Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
I know we have some Navy people on this board. So, tell me about it, if you don't mind. Is it worth it? Is it remotely as fun and rewarding as the recruitment material makes it out to be? (Disregarding obvious hyperbole of course.) Recommend it to your friends?
Edit: And what about resigning as an enlisted man? The website isn't entirely clear (to me at least) about minimum obligations.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I've got a lot of military family and friends (this town will do that). Basically, the easiest recommendation is that it's really great, particularly for starting your career so long as you're single.
The military life, in any branch, is extremely tough of a relationship.
posted
The only thing I can really contribute to this topic is something I learned in Life Skills this semester.
When they interview you for any position, or even when the recruiter talks to you, if he asks you why you want to join up, don't give the whole " I want to serve my country" bull crap ( even if that is your intention). They prefer people who are joining the service to better themselves, or jump start a career/ get money for college, etc. So, go with those reasons if the question is asked. If you do decide to go, good luck man. It's been a pleasure being your sidekick.
( This would actually be an appropriate time for Pensive to chime in)
-------------------- "Kosh, I'd like to introduce you to our Resident schmuck and his side kick Kick Me."-Ritten
"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity". -George Carlin
Registered: Jul 2007
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
Oh, I'd tell him the truth: I want to move around a lot and see different things and fire an M-16 in boot camp.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Well, I can't tell you much about the Navy, but I am in the Army right now so I suppose the military experience is all the same.
It's definitely a good stepping stone to jump-start someone, especially in a more techinically inclined branch like the Navy and Air Force. Also, don't get sucked up into the recruiting videos. All the branches over-exaggerate themselves immensley.
But to put it bluntly, some people simply can't live the military life. Wether or not that's you is beyond me, but it's definitely something you should consider before signing 3+ years of your life away.
Oh and you'll never touch an M-16 while you're in the Navy. We had 2 Navy re-class guys in my platoon for BCT and they told us they qualified with only pistols, shotguns, and M-14's.
Which is still fucking awesome IMHO. Wish they'd give me a shotgun.
-------------------- "Its coming on. I just saw the wall move..."
Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
Eh...give me a 7.62mm over a 5.56 mm any day...
Yeah, Daniel, don't expect to be handling a ton of weaponry in the NAVY unless you join the seals. I believe the main use of the M-14 in the NAVY is to shoot at mines. Still, being trained on a .50 cal M2 wouldn't be too boring, I'm sure...
-------------------- "Kosh, I'd like to introduce you to our Resident schmuck and his side kick Kick Me."-Ritten
"Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity". -George Carlin
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Just remember to remove the cleaning rod before you open fire. I used to work with an ex-Navy bloke who had no end of hilarious tale about how far that thing flew. Oh and if you shoreleave in Russia or Eastern Europe you can get an AK-47 for about a tenner. Oh and be warned, all squaddies and most Navy types will thieve anything that isn't nailed down, unless they can steal the nails too.
posted
My best friend is career Navy (though a reservist now) and tells stories of how great it was to travel to Japan and the south pacific. His Navy specialization in a particular radar system has led to a swanky military contractor job too.
I'd grill the recruiter on what kinds of training you can get and if/when they place you based on the ASVAP placement test. Practice here.
If you place well, it's a BIG plus and can lead to advanced placement right out of basic training. Go for real technical training- computers, avionics, etc.- something with a career past the service.
If you really cant master the test, I might skip Navy service- Discovery Channel had a great special on life on a Carrier: part of which focused on one disgruntled shipman that had the duty of cleaning EVERY toilet on the ship. It was his sole responsibility and he had to break it up over several days, then start at the begining again.
-------------------- Justice inclines her scales so that wisdom comes at the price of suffering. -Aeschylus, Agamemnon
Registered: Aug 2002
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
We had to take it in high school and I scored well, so I assume I'll score well now. That's a plus, then.
Registered: Jul 2005
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WizArtist II
"How can you have a yellow alert in Spacedock? "
Member # 1425
posted
quote:Originally posted by Sean:
( This would actually be an appropriate time for Pensive to chime in)
Could you ever have imagined THAT statement being made on this forum?
I DO think you have to say his name three times for him to appear though.
-------------------- There are 10 types of people in the world...those that understand Binary and those that don't.
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
The Navy is a good job whether you want to enlist for just 4 years or go career.
Life on a ship is interesting and different on different types of ships. Personally I think a DDG is the best ship to be on.
As for guns ... you're wrong about the M-16 rifle. I've used it and got qualified on it along with the M-14. If weapons are your thing, then be a Gunner's Mate (GM), they get to play with all the guns in the armory. Either way, while on watch I've carried the M-14, M9 pistol, and 12-gauge shotguns depending on which watch and which port we were visiting.
In all honesty though, if you join there will be times you hate it. Times you wish you never joined. Then there will be times you love it. The friendships you make with your shipmates and the experiences you will have civilians don't.
As for what I did in the Navy. I joined in the naval intelligence field as an Electronics Warfare Technician (EW), a rating that no longer exists after it was merged with Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT).
-------------------- I'm slightly annoyed at Hobbes' rather rude decision to be much more attractive than me though. That's just rude. - PsyLiam, Oct 27, 2005.
Registered: May 1999
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