I am interested in joining the military (either navy or coast guard i think) and I will have a bachelors degree in communication by december. I was wondering what the rank and other benefits would be by going in with an education?
Also, I am single and have a dog that I am very attached to. I could not possibly give him up, although I do have family who will watch him during training and and short deployments. so my question is will this work out? can I have a dog and be enlisted (will having a higher rank allow me to live off base?) and for the navy, how often and for what length of time are ships at sea?
Thanks so much!
2007-08-30 11:10:37 · 11 answers · asked by SeAwAvEs 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Single get much less benefits - IE have to live in On-Base government housing - barracks which definitely don't allow family (unless you wanted to front your own money for a place - but not guaranteed you would even be able to do that.)
Married - should be no problem getting a place that allows animals(if lucky enough to get stationed stateside - BUT the Navy is a pretty world-wide ordeal - never know) and getting paid a housing allowance if you want to live out in town.
With Navy you could end up overseas somewhere unless you get a strong promise of a desired duty station in your actual contract. So really for your first few months there's not much certainty in what can happen to you and where you will go.
The biggest benefit of having a degree is if you were going for the Officer side - you already have the degree so you would just need to do the officer training. So yes there is a big difference in rank in pay - but not if you choose Enlisted.
Navy Ships are at sea usually 7-Plus months on average.
So to your question of could it work - Yes of course if you were dealt the cards you need - but of course also not guaranteed. Being married helps.
If you have any more questions I'll try to help - I hope this info has helped you in some way - I definitely believe it is the chance of a lifetime to go out and try it but no guarantees on time with your pet.
2007-08-30 11:26:57 · answer #1 · answered by Dale 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'd have to check with a recruiter to make sure what your degree qualifies you for. But make sure to ask about officer programs. You may qualify but you don't have to take them.
I've known single sailors to have dogs in the Navy once they had permission to live in their own place. But you have to take into consideration more care than just training and short deployments. You need a close neighbor there or a doggy daycare arrangement for the days you work late unexpectedly. You also need that for days you have duty. Duty means you're on the boat for at least 24 hours and most often more like 36. Boats and ships can be gone for a few days at a time up to a year. 6 to 8 months is more common but you can't guarantee it. Having a dog under those conditions is hard but not impossible.
2007-08-30 18:20:42 · answer #2 · answered by Critter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One: the degree is not competitive for Navy OCS, although it will get you E3 upon enlistment.
Two: No pets are allowed in the barracks, and typically you may NOT get permission to live off base until E4 and sometimes E5. deployments can last 6-9 months, in addition to the various and sundry in and outs the ship will do.
Sea duty will entail anything form being away from home port Mon-Fri to being gone 6-9 months straight.
2007-08-30 19:55:30 · answer #3 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, only the Army offers E-4 for enlisting with a Bacholors degree.
The Air Force, Coast Guard,Navy and Marine Corp do not.
The AF Coast Guard and Navy will enlist as an E-3
The Marines as an E-2
You could submit a application package for OCS.
If accepted, you would be commissioned a 0-2 Ensign in the Navy.
In neither case, will you be allowed to own a pet.
New enlistees and new officers who are single, are billeted on base.
Ir would take approx 4 years as enlisted to have a chance to live off base,
About 3 years as an officer.
Evidently, everyone of the previous posters, searched for advanced rank, and went to the Army advanced rank page.
2007-08-30 22:32:28 · answer #4 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Like the others said you could go for OCS, but if you enlist you'll be an E-4 and will live in the barracks. You can apply for BAH so you can live off post but typically you won't get it until the rank of E-5 or E-6. Why would they give some one money to live off post when they've got plenty of barracks space. There is no pets allowed in the barracks, some policies permit you to have somthing small, like gold fish, but definatly not dogs.
2007-08-30 20:39:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You would not enter as an officer. You have a 4 year degree so you would enter as an E-4/Specialist. In order for you to enter as an officer you would have to graduate from an ROTC program or a military academy. More than likely, as single E-4 you would have to live in the barracks/dorms/billets whatever the branch you join calls them, where you are not allowed to have pets, your dog would have to stay with family.
There are some places that allow E-5/Sergeant to live off post, and then E-6/Staff Sergeants are allowed to live off post, where you can have dogs, cats, ponies, unicorns, whatever.
2007-08-30 19:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by jwhite_555 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The dog will suffer because he wont be able to go with you even after basic.
Not being able to care for the dog will be the main problem just because you live off base dosent mean you will always be getting home regular to feed and exercise him.
2007-08-31 13:18:35 · answer #7 · answered by conranger1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will automatically enter as an Officer, which is a huge benefit. Your pay will be higher, you will be treated better all around, and your living quarters will be better.
You won't be able to have your dog with you during basic training, but once your life settles down (FYI, it's not called "enlisted" for Officers) when you're living on the base. If your in the Navy you won't be able to take him with you on ship, but a lot of guys do one major ship deployment for 6 months and then that's it. Good luck and God bless!
2007-08-30 18:16:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
If you enlist, the highest rank you'll go in as is E-4 (but it's not guaranteed). If you apply for the OCS program, once you graduate OCS, you'll be an Ensign.
2007-08-30 19:47:10 · answer #9 · answered by BadKarma 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just go talk to a recruiter, they can let you know what kind of rank is available for your degree.
2007-08-30 18:13:57 · answer #10 · answered by Wicked Good 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋