What to know before Joining the Navy
The military is a great first job or career, depending on your desires. After serving over 7 years in the military, I noticed that the military is a tight knit group of folks that will help build character and create a sense of team effort. I have yet to find a non-military company that rivals the camaraderie of the military.
For the enlistee:
Choosing to go to the navy is complicated decision but doesn't have to be so. Things to consider before joining, married?, planning on marriage shortly before/after joining, pay, where you will be stationed, quality of life, deployment rates, promotion opportunities, etc.
Marriage:
If you are planning on getting married or if you are already married, be prepared! Being married to someone can be a challenge. It takes much thought on both partners to determine how the household will be run. Often once the spouse returns, there is animosity from the other partner who has ran the household for awhile alone and now has to give up that right or share the right. Long deployments can put a huge strain on the spouse and often will not last unless the couple has family support/ support from the other partner. Often a good church can help fill the void and make transitions and departures easier.
Pay:
Pay can vary with pay grade and whether or not you are commissioned or non-commissioned. If you are a non- college graduate, you will more often than not go in as non-commissioned - less pay. If you are able to go to college and graduate with at least a bachelors you can go in as a commissioned officer if you attend officer candidate school. This is akin to going in as a manager (commissioned). - Paid more, more responsibility
Where You Work:
More often than not, you will be stationed away from your spouse for periods of time. Often once a member gets settled in, they can bring their spouse along. Not on the ship, but usually in on-base/off-base housing. This can make a marriage more adaptable. Also remember that there will be periods that the person will be away in boot camp, deployment, etc, where the spouse will not be allowed to go along.
Life or Short Term:
This can be a decision that can affect your income for the rest of your life. Some members go in with no intentions of making a career of it in which they will receive a military pension for the rest of their life and other benefits.
Before making any decision, be sure to discuss it with your spouse, parents and in some cases friends. I hope this gives you a better understanding on what to expect.
