Anyone been in the Navy?

Question

Can you tell me your experiences? Do you really get to travel the world and all that stuff? What's it like? How high do your grades need to be? How long do you have to stay, are you trapped there, and how much freedom do you have??

Answer 1

I spent 6 years on active duty as a submariner in the US Navy and loved almost every minute of it. I got out because during the Clinton administration, military morale was at an all-time low and so many stupid budget cuts were being made, I couldn't take it anymore. Even as a bubblehead, I got to travel the world. I've been to 7 foreign countries and have eaten food that I had no idea what the ingredients were (Phillipines).
Today, most enlistments are for 4 years but some jobs require a 2-year extension to qualify for. If you're just out of high school, you put in 4 years you'll be 22 with enough money to get yourself a college education and use your Navy experience in civilian life. What could be better than that?

Answer 2

I did 5 1/2 years of active duty, have been in the Naval Reserve since 1993.

As far as seeing the world, I have been to twelve foreign countries. I got to walk around Rome and climb to the tomb of Mt. Vesuvius. I have eaten a water buffalo burger and swam in three different oceans.

I was an engineer and worked in the engine room. As my ships spent a lot of time at sea, I did not see the sun too often. But I loved most of the time I spent on active duty.

The normal enlistment is for four years. I had originnally enlisted for four years, then extended for two years. I left six months early when my ships was decommissioned. I decided to join the Naval Reserve, but active reserve time is not manditory.

Freedom is a relative term in the military. You have no freedom in bootcamp, a little more when in training schools. While on the ship, I was expected to do my duty: be on time, follow orders, and do my job. I had to keep my hair short, wear my uniforms properly, and could not grow a beard. But I was also expected to use personal intiative and common sense.

Like all things in life, the Navy has its ups and downs. In the end, the Navy is all what you make of it.

Answer 3

I made the Navy my career. Travel? I'll say! I've been to Italy several times, Spain twice, Greece 3 times, Lebanon, France, Turkey, Crete, Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Viet Nam and all over the United States. I had a lot of fun, saw many places that I would not have seen otherwise and learned a profession that carried over with me to civilian life.

The more you apply yourself, then the greater your opportunities will be. You have about as much freedom as you would have in civilian life. You will have 30 days of paid vacation a year plus many holidays as well as passes for 72 and 96 hour weekends.

I think you still have to sign up for four years, but ask your recruiter to be sure about that. There are many educational benefits that are paid by the Navy should you wish to take advantage of them. If you have specific questions, send me an email.

Answer 4

I joined the Navy for a four year deal to pay off the college loan debts. Loved it so much that at the end of this month I retire after 20 years at the end of the month and still haven't used my GI bill and already have my Bachelors. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The only regret was losing my high school sweetheart.

Answer 5

I was in for 7 years, two squadron (uniform) and two staff (civilian) billets. Loved it. Got out because I had 2 babies but I never wanted to get out; I was to go to sea and couldn't (obviously) take them with me! Lived in England, saw much of Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium. Could have gone more but ran out of time! You must understand, during war, this changes, and your safety is actually important (explains the civilian billets). Shoot for the moon, you have a better chance of catching it than I did (being female used to restrict opportunities).

Answer 6

Black is going with each and every thing. AND flipflops are rather getting right into a sparkling form- donning them with formal outfits and with artwork outfits. Its a sparkling form thats rather making helpful. SO wonderful!! and black is elegant- it rather is going with each and every thing and provides a splash bit adulthood to the shoe. identity def pass with black.

Answer 7

My husband was in the navy and he said he hated it. They stuck him on a submarine for weeks at a time. They also punished him for speaking his mind. It was a really awful time for him. He joined the army and he's much happier.