Is the navy the Best Branch to Join?

Question

I leave for basic training november 26, my rate is a BM. Sometimes I think I made the wrong choice

Answer 1

I graduated from college in 1960. I knew I was going to get drafted, so I enlisted. I didn't go in as an officer because I didn't know if I wanted to make it a career.

A few years later, somebody discovered my degree and recommended me for OCS. About a year later I was back in Vietnam... leading instead of following.

I spent 25 years in the Navy. I got to go places some people have never heard about. I had a life of excitement, adventure, some danger. I had a chance to sky-dive, SCUBA dive... stuff some guys dream about doing.

While I was in the Navy I was free to do just about anything I wanted. I learned to golf... I would never have done that on my own.

Some guys got out after 4 years and some of those went to work for large companies. By the time they got out of the mail room or wherever they started, I was in management. By the time they were just getting into management, I was involved with policy. By the time they got to their cushy office, I had retired. In most civilian jobs there's no way one can retire at 45. My cousin was a BT. He got out and got a job as a building inspector for a city. Ok, he makes good money. But he's 5 years younger than me And he's retiring 20 years after I did.

I live in a nice house that I purchased with a VA loan... it's paid for. I have access to military hospitals and dentists... and also VA hospitals. On the GI Bill I was able to get my second degree... and my third.

I get up every morning when I feel like it. Three times a week I run 2-3 miles. I swim 2-3 miles a day. I do weights 3 days a week. I do Karate three days a week, and Kali two. Occasionally I have dinner with 4 of my buddies. Sometimes we go to the Officers Club on base. One of our group retired as a Chief, so sometimes we go to the Chiefs Club. Summers I take a couple of weeks and camp near a lake up in the Sierra. I mark off a quarter mile on the beach and swim a mile (4 laps marked quarter), then run a mile, and repeat until I've done 6 miles... it takes about an hour and a half... maybe an hour and 45 minutes. I have time to do it... because I'm retired.

Those guys who got out... the ones in those glassed-in corner offices... they're still working 50-60 hours a week. And when they have a few seconds, they dream about travel, adventure... if the ever have the time... but they're too old to enjoy it now.

Next year I'm planning on selling my house and moving into a VA retirement home. The fees for a residence are eminently affordable. The food is good... last time I was there lunch was sweet and sour chicken, a salad bar, and all the beverage (non-alcoholic) you could drink. Actually people from the small nearby town sometimes come up for lunch. They have two pools. There's also a theater and a bowling alley. And there's a hospital on campus. Oh, and it's all included in the fee.

For me... the Navy was AWESOME!

Do what I did. I have no idea how long your active duty is anymore... When I was in, it was 4 years. You could probably do 4 years standing on your head. Then you can determine what you're going to do with the rest of your life... who knows you might find yourself at 65 in some corner office, waaaaay up in some office building.... working 50-60 hours a week and kicking yourself in the hind quarters. Or you could be retired.

Edit:
The guy who said only idiots join the Army was wrong. Only idiots refuse to serve their country because they don't value the freedoms they have, and may lose them.

Answer 2

Signing up was not a bad choice. If you have the right attiude, the Navy will be rewarding and fun. The Navy needs BM's, but if you're having second thoughts, go back to the detailer and tell them you want to explore different jobs. If they give you trouble, tell them you're just not going to boot camp then.

Signing the papers is not the be all, end all. Until you swear in to the service at MEPS, you are not required to report to boot camp. Tell your detailer that you are aware of this fact and then walk out. You wil get a call back to do anything you ask.

Answer 3

Having been on Navy ships with the MEU's, the Navy is not bad. Even if you don't do see duty. Don't worry about the indecision, its probably a little nerves about he "unknown". If you really just don't want to, you can still back out before your final swearing in(that's done at the meps right before you ship to basic). The recruiter will tell you other wise. The first swearing in was symbolic only. If you do, you probably wont be able to sign up again. I think not going would be a mistake, even if you don't like it your whole tour, you will still do, and see things that none of your friends have.

Answer 4

If you want to work with heavy bombers, the Navy is the worst. If you want to be an M1 tanker, the Navy is the worst. If you want to be a Sailor, and work around large seagoing vessels, then the Navy is the best.

At this point however, go be a sailor. Make the most of your decision.

Pay = All branches pay the same

Answer 5

The question is more what is the best for you to join? not what branch is best, all branches are good (Even air force photo stackers have a role to play, just kidding!), you need to ask yourself what do you want out of your service and which branch do you think you would like most.

Answer 6

depends what you want to accomplish out of it. If you can stand being in the ocean for long periods then Navy or Coast Guard are good candidates. If you want to test yourselves and take your self to the other limit then Marines or the Army would be great. If you wanna be thousands of feet in the air then Air Force is for you. Granted, just because you are in the Navy or Coast guard doesn't mean you'll always be at sea... I feel the real question is "Which service appeals to me the most and which will allow me to get there faster?"

Answer 7

No. The Navy is a good branch to join
I have twins, Michael is in the Navy and Michelle is in the Air Force...Both love the branch of service that they chose.
Good Luck to you.
May God Bless you and Take Care of You..!!

Answer 8

The fact that you're going to be in the armed forces says a lot! What branch isn't point now since your already signed up! Your awsome for joining any branch of the military!!!!!

Hoooraaa!
Daughter of a retired Marine Sargent

Answer 9

If you've already signed the paperwork, your decision is moot at this point.

The service can be what you make of it. If you go in thinking you've made a mistake, you'll probably not do as well as if you go in thinking that this is a good, positive experience that will give you training in leadership, in a skill or trade, and give you a chance to serve your country.

Answer 10

For an unbiased look at the advantages and disadvantages of navy life check out www.soyouwanttojoinmynavy.com Its navy specific it will help you recognize military benefits. it also has links for your to do more research. hope it helps! im sure you will do just fine in bootcamp and will enjoy the navy life!