joining to navy and then college or going to pursue architecture and film, plz read details below?

Question

I am 18 years old
You see i have had goals since i was in middle school to become a filmmaker, but lately this past few years i have been going through many personal issues, but i still would like be in film but haven't had straight goals. And i know life is never what you expect. But film is a very big gamble on life on my perspective, either it will move you forward or not. But i have some great passion for it.
At sametime i want to be in architecture because it has a more realistic success to it and has some interest.
At the sametime i want to go to the navy first, to become a stronger person, chance to feel like protector, while traveling around the world perhaps.
My therapist says i shouldn't join the navy and even consider and said i should go directly to film and pursue , since he says i am really smart enough and very artistic enough(i do feel i am creative enough) and should navy if i had no goals at all or something. Just not sure what to do...

Answer 1

Speaking as a former Naval officer (Lieutenant) and an Architect, I would advise going to college first. If you do wait until after you have your degree, you can join the Navy as an Ensign and work specifically in architecture (which looks GREAT on your resume).

The problem with joining the Navy at 18 is that you are going to be an enlisted person and the experience you will receive will not be directly related to your future career paths (either film or architecture). Additionally, not saying this will happen to you, but I met a lot of young enlisted men that kept reenlisting because of the huge bonus potential, and ended up 30 years old, with families, and having to go to school at night to balance a family, work, and school.

If you do decide to go to university first you have a couple options (especially if money is a limiting factor in your decision):

1. ROTC: they will pay for a good portion of your schooling, and you will get a sense of accomplishment and a feel of whether military life is for you.

2. The Navy Degree Completion Program (most enlisted recruiters haven't even heard about this, so you have to get your info from an OCS recruiter): My brother did this, and I wish I would have. You become eligible after your first year (maybe semester) of college if you have earned at least a 2.8 GPA. The Navy PAYS YOU at an E3 rate (approx $850/month) for 3 years while you finish your degree. There is no drilling, no uniforms, no meetings or test, just maintain a 3.0 GPA (which most architecture programs require anyways) and when you graduate you are commissioned as an Ensign and have to agree to 4 years service (they allowed my brother to serve for 2 years, and spend the last 3 years getting his J.D.).

Hope this helps

Answer 2

I would say do what your mind, heart, or soul tells you to do... but that's not much help. ^_^
So rather, I will go a different route.
I am in Junior Air Force, am 15, and know for sure that I want to be a vet with writing and perhaps art on the side. However, I am now an AS2 in my AFJROTC and the Air Force seems like a route I am more than willing to take.
If I were in your position, I would go to college and major on Film. It would be nice to get some architecture classes in there as well. Before you decide on going to the Navy, take a ROTC class. That way you will learn much more and even start out a little higher ranked if you do decide to go. (Even though I'm only in 10th grade, if I joined now I would be an E2 in the Air Force, E3 next year. ^_^) Besides that, if the Navy doesn't work out, you have a completed major ready to fall back on. This is better, in my opinion, because your passion seems to lie in film from what I read.

Answer 3

Speaking as a Navy vetran, (The letters after my name are USN Ret.) I am unsure of your "fit" with the Navy. The Navy isn't about nurturing creativity, it is about completing missions. What job do you see yourself doing in the Navy that would further your long-term goals? IF there is an opening, you might want to go for Journalist. In fact, that would be my ONLY suggested rating for you, if you can't get that, stay out! It will still be a lot of drudge-work, but it MAY offer you some hands-on experience in use of video equipment and studio production. If you are bound and determined, get it IN WRITING before you sign your final enlistment papers that you will go to Journalist "A" school. Read ALL the papers you are given to sign CAREFULLY. If you have ANY questions about something, DO NOT SIGN, and have the family lawyer read the papers over and explain what they mean to you and advise you. As for Architecture, I have worked for one, and the quote that he loved regarding his chosen field was "Only become an architect if you can't do anything else".

Answer 4

Have your cake and eat it, too. Join the NROTC at college. That way, you can evaluate your idea about joining the Navy while pursuing your academic interests.

Answer 5

Perhaps you could work on designing movie sets for a while and see which aspect you like better.

Answer 6

ROTC, maybe. Just go with what you want to do.