Decisions...

[David.DiChristopher]

Hey guys, my name's David...and i've put alot of thought into the Navy...and I can choose too enlist anyime, I just want know..I just wanna ask one question..is it worth it? Is it worth leaving your family and friends for a long period of time? That's the only thing holding me back right now. I just wanna know..is it worth it?..

[thomsenIT]

Hey David,

I'm not in yet, but I can try to give some advice.

You really have to base this on your own personal situation, and what you want outta life...

Then realize there is no perfect situation in reality. If you join, there will be bad days where you'll want to be home, and if you don't join you'll have a mix of good and bad wherever you are as well.

Where do you see yourself when you're in your mid-20's? What kinda job and/or life experience would you like to have by that time?

If you end up going to some distant college, like I did, then you'll have that separation from your friends and family to deal with anyway, and you may have the kind of college experience that you see in the movies, or you might not.

Friends have a way of growing apart once you get older, and even if you choose to be around for their sake there's no telling when they may run off on their own. Family is (hopefully) always around though.

If you plan to stick around and work somewhere, then will your experience at home be enough for you to look back on fondly? Your answer to that will be different than the next guy's, likely. So listen to your gut.

If you stay at home and go to college, will you feel like you've been challenged enough, or seen enough? Could be a big 'yes', or later on it could be a regretful 'no'.

It kinda just comes down to this: these are the years of your life man, how do you want to spend them?

...If you decide to join you give up a lot, but, if it's a good decision for you personally, you'll feel like you get a lot in return.

Hope this helps.

[DK3]

Don't make a big decision like this based upon 'friends'. My experience has been they don't stick around.

You also have to remember that, especially since you will be signing your life away for four years (actually 8), you should not make the decision lightly. Joining the military is a big deal that requires a lot of dedication and responsibility on your part.

As for me, I made the right decision, I enjoyed my time in. Did I have some low times, yes, however, I would have had those regardless if I were in the Navy or not. They might not have been the same situation, but the low times would still have been around at some point. I got to see a lot of countries that I would not have otherwise seen.

[David.DiChristopher]

It is a big choice on what too do...but overall as I look on it..maybe a new start is what I need..I just want too go out and see places while I still can..and wake up every morning loving what I do..and I think the Navy is the right place for me..