Backing out of contract ?

[whatnow43]

Well, I signed up a few months back, and was rushed into picking a job and signing a contract within 20 minutes, because meps was closing.
I am suppost to ship out June, I am feeling so strongly about not going that I am willing to go to jail instead if I have to. I haven't returned my recruiters calls and eventually he stopped calling a month or two ago. I haven't gone to boot camp yet, so my question is what should I do? What are the punishments going to be? I'm really panicking but I don't want to talk to my recruiter because i'm tired of their bs and scare tactics. Any advice? :angry:

[Retired Navy Chief]

Hmmmm .... trying to figure out the real reason why you don't want to go. You said that you rushed into picking a job. Does that mean you think you rushed into joining the Navy ???

There is a distinct difference between the two .... and I want you to really think about what you mean. Be honest.

If you just don't want to work in the job field that you chose, then that can be resolved. You simply need to speak to the recruiter-in-charge at your recruiters office and have them go with you to talk to the MEPS classifier about re-classification of your job.

If you feel like you don't want to work in the Navy and rushed into that .... well, shame on YOU. You obviously saw SOMETHING positive about joining this great organization when you went through the entire process and picked a job. What was it that turned you on about the Navy in the first place ?? Why not talk to your recruiter about your concerns and let them try to resolve them and show you the pros & cons of your decision ??

Ok .... this part is gonna sound harsh, and I mean it to (but hear me out WHATNOW43, I've been there and done that a thousand times :smile:)
Whatever the source of your concern .... you made the decision to obligate your services to your country for pay. You made this decision as an ADULT. By avoiding your recruiter and your obligation, you are no longer acting like an adult, but more like a spoiled kid.

We all make choices in life that we sometimes regret ... but the trick to it is not making things worse for yourself !! You are looking at making a poor choice by ducking out that will haunt you for the rest of your life.... just to try to solve an issue that could be resolved very simply by working through it with your recruiter.

Running away NEVER solves anything, partner ... the problem is still gonna be a problem and you are gonna be real tired when it catches up with you again (and it will catch up with you).

GO TALK TO YOUR RECRUITER .... TODAY !!!

PISTOL

[whatnow43]

what problem?

[Retired Navy Chief]

The problem is you're not planning on fulfilling your voluntary enlistment.

PISTOL

[whatnow43]

ok, so what will happen to me?

[Retired Navy Chief]

More than likely ... nothing will happen to you. You can fade away and go back to doing what you were before you walked into their office. The Navy is not going to beat down your door, arrest you or anything like that because they have not wasted more than a couple hundred dollars on you by this point. That's why your recruiter hasn't called you ... why bother with someone like you when there are so many others that want to join and make something of their lives ?

However, if you ever decided to change your mind in the future and wanted to join the Navy, you will likely be denied. Maybe you could try the Army, they will take anyone who can fog a mirror.

You would be wise to make this a formal thing and speak to someone like the Recruiter-in-charge of your local office or their boss (Chief Recruiter of the district). If you have a truly valid reason why you should be allowed to back out of your agreement, then they would be able to take care of that for you so that if you did decide later on that you wanted to serve your country ... you could.

We never know what is going to happen to us a year or two from now, life throws a lot of twists at us ... it is foolish to burn your bridges by just hiding out and not taking care of your responsibilities. There may come a day when your best possible option in life is everything that the military can provide (free medical, dental, insurance, college money, 30 days PAID vacation every year, paid technical training, world travel, respect, leadership, etc)... and you will be wishing you had handled things correctly as I am advising you.

You never answered the question about what caused you to change your mind. I sure hope it will be worth it in the long run.

I'll leave it at that ... I just saw the mailman delivering my monthly Navy retirement check :biggrin:.

PISTOL

[whatnow43]

Well, to be honest with you chief I didn't really want to join. I was given an ultimatum by my father to basically join the navy or be homeless..so I was persuaded and rushed into it very quickly. I was taken down to talk to a recruiter on a friday, the following monday I was already at meps and picked a job, signed a contract and the whole deal. I had 10 minutes to finalize my job choice, and I was not given accurate information. I just feel it was a hasty decision by me, and not a very good one for ME. I'm not saying the navy isn't a great thing, and wouldn't be great for a LOT of people out there...but I just wouldn't be able to do it man.

[MacGruff]

Shame on you, Whatnow43 and even worse shame on your father!

As you can see elsewhere on this message board, my son has been trying to get in to the navy and is being denied the opportunity. While you have all the opportunity and are throwing it away.

I think your father is doing you a bum turn. Telling you to join the Navy or be thrown out of the house? I assume you are not exactly 18 anymore so he is probably frustrated that you haven't decided to do something with your life.

This is where I am in complete agreement with Chief - you need to decide on what you're going to do with your life and pursue it. Hanging around mooching off your parents is not it. Maybe the Navy is reight for you, maybe not. But that is a decision that you have to make! is it the specific job the Navy offered that you do not like now, or the whole Navy committment for four years?

Make your decision and move forward!

[Retired Navy Chief]

Well, to be honest with you chief I didn't really want to join. I was given an ultimatum by my father to basically join the navy or be homeless..so I was persuaded and rushed into it very quickly. I was taken down to talk to a recruiter on a friday, the following monday I was already at meps and picked a job, signed a contract and the whole deal. I had 10 minutes to finalize my job choice, and I was not given accurate information. I just feel it was a hasty decision by me, and not a very good one for ME. I'm not saying the navy isn't a great thing, and wouldn't be great for a LOT of people out there...but I just wouldn't be able to do it man.

Ahhhh ... ok, things are adding up now. Thank you for sticking with me on this.

That's what the recruiters call " Breaking your dinner plate". You are not the first person to have that happen, believe me. Look, if things weren't going well with dad while you are living under his roof and his rules BEFORE you joined ... what chance do you have after you duck out and don't go ?? ZILCH !!!

I agree ... you were rushed. The recruiters will agree ... you were rushed. Regardless of how rushed you were, you probably have a decent job ahead of you.

Let me ask you a few questions ... answer honestly (there will be a test later j/k)

1. What job did you take ??

2. If given the chance to do it again, at your pace this time ... what job would you want to pick ?

3. You mentioned that you were given inaccurate information .... would you mind telling me exactly what you were told and why you feel it was not accurate ??

4. Was the Navy something that you had given some thought about joining BEFORE dad told you to sign up ?

5. Other than the great opportunity that you have laying in your lap right now ...what other option do you have for your life that will ensure that you are taken care of ? Keep in mind ... dad ain't gonna do it any more, you are on your own now !!!

6. How old are you ?



Listen, I'll relate a little of my story to you so you can see why I feel so strongly about what you are doing to yourself.
21 years ago I signed up in the Navy because I didn't have much going for me in life (partying doesn't pay too well) and at the time I had a new bride to take care of. I was 19 and she was 16. I didn't have a pot to spit in (so to speak).
I went to MEPS and rushed through the process without really understanding what was actually happening (sound familiar ?)
I sat down with the classifier and gave them an idea of what I thought I wanted to do ... what I got offered was 180 degrees out from what I expected. I joined anyway and was relieved to know that I had just found a way to take care of myself and my new wife WITHOUT MY PARENTS HELP !!!
Everything was covered ... if I got sick, I got fixed ... when she got pregnant, it didn't cost us a dime, if I wanted to take a computer class, it was paid for, if I wanted to take my wife to Hawaii, we could hop a military flight and just go ... FOR FREE (I later moved her there for 4 years and made some serious brownie points :angel:)

Later on, when I went to bootcamp ... I got "buyers remorse" and started feeling exactly like you are feeling now. I wanted out so bad that I was considering going AWOL from bootcamp ... didn't care about the consequences, but I knew I had a responsibility to take care of despite how much I really didn't want to.
Before I knew it, bootcamp was over and I was beginning my technical training ... WOW, what a difference !!! I was making good money, I was learning a very valuable trade (one that actually got me the job I currently have today, making more than enough money for all my needs) and the best part was that I was doing things and going places that my friends back home could only dream of.

20 years later I finally hung up my hat. But if given the chance to do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat because I know what it can do for a young man like you. Give it a shot ... what have you got to lose ?? You are going to have to work somewhere for the next few years aren't you ?? Might as well have fun, learn things, meet people, go places and come out a better man than you went in !!!

I have 1 daughter & 3 sons of my own ... one of my boys may even be your age, and I would give them the exact same advice as I am giving you.
I'm standing by for the answers to the questions ....

PISTOL

[whatnow43]

Well, I scored very well on my asvab and I was offered a very limited amount of jobs.. 1 reason being bad eyesight and the other being the navy having plenty of people.

1. What job did you take ??

I can't remember the exact term of it, but it was basically a warehouse manager.

2. If given the chance to do it again, at your pace this time ... what job would you want to pick ?

I really wanted to do MP, but due to my bad eyesight I wasn't allowed. I was told I could have laser eye surgery and switch jobs very soon, later found out that the whole process wouldn't happen soon, but after a year or MORE of working my current job. Anything computer related, but like I said I had about 15 job choices because EVERYTHING was taken. I scored a 93 on my asvab.


3. You mentioned that you were given inaccurate information .... would you mind telling me exactly what you were told and why you feel it was not accurate ??

Again, about the jobs. I was told it would be alot easier to switch jobs then it seems to be. Also, before I went to meps I was told I would get a nice bonus with a asvab score like I did in the practice if I could match it in the real test, which I surpassed it. I received no bonus, while people joining the army who scored a lower asvab were getting a 10,000 bonus. Everyone says, well its the army they're getting that for the family because they're gonna die in Iraq or whatever.. I don't care I would like some kind of bonus for myself too. The recruiter says bs like "so that's all you care about is the money" No it's not all I care about but it would defintley be nice. And a good job that I will enjoy.



4. Was the Navy something that you had given some thought about joining BEFORE dad told you to sign up ?



No, the only reason I would ever consider it because my grandfather was in the Navy. And my Grandfather raised me my whole life, like I was his son. I've only been living with my father for about 6 months.(out of my whole life, the past 6 months only.) My grandfather was the most AMAZING man, and I just hope i can be half the man he was one day..



5. Other than the great opportunity that you have laying in your lap right now ...what other option do you have for your life that will ensure that you are taken care of ? Keep in mind ... dad ain't gonna do it any more, you are on your own now !!!

Well, I do have dreams that I still want to pursue.. nothing is for sure taken care of, not much is in this world. I am apart of a union for carpenters, and do make good money when there is work, but yes it is extremely hard work...that's why the pay is good. One thing holding me back, is some speeding tickets that I got when I was younger, that i never took of unfortunately. Was young and dumb and didn't understand the consequences and had nobody to tell me about what will happen. Now the sum of these tickets are ALOT of money that I don't have, and I don't have a car to go to comm. service. because of this, this was the main reason for me considering the navy.

6. How old are you ?

I turned 22 last November. I know everything is pointing for me to go do something with my life, because I'm not going to be able to do it in this town. I have been giving alot of thought about Job Corps.

There's no doubting the Navy will do SO much for me, but there is something holding me back...I don't want to give up some of the few things that I actually enjoy in life. I would rather go to Job Corps for maybe a year, learn comp programming and get out and get a job. I DO NOT WANT to be stuck on a submarine for 4 maybe 8 years of my life, but your story does make me re-consider it. GOSH I dont know what to do with my life, on one hand i want to do it. And on the other I can't help but think what if I pursued my dream or what would have happened ?

[Retired Navy Chief]

Bryan,

You are a very articulate young man .... and you are getting your dilema across very well.

It sounds like you have signed as a Storekeeper (SK). Nothing wrong with the job, but obviously NOT your primary choice. I call them "Box Kickers" :evil:. This is a highly responsible job. I have seen 20 year olds in charge of managing over $2.5 million worth of supplies. Their friends back home are working the grill at McDonalds.

There are several jobs that do require good eyesight, and unfortunately those are the ones that most people want to do. What is the issue with your eyes .... color-deficiency or poor focus (near / far sighted) ?? You said that you could get laser surgery, so I am assuming that it is the latter.
The procedure is getting cheaper for the civilian economy but still pretty high. They do it for free in the military. I was in line to get mine done through the Army but they required that I have at least 1 year left on my enlistment. I was scheduled to retire w/in 9 months.

The opportunity for you to change your job choice is real. There are a few times when this could be done (not saying that it is a guarantee ... the needs of the Navy come first, then the needs of the sailor).

The first opportunity is right now ... while you are in DEP. You walk in to your recruiters office and let them know WHY you have fallen off the edge of the map and not returned calls. Let them know that you are unhappy with your job choice and that you would like to have them contact the classifiers to see if there is another suitable job coming up that you are qualified for. I have personally seen this happen with one of my own Deppers and as long as they know that you are still planning on fulfilling your service, they will be inclined to work with you.

The next opportunity will be at bootcamp. Your record is reviewed while you are there and there can be job swaps done at that time. Most of the time, this is when people with high asvabs are pulled in to another classifiers office to see if they can be talked into going into the nuke program or things like that. The people with outstanding physical fitness are given the opportunity to align themselves with a SEAL or diving program. If the fact that you want to change your job is well do***ented, you will be approached at this time.

The next opportunity will be after you are out in the fleet. By this time you will have completed your technical school in your current field. This is more difficult to do at this point ... but it can be done. You will probably be required to work in your job field for a minimum of 1 year before you will be allowed to submit for a job change. This is called a "Lateral Conversion". I did this after I had been in for 10 years. I was a machinist (Machinery Repairman) and wanted a job with better advancement opportunities, so I cross-rated to Damage Controlman. I would not advise waiting to swap jobs this late in your career as they really don't think they will get their money's worth. I even pulled a tour as a Master-At-Arms for a SEAL unit .... but I am NOT classified as a master-at-arms (you called it MP).

In the end, you may find that you actually enjoy the storekeeping rate and choose to stay there. There are LOTS of job opportunities for this type of job training after you complete your enlistment. I can discuss that with you in depth at a later date if you would like.

The Sign-on Bonus deal ..... a very touchy subject for a lot of career military. Most of us didn't get a dime when we joined, some went an entire career without any kind of bonus and simply stayed because it was the right thing to do, not because they were swayed by the almighty dollar. I realize that they are paying big money to lure people into serving ... and if you luck into one of those jobs GREAT, have fun with it. But using that bonus as a deciding factor for joining the Navy is not a good plan. I was not paid a sign-on bonus but I did get a re-enlistment bonus 4 years later. I landed in Honolulu Hawaii with $20k in my pocket and a map to the nearest Harley shop. First new thing I had ever bought .... thank you Uncle Sam !!!

You mentioned your grandfather was a sailor ... that was back when things were a lot harder in the Navy, even by my standards. What do you think he would advise you to do ??? Do you honestly think he would tell you to slink out and dodge responsibility ? I highly doubt it. WWGD ?? (What Would Grampa Do ?)

Sounds like you have enough issues with your dad as it is ... I won't comment much on that other than to say .... you are 22 years old Bryan, and are your own man. You should be doing everything for yourself by this point and currently are set up with a plan to do that very thing. I would suggest that you keep going on your plotted course with the Navy and make things happen for yourself ... by yourself !!

I know enough about the carpentry field to know that it is an honorable profession, but it is one that will make you old before your time. My neighbor has been a carpenter his entire life, pretty good one too. He is struggling to support his family because there just isn't enough work to go around. I have been trying to get him hired on at my company but unfortunately, carpentry is all he knows.
That is one of the biggest advantages that the Navy has over any other job in the world ..... you can learn whatever you want to learn. I have picked up so many different skills during my career, that I will never be without work.

Job Corp .... yep, I have something to input about that as well. My oldest son went to Job Corps to become a welder. He was trained as a welder ... but that's it. They will accept people up to 26 y/o .... but in my opinion, over 21 is too old. The main body of the students there are in the 17-19 range. Job Corps will give you training, the Navy will give you a career !! You want computer training ?? What kind ?? Using them or actually building & programming ?? Your opportunities will be far greater in the Navy (even in your current job field).

Here's an idea for you .... why not use the Navy's Tuition Assistance program to take college classes for what you want to learn ?? Doesn't matter where you may be assigned .... even on a submarine people take college classes all the time.
Later on, you can use your GI Bill to continue your education. I have all of my GI Bill money waiting on me to make up my mind what I want to learn. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

As far as being put on a submarine .... I completely follow you on that one. You couldn't pay me enough to do that. I took a tour of a nuke sub once ... SSBN. The CO said that if that sub was a nation, it would be the 3rd strongest nuclear nation in the world !! Those boys sure eat good though .... I never got fresh baked cookies on any of the ships I was on :LforLoser:.

Either way .... you would have to volunteer for sub duty .... so you are safe.

Your multiple speeding tickets and their fines ... did you run into any issues with the pending fines ?? Do you need to have them paid before you ship to bootcamp ?? You said that you were "young and dumb and didn't understand the consequences and had nobody to tell me about what will happen" .... well you know what you need to do now, so what are you going to do about it ??
Again ... you are 22. Noone is going to lead you by the hand and take care of you. You need to do the research, find out the right thing to do and not do the opposite !!! This deal with the Navy is yet another example of you making a poor decision because you aren't being your own man. You will learn these skills and many more in the Navy ... I GUARANTEE IT !!!


Lastly, your most poignant and revealing statements yet ...
"There's no doubting the Navy will do SO much for me"
...... and ....
"and I don't have a car to go to comm. service. because of this, this was the main reason for me considering the navy."

You have nowhere to go from here but up, Bryan. You just need to make the right decision, listen to the people who want the best for you. Don't listen to your buddies who are in the same boat as you right now ... they will only keep you on their level.

You can do it ... everyone on this site has faith in you. You just need to have faith in yourself. That "something" that is holding you back is called FEAR. It is a complete waste of time for you to fear success.

Sorry for the novel ... but I wouldn't spend the time on you if I didn't think you were worth it.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[Kristie]

Wow....Bryan....Pistol has some great advise for you and I would really listen to what he is saying.....the Navy was the best thing for my 2 kids and they now have a much more secure future than they would have had staying here....listen to the advise given and talk to your recuriter.....the Navy has been very good to my kids and my husband is former Navy and would go back today if he had the chance to....

[Michaelsmom]

Again WOW, you have been given great information. Good job Pistol!!!
Bryan, Believe me when I say that the Navy would change your life for the better. You need a leg up and they can give it to you and all it takes is a little hard work on your part. You will go into boot camp having no direction and come out of boot camp standing taller and with pride KNOWING that you have done the right thing. A 96 on the ASVAB is amazing, you must have something going for you, use your head on this one and do something that will improve yourself and your life!!
I can't wait to read your post once you have graduated from boot camp. Believe me you will want to shake Pistol's hand for CHANGING your life!!!

[NavyMomx2]

Bryan -

Here's another two cents for what it is worth...

My son, in a similar boat as you (no pun intended), going no where fast, was given this choice: By summer either be signed up for college or enlisted in the military. This was my way of "breaking the dinner plate." It's tough to say the least - I love him like no tomorrow, but come on already...something had to get him moving in the right direction and he wasn't doing it on his own and always had an excuse as to why he hadn't, couldn't shouldn't...you get the picture.

So, he took the challenge and joined the Navy. I can honestly say the Navy does FANTASTIC work. He is focused and extremly happy in what he is doing (Mass Communications Specialist) and in May he will be going to Japan. While at home, his best friend is still living with mom and dad, going to college to get his 'basics', working at Target, and going no where fast. My son has done more in the last 9 months than any of his friends will do in 4 years of college. He has such a bright future ahead of him. He gets to travel, has all his medical paid for (which is good, he is kind of accident prone), and has college money waiting for him when he decides it is time to leave the Navy.

I as a parent, couldn't be more proud of him. He has grown dramaticaly and I can't stress enough to you, four or five years is nothing in the big picture. Take this challenge - my mom sense says you'll be happy you did. Your grandpa will be so proud that you followed in his footsteps, stood up to be a man and became one of the best - a United States Sailor.

[Michaelsmom]

OH!!! I forgot to mention the travel. My son graduated boot camp in November 2006, he reported to his ship January 2007. He just completed his first deployment with port visits to Spain, Italy, Cypress, Jordan, Bahrain, Israel, and Dubai. All the while his buddies are here at home...doing the same old thing!!!
Join the Navy, see the world and make your family proud of you!!!!

[Retired Navy Chief]

It's definately encouraging to hear of all the success stories !! Of course, the most important ingredient to this is "Common Sense". Some people have it and some were just missing that gene.

The fact that my friend Mr. Bryan has made his share of mistakes but is smart enough to recognize where he went wrong in the first place, puts him a step ahead of a lot of people. He had sense enough to seek out answers & information when he found that he was in this predicament ... another point in his favor. All that is left for him to do is to put two & two together and make things happen for the better.

You might be surprised how many of our young sailors get into problems while they are in the early part of their first enlistments .... and lose their common sense. A lot of times they choose to take no action because they A) Figure that it will just "magically go away" when they deploy .... or B) Think that their Chief is going to flat out kill them if he/she finds out. (been known to come close but never actually killed anyone :biggrin:).

I wish I could get a copy of the training video "The first 72 hours" to post on here. It shows our leaders just how important it is to start our young sailors off on the right foot as soon as they come to us ... and not let them get lost in the shuffle and hook up with the wrong crowd.
They show a sharp looking and definately motivated young sailor just reporting to his first ship ... the Chief is too busy so he passes him on to the Leading Petty Officer who in turn dumps him on to some obnoxious Third Class Petty Officer to get this new sailor settled in for the night. Naturally, it isn't done right and the new guy has no bedding, doesn't know where to find anything on the ship. The first friendly face he meets is the ships dirtbag who is restricted to the ship for whatever reason.
This dirtbag REALLY takes care of the new guy :rolleyes: and gets him settled into the wrong routine right off the bat ..... so on and so forth, you get the picture.

That being said, parents & spouses .... please keep the lines of communications open with your new sailors and keep talking about what is going on in their lives. If you do this on your end and their chain-of-command does it on that end ... we can make a course correction and life should turn out good for everyone !!

Can't wait to hear back from Bryan to hear what he decided to do.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[Kristie]

You might be surprised how many of our young sailors get into problems while they are in the early part of their first enlistments .... and lose their common sense. A lot of times they choose to take no action because they A) Figure that it will just "magically go away" when they deploy .... or B) Think that their Chief is going to flat out kill them if he/she finds out. (been known to come close but never actually killed anyone :biggrin:).



Boy did you get this one right....my son has had his cell phone turned off because of non payment and his dad and I keep telling him....just call them and make arrangements.....but he is not listening....now it is at the point where I am sure the Captain will find out and he will have to go see him....yikes.....I wish he would find his brains.....his finances are in a mess.....

[Retired Navy Chief]

Yep ... a Letter of Indebtedness to the CO is not fun. Been there, done that with a few of my sailors.

I hope someone is letting him know about the free financial counseling offered and warning him against going to the "Payday Loan" sharks out there who are just waiting for him to help get him out of debt :rolleyes:. Worst kind of people in the world ... next to lawyers and politicians.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[rysmum59]

Bryan...I have been reading down thru the posts and Pistol has given you some very good things to think about!!!! You mentioned that your Dad gave you the choice either join the Navy or leave...Well I have to say from a parents point of view he just wants you to have a good life with a good career. I have 2 sons and what I told them was that they could live at home as long as they were going to college if they did not plan to do that then they HAD to join the military and do something with their lifes!!!! We as parents just want what is best for our kids we don't want to see them punished!!!!! The night before my oldest son left for bootcamp I thought my heart would literally break and as a Mom I told him "you don't have to do this" and his response was yes I do Mom I am a man now and have to move on and he was 18 at that time. He went into the Navy and did well at bootcamp and begin his service to his country he LOVED what he was doing and then 3 years into his contract he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was heart broken that he would not be able to continue his Navy career. He was able to get all the medical treatment that he needed and is now fine..Had he been working a mimimum wage job the medical bills that he would have had to pay would have been astronomical!!! But being that he was in the Navy it was all covered. And now thanks to his training in the Navy has a VERY good job that pays well and he does not have to depend on anyone for what he whats out of life. Now my other son was a VERY intelligent young man but just see himself being disciplined enough to do the "college thing" so off he went to Navy bootcamp and he is loving it in the Navy he has a monthly check coming in is getting a free education in the Nuclear field and is very content with his decision!!! I guess what you need to decide is where do you want to be 10 years from now??? The bootcamp thing is not all the Navy is about...it is about education...making friends..and have a sense of pride in what you are doing..I say go for it you may just surprise yourself!!! best of luck to you...:eterollll:

[Johnsgmom]

Brian-Hope you listen to Pistol, he gave you excellent advise. My gson age 19 at the time was in a bad place, he was on a path of destruction. He was given the choice to enlist in the military or go back to school, so he chose the Navy. That was the best choice he ever made. He passed the ASAVB & physical, was sworn in 8/06 and left for bc 3/6/06. I think he had a lot of the same feelings you have, but he went off to bc. When we went for PIR 4/28/06 we couldn't believe it was the same person. The time at bc changed him from a little boy to a young man. It was like magic!! He wanted to be a MA but was talked into the submarine force. He went to A school in Groton and is currently in Portsmouth Va. He has been underway twice and received his Dolphins. None of these positive things would have happened if he would have continued to stay at home. A couple of his buddies have been incarcerated and some of the other guys are working low paying jobs. My gson is proud of what he is doing and proud to be a sailor.

Best of luck
Johnsgmom

[Sirhcrod]

Brian - Let me just start by saying I know exactly the kind of situation you're in, and I know how hard it is to make the final leap.

I too had to 'make a decision' as to where I was going to go with my life, and that decision was initially to go into college. I am a highschool non-grad (GED) who was enrolled in college as a pre-medical student. After just one semester I had all of my financial support pulled, and several events basically put my forward moving life at a stand-still. The Navy was always in the back of my mind since high school and with the current situation that I was placed in, I felt like the Navy would possibly be the best choice for me again.

I spent a VERY long time doing personal research, looking at different rates, learning about the promotional system, and the list could go on forever. Let's just say that by the time I finished doing research, I could probably have been qualified as a recruiter.

No one wanted me to go into the military for a lot of reasons, but I ignored them. I learned so much by talking to people who were in the military, reading blogs, and trolling forums like this one. I learned that I could pursue my educational goals (which have changed from pre-medical) WHILE enlisted. Free!! Then when I get out, I have a nice and shiny GI Bill waiting for me to continue with my education. And the benefits... I don't know if you have medical right now or not, because if you're 22 and not a student, I don't think you'd still be under your parents. But if not, I think you know how valuable free medical/dental really is.

But the part that was the most important to me was the experience. Why not the army, marines, or airforce? Because to me the Navy seems like I will be able to go out and see more of the world. Like several parents have said here, I will be going to places like Japan, Italy, Australia, the Phillipines, and FAR more places while my friends are stuck here flipping burgers and moving furniture to pay for their textbooks next semester. And the training will be absolutely priceless. I am going in as an IT, and this field will always be demanding more people.

One thing to remember, you will be coming out of the Navy with experience and college credits, whether you're in for 4 years or 20 years. You will be able to land a great paying job when you get out, and have the resources to further your education and make even more money later.


I know this is going on forever but I really feel like helping you out is worth my effort. About the bonus thing, and being rushed... I understand how you feel about being rushed at MEPS, because I was as well. The classifier asked me what I would like to do; "I'm very good with computers, and I am very interested in the intelligence field." "How would u like to be in weaponry maintenance?" What?? Turns out these classifiers need to fill certain positions. They can't force you to pick a rate you don't want, but they will damn sure try. I think since you were confused to begin with, and frazzled from being rushed that you kind of stumbled into whatever rate he needed people in. The way my recruiter put it was this; "The classifier is like a car salesman. He has certain things he needs to get rid of and he will try to sell them to you no matter what. If you go in there knowing exactly what you want, you'll come out happy." The best advice I've heard about picking a rate, hands down.

Talk to your recruiter Brian. I know firsthand that there are a ton of computer-based rates within the Navy and if you let your recruiter know that you want to be in on of those rates, he can make it happen for you.

[pwilson]

Wow ! Boy this story sure hit's home. My son is in the DEP . Well it started in high school. He was having so many problem's with school he was in the ROTC and Lettered in band. But when it come to certain subject's he just could not grasp thing's so at a cost of 6000.00 he went through tutoring and sylvan center and so forth . wellhe was doing good and then quit school in the 12th grade. He immediately went for his GED and passed.. But from that point on he was just wandering around ... one minute e was wanting to join the coast guard all because of the sign on bonus...... and i told him if that was the only reason he wanted to join to forget it.... we need people who are there cause htey want to be there nd not for the money...... so that changed in a couple weeks and then one day he was going to move to michigan where a friend lived , next he wanted to move to atlanta .... then it was florida.... wow i told him " son you have got to get some direction in your life .... He even went to collage with full tuition paid to be a mechanic.... well that lasted one semester..... next thing i know he was going into th navy and i talked to him about why he wanted to join... and when i saw that light in his eye i knew right then and there that my son had finally found his niche in life...... He is soooo nervous and scared but he want's this really bad..... so he goes to MEPS and scores high enough on his ASVAB that he could pick any job the navy had to offer except NUKE because he was a GED and not high school graduate.... so my son decided he wanted to do the one thing he always dreamed of and that is being a pilot..... he had his heart set on being a naval pilot..... well during the process he found out he was color blind and they told him he had limited thing's he could doand so my son picked Aviation Maintenance Administrator which yea from my understanding he will be sitting at a desk alot..... but at least he found something he could do dealing with airplanes and didn't give up ....... he is excited and looking forward to his career in the navy and i am so proud of him cause he made up his mind and is going forward with it and not backing out like he has been doing.....He always started something and then would quit but not now..... he has such good spirit and attitude that it is unreal ... He says to me " mom i am gonna be the best.... I am goingto graduate A school at the top of my class" I saidto him "son i am so proud of you and you can do I know you can as long as you set your mind to it ...."
Brian , at 22 you got to start making your own choices and when you do STICK to it.... The navy has sooooo very much to offer a young person.... if you end it like this i agree with pistol you will regret it later ;on ....
take care and i will be praying for you and that you will make the right choice for YOU!
your friend , Pam

[Retired Navy Chief]

Haven't heard from this young man in a long time .... sure hope he found the answers that he was looking for.

I love hearing all of the success stories from the parents here. Sure give a well rounded perspective for anyone with questions about the Navy.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[pwilson]

Yes Pistol I agree with you..... It is amazing when people think their story is unique and then u find out that there are so many young boys/girls out there with the same story...I hope also that he got what answer's he came for ............. Either that or he got upset with what he did get.... But the truth is the truth. I am so glad my son found his direction and is sticking with it .... He is talking about making a career out of this .....