Navy Bound-Hopefully

[JessRae]

Hello everyone-my name is Jess and I am currently speaking with a recruiter about joining the Navy. I am still undecided about going Reserves or full time....and I am very confused about the layoffs and how they would affect me for the future. Any help would be appreciated

[Boats]

well Welcome...why don't you know if you wanna go active or reserves???...and as far as the navy cutting people..it won't effect you until you get bout 6 yrs into the navy. or at least your first enlistment you won't have to worry bout anything happening too you....

[JessRae]

Well I guess I dont know if I wanna go full time and up and move my family completely changing everything or if I wanna go part time...if I go full time I wanna have something long term career wise and if several years down the road they lay people off, then where do I stand? Just makes me nervous for job and retirement security you know? Why is it only affecting people after 6-10 yrs in?? I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, so later I would like to work my way to officer status...people are telling me it is better to go enlisted and not the officer route right off the bat...what do you think?

[Boats]

you can always go from enlisted to Officer if you want to...but you can't ever go from officer to Enlisted. Me I'm Glad I'm Not a officer too much paper work to do. I know now that I'm getting up there in rate that I will have to start doing more..and that's Fine with me but I'd rather be out and doing stuff. I only say 6 yrs..cause most people for their first enlistment do either a 4 or 6 yrs contract..they can't do anymore b/c the HYT is 6 yrs For a e-3 and below. 8 yrs for a e-4. 14 yrs for a e-5. and right now after you make e-6 you can retire. But sometime in the Near future I see them makin it where You have to make chief by 18 yrs or some bs like that.

I know it sucks but just like any other job now adays your job isn't secure like it was 10 yrs ago. Where the Military was hurting for people and tryin to get people to stay in by anyways means possible..and now they are tryin to kick people out. Just remember that anything can happen in the next couple of yrs. yes people are getting kicked out..but the navy is also helping them with classes for job resumes and giving them a separation pay..depending on how many yrs you are In. I know it's Not Much, but it's better then nothing. you also have the Navy reserves where you can finish your time in and still retire.

[JessRae]

thank you so much for that info-it really makes sense...and it is good to know that if I had to leave active duty I could go Reserves and finish out...I agree about the enlisted versus officer part too-I am a supervisor in my career but it DOES suck most of the time due to being all admin and paperwork. I think it would be better to be out doing things as well...

[Boats]

Look at 19/20 I was a supervisor...doing both paperwork and out and bout... I was in charge of 45 people and I loved it and disliked it at the same time. SO when I went Navy it was a nice change of pace that I didn't need to look out for really anyone but me..but those supervisor skills kicked In and I started supervising and doing work. But I wouldn't trade any of my enlisted time for anything...and money wasn't a big issue either..