Okay, here's my situation: I am currently a senior in high school and in the DEP for the Navy, scheduled to leave for Boot Camp in late July. Immediately after completion of Boot Camp, I am scheduled for, believe it or not, BUD/S. Recently, I've realized that maybe I don't like the water as much as I'd have to to do that, and I don't really have the desire anymore. I was thinking of going to the Army instead. I was thinking Airborne or Rangers or something. Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
2007-01-08 05:37:58 · 12 answers · asked by Jacko W 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
If you are having second thoughts about BUD/S, you need to either find a way to overcome your reservations about the water, or transfer to a different service. If you don't go into BUD/S fully dedicated both mentally and physically, you will wash out during Hell Week. If you decide to go through with BUD/S, you will go to Airborne school as part of your training.
Ranger school is grueling both mentally and physically, as one would expect from an elite training program. You can't just walk off the street and decide to go Ranger. You will have to go through basic, infantry school, (hopefully Airborne first, the first week of Ranger school is different for Airborne than legs) and then earn a spot in Ranger school.
Either route will require your full dedication. Anything short of absolute effort will lead to failure. Even if you are fully dedicated, there is no guarantee that you will not wash out. Both BUD/S and Ranger school have very high wash out rates. If you don't believe you are the best, can be the best and can beat the best, you might want to reconsider your choice to enter special forces. Because of the extreme pressures and importance of the missions that SEALs and Rangers undertake, the training is extreme and the evaluations painfully honest. You have to be able to trust everyone on the team to be able to carry their own weight and watch the back of their buddy. If you have doubts, examine them very carefully before deciding to continue. There is no shame in being honest with yourself or your potential shipmates or soldiers.
2007-01-08 05:59:04 · answer #1 · answered by Curious 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's really easy to get BUD/S out of your contract. Just tell your recruiter that you don't want to do it. It'll mean some more paperwork and such, and your report dates will probably change, but they have a shortage of slots, anyway, so it won't be a problem.
As far as the rangers go, you'll be cold and wet there, too. At least for part of it (probably the same amount of time as in the SEALs). I would recommend finding something else you want to do in the Navy. They always need EOD guys. Those are the guys that defuse bombs, so it might interest someone who at one point wanted to be a SEAL.
As far as joining the Army, I work with someone who transfered from the Navy to the Army, and she has yet to be able to tell me why she switched.
One more thing: If you want to get BUD/S out of your contract, you have to do it before you ship to basic. The DIs WILL NOT let you waive it, because at that point the slot is already reserved for you, and they won't want to do the paperwork. I saw that happen with Airborne school back when I was at AIT.
Best of luck to you, and hopefully you'll find a place for you in the military.
2007-01-08 14:35:46 · answer #2 · answered by DOOM 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you want to work with Special Ops, at one point or another, you're head is going to be underwater. I was a Ranger, not a big fan of water myself, which, when dropped in the middle of the ocean from a helo and left there bobbing up and down alone with my squad, made me thank myself for the decision not to go to the SEALS. What I didn't fear, was how hard it was to become good at what I do. It's not easy to be the point of the spear, no matter the branch of the military. So, if that's what you really don't want, don't do it. You faking it or not wanting it only has a few possible outcomes, and none of them are good. This is no slight on you, as it's not for everyone. If it's the high speed low drag mystique that drives you, you can look at Anglico and call Naval gunfire for Spec Ops teams, a PJ (combat medic). .. remember, a 10 yr old kid with an AK doesn't care what unit you are in. Bullets don't care how high speed low drag you are. Every job is important.
2007-01-09 12:31:18 · answer #3 · answered by tabnscroll 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Navy SEAL training is no joke. Less than half the people who start the training program actually complete it. If you are not fully committed to trying to pass it is definitely not something you want to go into hesitantly. Anytime before you actually leave for bootcamp you can get out of DEP and switch services. They don't actually tell you that, but it can be done. I would definitely call your recruiter first thing and tell him that you are having second thoughts about going to BUD/S. Any of the Special OPs in any service is certain to be grueling training, it is made that way on purpose, combat is not comfortable, and they will do everything they can to make you as miserable and uncomfortable as possible.
2007-01-08 13:50:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chances are high you will washout of BUD/S it's a tough MOS. If you want to join another branch then talk to the army recruiter he will know if you can break your obligation to the navy. However before you rush off you might want to get these delusions of adventure out of your head we are at war a land war if you join such a service you will end up in Iraq or Afghanistan or both don't let the movies fool you kid their is nothing glorious about war especially when you see your friends die if you want to spare your family a lot of heart attacks you will join the navy with a normal mos.
2007-01-08 14:05:50 · answer #5 · answered by brian L 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can change your job up to the moment that you sign your contract. The Army is a fine career choice and if you do go in special forces you will get a bonus. Talk to your recruiter for specifics and make a decision. Don't be pressured into what you do not want to do or you are not sure about because once you sign, you're obligated to that training.
2007-01-08 13:46:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well if you dont want to go into the navy just tell them look I dont wanna go. Then after your done go over to the army recruiter and talk to them. The army recruiter cant talk to u till after you decide to get out of the Navy DEP.
2007-01-08 13:45:47 · answer #7 · answered by striderknight2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You won't like the Ranger's either, you're going to spend much of your time wet and cold. Yes, you can get out of navy dep, and go to one of the other services. Just go to the service recruiter of your choice and go through the process.
2007-01-08 13:41:27 · answer #8 · answered by Shawn M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you've already signed a contract, you're committed. If you're having second thoughts, you're going to ring out of BUD/S, and then the navy is going to put you wherever they think you belong.
(Is it just because of the water? Are you nervous around water or something?)
2007-01-08 13:42:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you decide to stay w/ the Navy(which is probably what I would do) you could always become a pilot,
2007-01-08 13:52:35 · answer #10 · answered by Danielle 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋