Thinking of joining the military

[UpstatePanther]

25 minutes ago, FuFuLamePoo said:

This is definitely interesting and something I'll further explore, I just really, really don't know if I have what it takes for the Marines. I hate sounding like a little b*tch, but marines just seem to be a different breed. I don't know if I'm cut out for it or not


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dont feel bad. Im with you on the "not cut out for the USMC" thought. they are definitely a different breed, and they have to be to do the job they do, front lines and all... lol

[cookinwithgas]

I'd have to say a job as a newly commissioned Marine infantry officer in Trumps military may turn out to be a short one. Be sure you really don't mind killing people.

[UpstatePanther]

@Chimera and @NanuqoftheNorth, what branch did you guys serve in? if Navy, the following question applies to you...

@Davidson Deac II, @cookinwithgas, @Anybodyhome... could you guys give me some info on what ship life is like? pros and cons. ive narrowed my choice down to the Army or Navy, and it may sound simple, but the question im trying to answer for myself is whether i will be able to handle ship life. 

[cookinwithgas]

I wasn't on a ship, I was on a submarine - a missile submarine. In order to be an officer on a sub, it's pretty much a requirement that you go through Nuclear Power school. If you think you are interested in that, I'll be happy to tell you all about what I know about the kind of life you get with that choice.

I joined the Navy because I was not interested in going out into the elements to shoot people and wanted to learn a technical skill. The shore installations are generally...near the shore, so you usually get a beach lifestyle when off duty. Although I didn't really travel all over the world, most ships do get that opportunity and that's the one thing I really regret about being on the missile boat. Fast attacks travel and make port visits pretty much like surface ships do.

[Davidson Deac II]

48 minutes ago, UpstatePanther said:

@Chimera and @NanuqoftheNorth, what branch did you guys serve in? if Navy, the following question applies to you...

@Davidson Deac II, @cookinwithgas, @Anybodyhome... could you guys give me some info on what ship life is like? pros and cons. ive narrowed my choice down to the Army or Navy, and it may sound simple, but the question im trying to answer for myself is whether i will be able to handle ship life. 

Like most things, it has its ups and downs.  Long periods of boredom, with brief interludes of action.  And when you first come aboard, you will be low man on the totem pole, so you start out getting the crap jobs but you work your way up.   You will definitely learn to paint.   But I do think its better now than it was when I was in.  Lots more communication abilities with family.  And you get to visit a lot of cool places, far more I think than you do in the Army.  And while it depends on what you do, if you get a technical rating, you get to play with all the best new toys.  I was using the internet and browsers before 99% of the population had heard of such a thing.  

 

To be honest, there were days I hated it.  And days I loved it.  Looking back on it now though, it was one of the best decisions I made.  

[Anybodyhome]

1 hour ago, UpstatePanther said:

@Chimera and @NanuqoftheNorth, what branch did you guys serve in? if Navy, the following question applies to you...

@Davidson Deac II, @cookinwithgas, @Anybodyhome... could you guys give me some info on what ship life is like? pros and cons. ive narrowed my choice down to the Army or Navy, and it may sound simple, but the question im trying to answer for myself is whether i will be able to handle ship life. 

First, caveat I retired in 1993 and only 2 of the 10 ships I served in are still in service, the remainder having been decommissioned. It's been 24 years since I retired and life at sea was a far cry from what it is now. 

Second, if I didn't want to go to sea, I would have joined the Air Force or some other branch. Certainly, there are ratings/MOS's/designator that simply do not have a lot of sea-going billets, or their roles are primarily land-based support, and that is understood. I joined as a computer tech (DS- long gone now), and quickly grew weary of staying in climate controlled, windowless and what could only be compared to server rooms in today's world. I opted out because I wanted to work outside, salt wind in the hair... you get the picture. I grew up a Southern California surf bum and there's no better life to me than being by the sea. 

Third, nothing about shipboard life bothered me, except the occasional knucklehead who wouldn't shower regularly or who kept his personal living space like a hog farm. But there are ways to deal with that. You're in close quarters and finding a place of solitude and a place to simply get away for a few moments is difficult, but well worth it, especially if you've been operating for about 4-5 months. The operational cycle of a ship is fairly routine- 6-9 months of training/short term operations followed by a deployment of 6 months, perhaps a tad longer; followed by a yard period or drydock for 6 months or so. 

Fourth, you will learn how to sleep anywhere and at anytime. Shipboard life can be physically demanding, depending on your job, your watch station and how your body adapts to the movement of the sea. Your mind and body work very hard to keep your sea legs underneath you (equilibrium), and most people don't realize what kind of physical toll and drain that can put on a person. Keep in mind you have your regular job to do during the day, just as you would anywhere, but you'll likely have a watch station with a rotation of 4-on/8-off or something similar on top of your normal workload. I was a pretty young Chief when I got my underway Officer of the Deck designation letter from the skipper and I had a division of 40 guys working for me as well as the responsibility to keep the ship going where it needed to get when I was on watch for 4 hours at a time with 8 hours in between. My division also handled helicopter flight operations, refueling and replenishment at sea, small boat details and I was a member of a boarding team at one time, which can be pretty hairy.

But look, I saw the world, been to places I'd never imagined, met people and both endured and enjoyed some of the best and worst this earth has to offer- and I wouldn't trade it for anything. As a west coast sailor,the only place I never got to was Europe, although I've since been on my own, and Antarctica. Virtually every other continent I've been on - hiked up Mt. Fuji in Japan, did a 4-day photo safari in Kenya, walked through the filthiest 'streets' I've ever set foot on in Pakistan and seen some of the most beautiful women on the planet in both Taiwan and Australia. I've been packed into a bus with about 200 other people in India and sat alone at the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, looking down to the city. I've transited the Panama Canal 3 times (a trip I'd recommend to anyone who understands the engineering marvel this is), and had to manually deice the deck of a ship in the Aleutians. I almost, and maybe should have, died a few times (ditched while a passenger in a helicopter in the Indian Ocean); knew many who did die, and didn't know a few, but had to be the guy knocking on the parent's front door. Sure, there were some situations I was involved in that were deadly serious with major consequences and some operations I'd rather not discuss, but those were but brief moments of a 20-year career that really made me who I am today. To be very frank, I only retired because I no longer had the option of "getting another ship." I was told I had to take a desk job at a shore base for 3 years and after one year I realized I was no longer having fun and confided in many mentors and shipmates alike before deciding to retire at 38 years old. 

[UpstatePanther]

4 minutes ago, cookinwithgas said:

I wasn't on a ship, I was on a submarine - a missile submarine. In order to be an officer on a sub, it's pretty much a requirement that you go through Nuclear Power school. If you think you are interested in that, I'll be happy to tell you all about what I know about the kind of life you get with that choice.

I joined the Navy because I was not interested in going out into the elements to shoot people and wanted to learn a technical skill. The shore installations are generally...near the shore, so you usually get a beach lifestyle when off duty. Although I didn't really travel all over the world, most ships do get that opportunity and that's the one thing I really regret about being on the missile boat. Fast attacks travel and make port visits pretty much like surface ships do.

Yeah i admire submariners but that life isnt for me. i need fresh air. lol. generally speaking though, im interested in the navy for the same reason you outlined: id rather not be in direct combat. thanks for your input CWG

15 minutes ago, Anybodyhome said:

First, caveat I retired in 1993 and only 2 of the 10 ships I served in are still in service, the remainder having been decommissioned. It's been 24 years since I retired and life at sea was a far cry from what it is now. 

Second, if I didn't want to go to sea, I would have joined the Air Force or some other branch. Certainly, there are ratings/MOS's/designator that simply do not have a lot of sea-going billets, or their roles are primarily land-based support, and that is understood. I joined as a computer tech (DS- long gone now), and quickly grew weary of staying in climate controlled, windowless and what could only be compared to server rooms in today's world. I opted out because I wanted to work outside, salt wind in the hair... you get the picture. I grew up a Southern California surf bum and there's no better life to me than being by the sea. 

Third, nothing about shipboard life bothered me, except the occasional knucklehead who wouldn't shower regularly or who kept his personal living space like a hog farm. But there are ways to deal with that. You're in close quarters and finding a place of solitude and a place to simply get away for a few moments is difficult, but well worth it, especially if you've been operating for about 4-5 months. The operational cycle of a ship is fairly routine- 6-9 months of training/short term operations followed by a deployment of 6 months, perhaps a tad longer; followed by a yard period or drydock for 6 months or so. 

Fourth, you will learn how to sleep anywhere and at anytime. Shipboard life can be physically demanding, depending on your job, your watch station and how your body adapts to the movement of the sea. Your mind and body work very hard to keep your sea legs underneath you (equilibrium), and most people don't realize what kind of physical toll and drain that can put on a person. Keep in mind you have your regular job to do during the day, just as you would anywhere, but you'll likely have a watch station with a rotation of 4-on/8-off or something similar on top of your normal workload. I was a pretty young Chief when I got my underway Officer of the Deck designation letter from the skipper and I had a division of 40 guys working for me as well as the responsibility to keep the ship going where it needed to get when I was on watch for 4 hours at a time with 8 hours in between. My division also handled helicopter flight operations, refueling and replenishment at sea, small boat details and I was a member of a boarding team at one time, which can be pretty hairy.

But look, I saw the world, been to places I'd never imagined, met people and both endured and enjoyed some of the best and worst this earth has to offer- and I wouldn't trade it for anything. As a west coast sailor,the only place I never got to was Europe, although I've since been on my own, and Antarctica. Virtually every other continent I've been on - hiked up Mt. Fuji in Japan, did a 4-day photo safari in Kenya, walked through the filthiest 'streets' I've ever set foot on in Pakistan and seen some of the most beautiful women on the planet in both Taiwan and Australia. I've been packed into a bus with about 200 other people in India and sat alone at the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, looking down to the city. I've transited the Panama Canal 3 times (a trip I'd recommend to anyone who understands the engineering marvel this is), and had to manually deice the deck of a ship in the Aleutians. I almost, and maybe should have, died a few times (ditched while a passenger in a helicopter in the Indian Ocean); knew many who did die, and didn't know a few, but had to be the guy knocking on the parent's front door. Sure, there were some situations I was involved in that were deadly serious with major consequences and some operations I'd rather not discuss, but those were but brief moments of a 20-year career that really made me who I am today. To be very frank, I only retired because I no longer had the option of "getting another ship." I was told I had to take a desk job at a shore base for 3 years and after one year I realized I was no longer having fun and confided in many mentors and shipmates alike before deciding to retire at 38 years old. 

Thats alot of great information and paints an exciting picture for me lol. its much as i imagined it would be. but you sir may have just convinced me to join the Navy. lol. You said you had served on 10 ships, what types and what were the differences? ive heard Carriers can be like small cities, and that is intriguing to me. i wonder if i can request to be placed on one.

2 minutes ago, Davidson Deac II said:

Like most things, it has its ups and downs.  Long periods of boredom, with brief interludes of action.  And when you first come aboard, you will be low man on the totem pole, so you start out getting the crap jobs but you work your way up.    But I do think its better now than it was when I was in.  Lots more communication abilities with family.  And you get to visit a lot of cool places, far more I think than you do in the Army.  And while it depends on what you do, if you get a technical rating, you get to play with all the best new toys.  

all of that sounds great, except for the boredom. lol. but im sure i can fill my time with something. lol.

[darrybear]

Don't join the army go into the Navy or the Air Force they treat you better and pay you better


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[Anybodyhome]

6 minutes ago, UpstatePanther said:

Yeah i admire submariners but that life isnt for me. i need fresh air. lol. generally speaking though, im interested in the navy for the same reason you outlined: id rather not be in direct combat. thanks for your input CWG

Thats alot of great information and paints an exciting picture for me lol. its much as i imagined it would be. but you sir may have just convinced me to join the Navy. lol. You said you had served on 10 ships, what types and what were the differences? ive heard Carriers can be like small cities, and that is intriguing to me. i wonder if i can request to be placed on one.

all of that sounds great, except for the boredom. lol. but im sure i can fill my time with something. lol.

My first ship was the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), which was a 7-month temporary (TAD) tour. I then went to commission USS Tarawa (LHA-1) built in Mississippi and was transferred to USS Agerholm (DD-826), (the only Navy surface ship to fire an actual nuclear warhead missile in 1962) where I stayed for a year before they began getting her ready for decommissioning. Next was USS Prairie (AD-15), which was the oldest commissioned ship on active duty at the time. I was next ordered to Commander Carrier Group Seven Staff, which was the 2-star Admiral over the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68). I was there for 2 years before joining the precommissioning crew of USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), where I spent almost 3 years. Next was USS McKee (AS-41) for a 1-year deal before catching my second Aegis cruiser precommissioning tour for USS Cowpens (CG-63), which was my last official sea tour. You can look all these up on Wiki

Your job will determine which type of sea tours you'll get, but let me tell you aircraft carriers look like the majestic beasts from far away, but up close, they're not much fun. The opportunities to get on the flight deck are few and far between, which, aside from the hangar bay, is the only place to see the water. If you don't work on the flight deck, don't go up there is the best way to put it. We could occasionally get out and jog laps around the flight deck on no-fly days, otherwise, it's not a safe place to be. 

I personally loved to go where the action was, and the warships- the cruisers- I served in were the best. 565' long, 55' beam and can haul ass. Probably the most well-rounded, combat capable warship in the world, to be honest. About 350-360 crew members... USS Bunker Hill was, by far, the best command I enjoyed during my entire career.    

[Davidson Deac II]

45 minutes ago, darrybear said:

Don't join the army go into the Navy or the Air Force they treat you better and pay you better


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

Pay is identical for all branches of the service.

[cookinwithgas]

1 hour ago, UpstatePanther said:

Yeah i admire submariners but that life isnt for me.

then screw you you skimmer puke!

 

[UpstatePanther]

1 hour ago, Anybodyhome said:

My first ship was the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), which was a 7-month temporary (TAD) tour. I then went to commission USS Tarawa (LHA-1) built in Mississippi and was transferred to USS Agerholm (DD-826), (the only Navy surface ship to fire an actual nuclear warhead missile in 1962) where I stayed for a year before they began getting her ready for decommissioning. Next was USS Prairie (AD-15), which was the oldest commissioned ship on active duty at the time. I was next ordered to Commander Carrier Group Seven Staff, which was the 2-star Admiral over the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68). I was there for 2 years before joining the precommissioning crew of USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), where I spent almost 3 years. Next was USS McKee (AS-41) for a 1-year deal before catching my second Aegis cruiser precommissioning tour for USS Cowpens (CG-63), which was my last official sea tour. You can look all these up on Wiki

Your job will determine which type of sea tours you'll get, but let me tell you aircraft carriers look like the majestic beasts from far away, but up close, they're not much fun. The opportunities to get on the flight deck are few and far between, which, aside from the hangar bay, is the only place to see the water. If you don't work on the flight deck, don't go up there is the best way to put it. We could occasionally get out and jog laps around the flight deck on no-fly days, otherwise, it's not a safe place to be. 

I personally loved to go where the action was, and the warships- the cruisers- I served in were the best. 565' long, 55' beam and can haul ass. Probably the most well-rounded, combat capable warship in the world, to be honest. About 350-360 crew members... USS Bunker Hill was, by far, the best command I enjoyed during my entire career.    

I'll be sure to look all of those up. Sounds like if I stay in long enough, I may get the opportunity to be on multiple types of ships. That would be okay with me too. Are you married/kids? I'm curious how difficult it would be for me to start a family after I've put a few years in.

38 minutes ago, cookinwithgas said:

then screw you you skimmer puke!

 

No offense meant! Lol you guys do great work!

[Anybodyhome]

9 minutes ago, UpstatePanther said:

I'll be sure to look all of those up. Sounds like if I stay in long enough, I may get the opportunity to be on multiple types of ships. That would be okay with me too. Are you married/kids? I'm curious how difficult it would be for me to start a family after I've put a few years in.

No offense meant! Lol you guys do great work!

You don't want to know. I failed at three marriages while I was in. Not that big a deal for me, but I went into each of them with a clear understanding that I'm gone a lot and while they all said they could handle it, it was exceptionally stressful, and when reality set in, it was a different story. This was before internet, cell phones, etc. When I left home, I typically wouldn't be able to call home and talk to my family until 4 weeks later from the Philippines or Japan. You could go weeks without mail and, during one deployment, we did 145 straight days at sea- no mail, no phones... I think it's much easier now because communication is pretty routine and regular.  

[FuFuLamePoo]

5 minutes ago, Anybodyhome said:

You don't want to know. I failed at three marriages while I was in. Not that big a deal for me, but I went into each of them with a clear understanding that I'm gone a lot and while they all said they could handle it, it was exceptionally stressful, and when reality set in, it was a different story. This was before internet, cell phones, etc. When I left home, I typically wouldn't be able to call home and talk to my family until 4 weeks later from the Philippines or Japan. You could go weeks without mail and, during one deployment, we did 145 straight days at sea- no mail, no phones... I think it's much easier now because communication is pretty routine and regular.  

This is my biggest concern about enlisting when I finish college.  I don't want to jeopardize my relationship because I'm currently dating my freaking dream girl