Why did you join the Navy ???

[Retired Navy Chief]

This is thread is meant for those of you who have already acted upon your decision to join the Worlds Greatest Navy and are either Active Duty or are currently in the Delayed Entry Program.

I am hoping that you will share your primary motivation for taking the oath of enlistment .... for the benefit of those who may be sitting on the fence right now, weighing the pro's and cons of naval service.


As a start ... my main motivation was two-fold.
First, I wanted to learn a trade. If you've ever looked for work ... they all want experience, but noone wants to be the place that helps you gain that experience. The Navy offered the best training program out there and I got paid while they trained me ... cool deal !!

Secondly ... I was a newly married and my wife and I wanted to start a family. Couldn't see that happening on the money I was making at the time ... especially when I heard about how expensive having a baby was !! Couldn't beat the medical benefits that the military offered not only for me but for my entire family. Cool thing about it ... my oldest son is 20 years old and he is still covered. It still amazes me how great of a decision that was.


Ok ... the rest of you ... lets hear it. What's YOUR story ???

Cheers,
PISTOL

[cousinIT]

I joined the Navy after I quit college. I was working and going to school full time and it just got too hard, and I was tired of school. I also joined to get away from my hometown. All my friends that are still there are married and have kids; I didn't want the same to happen to me. I wanted to see the world and travel, and hey, get an education from the Navy! The pay's not too bad either...I dont have to worry about medical, dental...I dont have any bills...I dont have rent or utility bills or have to worry about grocery bills. Granted, I should save more....................

I just wanted something different than what my friends have. I wanted to have a life!

[cousinIT]

Oh!

I forgot the best parts...I live in Japan...cool, but I do miss home a lot...I've been to different parts of Japan, Hong Kong, Guam, Hawaii x2 and we're about to be in San Diego. A lot of my friends have never even left Texas! I love the travel part, too.