I am planning to join the US Navy after I turn 18 in two months, I am currently looking for any advice and what to expect. For education I have a HS diploma and some community college. I also have lots of work experience, but I doubt this will help at all. Overall I'm pretty average, average strength, average intelligence, etc. I got into many UCs but do not plan to go to them, will this help at all? Do I get some choice in what I will do, or is it entirely dependent on what I'm skilled at? Planning to do the shortest tour possible, but willing to stay in it for longer if I can get some sort of extra benefits besides extra pay.

ANY help about ANYthing Navy related is appreciated! Even if it doesn't answer any of my questions!

This is what you should do:
http://navy.com/careers/enlisted/religion/

For education I have a HS diploma and some community college

Diploma makes enlistment easier and faster than a GED. College credits earn you a little bonus money and/or instant advancement up to E-3. Get this in writing.

I also have lots of work experience

If you have any articulation credit, such as industry certifications, this will also help.

Overall I'm pretty average, average strength, average intelligence,

You'll fit right in as an OS, SK, ET, YN, and a myraid host of other rates.

I got into many UCs but do not plan to go to them, will this help at all?

No.

Do I get some choice in what I will do, or is it entirely dependent on what I'm skilled at

First, you have to take the ASVAB test. Overall score matters here first and foremost, but some rates require high enough scores in certain specific parts of the test.

Planning to do the shortest tour possible, but willing to stay in it for longer if I can get some sort of extra benefits besides extra pay.

You CAN get extra pay for extra initial enlistment. Five years isn't going to kill you.

Let me know if you have any other questions regarding the navy. MP Nesto and I have been in about the same time and have seen all sides of it.

Since you already seem decided, I'll tell you to go visit a recruiter and let me know what bullshit he or she spews at you. For example, bring a tape recorder or a notebook or something and then post what was said here. I have no problem sorting out all the bullshit. If nothing else, get scheduled to take the ASVAB.

Since you already seem decided, I'll tell you to go visit a recruiter and let me know what bullshit he or she spews at you. For example, bring a tape recorder or a notebook or something and then post what was said here. I have no problem sorting out all the bullshit. If nothing else, get scheduled to take the ASVAB.

On that note: Do fucking well on it! For christs sake, if you want to do something with your "above average intelligence", don't settle for a 49. Some of the people I went to high school with were smart as Hell, but went stupid.

When you find out what rate your interested in, let us know.

hehe, nah man I put 'average' intelligence, but I figure the ASVAB is just like any other test, and if one studies it will be easy. And I am putting off going to a recruiter til I am absolutely ready to sign up, because I do know they will lie out their teeth for me to sign up (yeah, I've bought a used car). Thank you for the responses, though.

Kleenex, you'll really be living in "the land of the negroe" if you join the US Navy.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/US_Navy_NRTOC_040508-N-2383B-377.jpg

The Naval Base (now soon to be generic Military Base because they're consolidating bases) doesn't have a lot of black people around.

RP in the FMF is pretty bad ass these guys are the chaplain's body guards in country

I just got out of the Navy in Feb of 2008.


All I can say man is choose your rate..choose your fate. Out of all the Navy sayings and other quotes and shit that one is the most true. It's all about the rate.

I was an ABH. To get promoted from E-3 to E-4 you had to be in like the top 90% of the advancement tests..NAVY WIDE. Now these figures changed from test to test but ABH is flooded with E-4 and below...making promotions difficult.


I had friends who joined with me...did less work them me...had worse ASVAB scores then me...who were getting promoted because their rate was UNDERMANNED. All they had to do was put their name on the test...and get the minimum score to pass it which you can easily obtain using only what you learned in A-School.


Basically, the Navy is great if you can get an awesome rate with fast promotions, I mean I knew guys....AE's who had never been on a ship....made chief well before 20 years etc.

The other branches do it based on performance evaluations and time factors I believe...leaving some but little to do with test scores (as far as I know I could be wrong)

ONE MORE TIME FOR FUCKING TRUTH!!!

I made E-5 in a year and a half.

ONE MORE TIME FOR FUCKING TRUTH!!!

I made E-5 in a year and a half.

I was a pushbutton E-4. To bad advancement for TAR ETs is fucking 4% with like a 220 multiple.

Pay attention in D.E.P. classes, and don't treat that book like a piece of nothing, it's got almost all the info you need to make it thru basic.

Get a rate and an A school, whatever you do, and stay off the deck force and "engineering". If you can, get something with electronics training, like ET.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that. I do agree with staying out of deck, but in the same token do something that you will enjoy for the next 2 - 6 years of your life.