What were you? Army/Navy/Marine/AF?

Question

Just curious.... I was talking to a friend about joining the Army then some guy from the Navy broke up are conversation and told me not to screw up my life and join the Navy.

I don't know they both seem to have the same benifits. But atleast in the Army you get to go off base and visit your friends. In the navy you could be stationed on a ship.

Answer 1

If you are joining the service to see the world it kind of depends on how you want to see it.

Army: You could get stationed overseas and you will be in that country from 1 to 3 years depending on the tour of duty. You will learn a lot about that country and get a chance to learn its customs and traditions.

Navy: You will get to see a whole lot of countries. Dozens. But you will be in each one from 3 to 5 days at a time before moving on. with several weeks at sea between each one.

I Was in the US Navy as an EW (Electronic Warfare Systems Operator) I got to see most of asia and the mideast.
Hawaii
Phillipines
Hong Kong
Japan
Singapore
Tahiti
Fiji
Thailand
Sri Lanka
Oman
U.A.E.
Bahrain
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Germany
Most of these places I saw only for 3 days if it was a liberty port and for 5 days if it was a working port
Several of them I had the chance to visit more than once (Hong Kong 4 times for example)

Now as an Army Brat (Mom was Army MP) we were station in Germany for three years '85-'87 and I got to learn a lot of Germany culture
It all depends on what you want.

Now as to Military life and not the travel, again it depends on who you are and what you want. Army is more physical. Long hikes with heavy gear in all sorts of weather. Physical combat and hand weapons. its tough.

Navy is more technical. Im not saying there aren't tough times and bad conditions ( You try standing low visibility watch in the bow of a carrier at 3am in the bearing straits in sub-zero temps.) But all in all we have it better and we act as a crew. not a group of organized individuals.
In the Army when the enemy is shooting at you. he is not shooting at a platoon. or a squad. he is shooting at YOU.

In the Navy when the Enemy attacks he is not targeting you specifically but your Unit. the Ship.

Its up to you and what kind of personality you are.

I Chose EW as my profession because EW's were "in-the-know" and often were the first to alert the rest that we were under attack and the first to take defensive steps. I didnt want to be like the supply clerk or cook who goes "Who, Wha..?!" when the General Quarters Alarm Goes off. I knew where we were, what the danger was, what the Mission was, at all times.

Answer 2

I'm an Army wife, and while it's not the greatest career in the world (there are risks, and there are hard times), it's definitely better than the Navy (so I've heard). When we were considering it, we were told by several once-upon-a-time sailors who had gotten out of the service that we would be setting our marriage up for failure if David was ever to join the Navy.

If you have a meaningful relationship or ever want one, I'd go with the Army. There's seperations there, too, but not as often or as likely as with the Navy. (Again, so I've been told.)

Besides, I like Army life. =) So I might be biased.

I would suggest looking at the job types you want and comparing them. The different branches of service will offer you different career choices. Think about what you want to do if you get out of the service, and look for a MOS (job) that will get you training or experience needed for the career you want in the civilian world.

Answer 3

I was Navy 10 years. I would have stayed, but I got married-Hubby had lucrative job. In the Navy, while your ship is in port, you can go off base, actually, depending on your command, it can be like a regular job sometimes. Another cool thing about the Navy is that you ARE sometimes at sea. I know that might sound kinda intimidating right now, but by the time you get that far, you will be looking forward to it. It's great fun usually. You will make some of the best friends that you could make in whatever branch you choose. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I was in the Army for 4 years. Best time of my life. The only downfall I can see in joining the Navy is, like you said, getting stuck on a ship or aircraft carrier, and you better not be clostrophobic. I have heard the sleeping quarters are small.

For some strange reason people think the benefits are different in all the service branches. I don't think so. Good Luck with you decision.

Answer 5

Spent 20 years in Air Force. Best move I ever made. Got to go all over the world. Was stationed in Paris, France;Cambridge, England; Vietnam (ouch);Washington, DC and other good stateside bases before retiring.
Good thing about the AF in peacetime is that it practically a full time civilian job (or was). I got my degrees while in the military, got great job training and experience, and again, got to see the world.
The benefits are almost the same throughout the military, but decide what you want to do after you leave the military. Most technical jobs that cross over into civilian life can be found either in the Navy or Air Force.
Good luck

Answer 6

I spent 20 years in the Navy, I've been around all the services during that time and I found that no mater which service you choose that it will be a good one. I prefer to travel and that's why I choose the Navy. I've been around the world 11 times and seen 82 different counties. I've lived in the Philippines Islands and all over Asia. I've even got 18 months in Spain and never been stationed there. Military life is not for everyone, but surely enjoyed it.

Answer 7

Well I was a Navy man and there were some messed up ships and sailors but my ship wasn't one of them. Being on a Flagship it was strict Navy. The good part was the travel, our job was to carry the Admiral around so we got to go to a lot of places.

I think the hard part is being stationed overseas. If you are married and can bring your wife over you can live on base and have a homelife but if you're single it can get pretty lonesome. (I was stationed in Japan).

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Yes, in the navy you could be stationed on a ship, but ships have a tendency to dock in some nice places, like Hawaii and Australia. Besides, you make new friends wherever you go. Actually, you'll have to make new friends in any branch of the military.

Answer 10

My father was an Airborne Ranger (which is Army Special Forces) Not only did it make him the most amazing person I know...he raised me and my sister like we were in on a Army Base and we're better people because of it. The Army is always in the action. Who found Saddam? 101st Airborne (my dad's unit actually) Who was the first sent in after Spet 11th...Army Special Forces. My dad always says- Army is always the first in and the last out.