I'M ENLISTING FOR THE U.S. NAVY.

And as in 'I'm enlisting', that means, 'I'm actually going to do it', as in 'I'm getting sworn in next week and being shipped out to Basic Training a few months after that'.

Yeah, I haven't been around much too often lately, and the above is part of the reason why, among other things in my life. I've actually been considering a stint in the military for years, since high school, but upon getting into college and the student life, I figured it wouldn't ever be necessary. Boy, was I wrong. Now I'm 23, still in college scraping along, in debt, poor as hell, my financial life is a mess, like many of my peers ahead of me, a job sure as hell isn't guaranteed when I get a degree, and the likelihood is high that I'll be living from paycheck to paycheck in some shitty retail job somewhere, college degree or no.

So I decided to skip all that bullshit and go straight for the most secure job in the country; the U.S. military. The benefits? A steady, guaranteed biweekly paycheck (making far more than many of my peers), free health and dental insurance, the costs, and my current debt, of college totally covered (and the ability to still get my college degree while serving), more or less free food, great vacation time, housing covered, utilities covered, and the added bonus of having a military background is great for job searching when I get out in four years.

Fortunately, I'm not alone, sources everywhere (and a lot of people I know in general) state that everyone from high school graduates, college grads, and everyone in between are flocking to the military because of the shit economy and the fact that many people's college degrees have devolved into worthless pieces of paper. Recruitment rates are at an all time high.

Obviously the downsides of this decision is the fact that the U.S. government now pretty much legally owns me for the next few years, and all the other regimented shit of military life, but contrary to what many people may believe, the military lifestyle isn't prison, and I'll more or less live like a regular person would, except my 9-5 (example hours) is now for the military as opposed to McDonalds or whatever. The only major deviation from being a regular guy is the almost certainty that I'll be deployed overseas on a ship for months at a time, but from what everyone in the Navy tells me, that's more or less a glorified cruise and an op to bang Italian/German/English/Korean/Japanese women.

Other than that, I'll go to the 2 months of boot camp, the 4 years of military service, and I'll be done. I'll still be here along the way (except during boot camp), and if the economy is still in the shitter four years from now, I guess I'll always have the option to reenlist.

So. That's what's up with me. Any thoughts? Questions? Rants? How ya feel?

post=Fallen-Griever
Just don't die; I want to play Chronology of the Last Era sometime this lifetime.

I've read statistically that an individual is actually more likely to die from the day to day risks of city living than in the U.S. Navy. We're the last people the government lets get shot at.

Don't worry, I'll certainly be working on my stuff, if you excuse the 2 months I'll be absent, but I plan on having the first few Chronology installments done by then.

Seriously, though, "living from paycheck to paycheck in some shitty retail job somewhere" is what most of my friends do and, as far as I can tell, it isn't that bad if you have people around you that you have fun with when you're not working. Money is worthless without friends and memories; don't sign up just because you think it is a good economic choice.

No. It fucking sucks. It sucks not having enough money to pay bills. It sucks not having enough money to buy new clothes. It sucks not having enough money to do what you want to do. It sucks not having enough money to do anything with and being in debt at the same time. Yeah, you're right, money is worthless without friends and memories, and don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of fun with my hometown friends, money or not, but the older I get, the more I realize that eventually I'm going to have to get serious about my financial future and security.

Besides, from what I hear, the Navy can be a ton of fun. Everyone I personally know in the armed forces has made lifelong friends there, and has had a lot of fun at least half the time they served.

post=WIP

post=Feldschlacht IV
The only major deviation from being a regular guy is the almost certainty that I'll be deployed overseas on a ship for months at a time, but from what everyone in the Navy tells me, that's more or less a glorified cruise and an op to bang Italian/German/English/Korean/Japanese women.

Nothing in the US military is like this. However as you are looking forward to this, you will fit right in with the rest of the slop in there.

I was being rather facetious about the implication that 'I'm looking forward to it', however, I am being honest when I say that people I know currently in the U.S. Navy remark that shore leave on foreign soil during deployments can be rather enjoyable (for various reasons depending on the individual). One person I know remarks on her trip to Venice being the best time of her life, and another person I've talked to actually found his wife and stayed in Germany. I will concede that the actual deployment on a ship can be cramped and shitty. I will give you that.

However if we are being completely honest, you really couldn't blame in individual if he was curious about the opportunities for having a (safe) sex life. I don't think anyone could be blamed for not wanting 4-6 years of military service in ones twenties to be completely chaste, especially considering the difficulties of holding down a steady relationship while in the military. Maybe I'll meet someone really nice anyway; who knows. I understand I probably came off wrong but seriously man?

Thanks though I guess!

post=Ciel
Kind of sad that the state of America is such that people wishing to lead intellectual lifestyles and become educated professionals are forced to resort to completely unrelated martial career paths in order to avoid complete destitution.

Yeah, like I said, as much respect as I have for the profession, I had no real intentions on joining the military until a lot of situations, mainly financial, sort of cornered me into taking that option. I'm ready for it from a mental and emotional standpoint, but in a perfect world I really wish I could have been more financially blessed in college in the first place. Lord knows I worked my ass off with little to show for it.

Still, the various benefits of having the military as an employer can't be denied.

post=TFT
must feel good to go from medical student to floating with garbage for x amount of months.

It actually feels pretty shitty. I'm 'okay' with the actual prospect of military service (see: benefits listed above) so I'll try to make the best of it. Like I said from what I've been told it's actually not that bad at all. I feel better that statistically, I'm not alone, either.

post=Corfaisus
A certain someone I've come to hold a deep amount of respect for back on another forum I frequent would be able to tell you the truth behind what it means to serve and the living arrangements, but sadly I'm unable to bring her here. You'll just have to take it from me that you aren't quite knowledgeable enough to claim that this is what's best or that it will indeed benefit you.

Absolutely, I can only know until I've lived it; I am by no means trying to pass off anything I'm saying as 100% fact. However I have done a lot of research and reading into it, and I'm going into the situation doing the best I can. The only thing I can do, as with any situation, job, or life change, is to make the most of it. I shouldn't need to state that I am speaking from second hand knowledge here.

I'll be damned if it doesn't benefit me at all, though. I can't see how it won't, especially considering I'm gong to be investing almost half a decade into it. I'm curious to what your friend has to say; is her truth different from the various other truths I've heard from those who served/serve? I'm definitely not trying to pass the military off as sprinkles and rainbows. I pretty much expect something to go sour or for me to not get everything I possibly could out of the situation.

post=Ciel
Kind of sad that the state of America is such that people wishing to lead intellectual lifestyles and become educated professionals are forced to resort to completely unrelated martial career paths in order to avoid complete destitution.

Also as an addendum to this; Yes, my statement above still stands (it sucks), but the various branches of the military does (on paper) offer quite a gamut of jobs, not all of them being martial type things like loading missiles or flying helicopters. A buddy of mine I went to school with dreamed of being a chef and going to cooking school; he's now doing it in the Marines. Someone else I know (an older friend of a relative) is pursuing his trade as a lawyer in the Navy.

There seems to be quite a bit of civilian jobs in the military, because as one would expect, our massive military industry relies on many of the same trades that keep the civilian world running. You're still working under military legal contractual obligation, though, along with the rest of the rank and file soldiers. We'll see where it takes me though. Like I said, I'm speaking from second hand knowledge.

post=KingArthur
What matters is you did your homework and made an educated decision to enlist. I give my best wishes on your endeavor, good luck out there!

Thanks, yeah. I'm actually sort of stressing myself out doing so much reading on the subject. I really just need to relax and enjoy my last few months as a civilian.