I want to join the US Navy. Im 17 and the recruiter might be lying. I need some honest commentary.(Veterans)?

Question

Recruiters might lie to me. I need some honest commentary from people who have been i the navy. Im top 20% in my class, i can go to college for free. I need some help on what i should do. Any comments would be helpful. thanks.

Answer 1

If you can get a free college education....do it. Joining the military is a good career choice but there is no reason you can't join the military AFTER you finish university.

Get your education.... join the Navy...become an officer...and go from there.

Semper Fi,
Z
Capt. USMC Ret

Answer 2

The real thing to deal with is why you want to join the Navy. You seemed to have left that out of your question. If you think that the recruiter might lie to you, you are approaching your decision from the wrong angle. That recruiter is a senior petty officer. Just like the ones you will serve under if you do enlist. If you decide to go on to college instead of enlisting right now and then gain a commission in the Navy, those same senior petty officers are the ones you will be relying on to get the mission accomplished.
I don't fathom how you can express a pre-emptive distrust in the very people you will be serving with. If that is indeed the case, I would tell you not to enlist and not to seek a commission after college.
You wanted honest commentary. You got it.

Answer 3

First: Recruiters are not supposed to lie. But that doesn't mean they necessarily tell you all the truth. It also doesn't preclude over-emphasizing some facts and overlooking others.

Second: Recruiters cannot guarantee you anything. Even if there's a program that is exactly what you want, and you tell the recruiter that you're only interested in that program, and if you can't get that program, you want nothing to do with the Navy (or any other branch in which you might be interested)... even if the recruiter signs you up for that program, you may not get that program once you get in. Bottom line: you serve at the discretion of the service. The only thing you can do when you enlist is to APPLY for a specialty or program.

Third: The Navy is not in the business of training airframe mechanics for Boeing or Lockheed, journalists for CNN, paramedics for your local fire department. They are not in business to supply college educations to everybody who can get in. they are not in the travel business. While some of those opportunities may exist, the Navy is in business to train young men and women to survive aboard ship and to support the Navy's mission.... and to have the best chance to come back alive.

That said, I spent a quarter of a century in the Navy. I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't liked what I was doing.

Answer 4

I wouldnt come out and say that recruiters lie, but in our experience, they sugar coated a lot of stuff. they tell you the truth, just not always the whole truth. my suggestion, talk to a few different recruiters. they will give you names of people who you can call and ask questions to. if my hubby could do it all over, i know he would have tried EOD. Do your 1st sea duty and go from there. Navy is also big on education. Try the officer program, thats a good way to start too? if you are unsure, dont do it.

Answer 5

I turned down a scholarship to join the Navy when I was 17. I'd do it again tomorrow. Recruiters don't "lie" they embellish the truth :) If you have specific questions, feel free to ask me... but like I said, generally speaking, I wouldn't change a single decision I made in regards to joining. I got the job I wanted and the experience of a lifetime.

Answer 6

Recruiters are like any salesman. There are good ones that earn a reputation for being honest and get many referrals from people they enlisted and there are bad ones that will say anything you want to hear.

Go see the Navy recruiter and post back on anything that is questionable here. There are former recruiters here like myself that will tell it like it is.

Answer 7

At 17 years of age, you will need a written and signed letter of consent from one or both parents or guardian, a high school diploma or GED and go
to another US Navy Recruiter for confirmation. It's
always better to get a second opinion! Good Luck!

Answer 8

In the Navy, you get college credits for job experience plus you get your college paid for. So if you look at it that way, you're getting a college education and getting paid to get it. Another good idea is to go to college first and get a four year degree and then go into the Navy as a officer making a ton of money. Either way you're setting yourself up for a good career. Best of luck!

Answer 9

Really, if its what you want to do then go for it. But remember and understand once you sign that dotted line no matter what they told you before - no matter what the recruiter promised you or even put in writing, if times get hard enough they can send you anywhere they please to do whatever job they want you to do. It doesnt matter what you signed up for or what you have in writing. You are a Soldier first (well in this case a Sailor first), you are there to serve your country and we are at war now. Everything else about the military comes second. You are there to serve Uncle Sam, hes not there to serve you. So if you go in keep all that in mind.
Good luck, and go for it!

Answer 10

It is very rare for recruiters to lie to recruits. At most, they just won't highlight the negatives, which are few anyway.

Get all promises in writing in the contract. (when you sign)

The Military will give you a good start on life. I recommend it to any that have the ability and moral standing to accomplish it. (You haven't highlighted any character flaws.)