How much are do you clean in the military?

Question

I'm thinking of going into the Navy (CTI rating) and I'm wondering if what I'm really going to be is a janitor. I hear stories from some people saying that the military is advanced training in menial labor (cleaning toilets, mopping floors, mowing lawns). Is this true, or do you actually do the job they train you to do?

Answer 1

You will. Whether its sooner or later depends on where you are. When you are at your primary duty station you will do your job, but since you'll start out at a lower rank you may end up cleaning up the place when everyone goes home. So go up rank is what you want to do anyway

Answer 2

I was in the Army for 4 years and we had to mow the grass all the time. There are always extra duties that need to be done. Its not a form of punishment, its just doing your duty. No one wants to clean toilets or mow the lawn but somethings must be done. In Basic you will do more menial labor. When I was in Basic at Ft. Jackson we painted the bathroom 2 times in 8 weeks. It was mostly just busy work.

Answer 3

In the Navy, no matter what job class you train for, when onboard ship, you will be crossed trained in some area of day to day ship life. This is not just some sort of "keep busy" duty. It is to prepare everyone in case of emergency. If poop hits the fan, even pilots need to know how the showers work, and how to feed the crew. The Sailor who cleans the bathrooms is just as important as the Sailor who flags in jets.

One very important lesson you will learn in boot is how the young Sailors aboard the USS Cole reacted when attacked. No job was menial or without honor. The only duty not recognized for valor was inaction.

Answer 4

This is only true during Basic Training for the most part or between B.T. and your advanced training. Maybe the people you talked to never got passed B.T. After you get finished with B.T and your advanced training it really is more like a regular job. (except that you can get called at any time of the day or night to come do your job)

Answer 5

In basic training you will clean like its your job. However as you move up ranks you wont have to clean as much. Your expected to keep where you live clean and you will want it to be clean. Once you move up the ranks you will find other people cleaning for you.

Answer 6

They don't have hired help, you are always cleaning something, it comes with the job, but it isn't the biggest part.

Answer 7

you will do both