Stay In or get out of the Navy?

Question

I have been thinking to myself alot lately on what I want to do. I just got myself a school and will be going to Hawaii for my next command, but I'm not sure I want to stay in the Navy after that because of the pay and assholes that come with the job.

I am almost done grabbing my AA degree in Computer Science and hope to finish and get my BA degree within the next 3 years.

Do you think their are better jobs out there that pay well then what the Navy pays you? I'm just unsure about landing a job if I dont get my BA degree done in time. I also want to work abroad in Japan since my future wife is Japanese.

Been in 7.5 years and gonna re-up for 3 years after training in San Diego.

Answer 1

The pay and butt wipes are everywhere regardless. You need to think in the bigger picture. If you have invested only four years, cutting and running may not cost you much. But if you've done eight and are looking to move on, you are only two years away from the half way point to retirement. Retirement in and of itself isn't all that great, but if you stay twenty, you get what? Half your base pay for the rest of your life? AND, you can sign up for the healthcare insurance that everyone is screeming about. And while it's true that you will have to pay the quarterly premiums for that insurance, those premiums are a lot less than what the civilian schmos are paying.
So, you get your BA. What's the pay and benefits packages look like in the civilian sect as compared to that of the Navy? Just a few things to consider and a perspective from which you might consider viewing your options.

Answer 2

You are the only one that can answer that question. However I can give you some things to ponder while you make the decision.
I don't know how long you have been in or how many commands you have served under, but I know, being a retired Army guy that I have been in some truely outstanding units from the commander on down to the lowest ranked enlisted guy. I have been in some units where I hated to make formation each day, and the days seemed like they would never end. But I knew that it wasn't forever.
I have talked to many guys that did a 4 year hitch, even 12 years, and they said, almost to the man who said that they wished they would have stuck it out. They were in bad units and good units, but the comraderie, assignments, and duty locations are what they missed most.
I believe in the 2% theory. Only 2% of any organization whether it is civilian or any branch of the military is assholes, incompetents, lazy or all the above.
I enjoy the low cost of Tri-care, the ability to go on any Post or Base and use the Class VI store, Commissary, PX/BX, theater, bowling alley, etc. Plus that monthly check, which may not be much, but I save half of mine each month, and take the family on great vacations each year.
You did your time, and if you think that time has passed, at least you can say you did your part.
Good luck with your decision.

Answer 3

I joined the Navy at 17 and retired at 40. I was a Chief at retirement. If your serious about making the Navy a carreer and retiring afterwords you can plan for it. Let me ask you this ? How much have you saved in your first enlistment ? Probably very little if anything. I didn't either, so don't feel bad. I live entirely off my retirement pay and I know people who do on half or less. Just depends how much you plan, save and invest for it. Go see a professional financial planner or talk with some of the Chief's and ask them what/how are they planning for retirement ? If nothing else you'll get pointed in the right direction. I own my own home, a nice house in a nice neighbourhood. I also support my niece and nephew through college. I have 2 nice trucks, a driver and a maid. So I know you could do it too if you planned for it. People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan !

Answer 4

If you choose to get out, where will you be in 4 years? In a job that is just making ends meet, will you have benefits? With the way the economy is right now, I would stay in.

You could stay in long enough to finish school. I know military pay is not the greatest, but you will always have a place to stay and insurance. Your future wife could always move here until you finish school.

Our daughter was in the Navy for 6 years and was not happy with it. She joined the Army and is very happy. If you're not sure about the Navy, what about another branch?

Answer 5

The Navy is very fluid for manpower. I was never stationed in any one place for longer than three years, and the people I worked with and for were constantly in flux. Assholes come and go but the common factor in all my duty stations was me.
Before you jump into the civilian labor market, take a good look at what you're paying for health and dental insurance, room and board and all the other things you would have to pay for that Uncle Sugar gives you.

Answer 6

take the TAPS class. they have a breakdown as to what exactly you will need for a raw salary on the outside to give you the same level of benefits as you get in the Navy. That includes paying for your own medical, dental, vision, etc, affording the place you live in now without BAH and the loss of commissary and exchange privileges if you do not retire.

Answer 7

I guarantee that you will find more high paying jobs in the civilian world. The process may take a little time, but it will eventually work out in the longrun. The military is not the way to go if you want to have a successful financial future.

Answer 8

Depends...
If you're an AT, I say get out because you're my competition for orders and advancement!! =P

Otherwise, I'd say stay in. If you're reenlisting for 3 more years that'll put you at about 10 years in. That's half-way to retirement, bro! Getting your normal paycheck doing whatever while collecting a pension from the Navy at 40 sounds good to me!

Answer 9

You'll be half way to a free monthly paycheck for life! They use you... use them back! Get your BA while you're in, save your money and get a Masters after you retire and take er from there!!!

Answer 10

you should wait till you got that BA all wrapped up before leaving unless "living the dream" is really getting to you. in that case it would be better to leave early cause once you get bitter, every navy day seems to get worse