Navy Vs. college....?

Question

I was thinking of joining the navy (or possibly another branch) after High School (I'm a senior). Basically, I'd just like advice from sailors (or other personnel, or anyone who can give me good advice) and their opinion.

I'm not sure what I want to do with my life, I'm interested in linguistics (I know about the DLAB etc...) anyhow I thought perhaps the navy would give me a chance to do something worthwhile, get away from home, experience life a bit, and travel.
What are the
pro's and con's of the navy, especially compared to college?
Why did you join?
and are you happy with your decision? why or why not?
Would you advise a different branch? if yes, why?
thanks

Di you choose college over the military, are you happy?

Just looking for advice, comments, opinions... any info would be helpful.

Answer 1

if you are able to go to college, do that first. If you are then still interested in the military you can be commissioned, rather than enlist (investigate ROTC). If you cant afford college, then its a great option, choose Air Force, then Navy. Get all the college you can while on active duty, invest in the GI Bill while in.

Answer 2

Do what David B said exactly what i would have done if i could go back. I can't stress this enough if you have the means to go to college go or you will probably regret it later.

Now in college you can also join an ROTC unit and experience some of the military type training and studies. Start looking into the schools you want to attend and then start applying to them.

If you decide to enlist you should choose the branch of service you think is best. I went Air Force because it is the best branch. If you do enlist definitely apply for the GI BILL this is a must. I am now using my gi bill to get through college and regret not having gone strait out of high school. I'm telling you time goes by way too fast.

Please if you can just go to college while you are young. College cost are ridiculous and they just keep going up every year so the sooner the better. I hope my rambling helps if you have questions please ask.

Answer 3

If you are not sure what you want to do, you are in the same situation I was in twenty years ago. I joined the Navy to pay for college and get some experience in engineering, the field I was leaning to. I trained and worked as an engineer in the Navy, then decided that I really did not want to take engineering in college. I switched majors to education and became a teacher, a career that I love.

With everything in life, there are ups and downs to the Navy. You get to see the world, but spend long days at sea. You get many new experiences, but there are long periods of tedium.

But if given the chance, I still would not change joining the Navy before college. I got more direction with what I wanted from life after my term of service then I would have gotten in college.

Answer 4

Did both! First Navy, then school. Overall? Both were good, but I should have stayed in the Navy. College cost alot, and if you were into serious studies like me ( Engineering) Not a party school adventure. The Navy gave me the Maturity my peers did not and a very different view of the world then found in overly Liberial & Aniti military Academia.... The Navy is a great place to start after High School. College can wait 4 years. Join and see the world!

Answer 5

Actually, if you are at all flexible about the branch of service and you are interested in languages, you should check out the Army. The language training in the Army rocks and the fields in which you can go into with this training are many and varied. Plus, the Army now is offering bonuses for enlisments and college money. Even better, they have short terms of enlistments (e.g. 2 years plus training) that can come in handy if you decide military life is not for you and/or are eager to start college. If you are not sure what you want to do with your life, the Army is a great place to start. I spent 22 years in both on active duty and the reserves. Back then, the enlistment bonuses and guarantees for training and duty location were not available but now you can practically write your own ticket. One piece of advice, if you sign up, get in reasonably good shape before you go to basic training. It will make it much easier and much more enjoyable if you have the physical stamina to do PT (physical training) and to weather all the standing and walking you will do. OK, two pieces of advice. Save your money. The army also provides a great opportunity (you get room and board free) to put away some money of your own when you get out to go to college. Starting with my very first paycheck, I had a certain amount of my paycheck put directly into my savings account each month. I never missed it cause I never saw it. When I got out, I had a good cushion of money that came in handy when I was in school. Good luck.

Answer 6

As the others said, if you can afford college, then go. If you desire to serve first then attend college do that. You can also attend college during your career. There are many colleges offering the military college classes. You can take them while deployed at sea as well as shore duty. I spent 24 years in the Navy and only took college classes one time. I retired as a Chief, although had I taken more classes in addition to not having knee problems preventing my PRT participation, I could have made Senior Chief and stayed longer. I have since retiring attended college for 7 years and am in my last year of my Masters Degree.
I don't regret my service as I enlisted before I graduated in 1972. I left 34 days after I graduated and stayed except for 90 days when I got out and went back and kept my rank.
You can obtain enough college credits to become an officer during your enlistment. Check out the websites by yahooing or googling. They have much information on college and officer programs.
Above all, the decision if you are unsure now needs to be thought out to allow you to make the best decision. If you are close to any military base, visit them or visit a National Guard or Reserve unit and talk to them. Visit the recruiters for all branches and ask them questions also. They will try to talk you into things at times, but they can also adivse you the best of anyone.
Here is a website you can visit for starters. It contains all the various branches of the military and you can read about them and get all kinds of information to help you.

www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/Executive/Defense.shtml

Best of luck in your decision
Remember many employers will hire a veteran over other people because of their training and dedication. If you go in to the service first, by all means use your G.I. Bill when you get out and you won't regret it.

Answer 7

I went to college, I wish I had joined the Marines. My dad was a Marine and I know he wishes either my brother or I had followed in his footsteps.

I feel there is nothing more patriotic that serving your country thru military service. I admire your interest and courage in the service. I wish you the best in whatever decision you choose.

I think the Navy is prolly the safest of the branches of service. Not that that is really a reason to join. I am not sure of the statistics, but I am sure more grunts and jarheads die in the line of duty than the Navy or Air Force, unless you are a pilot maybe.

Make sure to find out about Officer Training School. You used to need a college degree to be considered for OTC, but that was a long time ago. You can also serve in the ROTC in college. Check it all out and choose what is best for YOU. Not for your parents, friends, etc.

If you decide to join up and serve, may God bless you and keep you safe. Do your country proud. And thanks for keeping us safe.

Answer 8

Okay my opinion.
If you have this much of a problem with the decission now then go to college there is still time for you to go in the Military after college. I guess i am trying to say is your not ready if you have to ask advise.

Answer 9

Collage 1st....Then the Navy..

Answer 10

go to college. it is where most successful people come from.