US NAVY H0w is it the navy?

Question

Anyone that has been in the navy can you answer my questions and give some advice about the navy?MY Husband wants to join the US Navy.He wants 2 join to serve our country and at the sametime earn a education. What do you like about the Navy?Do you wish you would have joined another branch such as air force?Any other advice why he should join the navy?

Answer 1

I'm a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer (22 years of active duty service) and I can honestly say that those 22 years were probably some of the best years of my life. I've missed the Navy and all of the friends I had (in both the Navy and Marine Corps) since the day I was piped over the side of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). I miss the structure and stability of the Navy, the travelling (of course), but most of all the comraderie you develop with your shipmates is impossible to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it.

I have good friends still in both the Navy and the Marine Corps, two of which are marines who both just made Master Gunnery Sergeant and are on their 4th tour of duty in Iraq. I'm proud they consider me their friend and I pray for them and their families every day.

One thing you should think about, however, if your husband wants to join the Navy. Generally speaking, your husband will spend at least the first four to five years of his career assigned to a sea going unit (civilians call them ships). This means he will make at least three deployments overseas during that first four to six year hitch. Most deployments are at least 6 to 9 months long; meaning he will not be home for 6 to 9 months at a time. That means YOU, as his spouse, will be left with 100 percent of the responsibilities on the home front (i.e., raising the kids, getting them to school, paying the bills, etc.) all while dealing with extreme lonliness. This is something you BOTH need to be behind, ...if he joins the Navy, you will be as exposed to Navy life as what he is. I'm not telling you this to be cruel, ...the fact is that he will be as lonely as you (maybe even more so) and will LIVE for that occaisional letter or email from you. It's absolutely essential to his peace of mind while deployed that he knows YOU can handle things at home until he gets back and that you will be there for him when he comes home.

It takes a special person to be a Navy spouse. You both need to talk about this before he does it. If you have any reservations or doubts about whether you can take the long separations, tell him before he enlists. There's no shame in admitting it if that's the case. The Navy is B-R-U-T-A-L on relationships, that's just a plain fact.

In any case, good luck to you both. I hope you make the decision that is best for BOTH of you.

Answer 2

As a Navy Veteran and A former Navy Recruiter you really have to weigh your options, What do you want to do when you get out? Think long run, If you are joining for college money make sure to use it. Stick to it, alot of people join for thee money but get caught up in the steady pay 1st and the 15th of the month and forget about college. And before you know it you just did 20 years in the military. The Navy is an excellent branch if you want to travel, Being in the Navy was the best decision I made served 8yrs,Now I'm a Police Officer and the Navy was a great stepping stone. Every Branch is good just find which ones for you. Do your research before you walk into a recruiting station.

Answer 3

I was a navy nuke and that was okay. I loved my job. I joined for the same reason, education, stability. The big thing is that he must be able to put up with a lot of B.S. The navy is like a super big company where you are just a tiny cog in the machine and there is a lot of frustration. There are a lot of times you have to do things that don't make sense because someone above you gave you an order even though you are smarter and know it's ridiculous. If he and you can handle the political bologna, it's not bad. At least being on a boat is relatively safer than being a foot soldier. Oh and don't believe everything the recruiter says. That's one of the biggest jokes, "Hey, my recruiter lied to me". They need to make numbers. Get it in writing and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, with the government, there are NO guarantees and once he joins, he becomes government property. Good luck.

Answer 4

I was in the navy for 4 years and enjoyed it. Yes you do have the opportunity for an education while enlisted. The aircraft carriers sometimes even have insturctors aboard for classes. You work a 12 hr day (minimun) while underway and what you do in your off time is up to you. I worked on aircraft on the navy, and it was a lot of fun. You had instant friends where ever you went and a new family at every base. My husband is in the Navy now and we have get-togethers with the people he works with and their families all the time. It is great. The one problem with the navy is that on a lot of bases the housing stinks and is usually full so the waiting list is extremely long. But you can always live out in town. You get great medical insurance(everything is free as long as you use their doctors) and dental is cheap(about $26 a month plus co-pays if you need surgery or something like that) most bases have good childcare programs and spouses also qualify for financial assistance in college classes. My husband is 25 years old and makes $37k a year and has never been to college. None of his friends can say this. THat does not include any bonuses. He has been in for 6 yrs. The only differnece with the Air Force is that their housing is nicer but you get the same amount for housing if you decide to stay out in town. They get deployed just like the navy, and they are gone a lot just like sailors. Every military job is dangerous, but when was the last time a Naval ship was sunk? you can email me if you have questions... just click on my profile and selecte to email me, I'll remember you and reply.

Answer 5

I did Navy and Air Force. The Air Force is more professional. If part of your husband's desire is education, find the branch that offers the best training for that field.

But, consider the reserves. Be trained, educated, in the career field of choice and then make the big decision, stay or not.

I left after 11 1/2 years combined service and have done wonderful things since. But given the chance now, I would stay in. The Brotherhood of the service is golden. And you retire with a good C.V. to pursue civilian life and a pension you can enjoy while you're still young if you choose to retire..

The important thing he has to find what suits him while providing family needs.

Answer 6

I served 26 years in the Navy. My oldest son just completed 6 years and my second son is currently serving on the USS GW. I had many opportunities to complete my education - I just never had the desire. My sons on the other hand have taken full advantage. I loved serving. My oldest son's priority was to get an education - did his 6 years as a nuke and is now attending college to be a lawyer. Left the Navy with enough credits to be a junior at a major university. I left the Navy after 26 years to open my own business (only retired in Dec 06.) I have been married (to the same woman) for 25 years, we have lived everywhere - it was a great adventure! For a basic list of benefits and pay charts - http://www.navycs.com/info.html http://www.navycs.com/08militarypaychart.html
The pay charts do not include payment you will recieve for housing and food or any special pays dependant or the job your husband may be doing. The 2008 paychart is based on my estimation - congress hasn't approved any amount yet. The 2007 pay chart is accurate.

Answer 7

I watched a program on that on National Geo channel the reason that plane was shot down was it did not respond to any calls from the US Navy . There was also a Iranian fighter jet that left about the same time. The jet was warned several times to change course and did not. The USA did apologize after that not long after that happened . I believe not long after that flight Pan Am flight 103 was bombed by Libya and iran and Palistinian group with a small group of people out of Malta with connections to Iran,Libya and the Palistinian group. Pan Am flight 103 was bombed as a payback for that incident with the Iranian passenger jet.. The guys on the US Navy had minutes to decide not long like I said a Iran fighter jet left at around the same time. Not only that but the passenger jet had the numbers on screen showing it was a fighter jet not a passenger jet .

Answer 8

Being former Air Force, If he is going to join he wants to go Air Force. In the Navy your husband would be gone a great deal depending on his duty assignment. In the AF you have a pretty good chance at a 4 month tour of duty every year.

Answer 9

The Navy was the Best thing I ever did with my life. I also served in the Army driving boats for them; but the Navy is my home.

I do not know how the Navy of today is but I can say it is full of brave young men and women who truely deserve to be called heros. But with it comes much sacrifice and if you as a spouse can handle that then you deserve a medal too.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

Well, the navy is the safest branch, as long as they stay at sea. The deployments are shorter than the Army, but not as short as the Air Farce. He will be gone quite a bit, though, as ships, even when not deployed, go to sea frequently for training, shake-down cruises, and just to visit other ports.