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Home > Archive > Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries > April 2003 > joining the Navy for experience
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joining the Navy for experience
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| tweaker 2003-02-20, 5:15 am |
| I've been unemployed for the past 8 months, and have become seriously depressed because of this. I graduated last year with a measly AS in Computer Networking Systems. Because I've been turned down so many times for even mediocre jobs, I feel like I have nothing left to lose. So I had this crazy idea to join the armed forces for this much valued work experience. I'm to the point where they will be taking me out of town and getting me ready for testing and everything...and then I'll be off to boot camp.
But now that I had a chance to think about it, I'm not sure I'm joining for the right reasons. Most people join before they go to college, to get tuition assistance. And their usually around 18. I'm 20 and I've already been through college. I've been working for the past few months on starting over and working towards a Masters in MIS. this hasn't faired too well since I really have no motivation anymore, because of my situation and outlook. I really don't want to get out with a masters in 4 years and be in the same situation I'm in now cuz I don't have any experience. But then again, I also don't want to join the Navy for 4 years, just so I can put 2 years worth of experience. One could also argue that there is great potential in landing some sort of gov't job after you get out of the Navy.
So I'm really undecided at this point. Should I join or go back to school?? | |
| jackiechan 2003-02-20, 5:38 am |
| In the navy and sail the seven seas? Oh why not. There was a time I also had problems trying to figure out where I fit in this world. I tried many things, some failed and some were successes. But that is what life is all about. | |
| nato76 2003-02-20, 10:28 pm |
| Well I joined the Navy when I was 19 and was in for 6 years. That is where I got into the IT field. Matter of fact the Navy is a great place to get experience. After 6 years I got out and still could not find a job. So maybe it is a good time to join and maybe when you get out the economy will pick up and you will have the experience you need. There are alot of negative and positive things about joining the Navy and you have to decide if there is more positives than negatives. I am now taking advantage of what I got from the Navy and going to school to get my degree and they are paying for it. I do not regret joining but I would not want to do it again. | |
| TW2001 2003-02-21, 9:32 am |
| Eeeks...
Maybe another field? For now.? How much experience in the Job world as a whole do you have? That contributes too you know.
There are many ways in to this field. The front door isnt the only way.
It could be good. So would a bachelors degree. | |
| QueensDelight 2003-02-22, 10:36 am |
| Yo for real it's up to you. If you want to go, then go. But it seems to me that you have some doubt. I would take a step back, re think it then step up again, then decide. | |
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| Never too early to serve our great nation.
Experience that you received on both life will gain so much in your future career. | |
| ruscorp 2003-02-23, 8:36 pm |
| The Navy is a great way to gain some training and experince. You'll also get to kick Saddam's arse as an added bonus. | |
| devecchio 2003-02-24, 9:30 am |
| hey, i am going to have to discourage you against that. The navy has transitioned over to NMCI, that 6.3 billion dollar contract with EDS(Ross Perrots's old company) I think I spelled that right? Anyway, navy personnel are restricted to just using the pc's to route messae traffic and office functions. All LAN/WAN work is contracted through WAMNET. It's very unlikely unless you are at a location that has not yet transitioned. If that is the case ytou can bet they will transition before the year is out. As an Officer you'll likely be a project manager. | |
| Supertech 2003-02-24, 9:38 am |
| I say GO FOR IT !
Volunteer for the submarine service. They get the best training, the best duty and the best food. You won't see any combat duty. The technology is the highest and you will function in a smaller group. | |
| nato76 2003-02-25, 2:44 pm |
| Well devecchio I was in the Navy and just recently got out a year ago. I am now working on the NMCI project in Norfolk, VA. The thing is I don't know if the Navy ships are going to get turned over to NMCI. When I was on the ship we always did everything. We rarely had contractors come in. Also who is going to fix everything when ships go out to sea and go to war? Are you saying that they are going to have NMCI civilians go on board the ship for 6 months? I just dont see it happening. | |
| devecchio 2003-02-25, 11:35 pm |
| I guess you would have to weigh the options. I go on terminal leave 03/03/03 and at this point I am not too worried about finding a job. I am leaving the Navy for that reaon.......instability. As to whther or not the ships will have contractors I can't see that happening either.................but let's be realistic........ TO ME ship life is not worth it.
Understand the Navy has been good for me. I obtained a bachelors and all of my certs through them they even funded my cisco lab(paycheck) Hell, I even start my Masters on 04/01/03...not many jobs can do that. I I am now a SQL/Cisco Guru..... all thanks to the Navy but once NMCI took over.........all of that came to a halt. Certain jobs allow limited growth in the IT field..the NAvy has many opprotunities....... at what cost will you pay for that...espicially if you have family..rest assured, you're going to sea.
As a manger.................the officer program is the way to go, as an IT Tech....I suggest looking elsewhere | |
| Crutch 2003-02-26, 7:45 pm |
| I spent 6+ years in the Navy as a Data Processing (DP) Tech. Since I got out in 1994, the rate has since merged with the radioman rating and become IT.
I was 23 when I joined the Navy, so don't worry about your age. Do the four to six year enlistment and weigh your options again- stay in or get out.
Besides the opportunity of getting trained and getting much needed experience, you'll be able to see the world. How many people can say they've been to Hong Kong, Subic Bay, Perth, Singapore, Pattaya Beach, Karachi, Mombasa, Rio de Janeiro, and St Thomas?
Who knows, you might even like it and decide to make it a career.
Even though I'm happy where I am today and what I'm doing, I sometimes wish I had stayed in (I'd have had 4 years until retirement). I spent 3 years on-board an aircraft carrier and 3 on shore duty.
It's not for everyone, but nothing ever is. Besides, it gives you a chance to serve your country and get something back.
Good Luck! | |
| mick1752 2003-03-06, 10:50 am |
| Something else to consider for your job future is the attitude of the major companies towards ex-military personnel. Many of the big companies are known to have a soft spot for ex military personnel. I've worked for one or two of them and there's a lot of ex-servicemen and women there. So that'd be nice too? | |
| Atomicfrog 2003-03-07, 9:20 pm |
| I joined the Navy when I was 27 years old. I can honestly say that the Navy saved my life. I was able to travel all over the world and see many places most will never get to see. Was it easy? Hell no, it was hard as hell alot of the time. I had to spend many many months away from my family but it was worth it in the end. | |
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| I've had a six month and a year period during my IT career where I couldn't find. During both of them I had people tell me that my resume looked good, but they we're only going to hire prior military.
Military IT experience is very valuable. Especially during these uncertain economic times. Military experince would definitely open the civil service and govt contracting world to you. You may have to sacrifice a little time, but it's well worth it.
If I was starting out again that's probably what I'd do anyway.
Best of luck to you in whatever you decide. | |
| underway 2003-03-14, 9:12 am |
| I was in the Navy for 10 years. Got out, and was immediately hired for a government contractor.
I wouldn't trade the time spent in the Navy for anything. It was tough at times, but I've seen and done things that other people will never have the opportunity to see or do.
If you are unsure about going active duty Navy, try the reserves. When I left active duty I stayed in the reserves. In the reserves you can do what is called ADSW. It is a 6 month activation. If at the end of 6 months you like what you are doing, then stay for more. If you don't like it, or have found other civilian employment, then leave.
Now, you still have to sign up for 3 or 6 years. But the networking (people) and experience will do you good. Plus you still a vacation for 2 weeks out of the year. I went to Italy one year, and Hawaii the next, completely paid for. Even though this is the 2 week training required every year, It was still a blast!
In the reserves you also have to give one weekend a month. This isn't as bad as it seems. You can reschedule these drills if you like. They are broken up into 4 hour periods. For a while I was doing 8 hours on the first Saturday of the month, and 8 hours on the 3rd Saturday. It was easy, no problem.
Another thing that you can get while in the reserves is a security clearance. THIS IS GOLD IN THE JOB MARKET. While the IT industry suffers, the IT industry for cleared personnel is thriving.
Also, with a degree, you should be able to enter as an officer. =more money, more managment experience.
Overall, I guess you can say that I'm sold on the reserves. It truly is a blessing.
If you have any questions, post them here. I'll answer the best I can.
Sorry for the long post. | |
| flash23 2003-03-17, 7:01 pm |
| I was in the Marines. Good experience. If you can join the reserves and still do IT I would suggest that. Also look at the Air Force (no stinky ships to go on, nice barricks and overall probably the easiest way to go). Also the AF is involved in space. I for one would love to do IT with super secret satillites and such.
Remeber, when you enlist you forfiet your rights of the Constitution and you life belongs to the gov. Just keep that in mind.
Best of luck. Let us know what you decide.
-John | |
| JeremyWatts 2003-03-24, 7:22 am |
| Go to the airforce. Less basic training (6 weeks) and they have lots of IT needs. Remember you must score high enough on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test or ASVAB to get into the IT field in the military and that goes for any job in the military. I would like I said go airforce if your determined to go. I served in the army for 6 years the airforce is the way to go. | |
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| Air Force is the best for Technical area, I heard it from my friend. | |
| Quixote 2003-04-02, 7:50 pm |
| I joined the army when I was almost 25. Spent 6 years in the army signal corps, working with voice/ data switching systems and voice/ data transport systems. You will get more experience (technical and otherwise) in 4 years of military service than in probably 10 years of civilian life.
I'm out now, using my GI Bill ($55,000 for college, baby), and working a sweet job. IP telephony, Cisco routers, switches, VoIP switches, Avaya voice switches - all sorts of cool stuff. About 85% of my co-workers are veterans, so the military experience can DEFINITELY help when you get out.
The military will help with that motivation problem you mentioned, too!
I say go for it, but investigate all of the branches in order to get the job that's best for you. Let the military pay for your schooling and your certs. You can even pursue those things while you're on active duty. You'll come out more motivated, more grown-up, and more educated. "BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE!" | |
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| Air force is better£¬ i think. | |
| Crutch 2003-04-12, 11:27 am |
| Of all the services, the AF is probably the most like civilian life. The only thing about the AF that I saw and didn't like was it was hard for personnel to make grade. When I was in the Navy at a joint command, I worked with plenty of AF people that were E4s with 10 years of service. Even worse, were E5s with 18 years of service. If you are an E4 in the Navy and are headed towards your 9th year, you will be kicked out. I think the max for a Navy E5 is 15 years. Military-wise, I only know the perspective from a Navy/AF point of view.
I got out of the Navy as an E6 with 6+ years in. Actually, I got RIF'd, but that's a different story. My point is that you will hardly ever see an AF person being an E6 with less than 12 years of service. | |
| bigdaddychud 2003-04-12, 12:02 pm |
| I would say look at the Air Force also, It was a great experience, very laid back when off duty,great places to live and you are not crammed in a 6x6 space for 6 months at a time.
As far as making grade, things have changed since I was in E-4 is no longer an NCO (there used to be Senior Airman, and Sargent) E-4 was based on time in sevice and grade so most people were E-4s before their first 4 year term was done. I cannot imagine an E-4 with 10 years in service, they would be kicked out sooner than that.
You will not get rich (money wise) in the military but it is a great place to turn if you need or want to. If I didnt have my family now, and I could go back and change things I would have never left the Air Force. I would only be 5 years from retirement, and I would only be 37 years old.
Aim High |
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