froggyboy604 said:
Anyone here in the Navy or served in the Navy?
Is the Navy fun, and how are the working conditions?
I served as an active duty officer in the USNR from 1984-1987(fulfilling a three year contract) after graduating from THE CITADEL(in Charleston, SC). I was an Ensign upon entering the service and LTjg(junior grade) when I was honorably discharged.
I served on a Knox class frigate(FF-1081) stationed in Charleston, SC as "gunnery officer". I worked harder than I have ever worked in my life while in the Navy. The hours were very long, usually averaging twelve(12) hours a day while in port and sixteen hours a day while at sea(the 12 hour work day included a four hour watch on the bridge of the ship). As an officer I also had to deal with a lot of paperwork, much more so than what enlisted men had to deal with. Unless things have radically changed regarding work hours in the armed services in the last 25 years, and I'm thinking they haven't, you can expect long hours and demanding bosses if you enlist in the Navy. You will also find most of your life under some sort of regimentation as the Navy is heavy on rules and regulations.
That said your experience in the U.S. Navy can serve you well should you decide to exit the service later as many civilian companies are often more likely to hire an ex military serviceman(or servicewoman) because they know that person has worked under time constraints and in a disciplined, methodical manner. The U.S. navy can be a great means of also seeing the world, traveling and visiting overseas locales if that's your thing. The benefits are excellent with free medical and dental, both for you and your family when you're an active duty serviceman.
froggyboy604 said:
...but I don't think about joining the Navy as much these days since I don't want to worry my parents and family members with me being in the military, and possibly dieing
If you enlist in the U.S. Navy and enter into "surface warfare" training, which would ultimately lead to an assignment to a ship, I would think your chances of dying, at least from possible combat with an enemy country's forces, would be minimal. The ships of the U.S. Navy are among the best in the world in terms of construction, offensive and defensive warfare capabilities, safety and overall seaworthiness. This includes both ships and submarines. Your chances of suffering a combat related fatality would obviously go up if you opted to become a naval aviator or entered into a "special warfare" billet, that is, entered training to become a U.S. Navy SEAL.
