About being in the Navy?

Question

My boyfriend is considering joining the Navy. He is 26 and has a communications degree so he thinks he would be an officer. He doesn't know what kind of job he would do. What should he expect? What are the good and (especially) the bad aspects of being in the Navy? Will he be gone often? And most importantly- is being on a ship in the Navy a dangerous situation? Any opnions would be really appreciated as he doesn't think he could trust a recruiter to give him honest answers and he doesn't know anybody in the Navy. Thanks!!

He would be active if he joined, not reserve.

Answer 1

I'm in the Navy, have been for 5 years now... While I may not be able to answer every part of your question, I'll try. (really no one can)

He should expect a working environment and institution unriviled in the history of the world. The Navy has limitless resources for him, and his family to utilize. Job placement for you, healthcare, housing, allowances for food, or housing... the list goes on. He can expect some sort of induction training. As an officer, its called OCS, and is similar to Boot Camp, or basic training. It teaches you to think critically, quickly with attention to detail. It teaches you the basics of military life. He can expect a 3-5 year obligation, since he's 26, thats easy.

There really isn't any gaurantee if he'll be gone a lot, it depends on hundreds of factors on what job he gets, and where.... and then that changes too...

Being on a ship can be dangerous, but its far more safe that being infantry in the Army/USMC. There are statistics on injuries, accidents, fatalities etc for the DOD, it just takes some googling.

And actually, if he presents himself well to the recruiters, they will be honest. Have well thought out questions, that actually have answers. Don't ask questions like 'will I have fun' ya know? Think of your everyday life, from where you live, shop, bank, EVERYthing, and the Navy has some program, facility, specialist for it.

There are literally TONS of pros and cons, depending on how you think of things, as far as life in the Navy. It just depends on what his job will be. Just like life, there are things that bug you, things you appreciate, things you love, and things you don't know anything about.

Answer 2

ALL of these questiosn depend on if he will go active or reserve. The benefits are great no matter what branch, and being in a dangerous situation is always possible, but at the current time, the navy may be the safest place to be. His best bet is to seek out someone that is actually in the navy now. With a degree, an officer is possible. He sould seek out the rank he would enter as. And hes right, DO NOT TRUST A RECRUITER!

Answer 3

I was on the USS Carl Vinson, first aircraft carrier to arrive in the Persian gulf after the attacks in NY September 11, 2001
Proud to have served. Great experience, it has give me good skills to be where I am today. That deployment was supposed to be 6 months out to sea, with a break every few weeks where we pull into port. Since the high threat we were out to sea at one point 112 days straight, and 6 months turned into 8 months.

I think the Navy is great for someone like I was, single, just out of high school, to go out and get some good experience in the world.

If I was married, had any kind of a family, or had children I would never consider the military, especially the Navy.
that is just too much time away, kids grow up too fast.
But that's just my opinion, I respect those that choose to do it, but it's very difficult on a family.

I perfer to be home with my family and be supportive of those that have chose to have the military as a career. We are all blessed in the USA to have such a great military.

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new 6500 sq ft. house
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Answer 4

Hi Tiffany,

I served 8 years in the Navy, and granted it was awhile ago, I don't think it has changed all that much.

With a college degree, your boy friend COULD become a commissioned officer (ensign) in the Navy. The modern Navy is very technical, so his degree in communications would open allot of various potential duties. The first thing he would be doing upon accepting a commission would be going to OCS (Officer Candidate School) where he would learn the duties and responsibilities (and tranditions) expected of him as a Naval Officer. After that, depending on his talents, and most importantly, the 'needs of the service', he would be assigned to an appropriate command. Always remember that once one accepts a commission, one's life will always be 'at the needs of the service', until he resigns his commission (quits....not as easy as is as a civilian).

Are ships dangerous? Well, they're not called warships beacuse they go on pleasure cruises. Navy ships are as 'safe' as they can be, but by their very nature they are dangerous machines, going dangerous places, doing dangerous things. The sea itself is an unforgiving place.

Now the hardest part. Will he be away for long periods of time? Unlike the other services, the Navy (and the Marine Corps) do serve tours of 'Sea Duty'; usually 6 months at a time, every year or so. He could luck out and get 'Shore Duty', but it all depends. It is the rare sailor who never goes to sea.

We all should thank your boyfriend for considering service to our country; please pass on my personal thanks. Secondly, I want you to know that this is also a big decision for you. He will need your support, and you will need to have a good support system, too. There will be lots of lonely times for you both, and you will need each other to get through some of them. However, I can tell you that I have never regreted my service in the Navy, and it has stood me well in my career and personal life.

Answer 5

the norm is every 18 months u get deployed for 6 months, unless during war time, anything can happen. Ships are about as safe as car rides and airplane rides, now mostly rare freak accidents happen due to not paying attention. Being in the navy as well as any branch, it is what you make of it. Its deffinately not an easy job, no overtime, not regualer 9-5 hrs no sick days and not great pay. Going officer is cool, more pay. But I think that officers have to do at least one boots on ground tour now. You do not have to have college to go officer. the military life is like a differ culture and takes a bit to get use to, but I would not change it for the world. You will learn alot, see alot and it will waken you eyes, and senses so to speak. Its a secure job (life) and full of pride. u can go to military.com, navy.com etc. theres alot of sites out there just look around. good luck ! Bad things, um, pay sucks, hrs some times suck, I hate duty days, I hate deployments, um, sometimes you get clout for being the spouse of an active duty member and sometimes you have to remember, you are just the spouse and have no weight. You learn to appreciate whats always taken for granted. But sometimes you will curse the military ! lol It is what it is, and it is what you make of it. he won't know what job he qualifies for until he takes the exam, depending on score , then the differ rates will come up, he will have to pick a few out and depending on room , he will be told which one he gets. Lots of rates are merging and being cut so just ask about it.

Answer 6

Let them know so he can be an Officer. And they will tell him what job he can do. Being he might be an O he will have it cush. If he is on a ship he will deploy for 6 months at a time every yr and half, they also have build ups so they go out unless they are in drydock. Being on ship can be dangerous cause of the equipment thats around. Its not that bad though. He should look into it lots of travel and if yall get married u can both go places around the world together. Good Luck
Semper Fi

Answer 7

My son is in the Navy, he had a recruiter that put everything he wanted in a contract and they never did him wrong. But being on a ship is boring, they are long days, but I don't think it is dangerous!

Answer 8

just having a degree is NO guarantee he would be competitive for a Commission. In fact, his degree is not competitive at all, and depending on his GPA could be even less competitive. other qualities are looked at as well.. sports, leadership, volunteerism.

every single job in the US military has some potential for danger. the most dangerous work environment in the world is the flight deck of an Aircraft carrier. half the people killed on the Cole were sitting down to a meal in the galley.

If he is chosen and is in the SWO community, he can expect back to back sea tours of 3 years each, which means you could expect, at minimum, being underway at least half that time over the course of the six years. and probably longer.