Very, very new to this! Couple of questions..

[LifeIsLove]

Hey everyone I'm Nicole! My boyfriend is joining Navy (as an E3, IDK if that's pertinent) and specifically wants to become a Corpsman, and eventually a Physicians Assistant. Although he has my unwavering support, I'm not familiar with how the military works at all. I can tell you what I do know; he got a wet reckless (a reduced charge of DUI in CA), and his recruiter informed him he is not able to become a Corpsman off the bat because of this. He was also told that he could potentially become a Corpsman during his service if he were to choose a different occupation, (his second preference is for Linguistics) with the approval of his superiors and some other things. He has not yet gone to boot camp, which prompts me to wonder about certain things that his recruiter has promised him...:huh: I.E. "We'll get off base housing when I get done with boot, and I'll most likely be in California."
I'm worried foremost that this information is not correct; because I am in college and committed full time studying business anything that I want to do in the next couple of years takes substantial time planning and forethought . Can anyone tell me what to expect? Will we get to live together off base for free? The corpsman thing? And do you really get to pick what occupation you'll have? How can he know where he'll be stationed if he hasn't gone to bootcamp yet? I thought that you don't find out until after boot...:huh:

Thank you so much in advance everyone! I can't wait to learn about our Navy more, so I can be more supportive to my boyfriend, and family friends! Peace and Blessings,
Nicole

[KYmom]

Welcome.

If he doesn't have a written contract with guarantee of his job (rating) they could put him anywhere.
If it's not in writing (contract) it may not happen.

Living together - ain't gonna happen anytime soon. Boot camp 8 weeks... A school varies depending upon rating -
unless school is more than 6 months and your married - he is living in the barracks.
NO such thing as free.

If married depending upon where he is stationed and his rank (e-2,E-3 E-4 etc) Whether or not you can join him.

Can can attempt to get based out of San Diego or somewhere close to there, but no guarantees.

You need to stay in school and keep your plan going forward untill heis through boot camp and school and is far enough into his Navy Career to figure out where he will be.

My son's g/f is still here in Ky doing the school thing and he is in Norfolk. They communicate regulary and she visit's when she can.
Ther first year is very hetic - hurry up and wait- moving from one place to another.

Hope this helps some.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Great post KYmom !!

Nicole, it sounds like the recruiter is giving him the information .... but mostly the "shiny" parts of it. Might be a new recruiter .... have your boyfriend write down all of the questions that he has and ask that the Recruiter-In-Charge sit in the interview as well. Generally, if there are some doubts, they can be cleared up then and there.

Ask if they have any pamphlets or do***ents that support their claims. This works well in many cases.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[ProudNavyMom/TN]

bootcamp is changing to 13 weeks...to all new recruits

[Fubarjonny]

bootcamp is changing to 13 weeks...to all new recruits


where did you get this information?

[MacSteve]

I too wonder where this info came from.

[ProudNavyMom/TN]

where did you get this information?

At Great Lakes after Graduation on Friday alot were talking about it

[boudc1022]

None of my recruiters have said anything a long those lines yet, but I guess we will see.

[ProudNavyMom/TN]

None of my recruiters have said anything a long those lines yet, but I guess we will see.

well I guess just hope that it is a rumor but I'm just letting you know what the talk is at GL

[boudc1022]

No worries hopefully they keep it how it is, but guess there is no changing it one way or the other. Thanks for the heads up.

[AlexRiot]

well that would suck

[MacSteve]

At Great Lakes after Graduation on Friday alot were talking about it

in other words its hearsay and even if it was true, wont go into effect for quite awhile.

[Fubarjonny]

its a rumor without a doubt! because I just remember watching or reading something saying how they actaully made bootcamp a little bit shorter like its 8.5 weeks instead of 9 lol i really just dont see the reason for navy extending boot that much longer. it would cost a hell of alot more money.... BUT I COULD DEFIANTLY BE WRONG,YOU NEVER KNOW THESE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MacSteve]

they did shorten it from 9 weeks to 8.5

[ProudNavyMom/TN]

in other words its hearsay and even if it was true, wont go into effect for quite awhile.

It's not hearsay the RDC'S told the divisions they were the last to do 8 weeks new recruits going to bootcamp find out when they get there it is now 13 weeks

[secfwalks]

i dont like the sound of that cuz i leave on the 26th of this month for bootcamp

[ProudNavyMom/TN]

i dont like the sound of that cuz i leave on the 26th of this month for bootcamp

I wish you luck... and when you have time can let us all know if it is 13 weeks or not or if it just talk for the future

[Retired Navy Chief]

I haven't heard about this one .... doesn't mean anything though. They have made some changes in the way they train so it's entirely possible. Maybe some of the active duty folks can tell us if they have read anything in the Navy Times about it .... usually a pretty reliable source.

There has been a "longer bootcamp" rumor that has made it's way through the fleet many times before. I've heard it for both Navy and Army ... not sure why ... we wouldn't have been affected by it.

Regardless .... it doesn't matter ... you are signed up for 4 - 6 years anyway ... it all pays !!

cheers,
PISTOL

[secfwalks]

I wish you luck... and when you have time can let us all know if it is 13 weeks or not or if it just talk for the future

ya i will let u know when i get the chance

[biscuit]

Oh, dear. I hope it isn't that long! Though, when I get there I suppose it won't matter too much haha.

[secfwalks]

hey just found out boot camp is only 8.5 weeks, still learnin everything that u use to just goes a lil faster, but to clear everything up, BOOT CAMP IS ONLY 8.5 WEEKS!