Serious question: Should I stay the course with the Navy?

[Knurled99]

Some of you will probably want to flame me for this... but have a heart ok?

I decided to join the Navy for alot of reasons: I have no health insurance, no money, up to my ears in student loans/debt, can't get the financial aid I need to finish school, my mom is in serious need of some assistance, the list goes on and on. I thought that even though I didn't support the Iraq war or any of America's current foreign policy, John Kerry's election and the non-combatant intelligence position I chose would make my decision "ok." It would allow me to finish school and go fight the very policies that sent us to war.

Now I'm having crushing doubts about whether I will still show up for military duty in March or whether or I will even continue to live in this country. Every day things get worse it seems, and I am terribly worried that the country I live in now will not be here in four years. I mean, do you guys honestly and literally think that the next four years spell certain disaster for our country? If that's the case, I may end up moving to Canada or France.

I'm sure I can get a job there and find a way to pay for school and the debts I've racked up. EVERYONE in BOTH of those countries has health care... so I can likely have some coverage there.

My other option of course is to stay with the Navy, finish school and use the GI bill to pay for law school. Then I will do everything I can to ream companies that pollute and otherwise break the law and hurt the people around them.

What do you guys think? I haven't slept in three days... I can't take this anymore. I need outside opinions.

[loveable liberal]

1. stick with the navy mang. You'll do better in the long run.

besides, the armed services need new blood with a fresh outlook. they are starting to show signs of insanity.

[Knurled99]

3. You think so?

I want to stay with the Navy... basically I am just worried that I will hate myself later for not ditching this sinking ship when I had the chance. I don't want to stand up and be counted with those who support our killing abroad. I also don't want my mom to lose her house, or my teeth to fall out, etc.

[Heyo]

2. Can't speak from personal experience..

... but my dad was in the Navy, granted that was a long time ago, but he said in the long run it was the best thing for him.

It gave him a discipline and self confidence that he has carried throughout life.

I think because it tough being in the military, it toughens you up.

Also I think they will pay for college and stuff, and also it will help you a lot in fidning a job after you get out.

You are giving up a few years of your life in order to be much better set up for the remainder of it.

Heyo

on edit: Also, you will get to see the world, most likely, and get to go to other countries and exotic places you may not normally ever get to see.

[UdoKier]

4. I did three years - boot camp was okay, but hated every day after that.

"A' School was a bitch, and duty on a ship is just a living hell. Crappy pay, lousy company, watches at all hours, the work is pure drudgery, and worst of all we were in dry dock most of the time. I was so glad to get the hell OUT.

Good luck if you go through with it. Some people seem to like it. NOT ME.

[FuzzySlippers]

5. Do you still have the option of legally backing out of your commitment?

Forgive my ignorance, but I have little knowledge of the technicalities of military enlistment.

[Knurled99]

6. Yeah I still have the option...

I can basically make up a reason why I have to cancel my enlistment. Like a back injury.. or ummm... something else. It isn't easy I hear, but my friend who went through the military said that I don't absolutely have to stay in the Navy till I leave for bootcamp.

[FuzzySlippers]

7. Well, that's a relief.

I guess I don't have any advice on what you should. I was just worried that you might be exposing yourself to legal jeopardy if you backed out. I wish you the best.

[DELUSIONAL]

8. Choose your training carefully

Just make sure that the Army can't scoop you up from the Navy.

There are lots of education opportunities in the Navy --

Remember there are three branches

Navy Air, Navy Sea and The submarine service.

The sub service tends to be the elite of the 3 -- and the training opportunities are good -- they will send outstanding sailors to college and specialized training. The sub service -- of course deals with potential nukes -- as in Trident -- but there are some other subs.

Just stay away from medics -- these guys can be assigned to Marines and can you can end up in Iraq.

Navy Air -- this is a mixed bag -- some squadrons are attached to carriers. Some air squadrons are land based -- at various Naval Air Bases found in Coastal states -- therefore more blue states.

It all depends on how valid contracts are between civilians and the military -- and then you are in the military and do civilian contract still count?

I'm a Navy brat -- my dad was Navy Air -- land based and carrier based. His Navy training translated into a high paying job with great retirement benifits. He did better staying in the Navy and then going to work in the civilian world -- than his brothers who just stayed a short time without the extensive training he had. BUT it is not the best life for kids -- we don't have a "home town" that is an unknown concept for us.

By marriage I know a bit about the Sub service -- and many ex-submariners have retired in the area where I live.

Mostly the Navy guys don't end up in Iraq -- but the Marines do. Lots of ex-Navy in politics and running businesses (WA state).

Education and training potential in the Navy are good -- probably one of the better. I'm told Air Farce is good -- but I won't know -- being a Navy brat -- we tend to look down on the Air Farce.

[RivetJoint]

13. One tends to try to feel superior

to one's true superiors...go AF!

[Knurled99]

9. Thanks for replying...

This eases my nerves a bit... I still have a couple months to decide, which will probably grind away at my nerves a bit. I guess the biggest question here is: When I am done in March of 2009, will the US still be a democracy or will it be a crumbled empire like the Soviet Union? Or even worse, will it be an Orwellian nightmare that I will have no escape from after my service?

[RivetJoint]

12. Look at it this way

If the US is crumbling as you fear...at least you'll have a job and be on the "right" side... :-)

[flygal]

10. My husband was Navy ...

I say go for it. There was part of me that wanted him to stay him b/c I thought corporate America seemed frightening. There's a lot of security, pay isn't terrible, and they have the best uniforms :) And we need more dems in the military :)

[Historic NY]

11. Go navy

Take up nuclear stuff it comes in handy for civilian jobs.

[BlueCollar]

14. I served in the U.S. Navy

from 1979 to 1983 and damned proud of it. In my opinion it was the best decision I ever made coming out of college. Also, as a veteran I can give the finger to the right-wing warmongers and say "Been there,done that" unlike Bush and his buddies.

I was enlisted and served in the Naval Aviation community.

Since you've already joined/been accepted they can't draft you into the army/marines. The training is very good and in my experience your opportunities to advance are only limited by your desire.

The Navy is a strong family and takes pretty good care of its own. I think you have valid concerns/questions but you are on the right track. I'm sure you can get a billet in the Naval legal Service (JAG) if you do your homework with your recruiter and detailer.

Like anything else, it won't be easy, but I really believe you'll find the experience beneficial.

Good luck

PS: Rule number 1 - Your Chief Petty Officer is the go-to guy first. Always let him know what is going on in your mind. He's the guy that knows what is going on, how the game is played, and how to fix every damn problem you can imagine.