phyzix525

I am 26, with 2 kids, have recently gotten a divorce and I have no career to speak of and no schooling past a high school diploma. I dont know much about the Navy, so I would like some suggestions on how to handle the recruiter. I also am not sure what I want to do, thinking about photojournalism, videography, editing and so forth. I could possibly do something else if anyone has some suggestions as to whats good. (pays better, shorter school, more interesting, whatever) Those of you that have been burned by the military feel free to rant about what happened so I can avoid such problems myself. thanks for the advice I know you TFP'ers always come through.

__________________
It's hard to remember we're alive for the first time
It's hard to remember we're alive for the last time
It's hard to remember to live before you die
It's hard to remember that our lives are such a short time
It's hard to remember when it takes such a long time

MikeyChalupa

First, thanks for considering service to your country in the finest branch of the Armed Forces. The field you are interested in, JO or Journalist, is actually a great rate to be in right now. Advancement is pretty open when many others are closing up. Me personally, I would also advise you to look into a job in aviation as to me that's the best part of the Navy. I am an AT1, or Aviation Electronics Technician First Class.

Please don't immediately assume recruiters are out to screw you. Yes they have quotas to make but a recruiter who just sends "warm bodies" to Great Lakes who never finish boot camp or get kicked out before they have a year in the Navy will kill his own career. They know this. What they may TRY to do is send you into a field that you don't necessarily want because it's undermanned. If you qualify for the nuclear field, for example, they will do everything they can to get you into that program.

I've been on active duty for 10 years, and have had a great time. I'm going to do another 10. You're a bit older than the average recruit, and are in a position where you have something to motivate you (you have kids to provide for) so I think its safe to say that you won't cause the usual problems new recruits often have, like DUI's, drugs, uniform looks like ass, late to work, spent your whole paycheck on rims and then bounce checks to the commisary, and so forth.

The biggest piece of advice I can give you is DO NOT LET THEM SEND YOU TO BOOT CAMP WITHOUT AN "A" SCHOOL GUARANTEE. I repeat, DO NOT LET THEM SEND YOU TO BOOT CAMP WITHOUT AN "A" SCHOOL GUARANTEE. I'll say it one more time: DO NOT LET THEM SEND YOU TO BOOT CAMP WITHOUT AN "A" SCHOOL GUARANTEE. You are too old to waste time as an undesignated seaman or airman. You already know what you want to do. Take your ASVAB, and if you qualify for JO, MAKE SURE your contract guarantees you that school upon completion of boot camp. If they tell you the school is closed or try to send you into another rate, or mention the words "apprentice training" tell them sorry, I'm not interested, here's my number and call me back when you can send me to JO school.

The Navy is like anything else in life. You get out of it what you put into it. It has it's share of really shitty days. There have been a few times where I wish I had never heard of the Navy. But there are also times where I wonder why anyone would ever want to do anything else but what it is that I do.

If you have any more questions, feel free to IM me, or e-mail me. If you remember only one thing from this, please let it be this: DO NOT LET THEM SEND YOU TO BOOT CAMP WITHOUT AN "A" SCHOOL GUARANTEE.

-Mikey

P.S.: DO NOT LET THEM SEND YOU TO BOOT CAMP WITHOUT AN "A" SCHOOL GUARANTEE.

SERPENT7

525,
I joined up when i was 26, spent 4-ish years in hawaii, got out after finishing off five years total. I did not have any kids at the time.
I agree with mikey, an A school is the way to go. Having said that, you might consider the USAF. (I feel like such a traitor for even saying that!)
Here is why: You have 2 kids. In order to be fully deployable, you will need to get married, or get stationed somewhere near your newly aquired X, or someone else who can watch your children for 6 months at a time.
The Airforce believes in an 8 hour work day, as opposed to the navy. (I cannot count the times i worked 12+ hours, slept 6 and had duty the next day! And that is not counting the at sea work schedule. They have your ass, and WILL work you like a slave.)
Also, going to sea means being seperated from the kids for several weeks at a time, all the time. (Off and on.) No seperation in the USAF.
On the plus side, The navy has the Navy College fund, as well as the GI Bill when you get out. (I am currently getting a double bachelors on that very thing. It is a payout of about $52,000 total, for something that cost me about $1,800.) I do not know if the other services offer a suplement the GI Bill, but i would def. check into the other services. (Feel free to e-mail me as well.)

JumpinJesus

Hold on there! Not every person in the Air Force worked an 8 hour work day. I'm sure you'll find a few other AF vets in here who'll vouch, especially those who were SPS. SPS never, ever, ever, ever knew an 8 hour work day. In fact, it was exceedingly common for us SPs to work 16+ hours.

Back on topic. Whatever branch you choose - this is along the lines of Mikey's advice - do NOT go to basic training without a guaranteed job. He said it many times and I cannot emphasize enough how right he is. Whatever you choose, good luck and enjoy the hell out of the time you put in.

__________________
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

Bill O'Rights

I thought he said he was considering the Navy. I missed where he was considering the Air Force.
In eight years of active duty military service, I don't think I ever worked less than 10 hours in a work day. 12 hour shifts, though not the norm, were not unheard of. But, then again, I was Security Police. More was expected of us, and we gave more than was expected.

Enough of my prattle. Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines...it doesn't really matter. Any branch that you choose is a noble choice. I will reiterate that which has been already drilled into you. Do NOT sign the dotted line until the job that you want is specifically spelled out, and guaranteed in that contract. After that...it's all up to you. As a member of the armed forces, you will be expected to uphold a higher standard. Those who cannot do this...are quickly weeded out. Those who can (and I firmly believe that you are one of these) are rewarded with a confidence and pride that will never leave you. You will understand that a little more, once you are in.

I'll leave you with four words that'll help you with the recruitment process;
Get. Everything. In. Writing.

__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

"Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus

It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

SERPENT7

to all,
525 never said anything about anything other than the navy. I was merely pointing out his options.
I never said the USAF was a cake walk. (Although in my experience, the VAST majority of the people i knew or dated who were in the USAF typically enjoyed....wait for it...an 8 hour day.)
I did say that they do not seperate you from your SO for long stretches, and it seems to me that a single dad of 2 might want to take that into consideration when looking for a branch to join.

irateplatypus

i hate to keep piling on... but I don't know anybody in the AF w/an 8 hour duty day. for the 3-4 AFB's I've spent time on... 9 1/2 was the bare minimun for airmen, NCOs and Officers often approach 11 or 12. i know i'm not the first in the thread to point this out... but its important for phyzix to understand that being in the military is very tough right now. all the old-timers in my squadron agree that the ops-tempo and deployment schedule make life much more stressful than it once was. we're running at near-max capacity with a much smaller force than 15 years ago. be prepared to work your ass off and take a lot of responsibility as soon as you arrive on station.

from my experience with other services and the anecdotal evidence given to me by friends in the navy, i'd say that USAF is a better way to go. however, if you're sold on the journalistic-type career fields... you're probably better off in the navy. most of those billets are being converted to civilian slots and PA/VI is often tough to get into as an enlisted man.

thanks for considering service. if you get into it for the right reasons, i'll think you'll be glad of your choice down the road. you'll likely meet a lot of fellow oklahomans in the service, it's almost bizarre how many have ties to our state. glad to see there might be another out there soon.

__________________
If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

~ Winston Churchill

1010011010

Finish your negotiations and get everything you want guaranteed in writing BEFORE you sign away your freedom. I think the most popular line given is that such-and-such rate is overmanned, so they can't put people inthat rate at the requiter... but if you just go in as an undisgnated seaman and get a few months on the job, you can always strike for it! Yeah. Sure. MikeyChalupa is on the money- DO NOT LET THEM SEND YOU TO BOOTCAMP WITHOUT A GUARANTEED "A" SCHOOL.

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Simple Machines in Higher Dimensions

Marvelous Marv

The other significant matter is what Serpent said--you'd better have some reliable child care lined up.

And separations are tough. That said, it will greatly increase your opportunities in life.

__________________
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."
Margaret Thatcher

phyzix525

Well I am lucky that my parents are wanting to adopt the kids. If my X does not agree to this they are at least going to have them half the time. So I know the kids are going to be taken care of.

As for the school. I am only leaning toward journelism, but would entertain something else. The problem is I have never really found anything I like to do for work. I like photography, but I could probably do something else as long as I could get into it. Just not sure what would keep me interested. I tend to have a hard time concentrating enough to be successful at times. (college drop out) I just think as long as I am in a position where I can be of help and not just doing something like, a cook. not that there is anything wrong with that. you know.

__________________
It's hard to remember we're alive for the first time
It's hard to remember we're alive for the last time
It's hard to remember to live before you die
It's hard to remember that our lives are such a short time
It's hard to remember when it takes such a long time

Pragma

My advice would be to research all of the possibilities available to you. This looks like it's got a pretty good list of options - I'd say spend some time reading through all of them, looking at the pros (and cons) of each one, and rank them in order of what you'd be interested in doing.

At that point, you should really sit down with someone current (or ex) Navy (lots of people who posted above who fit the bill) and discuss each of those options to make sure that you understand what you'll be getting yourself in to.

I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of it, as it's respectable decision to make, but it's always a good idea to be as informed as possible when you're debating something as important as this. Good luck!

__________________
Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

Seething

If you're thinking about joining the navy, just go in to your nearest recruiter and talk with them. They aren't going to pressure you into joining the first time you talk with them, and can answer most of the questions you have. Plus, all of the recruiters I've talked with are pretty down to earth, and won't blow smoke up your ass with "Joining the navy is the best thing you can do, and it will never be hard". So if you are seriously considering it, just go in and talk with them. They can answer most of your questions and concerns, and can't force you to sign anything.

I should know, I'm in the DEP for the navy. I'm shipping off April 18th and going into the Nuke field. Good luck to you.

__________________
Common sense is uncommon. Ironic, isn't it?

BigBen

For all of my burn marks, I would not have changed a thing.

There is nothing I can say to you so you can avoid problems. Live your life, ensure you are happy, take comfort in others, look on the bright side.

With military service comes a larger set of privledges and responsibilities. Are you ready to be a member of a team? Do you agree with the value system and ethics that come with this lifestyle? I would ask your recruiter to summize in their own words the military ethos and the values and beliefs of the Navy. You would be suprised that it is no longer a job, but a Duty, a Code. The people that are unsuccessful in their military career usually adhere to a different set of values.

There is nothing wrong with those different values; I argue that those differences make us unique and interesting. When choosing the military path, you will find comfort and joy if your values match. If you differ, the road will be rocky and painful.

__________________
3.141592654
Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis.

BigBen

I think that being a cook is the most important job in the military.

I have had good food and bad, all different flavours. When a cook loves their job and knows how important they are, they take pride in their work and deliver delicious, nutritious, plentiful food. When they are forced to do it and would rather be doing job X, they slack off, burn the eggs and hate their life. The difference is profound.

I know what you are saying. You are not insulting cooks, but do not view their job as exciting and glamorous. You hold no interest in being a cook. That is fine. I understand, but your choice in words leaves much to be desired. "Where I can be of help" includes every person in the military, in all branches and at all levels. Noone is more important than another.

__________________
3.141592654
Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis.

phyzix525

I just want to do a job thats appealing, if I were a cook I would feel as if I were not being used properly. I feel as if I am too smart to be used there. And while all positions are important I dont believe that every person could be interchanged. a cooks a cook, a nuke techs a nuke tech. I know that every part has to be working for everything to be working and I have all the respect in the world for everyone thats in the military.

__________________
It's hard to remember we're alive for the first time
It's hard to remember we're alive for the last time
It's hard to remember to live before you die
It's hard to remember that our lives are such a short time
It's hard to remember when it takes such a long time

SERPENT7

525,
The reason being a cook sux is that it is a grueling, sucky job. When things go good, everyone will ignore you. When things go bad, they will crucify you. (For some reason, when peeps in general have a bad day, they feel it is OK to take it out on 'service industry' people. Ask any waitress about this.) Imagine being a bartender in the old west! No respect, i tell you!
But you are correct in that it is arguably the most influential position on a boat. If the food sux, people are bitchy all watch. (Been there, done that!)

phyzix525

OK guys I went in today to talk with the recruiter more, and well they dont really have alot of info. I have to wait till my divorce is finalized before they can really do anything. they had me take a half hour "mock" test. I have to take the real one later. I scored an 88. they seemed to think that was good. anyway they did push the nuke thing abit. and I have looked alittle more into it. I guess my question is just how hard is it? can someone who has not gone to college, and has not in 8 years make it through something like that? So anyway they told me that after the divorce (january 11th) that I can go in and start the process. Apparently they cannot really tell me about the jobs untill I get tested.

On a side note I was surprised that they wont allow tattoos anymore, visible tattoos I mean.

__________________
It's hard to remember we're alive for the first time
It's hard to remember we're alive for the last time
It's hard to remember to live before you die
It's hard to remember that our lives are such a short time
It's hard to remember when it takes such a long time

florida0214

First of all being a recruiter I can tell you that you are disqualified if you are a single parent. You may have to relinquesh ( think thats how you spell it) custody of your children. This may be differant for the Navy but it never hurts to ask I suppose. If you scored an 88 on the EST (thats what the Mock Test is called) Then you are project to score about that on the real ASVAB +\- 7-10 Points. Either way you are going to pass and do fairly well on it. Navy really likes to push that whole Nuke program becuase not too many people qualifiy for it becuase you have to almost be the perfect applicant.
Definitly ask them if being a single parent is a problem. Also don't let them talk you into taking a physical (MEPS) to "see" what you qualify for. Once you take the physical you are in the Navy or they will atleast do everything they can to get you to join right then and there. Me personaly I would never send anybody to physical who was on the fence and unsure about what he wanted to do. I respect you for wanting to serve your country and hope thats one of the main reasons you are doing this. Good luck to you and if you have any specific questions feel free to ask. try out this site as well. http://usmilitary.about .com It might answer more questions than you might ever think to ask.

__________________
"Two men: one thinks he can. One thinks he cannot. They are Both Right."

JumpinJesus

As far as ranting goes, all I can really say to that is that being a lower ranking enlisted soldier/seaman/airman/etc. sucks to high hell. It will be a couple of years in this position as you find out that everyone in the world outranks you and you end up doing the shittiest duties and tasks until you start getting some time in. This won't matter what field you go into. Getting through those years isn't easy, but you can take comfort in knowing that there are many others in the same position as you.

Once you start getting a little rank, the shitty jobs become fewer but now you have more responsibility and if one of your subordinates fuck up, you get to get bitched out, too, because you didn't supervise them properly.

Are you prepared to go into a situation where a 21 year old is your superior in every respect? Because in the military, age doesn't matter much; rank matters. I was a 21 year old E-4 supervising a 28 year old who had trouble accepting that I had 3 years on him in service even though I was 7 years younger.

If you can get past that, then you'll be fine.

__________________
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

phyzix525

You say I cant be a single parent, but what if I have joint custody? Is that still considered a single parent. I just want to make sure that they are going to be covered by my medical benifits. Otherwise she can have full custody. I still think she is considered primary even though its joint.

__________________
It's hard to remember we're alive for the first time
It's hard to remember we're alive for the last time
It's hard to remember to live before you die
It's hard to remember that our lives are such a short time
It's hard to remember when it takes such a long time

SERPENT7

525,
What are your chances of finishing NUKE school? VERY poor. I scored a 97 on my ASVAB, went into the navy as a NUKE MM, made it through the A school, and dropped out of the nuke program after failing the first 4 tests. (I also had been out of school for several years, w/ little background in math/physics.)
Why is this still a good idea? Well, making it through the A school means i was automaticly advanced to E-4 w/o having to take a rating exam, thus avoiding competing for a finite number of slots. (I'd been in about a year at that point.) Considering that getting advanced to E-5 was dependant on how long i was an E-4, earlier is better. Also, When i went to my actual command, there was ALOT less shit work for me.
Besides, if you like math, and can study your guts out for atleast 6 hours (And a min. of 8 hours on sat & sun) aday after learning the most condensed lecture possible, you could do well. And its kind of cool to tell people you are 'NUKE waste'. (Thats what they call drop-outs like me!)
Your children will be covered. (You have to enrol them in the DEERS program. It is alittle tedious paperwork, but you only have to do it once every time you have new kids, or change commands.)

SERPENT7

One more thing while im thinking about it:
There is nothing they will do if you have naughty tattoos. I know a guy that got a tat after his COB specificly told him not to. As long as he kept it covered, no one was all that concerned.
Also, kids are not a barrier, as long as you can show they have a backup gaurdian.

phyzix525

OK so are you saying that its worth going to even though you fail out? what can you do if you are failed out? I thought that was it if you dont pass you school. I dont think I am the type of person that has the study skills neccesary for such a job. Its not really hard to operate a camera.

__________________
It's hard to remember we're alive for the first time
It's hard to remember we're alive for the last time
It's hard to remember to live before you die
It's hard to remember that our lives are such a short time
It's hard to remember when it takes such a long time

Pragma

If you get them once you're in the service, as long as they're coverable, this depends upon your CO.

If you get them before you enter the service, they'll see them during your physical or at boot camp and most likely kick you straight back home. So don't go pick up any tattoos for a while

__________________
Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!