Should I join the Navy?

[SPL Tech]

I am currently a car audio installer, and I love it. However car audio does not pay very good. So I sat down for a long time and tried to think of how to get experience and education in another field when I thought of the military. I never have looked into the military until now, however it appears their training is top notch and they pay for 100% of college and you can get a guaranteed military job in your field of specialty after you finish schooling. So I think I would like to give it a try. I have to finish a few things yet but it looks like I will qualify for almost any job in the military that is of interest to me.

So I am looking at going into Information Technology (IT) and working as an IT systems administrator or something similar. But I guess my question to you is what branch is the best bet for me? I have received what the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force has to offer and narrowed my choices down a bit. At the moment I am most interested in the Navy and Army. I am currently leaning towards the Navy for it appears they have more advanced technology then the Army in reference to computers. So what does everyone think? Would the Navy be a good option? Anyone have any personal experiences? I have been told by many that the Army does not treat their solders the best which is why I am leaning more towards the Navy. Anyone know if this true?

[Rainbow32]

Go Navy:thumbsup:
If your sent to the Middle East you won't be getting any sand in your shoes.;)

[dammit]

Depends if you would rather be shot.. blown up.. or drown. The choice is yours.

Join the forces and be killed in an exotic location (shame Nick is not here anymore :D )

[leroys1000]

I was in the army and the navy.
The navy has very high standards,but,in my opinion,
The best food,training and on shore housing.
The down side,a lot of time at sea.
Except for boot camp and school,I was never stationed
at a major army base,except fort lewis.
Always out in the boonies and not so great food.

[Vercades]

I say, If you're in the pursuit of happiness don't join the military. If you got no where else to go and it won't get any better join the military. I think the military is more of a business then serving the greater cause. Some that has seen combat go crazy and, get drugged up after surviving but, there is still some that live productive lives.

If I was an military representative I'd probably say something like this.

The naval forces are trained by professionals and, your future would be enhanced with the benefits of military college grants and, the experience you gain in the navy will help your career advancement and, give you the chance to be the best you can be! But, it's your choice so make up your own mind about it.

I think they try to cover thier asses most of the time.

[Miz]

As the wife of a retired Navy pilot, I know from experience military life isn't the horror some would have you believe. My husband enjoyed his time in (20+ years). That's not to say there weren't some duty stations (jobs) he preferred over others but that's true of any career.

Unlike a lot of careers, though, in the Navy if you don't like a boss, you know that in two years you'll get orders and a new boss. ;)

[DonBB]

If you're in the pursuit of happiness don't join the military.

I think that's a pretty broad statement to make. If being in the military is so bad, why would anybody make a career out of it? The special forces don't get paid squat in relation for what it is they do everyday, yet there are still those that wouldn't do anything else.

[Tina777]

I would join the Peace Corps or simliar. But I AM a HIPPY chick! :happy:

[Snurfen]

I wouldn't.
But looks like it has a lot to offer if thats your thing.

[Amiduffer]

HI SPL.

Good luck on whatever choice you do decide on. I just hope that you're doing your pushups and situps in preparation for the hell that is Boot Camp. After, its pretty cool. I can speak from 16 years of Navy experience (4 active on an ammo supply ship, 12 Reserve). If you go in the Navy, that means you'll go to Great Lakes near Chicago for boot camp, so try to arrange it so that you'll go in the summer. Winters there are brutal. Try and get the manual that lists all the jobs (rates) available and study it. Feel lucky if can snag duty on one of the smaller supply type ships or a Frigate, Destroyer, or Cruiser. Good rule of thumb, SAVE EVERY PIECE of paper that you put your signature to and that has to do with what you have done. It will save you a hell of a lot of trouble later. Advancement depends on it.

Ignore 85% of what the recruiter will say.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[AnnMarie]

Hi SPL Tech, you didnt say where you live and which Navy you were referring to. The answer may differ from country to country.

NZ Navy brat here and all my family aside from myself served in the Navy. Grandfather, father, mother, brother and sister. They all entered service directly from High School and were educated to a very good level. My brother showed exceptional promise and was taken a bit further afield, obtained a tertiary degree, did post grad studies and had mega quals when he opted for discharge. A great life if you dont mind the discipline. That was the bugbear for me (cant stand following orders). :D

*EDIT* Heh, I just re-read your post. Marines...US of A. Duh!

[ggross]

Well if you are wanting to go through a lot of training and get some more restrictions so to say as some things go, then you can definantly go with the military training but if you are going just to become an IT admin then you can definantly do that without the army, if you truely have a passion for it you could even teach yourself, but you can definantly take some local college classes in computers and get yourself A+ certified for a start and go from there.

[Snurfen]

plus I'd hate having to get up at 5am to dance on the deck of an aircraft carrier dressed as a red indian singing that bloody stupid song every day!

Military service can do you a lot of good - my nephew was on the road to turning into a real lowlife scumbag, the Royal Regiment of Wales have turned him into a man that we are rather proud of. Currently sat in the jungle in Belize doing his jungle warfare training, and loving it.

[Kilerz]

i suggest, neither army or navy, the reason why is, you already stated that you want to be around computer, so army would be bad. The navy would be bad because, you might get sent in a submarine, or just stay on the boat cleaning. I suggest Air-force. They get the best food, and doesnt require you to fly if you dont want to. The require the best of the best technology. but probably you will find yourself repairing any devices that malfunction, in any branch of military. I have seen real videos, of people on the aircraft carrier have alot of fun. The pilots fly like maverick, upsidedown above another plane (the movie topgun). they play golf, yes golf on the carrier, football. Personally i think the navy is good, but the only navy that would be worth getting into for me would be the navy seals, top of the line killers, if your into that kind of stuff. You never see em coming. but overall, navy, and air force are almost the same, because the navy does have their own airplanes on deck. and if you do join the navy, theres a good chance you will end up on an aircraft carrier

[DELTREE]

Your best bet is the Army; AIRBORNE RANGER:Your will LOVE it!!!!
http://bestsmileys.com/army/4.gif

[cmcgee47]

I was in the Air Force for 20+ years and I found myself moving a bunch of times. Generally, in the other branches of sevice, you can be in one unit your entire career and you would move (deploy) with your unit to anywhere in the world. In the Air Force, I went PCS (Permanent Change of Station) 10 times in my career in to a different unit each time to different locations in the world. On some occasions, I had to change my specialty and receive additional training before my move to meet the requirements of the next job. In a one year span, I moved from Florida to Alaska, and then back to Florida. It can be extremely difficult if you have a family to support, but it is also a very rewarding when you get to see all the different places, especially when you can take your family with you. I went in to the Air Force in 1966 because I was married and had a child on the way and was about to be drafted. The Air Force, in my opinion, is a little more desirable if you are married and have a family. Despite all of the moving and hardships we had to endure, it was the best thing my family and I ever experienced. My wife of 40 years will second that. I have been there and done that!

[renegade600]

If you can put up with the disciplines, if you can put up the with mind games, if you can put up with the unfairness, if you can put up with your life not being yours to do as you please, then its for you.

[Miz]

I've known a lot of military people and I don't know any whose life was not his or her own. It's a job like any other job...although there is a dress code. ;)

[renegade600]

I've known a lot of military people and I don't know any whose life was not his or her own. It's a job like any other job...although there is a dress code. ;)

I am sorry but have you ever been in the military, if not then you really do not know. its not theirs, you have to jump when they say jump, you have to go when they say to go, you can even get your time extended without your permission. It is not a job like any other. In fact when you are in the US military, you are no longer protected under the US Constitution. They have their own laws and rules.

[Snurfen]

and the worst bit.............get shot at!

It's not for me, but it's done the world of good for countless folk.

[cmcgee47]

Imagine a football team whose players are not disciplined and they don't "jump" when the ball is snapped. They are not going to win very many games. The same with an assembly line when one person could stop production. There are a lot of things in any job that you may not particulary want to do, but you are required to do so. I know people who don't want to show up at their job on time. And they are free not to do so. But they will lose their job.

Team work and discipline in the military, particularly during wartime, helps keep you and your buddy from getting killed.

[Miz]

I'm married to a retired Navy pilot. I wasn't exactly in the military but I was married to it for a lot of years. I've lived on base and off base. I've stayed home during cruises and I've followed the ship.

Like I said, I know a lot of military people who like military life. I know some who don't like it and they got out after one hitch. I also know quite a few who didn't make a career out of it but enjoyed their time in.

[oracle128]

If it were me, I'd choose Air Force. But then, I'm just a sucker for aircraft (gunship copters especially).

[DELTREE]

If you don't know what branch to go into? Then you need to join the:
MARINES!http://bestsmileys.com/army/1.gif

[Vercades]

Something I read today.

http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs19056

[MadMedic]

WATADA: I think the facts are out there, they're not difficult to find, they just take a little bit of willingness and interest on behalf of anyone who is willing to seek out the truth and find the facts. All of it is in the mainstream media.


Not very smart if you believe everything in the media. My wife's friend from college is a Major in the Army and said that he has seen stuff that hasn't been in the media. Just my opinion but how could everything be out in the media if the media doesn't have clearance to see classified material?

I have had relatives in the Marines, Army and Navy and as with anything they had complaints but they never regreted their decision. 1 of them had over 20 years in the Marines and saw combat several times. It's like anything it's what you make of it. Good luck on your decision.

[Vercades]

Most of the war coverage is in the media down to war strategies and, planned attacks.

[MadMedic]

I'm not going to debate with anyone. I was just making a comment before I gave my opinion on his dilema. I am definately not trying to take this thread off topic. If you want to believe what you stated that is fine. I will keep checking the thread but I will not be replying to anything more unless it is about the OP topic.

[Vercades]

Hehe, no worriest I call em like I see em.

[leroys1000]

The OP sent me a PM stating they had joined the Navy.
Die thread die.

[Vercades]

Good on em. Hope he gets the tattoos and everything.

[renegade600]

Everytime I see this thread, I am reminded of the Village People song - In the Navy. :D

[oracle128]

And that movie Down Periscope.

[Murf]

renegade600

You are really misinformed. I wasn't going to get into this thread, as debating military serves no purpose. But I take exception to your comments.

"I am sorry but have you ever been in the military, if not then you really do not know. its not theirs, you have to jump when they say jump, you have to go when they say to go, you can even get your time extended without your permission. It is not a job like any other. In fact when you are in the US military, you are no longer protected under the US Constitution. They have their own laws and rules"

In the United States, each branch of the military has its own judicial structures in place. Members of the service are under the control of military law, and in some cases civilians working for or with the military may be subject to military law. But this is the normal course of business in the military.

While military personnel are not excluded from the rights set forth in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution grants Congress the power to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces.

As a practical matter, most civilian Constitutional rights are afforded to military personnel - although with some differences to fit the military situation. In some areas, such as right to counsel and rights (Miranda) warnings, military personnel have broader protections than those contained in the Constitution. In other areas such as search and seizure, they have reduced expectations of privacy and fewer protections.

Military appellate courts tend to interpret military law as being consistent with Constitutional protections so far as is possible.

Your blanket statement "you are no longer protected under the US Constitution" is FALSE.

I will not argue any of these as CTH is not the place to do that. I just take exception to your unfounded satements. And as a veteren of 22 faithful years of military service, I am entitled to that.

And Oh BTW: I retired from the US Air Force in 1988.

[cmcgee47]

From one proud and retired member of the USAF to another: "Thanks"
And your comments are right on!

[MadMedic]

All I have to say is thanks to those who did serve and who are currently serving.