I am having a problem- I've been in this program called Sea Cadets since 8th grade and now I am going to be a senior. I made chief and have had lots of fun over the years, but now I have to start thinking about college. My parents want me to go college and do NROTC, which I know I could get if I tried hard enough, but the problem is I don't want to become an officer. I know it's a better lifestyle and all, but I'd rather go in as an E-3, do real work, and work my way up through the ranks as a career and try to make chief. That would be my DREAM. But the other problem is that I really want to go get a college degree. I'm second in my class and I know I could do good in college. Call me crazy, but I would really rather be enlisted on active duty. What should I do? I know you can get college degrees on board ship, but my sister is in the navy, and she says a lot of those so called "degrees" are BS. HELP!?
2007-08-19 14:46:28 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
there are PLENTY of enlisted personnel with 4 year degrees or better. Nothing wrong with that at ALL. No shame in wanting to be a hands on kind of person instead of a manager. No shame in wanting to be enlisted instead of Officer. The Navy NEEDS strong Chiefs to train the JOs and the Recruits properly.
you have two choices: go to college, then enlist afterwards.
or, enlist after high school and get your college education while in, utilizing Tuition Assistance . you don't have to take the classes on board ship, each base has an education office with satellite campuses of places like University of MD. or, you can take classes online on your own from a reputable source. I have had several classmates on my classes at Ellis (completely online) from all Five Branches of the military.
2007-08-20 02:13:19 · answer #1 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did four years in rotc in high school, i was an 0-4 in rotc. Now ive been in the navy for over five years as a missile technician working on nukes on the SSBN Rhode Island. I was the same way, i rather be enlisted to do the work than be an officer. Now i am senior in rate, i stand chief of the watch which is the senior enlisted watch station onboard this submarine, I mean i have four chiefs that work under me (positional authority) and im an E-5. Yeah it sounds great and unreal but believe me it took 5 years to get to where im at. But now all i work on since theres nothing left to qualify is becoming an officer through STA 21. And, i dont have a whole lot of time to work on college while on a sea tour, So i have to wait until shore duty to take college at night. So the point is, if you dont go now then your kinda waisting 4 years of sea time before you can take a college course. The recruiters says yes you can take college at sea and its true, but you must remember that your first couple of years is devoted to ship and divisional quals which takes YEARS. You will save yourself time and a whole lot of money if you got to college that has a NROTC or a regular college then got to OCS. I wish i would have got the same email five years ago, but here i am, E-5 five years, senior enlisted, have chiefs that work under me because of positional authority, But in the end, I still wish i would have been an officer. If you need any help about the real navy instead of what a recruiter tells you, then email me at mtshaw12@yahoo.com
2007-08-19 15:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by Alexander S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have an idea, Go to college but enroll in Navy ROTC. ROTC cadets gain practical experience in management and problem solving while training to become Officers. Contact your guidance counselor, advisor or your local college that offers ROTC. This is a very good program because you don't have to be an enlisted soldier (you go straight to second Lt.) and you will be able to complete your college endeavors. The police love higher former military personnel. And the best part is: ROTC pays for 100% of your tuition+ a little extra :)
2016-05-17 11:35:46 · answer #3 · answered by malisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure why you'd rather be enlisted than an officer?? If your just afraid of being in a leadership there are plenty of jobs in the navy where you could be an officer and do hands on work rather than being a platoon leader, or whatever it is in the navy. As an officer you'd have a better life style, better pay, and better training which would transfer over to a better job in the civilian world.
2007-08-19 15:00:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be a reservist. Go get your degree right now while you're still in the "I'm a student" mind-set. When you do get your degree, augment back into Active Duty. The thing about being a reservist is that you might get activated and that schooling you were looking forward to has to be put on hold.
All and all, it's really up to you.
2007-08-19 15:37:53 · answer #5 · answered by BadKarma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you can join NROTC and become an officer you have more opertunitys. I agree with your parents, that you should take advantage of going to rotc.
2007-08-19 14:56:53 · answer #6 · answered by vasity2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd definitely reccommend going the officer route. You'll be better off in the long run.
2007-08-19 15:29:05 · answer #7 · answered by Gijohn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋