I need your insider input....please

[goblue]

So I've gone through and read most of the threads that might be considered similar, however I still feel my situation is unique and would greatly appreciate your input to help me make my decision.
I am 25. I have a college degree. I currently have some very promising prospects for my future; an amazing girlfriend, job offers, my own start up business with potential, I live at the beach, have a blast with friends, travel etc etc.
There’s a major problem though, and excuse my language, but I'm bored out of my f#ckin' skull.
I thirst for adventure and unique life experiences like a plant thirsts for water and sun. I need it to grow. Scratch that, I need it to live.
But I've ALWAYS wanted to serve my country, I've ALWAYS wanted a military background and I feel that I could contribute greatly to the military and that I could benefit greatly from the military and subsequent discipline.
Its somewhat ironic because I cherish my freedom so very much that I would be willing to risk my life in order to ensure that for my fellow Americans, but at the same time I fear my freedoms being taken away by joining.
I know I would have some amazing experiences and adventures with the Navy, but being able to just get up, pack a bag and take off to a foreign country or drive across the states for a month or so, at the drop of a hat, is why I get up in the morning, its what I'm all about. Just knowing I can do that, then every once in a while actually doing it, that just means so much to me. I don’t know if I could give that up. Same reason I haven’t gone the "career" route. Those people who commute to a cubicle for 8 hours a day 5 days a week for 2 weeks vacation every year...they might as well be dead in my opinion. That’s not life, that’s existence.
I'm sorry for driveling on, I guess what I'm getting at is; Is life in the Navy a life? Or is it existence? the same in the civilian world just more boss's? Am I going to suffocate in the Navy? Or will I be filled with a sense of duty, commitment, honor, pride and end up going career?
I want to be a Naval officer so bad I can taste it, but signing on that dotted line for 6 years or more of my life...just scares the pi$$ out of me. I'm not scared of our enemies, I'm scared of a lack of freedom.
I could go on and on about how torn I am and go over all the pro's and con's I see, but I think you more than get the picture.
To sum it all up; I have a pretty good idea of what civilian life can offer me, but reality is I don’t know all that much about Navy life....so whatever you can share, given a brief insight into my psyche, I will be most grateful.

[KYmom]

Welcome,
Wish I could help you, but I know who can.


PISTOL ! ! ! ! he needs your help. . . . . .

[Retired Navy Chief]

Geez Goblue ... your post looks like it came from a Navy recruiting campaign !! (Where were you 12 years ago when I was a recruiter ??? I could've made my quota every month with you by my side hahahahaha)

First things first ... tell me about your degree. What is it, do you want to actually put it to use as a career ... etc.

I totally understand the thirst for adventure ... been there, done that. Yes, there is definately a solution for that in the Navy (several of them actually). However .... there is something very important that I want you to consider before you run off and sign on the dotted line.

You mentioned that you fear your freedoms taken away by joining ... I assume this mainly refers to being able to drop what you are doing and split for an adventure ... worried that you'll be stuck working until someone "allows" you to go do your thing. Am I close ??

Please understand that unless you are a CEO, you will be in this same dilema pretty much wherever you go. We all answer to someone or some purpose that will keep us in line ... military is no different.
The trick to it is finding a job that infuses the adventure into your daily routine ... which is where I believe you are at right now, trying to find the right job. Yes, there are jobs in the Navy that are mundane and repetitive. Yes, there are jobs that are adventurous, dangerous and require a different kind of person to do (maybe you ?) It is all what YOU agree to do and what YOU make of it.

During my 20+ years in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club there were times that I was just punching a clock and living the status quo ... but more often than not, I was out seeing things that most people don't, doing things that most people don't and actually enjoying the very freedom that I was serving to protect.

Will the Navy life be too confining for you ??? At first ... YES, IT DAMN SURE WILL !!! It is for almost everyone ... Bootcamp and Officer Candidate School is specifically designed that way. You have no life except the one they give you for entire time you are there. Once you accept it for what it is and see the actual purposes behind it ... you will do just fine.
After that, the more "adventurous" jobs ... ie jet pilots, SEALs, SWCC, divers, EOD, Intelligence etc ... require extensive training as you can imagine and with that training comes extensive discipline. That is where some people feel the loss of freedom that you mentioned earlier. Again, once you see the purpose behind it you will accept it for what it is.

I have seen people actually drop out of some cool programs because they weren't mature enough to understand the give and take that needs to go on in order to make their dreams happen. You being 25y/o, should be at the proper maturity level :cool:.

You appear to be adept at doing research ... so speak with BOTH an Officer's Programs Recruiter as well as an Enlisted Recruiter. Find out what is possible on both sides of the fence and stress to them the fact that you don't want to work at the cubicle farm ... you want adventure !!
Don't limit yourself to just going officer just because you "have a degree". That way of thinking will limit your choices. Granted, enlisted pay is not the greatest and you may be able to make more other ways but that may/may not be your deciding factor ... wasn't for me.

Please tell us more about what type of things you enjoy doing for hobbies, where you could see yourself in the Navy and if you would, tell us about what jobs you have held so far.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[Retired Navy Chief]

Another thought .... have you looked a the pics and stories on the from page of this site ??? The ones starting with Aviation Machinists Mate 3rd Class Matthew Strand, assigned to the "Dusty Dogs" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 7, repairs the blades of an SH-60 Seahawk aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) ..... these things are what we do on a daily basis in the Navy. Nothing mundane about it.

Humanitarian airlifts, launching aircraft off of a carrier in the middle of the ocean, liberating countries .... you name it.

Have a great Navy day !!
PISTOL

[MacGruff]

You may also want to go to the PBS web site and download/view the series "Carrier" that recently aired. It will show you a slice of life for some members of the crew of the Nimitz as they went out on deployment three years ago. If you look and listen carefully, you will gain a very good appreciated for what life is like in a navy ship and what some of the jobs (officers or enlisted) entail.

Good luck with your decision, and please keep us informed!

[goblue]

Ok, THANK YOU Pistol, or Chief, or Chief Pistol?
I hope I address all your points here;
My degree is a hybrid of ecology, environmental science, environmental law and environmental policy obtained from two respected public universities out here in California in 2005.
I had hoped to stay somewhat along the scientific lines and go Oceanography. I still can but I need to take two classes; calc and calc-bases physics, which would put me back another year or two. Another option I was thinking about was meteorology.
My Officer recruiter has introduced the idea of being a pilot. I have never had any desire to be a pilot, but the idea is really starting to grow on me.
The enlisted recruiter(so yes I have talked extensively with both) is pushing me to go Nuke. But I think he is basing that largely on my test scores and the enormous signing bonuses (plus I think a bit what he wished he did) as oppose to what I actually have interest in, which is definitely not nuke.
You hit the nail on the head with your summation of my fear of being pinned down.
I've been pretty fortunate these past couple years in that I have run my own couple businesses that has afforded me the opportunities (now this gets into my interests and hobbies) to do what I enjoy; travel - I have been to 5 continents and over two dozen countries, surf - which is a huge part of my life, hike/backpack, kayak, white water rafting, camping etc. I played every sport but water polo growing up and would consider myself athletic although I'm much stronger than I am nimble.
I was employed by an Engineering Firm right out of college and did that for 8 months. Even though I had no real office to report to (worked in the field and prepared reports at home) I still hated reporting and answering to people. I've worked for myself ever since, but I feel like its too comfortable; too easy. I'm getting softer and not using much of my ability. I need a challenge.
I understand completely that the training phase will be very limiting, and I think I can handle that because it will all be new and challenging and I love to learn, its just the "career" phase I worry about.
Lets see...what other things did you ask about...Okay, jobs; how far back should I go? I've worked since I was 11 or 12. I've done security, grocery bagging, catering(x2), checker, valet, taught surf lessons, server, maintenance at a public beach, personal trainer, lifeguard, bouncer(x3), bartender(x2)...and that was all while I was in school. Actually I still bartend a couple days a week.
Some other points that have bearing on things; I have had two reconstructive surgeries on my ankle after being hit by a car (still have some hardware in there), I had a DUI on my 20th birthday but won my DMV hearing because it was bull$h!t cir***stances why I got it, I'm 6'5" 260 so I think being a SEAL or SWCC is pretty much out (my understanding is that the pass rate for big guys is pretty much zero).
I think that’s about it...let me know if I can answer any other questions that can help you help me, haha.
Thanks again.

[sweetmtn]

I would think that the "hardware" in your ankle will require you to get a waiver for what ever yu choose to do.

[Retired Navy Chief]

Real good ... thanks for the details. I am a little concerned about the hardware in your ankle ... I have seen it go both ways, and even had one applicant get the pins removed before they would approve him. Depends on what is still in there and what you are able to do with it. Basically ... you need to be fully functional with full range of movement and ZERO limitations.

I really don't think you will have any problem making it through basic / OCS & subsequent training. You appear to have the drive to accomplish.
Just getting in the door may be your primary obstacle.

Your size may or may not be a factor in special warfare. The SEALs that I worked with were on the whole ... average size men. There were a few big un's who are primarily used as breachers (kicking down doors and kicking butt) ... they seemed a little slow on the running trail but made up for it in other areas. Drive and determination would be key for that. One SEAL buddy of mine (a senior chief) is every bit as big as you ... mellowest man I have ever met until he had a reason NOT to be ... then look out !!

SWCC is a different story. I would think that a guy of your size would do fine there. I have helped haul around some of the boat team gear and wished that I had size !! Lots of physical pounding on those rhib boats ... rough on the back and joints after a while. Definately a thrill a minute ... combine skydiving with strapping yourself in some of the baddest boats around and driving them as fast as humanly possible in the open ocean !! Good times :biggrin:.

The pilot thing would be a good gig, even if it is a helo jockey ... how's your vision ?? Color blind ??

I'm not sure that you would be even remotely interested in being a nuke. It appears that you thrive on variety ... nukes deal with nuke stuff ... period. My opinion only, and I'm not a nuke ... so take it for what it's worth.

I guess I would suggest that you gather up your medical do***entation on your ankle, take it to your recruiter and see if that will preclude you from entering the Navy BEFORE you get too wrapped around the axles on finding the perfect job in the Navy. The recruiter can submit your do***ents for review by the MEPs doctors.

With your college background, you might also look into working with the dolphins. We use them for locating mines on ships and in waterways. They do a lot more than that but my knowledge of the specifics is limited. My son got to visit them out in San Diego and spoke with a few of the handlers. That would be a good segway into your final requirements for your degree ... using Uncle Sam's tuition assistance to help pick up the tab.

Hope this helps ... please keep us informed on what you find out. I wish you lots of luck.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[goblue]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate you taking the time and answering my questions thoroughly. Its been a huge help.
The hardware is two screws that broke while they were trying to remove them. So two screw ends(about 1-1.5") are embedded in my Tibia. I can function as I could prior to the accident. (just need to lose weight)
My eyes are not 20/20 but I'm not color blind. I told this to my recruiter and was told "it doesnt matter". Apparently the NAVY will help fix any problems?
Do you have any more information on the dolphins? I couldnt find anything through my own research. Sounds right up my alley though!
Thanks again.

[Retired Navy Chief]

I'll see if I can get ahold of some of my diver buddies to see what I can dig up on the dolphins. May take a few days ...

I believe slight vision problems can be corrected with special lenses on the helmets (to some extent) and/or lasix surgery but the color blindness is hard to get around especially for the fighter pilots. I can't speak too much on this because I really don't know enough about it ... don't want you to get bum info.

Cheers,
PISTOL

[Tyler's Dad]

Don't be lured by the Nuke bonus, unless you really love to study. You mentioned your weight- you will need to drop about 30 lbs to get in. Overall, you sound like a nice guy, but I don't think that the infrequent exotic travel will suffice your wanderlust. The day to day stuff may deter you as well. If your business thrives, use your free time for fun travel. Whatever you decide, thanks for at least considering the Navy.

[KYmom]

Bring this post back to life for the new guy

[goblue]

I was in a bad surfing accident in Hawaii and had 12 plates and about26 screws places in my face in an emergency reconstructive surgery. Am I still good?