Joining the Navy?

Question

So anyone who knows could you tell me what happens when joining the Navy? Are there costs and exams and stuff? Please and thanks!

Answer 1

Joining is pretty easy. Go down to the recruiter and ask to sign up.. or at least apply. There are minimal requirements 18 and high school diploma or GED. I presume you don't have any outstanding warrants for you arrest, or that you haven't killed anybody. Here, I'll defer to the wife of the recruiter.

Any testing is free. The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a test to determine the Navy jobs for which you're most suited. While people will suggest that you prepare for the ASVAB because the higher better you do, the more opportunities are open to you. But, by preparing for the test, you might find yourself scoring high enough for some occupation for which you are not really qualified. The physical at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) will determine if you're physically able to handle the rigors of military life. The military doesn't want to induct invalids and then have to pay to support long term health care. It also doesn't want you to collapse on an obstacle course. It also wants to ensure that you can physically function in the areas for which you qualify on the ASVAB. For example, can you see well enough to fly a plane? Are you so color-blind that you cannot tell the difference between a red wire and a green wire? Can you stoop down and pick up a pen you dropped and not fall over?

May I suggest you visit the Navy's official Web site.

http://www.navy.mil/swf/index.asp

Learn a little about the Navy, some of its programs, some of its requirements. Get some idea of what you think you would like to do in the Navy.

Then visit a recruiter. Keep in mind that the recruiter CANNOT GUARANTEE ANYTHING. The best a recruiter can do is sign you up for a particular program. But most programs have requirements. How can he guarantee you can meet those requirements when he barely knows your name? The recruiter is a salesman. He'll say he has the best benefits, the best opportunities, the best duty stations, the best incentives. All the services tell you that. Let the recruiter talk if he or she wants. Take notes if you want. But... DON'T SIGN ANYTHING until you're sure. It doesn't make any difference if it's a release of personal information... don't sign it.

Remember: THE RECRUITER CANNOT GUARANTEE ANYTHING. And, DON'T SIGN ANYTHING until you're sure. Confusion on these points has caused problems for a lot of people.

Once you're in, you spend 8 weeks in boot camp, Great Lakes, IL. There you'll learn a little about the Navy and what it takes to be a sailor. You'll get uniforms. You'll march or run everywhere. You'll go to class. You'll eat. You'll do physical training (PT). You'll stand watches. You'll wash clothes. You'll learn to keep your area spotless and neat. You'll sleep.

After recruit training, you may, depending on your rating (specialty), get assigned to an "A" school. This is where you learn how to do the job you'll be doing for the duration of your stint in the Navy. The duration of an "A" school depends on the school. They can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

After "A" school you'll get your first assignment. No guarantees, but, again depending on your rating, about half your career will be at sea. Sea duty is an experience. Some people hate it. Some like it. The neat thing about sea duty is that when you go to a foreign port, you've brought your home along with you. Some people have to retire before they get to travel with a mobile home. The Navy is the ultimate. Aboard ship you can pretty much eat whenever you want... or whenever you get the time You'll do your work in the specialty for which you were trained in "A" school, stand your watches, read, watch movies, perhaps even television. The down side to sea duty is that you don't get to see loved ones for long periods of time. Sometimes, depending on operations and security, you are unable even to communicate with them. There were times in my career when I couldn't even tell people what time zone I was in.

If you get shore duty... remember about half of your career is probably going to be shore duty... it will be just like working on a civilian job... except that you wear a uniform to work. You may be allowed to live off base. You will be allowed to drive your personal vehicle on and off base. You can shop at the base exchange (Navy department store). You can shop at the commissary (Military grocery store). You can buy gas on base. All this stuff is usually less expensive than civilians have to pay.

And, when you get out, you'll have Veterans benefits. Education, home loans, access to VA hospitals.

EDIT: Due respects to Seaman Apprentice Moran... If you don't sign anything until you're sure, you won't be inclined to back out... will you? ;-)

And, Larry Cries doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm surprised he didn't mention "holystoning" too. There are some things the Navy doesn't do any more... at least not as much as it used to when the ships had wooden decks.

Although an officer program is an option you might consider. I enlisted with a degree. I didn't know if I'd be interested in a career. After a few years somebody rediscovered my degree and suggested OCS (Officer Candidate School). So I got my commission. I was in for 25 years.

Answer 2

My husband is a Recruiter in charge so I know these answers! There are NO costs. You go into a recruiting office and they ask you TONS of questions. Like have you ever had asthma? (that disqualifies you from the Navy) Or like do you have psoriasis? They check your height and weight. You have to be a certain percent of body fat for your height and weight. And they also ask about your criminal history. They always check it out whether you tell them or not so your best bet is to tell them! Then you take the EST it is a practice test for the ASVAB. it gives them an idea if you will pass it or not. If you do well then you take the ASVAB. They put a kit together for you. Then you go to MEPS to process and pick a job depending on your score from the ASVAB. Then they tell you when you will ship to boot camp! That is basically it! I hope I helped! OH and you MUST have a high school diploma or GED. Sometimes they aren't accepting GED's on that month. It is the beginning of the year for the navy so I would say they won't accept them until about march or April, but it is different at every station.

Answer 3

You must first take the ASVAB. Once you get your score, you will pick a field that you want to be in based on how high you scored on your ASVAB. Then you will go to MEPPS to inprocess and take a physical health test. Once you've passed that phase, you will either go directly to basic training (boot camp) or come back later under the delayed entry program. When you get to boot camp, you will be given everything you need. They will give you chits (in replacement of money) for haircuts and other personal hygiene items (toothbrush, soap). These chits are advances from your pay and are deducted from your first paycheck. Everything else will be provided - Meals, place to sleep, uniforms, etc. When you first get to your training center, you will get fresh haircut, something to eat and your initial clothing issue (towels, shoes, uniforms, hats, etc.... From there you will go to your barracks and set up your bunk. You will be given blankets, pillows, and everything else you need. Basic training are separated into phases and you will attend basic instruction classes in which you must pass. For instance, you will be given a class on rank and military bearing, then you will be testing on this in class. You will probably do this on scantron or multiple choice circle the answer type exams. You will also need to pass other physical exams such a a physical fitness test based on your age consisting of situps, pushups, and a run. You will also need to learn how to march and your whole unit or company will be tested on how well you listen to and perform marching commands. Each week is a different phase and you must pass exams to get to the next phase otherwise you may be recycled into a different class. Total of 8 weeks before you graduate. After recruit graduation, you will attend your A-school or advanced school in which you will learn the trade or field that you selected after you took the ASVAB. As far as what you will need to bring when you get to boot camp (you, a toothbrush/toothpast, and a good pair of tennis shoes) The Navy will take care of everything else for you. Good luck.

Answer 4

I wouldn't do it if I was you. It's a complete waste of time. If I was you, I would go to college, get a degree and then join as an officer. Way more benefits and respect. You don't have to take my advice if you wish but I would rather be saluting you than to boss you around and tell you to mop the floor for hours. See ya in the fleet.

Answer 5

Most benefits between services are the same. for an unbiased look check out www.soyouwanttojoinmynavy.com Its navy specific it will help you recognise military benefits. it also has links for your to do more research. hope it helps!

Answer 6

just to add to the person above...

if by some chance you do sign a contract and later you decide you don't want to, you can STILL back out until your ship date. actually until you actually get on the plane, you can still leave! don't let them tell you different. get what you want out of YOUR career.

but once you get to boot camp and the rdcs pick you up... that's it. dont change your mind after you get here.