I'm unsure if the navy is really for me

[Anonymous]

Hi! I am an 18 student in New York. I have friends and family that have military involvment and it has always sparked an interest in me. but there are alot of questions that cross my mind and give me serious doubts about joining. What really happens when you get dishonorably discharged? if I join the navy and 2 years down the road realize that I don't feel as though I want to be enlisted anymore, what happens? do you really have to cut all of your hair off like Demi Moore in G.I. Jane? or is that all just made to look good on a movie screen? When i want to enlist where do i go? How do i find a recruter to help me out? Are there special requirments that i have to pass in order to enlist in the first place? Is boot camp as scarry and hard as it is made out to be? It would be greatly appeciated if someone could help me out with the questions that i have.

jessica

anoka4@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

:Jessica, joining the military is a big step and should not be taken lightly. Once you are past boot camp it is pretty hard to get out. There are several options though, you have a choice about the length of your enlistment when you join. You might even want to look at joining the reserves instead of active duty.


Boot camp was more of a personal chalange for me rather than anything else. I didn't feel that it was all that hard. You would want to get into shape before you go to boot camp.

Look in your phone book in the yellow pages to find a recruiter. Since you are in high school they will propably offer an ASVAB test (thats the test for all of the military.) if they don't offer it the recruiter will get you to take one. This will help you to know what kind of jobs you will qualify for in any branch of the service. Talk to a recruiter well in advance and get everything in writing. Before you sign anything check with us on this web site.

Good luck...Terri



TYRETIREDWAVE@YAHOO.COM

[Anonymous]

Hi. Terri is right: joining the military isn't something you should do on impulse, but it sounds as though you've already put a lot of thought into it so now it's just a matter of getting all of the facts so that you can make an informed decision. Talk to a recruiter about your options and do some research on the internet -- here are a few to try: www.navyjobs.com lists the basic requirements, jobs available, navy life, etc www.myfuture.com has a section about the military that answers a lot of questions like the ones you asked in your posting. You don't have to cut your hair if you don't want to, but if you leave it longer than your collar you will have to pin it up in a bun/french braid/whatever. Basic training is not hard if you go in with the right attitude. If you think it's torture or a waste of time, then it will be. If you tell yourself that it's an adventure as well as an important education, then you will have fun and learn a lot. The Navy is great, but it also has its less-than-great aspects (just like any career), so find out as much as you can. Talk to anyone and everyone who has been, is, or will be in the Navy and listen to their experiences. Your high school guidance counsellor probably has info on Navy careers so stop in and ask them about it. You have to write the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and your scores will help them decide which trades suit you best. Ask your school if they will administer the test, otherwise your recruiter can set it up. If you're nervous about that you can ask to write the practice test first, then study up before doing the real thing. If you don't do as well as you'd like, you can re-write it in 6 months but if you score well your mark is good for 2 years. Post all the questions you want on this site and you will get a ton of useful information and advice, so don't be shy! Best of luck, Bonnie

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to add that you may actually have to cut your hair for boot camp. I think the rules fluctuate frequently. When I went through in September of last year, everyone did have to cut there hair if it was below their collar. In any case, once you are in the fleet you have the option of wearing it up, although it would probably be hard to grow it. I'm sure that's not the most important part of your decision, but just wanted to let you know.

Meghan


:
: Hi. Terri is right: joining the military isn't something you should do on
: impulse, but it sounds as though you've already put a lot of thought into
: it so now it's just a matter of getting all of the facts so that you can
: make an informed decision. Talk to a recruiter about your options and do
: some research on the internet -- here are a few to try: www.navyjobs.com
: lists the basic requirements, jobs available, navy life, etc
: www.myfuture.com has a section about the military that answers a lot of
: questions like the ones you asked in your posting. You don't have to cut
: your hair if you don't want to, but if you leave it longer than your
: collar you will have to pin it up in a bun/french braid/whatever. Basic
: training is not hard if you go in with the right attitude. If you think
: it's torture or a waste of time, then it will be. If you tell yourself
: that it's an adventure as well as an important education, then you will
: have fun and learn a lot. The Navy is great, but it also has its
: less-than-great aspects (just like any career), so find out as much as you
: can. Talk to anyone and everyone who has been, is, or will be in the Navy
: and listen to their experiences. Your high school guidance counsellor
: probably has info on Navy careers so stop in and ask them about it. You
: have to write the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and
: your scores will help them decide which trades suit you best. Ask your
: school if they will administer the test, otherwise your recruiter can set
: it up. If you're nervous about that you can ask to write the practice test
: first, then study up before doing the real thing. If you don't do as well
: as you'd like, you can re-write it in 6 months but if you score well your
: mark is good for 2 years. Post all the questions you want on this site and
: you will get a ton of useful information and advice, so don't be shy! Best
: of luck, Bonnie


megwilli@excite.com

[Anonymous]

: I just wanted to add that you may actually have to cut your hair for boot
: camp. I think the rules fluctuate frequently. When I went through in
: September of last year, everyone did have to cut there hair if it was
: below their collar. In any case, once you are in the fleet you have the
: option of wearing it up, although it would probably be hard to grow it.
: I'm sure that's not the most important part of your decision, but just
: wanted to let you know.
:
: Meghan


All the advice above is good. Keep in mind that it is a experience choice and not a game. When I was 18 and entered the Navy it seemed as if many of my co workers joined to get away from home or out of bad situations. Many of them didn't make it through bootcamp because they didn't have the right attitude. It is work, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE IN SHAPE, to get through bootcamp. The mind games and challenges you face will be some of the toughest you have experienced so far. Reserves is a great idea for anyone who is unsure of their future with the Navy. It can give you a taste of what is to come. Also, READ THE FINE PRINT when you sign in. No surprises is a better way to enter a job and many young people just have a dream of wearing the uniform and don't pay attention to the fact that you think you are signing in for four years and end up with an additional six or so for reserve time. Be sure of what you are getting. I have to say my 4 yrs. nine months and two days serving were some of the best memories of my twenties. What a great experience if you are not quite ready for college. Hope it works out for the best for you. 25 years later is still provide me with some of my best memories in life. Sincerly, Kerryann

ksaturn@gj.net

[Anonymous]

I didn't think that boot camp was all that hard. the only thing that really gave me trouble was doing the 1.5 mile run and battlestations. I graduated from boot camp on 10Aug99 so i do know a few things about it. My RDC's never really gave us a hard time. they basically let us get away with murder, but ALL RDC'S ARE DIFFERENT, don't go in there expected it to be easy because the first couple weeks after your p-days will be where they will test you to see what you can take. don't take it personally because it will get easier and don't let it bother you. also, you will have to cut your hair. trust me on this one, GET IT CUT BEFORE YOU LEAVE. they do a horrible job of cutting hair of females. it looks bad. it isn't even at all and they will charge you $8 to have it cut. hope this helps. if you have any other questions then please email me and i will try to help you. you can email my recruiter at dre1011083@aol.com he will help you. bye for now. he is honest so don't be afraid to ask him quesions.

tamip69@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am an Nuclear Electrician's mate in the Navy. I have been in just under 2 years. I am very happy with my decision on joining the Navy. I was in college for 2.5 years and going no where. I was miserable. To answer some of your questions you don't have to cut all your hair off like Demi moore. That was jsut for the movie. In fact females are not allowed to shave their head. However (in the navy there is always a however) in boot camp you do have to cut your hair... or you did 2 years ago when i was there. It has to be above your collar in uniform after boot camp you can grow it as long as you want as long as you wear it up in uniform. my hair was between my shoulder blades until i got sick of it and cut it to within standards to wear it down. The Navy isn't for everyone but everyone can learn from it. I can't answer the rest of your questions cause i don't know...so good luck and if you have any questions feel free to email me

potientialhill@hotmail.com