it seems they changed to fit whatever the boss feels like that day. I'm disgusted most days.
I joined a gym before i enlisted and told them i needed to get ready for basic training and they seemed to know what areas i needed to work on most. In the army we especially did alot of running and push-ups among other stuff. know that you will be mentally brought low during basic and then made to feel like you are a champ by graduation. this is all a necessary part of the training and you WILL survive it eventhough at the time you might not think so( i cried daily in the beginning and wondered what the hell i had gotten myself in to, but now i laugh about it) My father served in the British Royal Air Force and he was sooooo proud of me as my uncle said i would never make it through basic. HA! showed him! The military is a great place, i think everyone should serve 2-3 years after they graduate high school, i think there would be alot less troubled people in this country if they did.
Basically if you do what you are told and follow the rules you will do well. Good Luck to you and Thanks for your patriotism!!!!

Answer 4

Joining the military is a big decision. However it is an excellent option. I spent five years in the U.S. Air Force as a firefighter, and now I have a great job as a Lead Firefighter for the government, which pays really well. Plus the military has a great retirement plan and benefits that you can't match. The military will teach you how to be a follower and a leader.
Before you sign up, talk to a recruiter about taking the ASVAB test. This test will determine which job skills you qualify for. Also, try to have in mind what job that you wish to do. You can enter in the delayed entry program, and choose which job that you want. If you do that get it in writing. Otherwise you can go straight in and choose your career in basic training, but your not guaranteed to get something that you like.
There are five different branches of the military to choose from, choose wisely and choose what you believe is the best for you. Also, to prepare yourself for training, go to the gym and start working out, and do some cardio. Get yourself in shape.

Answer 5

It looks as though you are ambitious & hard working. There are plenty of careers which can factor those qualities in without your joining the Services. I am an Army wife with a great career of my own, thankfully.
I am without my husband for huge swathes of time, and we are expected to relocate every two to three years. I have learned to live with it but I have to say the endless separations and the constant anxiety when he is away on Tour isn't the life I would have chosen for us. He qualified as a Lawyer...I wish he had practised!
Put yourself in that position. You have a career that you love and then you meet someone you also love. His career is important to him too. Do you expect him to move around with you? What about when you have a baby and you have to leave it for 6 months? What is he doesn't want to live abroad? I am not being sexist here...Men should take exactly the same points into consideration but there are other Careers which might fit. How about The Police Force? The Coastguard? The Fire Service? Whatever you choose, I hope that you will be very happy.

Answer 6

I wouldn't join the navy because you want a challenge. I think joining the forces is a good thing, its a good career move and can give you alot of transferable skills. However you have to consider different aspects of the navy. You will have to go into a war that you might not agree with, you may have to carry out orders you are not happy about, you will be away from your friends and family for long periods of time. If you want a challenge and a change of scenary i would recomend you travel the world. You might find you don't like it and its alot easier to go home if you do.

Answer 7

After bootcamp its just like any other job unless you go abroad. I was in the Marines as a Scout Sniper but it's all the same. Hurry up and wait will be something you'll become oddly familiar with. The best thing about the military is it takes the think process out of life. Everything, everyday, is lined up for you. All you have to do is what you're told. That's it! Get an admin job and you'll be in a good position to have a future when you come out. My problem leaving was the fact that the only thing the military did was teach me how to shoot things and get piss drunk with the ability to run off the drunk and sober up in an hour. Regardless of how drunk I got...

Btw... SEAL's are overrated. They make one movie about the guys and all of a sudden they are the baddest branch in the military. Airforce Paratroopers deserve much more respect!

Answer 8

My goodness! If you want a challenge, join the peace corps, or some aid organization working in Africa.

Be part of the worlds' solution, not its' problems.

Today's USA soldier is a corporate tool. Nothing more. Not since World War 2 (that's over 60 years for the historically challenged) has our military been used for its desinged purpose: DEFENSE.

Vietnam, Korea, Granada and both gulf wars (not to mention countless other coups and overthrows by the cia, tec.) were ALL corporate wars fought for resources and had NOTHING to do with the defense of our country.

I'm all for throwing off the shackles of a boring career and living an exciting life, but do it with honor.

Thanks.

Answer 9

When considering, I'd sit down and get a clear idea of what type of field I wanted to get into. Having that in mind, and sticking to your guns with a recruiter may be the single most benefitial trait for the prospective recruit. Next, I'd look at all the branches, and see what each has to offer in that field. Pick the one that has the most options, and best training.
You'll want to keep in mind that if you enlist, you'll be starting at the bottom. Instead of being a supervisor, you're going to be everyone's gofer. It'll change with time and promotion, but it's sometimes difficult for someone who's a "boss" to become the smallest cog in a very large wheel.
These in mind, I'd say go for it. The military in general can be as crappy, and good times as any, but you'll come out t better person, with a much larger personal "toolchest" for dealing with life.

Answer 10

What I would suggest you consider is family. Do you want one? Could you handle being away from your child if you have one for months to years at a time? Do you plan to marry? Could you handle that?
The reason I ask you these questions is because I am a Navy wife. My husband and I have a child and are expecting another one... He is going to go to school for one year about three months after the baby comes, and then is scheduled for sea duty after that, he will miss out on 2 years of the kids lives...
I commend you for wanting to join the service and hope you decide to take that path.