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[crozier]

That's not necessarily true. Some bases require you to be E-3 (E-4?) before they'll let you off-base to live. Exceptions are made for families though. Not sure about pets.

Pets, wives, and privacy are things you cannot count on keeping or even bringing into the military. Most pre-military marriages end in divorce because they have NO idea what they're getting themselves into. Family will never, ever come first. Doesn't really matter what's happening on the home front, whether you work too much, etc.

My last six months I was pulling 16 hour shifts (really 17) every day of the week. I can't imagine how that would've turned out with a wife and kids.

 

[TAJ]

Pets, wives, and privacy are things you cannot count on keeping or even bringing into the military. Most pre-military marriages end in divorce because they have NO idea what they're getting themselves into. Family will never, ever come first. Doesn't really matter what's happening on the home front, whether you work too much, etc.

My last six months I was pulling 16 hour shifts (really 17) every day of the week. I can't imagine how that would've turned out with a wife and kids.

So much this.
I wouldn't even call my parents' marriage a relationship and they delayed their divorce quite a while just to keep benefits and allowances. It was fucking pathetic. Dad was Navy. (His rate was AZ)

 

[FSLink]

When do they actually conduct the investigation and contact your people?

I am shipping to boot in November, but I doubt they will do it until I at least graduate boot?

During or after I believe.

 

[Dishwalla]

Yeah, I'd honestly leave the pet behind at home with your parents or other relatives. You have way too many steps before you'll be stable enough to worry about having a cat or dog. Wait until you are done with all your training and are actually established at your final command, anything before with just be a pain or not possible.

 

[Oro]

I'm way late the the party here, but the Air Force has always interested me. I would love to commission as I'll be graduating with a bachelors at the end of this year, but I know the chances of that happening are slim to none cause I'd have to get into OTS.

So my question is, if I were to enlist, can you live off base right out of all the training or is it required that you MUST live in the dorms? I'm aware that you would get no housing/food allowance if you live off base right away, but I'd really rather not live in the dorms if I can avoid them, I do have a pet and in a dorm that wouldn't be possible. My pets are very important to me, though getting care for them while I am deployed wouldn't be hard at all.

You have to be a E-4 or have 3 years in service before you can move out of the dorms and receive the housing/food allowance. You can "ghost" (ie have shit in your room so it looks like you're living there but live off-base) but you're technically supposed to live in the dorms.

 

[HiiiLife]

I've actually been in the DEP for about 6 months in the Air Force but contemplating switching to the Navy. The problem is, I feel I'm lacking foresight and I'm only worried about wanting to get my military career started.

 

[Steelrain]

I've actually been in the DEP for about 6 months in the Air Force but contemplating switching to the Navy. The problem is, I feel I'm lacking foresight and I'm only worried about wanting to get my military career started.

What Job are you going for in the Air Force? Why are you thinking about the Navy?

 

[Epsilon-delta]

You have to be a E-4 or have 3 years in service before you can move out of the dorms and receive the housing/food allowance. You can "ghost" (ie have shit in your room so it looks like you're living there but live off-base) but you're technically supposed to live in the dorms.

In the Navy, that wouldn't work due to surprise weekly inspections where three hits is an automatic failure. Three total room failures and you're confined to living on base regardless of your rank or time in service, for the rest of your tour there. It will also affect your performance evaluation in that you will be passed over for early promote (the highest) and be given one lower eval grade of must promote.

 

[HiiiLife]

What Job are you going for in the Air Force? Why are you thinking about the Navy?

Sensory Operator. The only reason I'm thinking about the Navy is because they tell me I wouldn't have to wait as long. Of course I feel like they're lying to me about that but man, I'm just ready to go. 6 months seemed like forever. Lol.

Edit: after reading through these pages, I'm conflicted on whether or not the Navy travels a lot. Haha.

 

[Dishwalla]

Sensory Operator. The only reason I'm thinking about the Navy is because they tell me I wouldn't have to wait as long. Of course I feel like they're lying to me about that but man, I'm just ready to go. 6 months seemed like forever. Lol.

Edit: after reading through these pages, I'm conflicted on whether or not the Navy travels a lot. Haha.

I was in DEP for 9 months when I joined the Navy. Was on unemployment the whole time too, kinda hard to hold a steady job when you're just going to leave it in a few months.

In the Navy, that wouldn't work due to surprise weekly inspections where three hits is an automatic failure. Three total room failures and you're confined to living on base regardless of your rank or time in service, for the rest of your tour there. It will also affect your performance evaluation in that you will be passed over for early promote (the highest) and be given one lower eval grade of must promote.

Where the hell are you stationed at to have room inspections? I haven't heard of barracks room inspections since Great Lakes, they certainly don't do them here on Naval Station Norfolk or Dam Neck, regardless if it's the regular barracks or not. Even in PPV the only people that come in to your room are maintenance, and they don't care too much if your living there or not(had a roommate when I was in PPV that had is room virtually empty and pretty much lived somewhere else, but he still held onto the room and on occasion made an appearance).

Shit, I've crashed with friends who where in school in their barracks room and nothing happened; one of my buddies was at Dam Neck for Link school and I crashed at his place all the time while he was in class, never saw anybody come in the room except the Dominos guy dropping off my pizza that I'd ordered.

 

[Steelrain]

Sensory Operator. The only reason I'm thinking about the Navy is because they tell me I wouldn't have to wait as long. Of course I feel like they're lying to me about that but man, I'm just ready to go. 6 months seemed like forever. Lol.

Edit: after reading through these pages, I'm conflicted on whether or not the Navy travels a lot. Haha.

What job are you looking at in the Navy? 6 months seems long but 4 years hating life because you wanted to rush in is hell lol.

 

[MollyAttack]

You have to be a E-4 or have 3 years in service before you can move out of the dorms and receive the housing/food allowance.

I'm not sure why this is the policy, it seems counter-intuitive to me to pay for someone's living expenses (room and food) if they're willing to pay for it themselves if they can live off base in return. Is there some advantage for them to have so many people on base?

I guess I'm saying that even though I'd be an E-3 out of BT and whatever air force's AIT school is, I'd like to live off base, even though I know I would not receive a housing or food allowance. Is that even possible?

 

[Steelrain]

I'm not sure why this is the policy, it seems counter-intuitive to me to pay for someone's living expenses (room and food) if they're willing to pay for it themselves if they can live off base in return. Is there some advantage for them to have so many people on base?

I guess I'm saying that even though I'd be an E-3 out of BT and whatever air force's AIT school is, I'd like to live off base, even though I know I would not receive a housing or food allowance. Is that even possible?

You could get a place off base and have a barracks room on base. If your chain of command finds out though, you're fucked. As an E-3 you are going to be made to live on base unless you have dependents. Trying to buck the system is only going to lead to pain in a time where the Air Force is booting people out for the smallest shit. Wouldn't play that game if I were you.

 

[Dishwalla]

In training commands they will pretty much force you to live in a barracks, but once you get to your duty station(like in the Navy, your ship) in order to live off base you route a special request chit asking permission to Live Ashore. In most cases your command will approve you(they typically only don't if you get in trouble), and you'll be free to find a place and pay for it out of your pocket if you so choose, they just won't think it's all that smart. I know in the Navy they really push for E-4's and below to get PPV, since it's basically a free apartment with free utilities and things like cable TV and internet(you get a special BAH for PPV, but it get's taken out of your paycheck before you even get to see it).

And you won't see any housing allowance unless you are married, are an E5, or are E-4 with over four years of service(and even then you have to fight for it; if they can fit you into a PPV barracks they will more than likely deny you BAH).

 

[jfkgoblue]

That's not necessarily true. Some bases require you to be E-3 (E-4?) before they'll let you off-base to live. Exceptions are made for families though. Not sure about pets.

You have to be a E-4 or have 3 years in service before you can move out of the dorms and receive the housing/food allowance. You can "ghost" (ie have shit in your room so it looks like you're living there but live off-base) but you're technically supposed to live in the dorms.

In the Navy, you need to be E-5( or have dependents) before you get housing allowance, but you can always live off base if you are willing to pay for it out of your normal pay. You need to be a high tenure E-4 to get it as an E-4( 4 years in the Navy)...

I personally am an E-4 and living on the ship sucks a lot. And for my rate all I have to do is reenlist for an extra 2 years for automatic E-5( plus I would get a significant SRB), and I still doubt I'm gonna reenlist

The only exception is if your command can't provide you with housing( like my previous command)

 

[Bushido Kid]

Enjoy the time with living with a bunch of dudes on a ship for months/years.

 

[Epsilon-delta]

Where the hell are you stationed at to have room inspections? I haven't heard of barracks room inspections since Great Lakes, they certainly don't do them here on Naval Station Norfolk or Dam Neck, regardless if it's the regular barracks or not. Even in PPV the only people that come in to your room are maintenance, and they don't care too much if your living there or not(had a roommate when I was in PPV that had is room virtually empty and pretty much lived somewhere else, but he still held onto the room and on occasion made an appearance).

Shit, I've crashed with friends who where in school in their barracks room and nothing happened; one of my buddies was at Dam Neck for Link school and I crashed at his place all the time while he was in class, never saw anybody come in the room except the Dominos guy dropping off my pizza that I'd ordered.

I've been out of the Navy for awhile (2nd class FMF corpsman) but before I put on my second chevron, I was living on base at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. The corpsman rate is strict as hell but then again we are medical, so cleanliness is paramount. You wouldn't want a dirty corpsman doing vitals on you would you now?

When I had TAPS class at Naval Station Norfolk, I never saw so many unfit sailors (as in not in standards) and wearing their cover like it's a baseball cap. It was like I was in a different world coming from the corpsman rate.

I can see why the Navy was kicking them out. Can't have first classes and chiefs with beer bellies popping out of the seam, thinking it's the standard for young sailors to look up to. The corpsman rate is so different from the fleet that we might as well be part of the Marines. I enjoyed being stationed with my Marines at a Marine base and hated every second being stationed at a Naval base.

 

[Epsilon-delta]

Enjoy the time with living with a bunch of dudes on a ship for months/years.

When my first class and chief were pushing me to take ships orders because it's the only way to make chief, I decided the Navy wasn't for me and got out. In my opinion, most chiefs that I have met (corpsman or non-corpsman) were shady as hell and I didn't want to be around that for 20+ years.

I've seen chiefs get away with stuff that an E6 or below would have been kicked out of the military in a heartbeat.

 

[SteeloDMZ]

I saw a documentary on Netflix (Carrier I believe it was called) and it scared me for life of the Navy. Dat lifestyle.

 

[livestOne]

In training commands they will pretty much force you to live in a barracks, but once you get to your duty station(like in the Navy, your ship) in order to live off base you route a special request chit asking permission to Live Ashore. In most cases your command will approve you(they typically only don't if you get in trouble), and you'll be free to find a place and pay for it out of your pocket if you so choose, they just won't think it's all that smart. I know in the Navy they really push for E-4's and below to get PPV, since it's basically a free apartment with free utilities and things like cable TV and internet(you get a special BAH for PPV, but it get's taken out of your paycheck before you even get to see it).

And you won't see any housing allowance unless you are married, are an E5, or are E-4 with over four years of service(and even then you have to fight for it; if they can fit you into a PPV barracks they will more than likely deny you BAH).

and there you are, they push for it because it they get all your bah, as opposed to living off base where they pay you allowance, you pay your rent and keep the change

 

[Dishwalla]

I saw a documentary on Netflix (Carrier I believe it was called) and it scared me for life of the Navy. Dat lifestyle.

hahaha, that doc is terrible. Pretty much all the junior sailors on the show, especially the ones who got in trouble(like the drunk racist guy who got kicked out) are the biggest of dirtbags that rightfully deserved what they got. The real fleet isn't entirely like that; despite the fact that it was a PBS documentary, they still played up the drama quite a bit.

Carrier was one of the few things we got to watch in boot camp, and the whole time my RDC derided it. I watched it again after a few years in the Navy and I saw what he meant.

And yeah, the fitness thing is strange. They have become so stringent on it over the years, kicking people out left and right, and yet they still serve so much junk. All the stuff in the ship's store and the machines and even on the mess line. And portion control is all on you; none of the CS's say shit when you take two plates of cookies off the line, none of the SH's say shit when you buy two packs of Oreos, three bags of Doritos, and armfulls of Monsters and Starbucks Iced Coffees out of the ship's store. It's crazy, yet I see it happen every day.

 

[Necrovex]

Question about officer recruitment:

I got all of my letters of recommendation (four in total), so I was gathering up my documents to finally submit my application. During this phase, I discovered my family lost my birth certificate. Now I have a non-expired passport, and I heard it is possible to use the passport as a substitute for the birth certificate. So it is possible to use my passport to complete such a deed?

I would call my recruiter, but the idea didn't cross my mind until closing time at my Army recruiter center, so I have to wait until Monday morning to truly confirm.

 

[Ourobolus]

Question about officer recruitment:

I got all of my letters of recommendation (four in total), so I was gathering up my documents to finally submit my application. During this phase, I discovered my family lost my birth certificate. Now I have a non-expired passport, and I heard it is possible to use the passport as a substitute for the birth certificate. So it is possible to use my passport to complete such a deed?

I would call my recruiter, but the idea didn't cross my mind until closing time at my Army recruiter center, so I have to wait until Monday morning to truly confirm.

I would assume they are just looking for proof of citizenship, so it's probably OK. I'd still confirm with them though.

And order a new birth certificate, stat.

 

[sssstententen]

Wanted to bump this thread because it seemed to be answering my questions and I had seen it last month mulling things over.

I contacted a AF recruiter in my area via the website. Should I wait to be contacted or should I go in person to the office? Thinking about doing it tomorrow on my day off.

I was reading up on the careers and everything on the site as well? I have work experience with computer maintenance/IT work, and would want to go in and continue doing that. I saw you need to go through testing. What happens if I don't test into the area/area's I want/is that possible? Should I study first? What/how do I ask/broach the topic that those are the area's I want to serve in.

Everything else sounds like a dream come true to be honest, been thinking about this for awhile but now I finally have the freedom to do it.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Wanted to bump this thread because it seemed to be answering my questions and I had seen it last month mulling things over.

I contacted a AF recruiter in my area via the website. Should I wait to be contacted or should I go in person to the office? Thinking about doing it tomorrow on my day off.

I was reading up on the careers and everything on the site as well? I have work experience with computer maintenance/IT work, and would want to go in and continue doing that. I saw you need to go through testing. What happens if I don't test into the area/area's I want/is that possible? Should I study first? What/how do I ask/broach the topic that those are the area's I want to serve in.

Everything else sounds like a dream come true to be honest, been thinking about this for awhile but now I finally have the freedom to do it.

Take your life into your own hands, don't wait for someone to come to you.

Take the pre-asvab test at the recruiter's office. That will give you an idea. You shouldn't need to "study."

Don't go in especially as enlisted thinking it's going to be "a dream come true," but don't let the negative assholes drag you down either. Stay away from the lifers and those who can't wait to cut slingload. (these same guys bitch about how they shouldn't have gotten out).

Come to your own decisions.

 

[sssstententen]

Take your life into your own hands, don't wait for someone to come to you.

Take the pre-asvab test at the recruiter's office. That will give you an idea. You shouldn't need to "study."

Don't go in especially as enlisted thinking it's going to be "a dream come true," but don't let the negative assholes drag you down either. Stay away from the lifers and those who can't wait to cut slingload. (these same guys bitch about how they shouldn't have gotten out).

Come to your own decisions.

Yeah, when I say a "dream come true" I'm not here thinking its going to be some cakewalk or that it'll solve all my problems. I'm not even saying that I will love it. It looks like a perfect fit for me right now, and I'm not afraid of something new and frightening to take part of.

Only reason I ask about waiting or going is wasting my time (and gas money haha). I am definitely someone who thinks going in person usually helps when applying for anything, but I've heard (and from people in this thread) that AF is more competitive and in demand to get into.

I'll definitely go tomorrow, its really close by. Also, one of my aunts (mother's sisters) is an AF vet, would this help in any way or just make me seem like I'm trying to hard.

 

[ZaCH3000]

Wanted to bump this thread because it seemed to be answering my questions and I had seen it last month mulling things over.

I contacted a AF recruiter in my area via the website. Should I wait to be contacted or should I go in person to the office? Thinking about doing it tomorrow on my day off.

I was reading up on the careers and everything on the site as well? I have work experience with computer maintenance/IT work, and would want to go in and continue doing that. I saw you need to go through testing. What happens if I don't test into the area/area's I want/is that possible? Should I study first? What/how do I ask/broach the topic that those are the area's I want to serve in.

Everything else sounds like a dream come true to be honest, been thinking about this for awhile but now I finally have the freedom to do it.

If the office is near you, go for it. I contacted my recruiter first by email, then by phone around Christmas so I didn't hear back from him for like two weeks. He eventually got back to me. Now with his help I'm going to be flying for the NAVY.

Its still always best to be annoying until you form a relationship with a recruiter though. Don't get me wrong, I didn't just call once and leave a single voice mail, I called every two or three days. I also spoke to my parents about commissioning prior to reaching out to any of the military branches because I wanted to be sure they supported my decision.

So here is my advice. Before you talk to a recruiter talk to your family first. Get them on board. It will motivate you to succeed.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Yeah, when I say a "dream come true" I'm not here thinking its going to be some cakewalk or that it'll solve all my problems. I'm not even saying that I will love it. It looks like a perfect fit for me right now, and I'm not afraid of something new and frightening to take part of.

Only reason I ask about waiting or going is wasting my time (and gas money haha). I am definitely someone who thinks going in person usually helps when applying for anything, but I've heard (and from people in this thread) that AF is more competitive and in demand to get into.

I'll definitely go tomorrow, its really close by. Also, one of my aunts (mother's sisters) is an AF vet, would this help in any way or just make me seem like I'm trying to hard.

She will have jack shit to do with you getting in. It's not as hard to get into any of the services as you think it is. Countless idiots do it every day (so do countless smart people).

That said, the job you want may not have openings and you may not qualify, or both.

 

[sssstententen]

She will have jack shit to do with you getting in. It's not as hard to get into any of the services as you think it is. Countless idiots do it every day (so do countless smart people).

That said, the job you want may not have openings and you may not qualify, or both.

I appreciate the answers man. Yeah I assumed so, not like name dropping anyone would help regardless.

I'm not to concerned about what job I get as long as its relatively in a field I want. That's the only risky part it seems to me. I don't care about what I perform while I'm there to the most part, work is work and I'm in it for the experience, but understandbly I want to be closer to a career path that will help me post service as well.

If the office is near you, go for it. I contacted my recruiter first by email, then by phone around Christmas so I didn't hear back from him for like two weeks. He eventually got back to me. Now with his help I'm going to be flying for the NAVY.

Its still always best to be annoying until you form a relationship with a recruiter though. Don't get me wrong, I didn't just call once and leave a single voice mail, I called every two or three days. I also spoke to my parents about commissioning prior to reaching out to any of the military branches because I wanted to be sure they supported my decision.

So here is my advice. Before you talk to a recruiter talk to your family first. Get them on board. It will motivate you to succeed.

I live on my own but I plan on moving home once my lease is up (soon) and breaching the subject.
I'll definitely follow your advice though.

Edit: As for BMT. I'm by no means out of shape, I bike and do push ups/squats a few times a week, but I'm definitely not in peak physical condition. One of the appealing parts of this is the potential to improve this. I'm not worried about the difficulty per say, but is there any risk of me being unable to perform what's thrown at me if I'm not super fit before hand?

 

[sssstententen]

Applying in person is generally better, but enlisting is not like most job interviews: if you qualify and they have an open spot and no reason not to take you, they will take you. You don't have to make a "good impression." Speaking to someone in person may speed up the process, though, and you're going to have to talk to them that way eventually.

Also, don't worry about studying. If you've worked with computers before something tells me that you have at least the bare minimum of intelligence required to "pass" the ASVAB. From what I've seen in past threads, most gaffers score in the 80s/90s, which, with the exception of maybe nukes and a couple of jobs for which you have to take an extra test (linguist, technical applications specialist, comp. programming - latter two are AF only) should qualify you for basically everything.

Oh, and your Aunt will have nothing to do with this at all. No nepotism in the recruiting office, kid. ;p

Yeah like I said was expecting as much. Was only wondering if that could boost my chances of enlistment, but if its as cut and dry as you guys are saying then I should be fine.

Appreciate the feedback guys

 

[Desty]

Man, join the Air Force ... $225,000 signing bonus. Unreal!

http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/07/air_force_offering_225000_sign.html

 

[ZaCH3000]

Any GAFers heading to OCS this weekend?

 

[Necrovex]

I have a question for naval men. I was contacted by a Naval recruiter today to talk to me about my ASVAB scores and the potential of me joining the Navy working in the nuclear department.

I am currently applying with Army to become an officer (why I initially took the ASVAB) but after seven months, I am growing doubtful that I'll be accepted into OCS (the biggest detractor was the depression I faced in early 09). So I am flirting with the idea of the Navy, and I want to know if anyone on Gaf could give me some info about it and their overall experience with the program?

I'd be mostly interested in the benefits (masters paid for, or getting a second degree in nursing or engineer) and the possiblly valuable experience of having nuclear experience.

 

[damnbandit]

I'm finishing up my five years in the Navy here in August. I didn't read through the thread and I'm sure people have touched on the stuff I'm going to say but go for it. Pick a rate that's going to be useful to you when you get out. IT is a very good one if you use the Navy COOL program to get your civilian certifications while you're in and use the Navy College office to get that free TA. Also save your damn money or at least invest it in something. You can buy a single family home off of the BAH you receive assuming you are A. Married B. Pick up E5 as soon as possible. I did that and it was pretty much a free house. Otherwise just do your job and just try to be the most obnoxiously hooyah mother fucker there (doesn't really matter if you mean it not) and you'll get everything you need from the Navy. Then when you get out you still get your post 9/11!

 

[Ourobolus]

Pick a rate that's going to be useful to you when you get out. IT is a very good one if you use the Navy COOL program to get your civilian certifications while you're in and use the Navy College office to get that free TA. Also save your damn money or at least invest it in something.

So much this. I ended up with Communications as my AFSC and it's been nothing but useful now that I'm a civilian. My last duty station had a ton of training money that they needed to spend before the year was up, and even though they knew I was getting out, they still covered some PMP and CISSP training. The TA also helped me get my MBA (it was from American Military University, so not the greatest, but I was always threatened with no-notice deployments so online seemed like a good idea at the time >_>.

 

[MikeHaggar]

I have a question for naval men. I was contacted by a Naval recruiter today to talk to me about my ASVAB scores and the potential of me joining the Navy working in the nuclear department.

I am currently applying with Army to become an officer (why I initially took the ASVAB) but after seven months, I am growing doubtful that I'll be accepted into OCS (the biggest detractor was the depression I faced in early 09). So I am flirting with the idea of the Navy, and I want to know if anyone on Gaf could give me some info about it and their overall experience with the program?

I'd be mostly interested in the benefits (masters paid for, or getting a second degree in nursing or engineer) and the possiblly valuable experience of having nuclear experience.

I was actually accepted into the nuke program, but didn't go through with it. this was back in '98. the benefits then were:

1. max allotment via gi bill for college once out of the navy
2. the navy gave you some additional funding for college
3. the day you started you were being paid at the third pay rank instead of the first and your next two promotions were guaranteed
4. acceptance of nuke program applicants into naval academy was roughly 94%
5. large bonus (150k) if you decided to stay on after your initial contract was up
6. you were guaranteed to be able to chose whether you wanted to be on carrier or sub

i don't think you could really do a whole lot with the actual nuke experience you got from the job after getting out of the navy. that was my understanding at least. other drawback was that you had to commit to 6 years (2 for school, 4 for active duty). i was 19 at the time and 6 years seemed like forever--especially when i was only interested in the money for college so i could go to school. i didn't want to spend 6 years doing something i had no interest in just so i could go to school for what i was interested in afterwards.

it sounds like you are already interested in being an officer in the service, so the nuke school may be a good fit for you--especially if the acceptance of nuke program applicants into the naval academy is still as high as it was in '98. talk with the navy recruiter and see what he has to say.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

For you Navy Gaffers, did you spend most of your career on a ship or sub?

 

[Dishwalla]

For you Navy Gaffers, did you spend most of your career on a ship or sub?

Surface ship x2. Don't think I'd ever want to be on a sub.

I've been on two destroyers(not telling you which ones). If I end up staying in past my shore duty I kind of want to go to a carrier.

 

[Kajigger]

I have a question for naval men. I was contacted by a Naval recruiter today to talk to me about my ASVAB scores and the potential of me joining the Navy working in the nuclear department.

I am currently applying with Army to become an officer (why I initially took the ASVAB) but after seven months, I am growing doubtful that I'll be accepted into OCS (the biggest detractor was the depression I faced in early 09). So I am flirting with the idea of the Navy, and I want to know if anyone on Gaf could give me some info about it and their overall experience with the program?

I'd be mostly interested in the benefits (masters paid for, or getting a second degree in nursing or engineer) and the possiblly valuable experience of having nuclear experience.

Army reg 40-501 Medical regs paragraph 2-27 (C. and D. mostly). Look em up and see if any of that matches what you had. Depression is considered a psychiatric disorder. All branches use the same regs however. If the Army is not letting you in, chances are the Navy won't either. I'm no recruiter though so I can't tell you for sure.

On a side note, what were you looking to branch if you were goign Army but are now considering Navy?

 

[Tex117]

Shouldn't it be Aye?

 

[Necrovex]

I was actually accepted into the nuke program, but didn't go through with it. this was back in '98. the benefits then were:

1. max allotment via gi bill for college once out of the navy
2. the navy gave you some additional funding for college
3. the day you started you were being paid at the third pay rank instead of the first and your next two promotions were guaranteed
4. acceptance of nuke program applicants into naval academy was roughly 94%
5. large bonus (150k) if you decided to stay on after your initial contract was up
6. you were guaranteed to be able to chose whether you wanted to be on carrier or sub

i don't think you could really do a whole lot with the actual nuke experience you got from the job after getting out of the navy. that was my understanding at least. other drawback was that you had to commit to 6 years (2 for school, 4 for active duty). i was 19 at the time and 6 years seemed like forever--especially when i was only interested in the money for college so i could go to school. i didn't want to spend 6 years doing something i had no interest in just so i could go to school for what i was interested in afterwards.

it sounds like you are already interested in being an officer in the service, so the nuke school may be a good fit for you--especially if the acceptance of nuke program applicants into the naval academy is still as high as it was in '98. talk with the navy recruiter and see what he has to say.

Appreciate the post. My life is currently in a rut, so I am looking at all options as I continue to apply to full time positions.

Army reg 40-501 Medical regs paragraph 2-27 (C. and D. mostly). Look em up and see if any of that matches what you had. Depression is considered a psychiatric disorder. All branches use the same regs however. If the Army is not letting you in, chances are the Navy won't either. I'm no recruiter though so I can't tell you for sure.

On a side note, what were you looking to branch if you were goign Army but are now considering Navy?

Well, for the Navy, I am planning to enlist rather than become an officer due to those standards. I only planned on staying for the initial six years unless I see a strong chance of becoming an officer. I'll look into the medical stuff once I get home.

For Army, I was told officers applicants for OCS do not have the privilege of choosing their sector. Navy was my original choice, but I was swamped with other work and never got around to taking their official test for its OCS program.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Yeah, my life is in a rut, too. Going on three years since I graduated from college, will be 32 in June, and I'm not really close to landing a career.

The cons outweigh the pros if I join the military:

-I'll still not be making any money, even if medical and other shit is free
-Being 31, I kinda want to find a woman and settle. Dating is probably going to be hard with moving around so much
-It looks like army and navy are my only options considering my age, and the army sucks, and I don't want to be stuck on a ship for years

The pros is the work experience.

 

[Epsilon-delta]

Yeah, my life is in a rut, too. Going on three years since I graduated from college, will be 32 in June, and I'm not really close to landing a career.

The cons outweigh the pros if I join the military:

-I'll still not be making any money, even if medical and other shit is free
-Being 31, I kinda want to find a woman and settle. Dating is probably going to be hard with moving around so much
-It looks like army and navy are my only options considering my age, and the army sucks, and I don't want to be stuck on a ship for years

The pros is the work experience.

It's a lot easier to settle in the military because women throw themselves at service members because of that guaranteed paycheck and security, regardless of age.

That is why I never settled in the military, because I couldn't tell if women were really interested/genuine or just wanted to marry someone in the military for the money and benefits.

 

[Brick]

Yeah, my life is in a rut, too. Going on three years since I graduated from college, will be 32 in June, and I'm not really close to landing a career.

The cons outweigh the pros if I join the military:

-I'll still not be making any money, even if medical and other shit is free
-Being 31, I kinda want to find a woman and settle. Dating is probably going to be hard with moving around so much
-It looks like army and navy are my only options considering my age, and the army sucks, and I don't want to be stuck on a ship for years

The pros is the work experience.

I was under the impression that 28 was the limit for joining the armed forces. I turn 30 this year and thought that it was too late for me to even consider joining. Am I completely wrong?

 

[Ourobolus]

I was under the impression that 28 was the limit for joining the armed forces. I turn 30 this year and thought that it was too late for me to even consider joining. Am I completely wrong?

28 is for the Marines, the others
Army - 35
Air Force - 27
Navy - 34

By law it is set at 35, but the services can have stricter standards like above.

 

[Brick]

28 is for the Marines, the others
Army - 35
Air Force - 27
Navy - 34

By law it is set at 35, but the services can have stricter standards like above.

Hmm. Maybe it's time to reconsider then. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[weekend_warrior]

Yeah, my life is in a rut, too. Going on three years since I graduated from college, will be 32 in June, and I'm not really close to landing a career.

The cons outweigh the pros if I join the military:

-I'll still not be making any money, even if medical and other shit is free
-Being 31, I kinda want to find a woman and settle. Dating is probably going to be hard with moving around so much
-It looks like army and navy are my only options considering my age, and the army sucks, and I don't want to be stuck on a ship for years

The pros is the work experience.

I'm in a similar situation and just joined the Army. The first few years might be a slog but the rewards will come later with the work experience, school benefits, pension, etc.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Joining the military because "your life is in a rut" aka you can't get hired anywhere is a terrible idea. These people make absolutely the worst soldiers/service members.

It's gonna be terrible for the person doing it and you're going to be a pain in the ass for your chain of command. Especially your Non-coms.

Make yourself more marketable and get a job. Only join the military if you actually want to join the military, not because you can't figure out what else to do.

 

[Malreyn]

I remember on career day back in high school, I asked the army recruiter if joining the Navy or Army was better, they're like "Army, All the Way!" and then I asked the Navy recruiter the same question: he just scoffs....

 

[Ourobolus]

-I'll still not be making any money, even if medical and other shit is free
-Being 31, I kinda want to find a woman and settle. Dating is probably going to be hard with moving around so much
-It looks like army and navy are my only options considering my age, and the army sucks, and I don't want to be stuck on a ship for years

The pros is the work experience.

I can't vouch for the enlisted corps, but by the time I was a 3-year 1LT, I was making a decent chunk. I was living almost paycheck-to-paycheck as a 2LT in Georgia, but that 2 year boost when you hit 1LT, plus the next boost when you hit 3 years, was amazing.

The boost when you make Captain is the largest % boost I think you get in your whole career, I believe. And that's at the 4 year mark.

Depending on where you live makes a huge difference too. Your housing allowance can provide a substantial boost to your income.

For example:
BAH for 2LT in GA (at the time): $858
BAH for Capt in GA: $1125
Rent for my place: $650

BAH for Capt in DC (at the time): $2150
BAH for 2LT in DC: $1647
Rent for my place: $1400

You can see the huge difference. BAH gets up there with the enlisted too, just at a slower rate. But that's to counteract the fact that a lot of them stay on base (or are forced to) for the beginning of their careers. If you stay on base, you don't collect BAH.

As for women...dude. There are plenty of women who are totally fine with the military lifestyle. Some aren't, sure, but some are. The only difference is you'll have about a 3-year time limit to trick them into marrying you!