So... yeah... I joined the navy.

[kirottu]

Calax, don

[Humodour]

Visceris was in the army?

[Xard]

Yeah, it's scary to think 6ft Invisible Rabbit has had something to do with nuclear missiles back in the day

[random n00b]

Visceris was in the army?

Navy, specifically... hence kirottu's comment.

[Gfted1]

ASVABs?

 

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

 

@Calax: Thats a fantastic score. Ive know over the year several people that went through the nuke program and they are all really smart cookies. Think long and hard about that bonus, not all positions offer one and I think with that training you would be set for life when you got out.

 

I almost wish I stayed in for the full tilt, I would have been retiring this year.

[Gfted1]

I hear basic training is pretty tough, best of luck.

 

 

Boot camp for the Navy is a joke. They are far more interesting in traing your mind over your body. I dont know the requirements now, but back in 1989 the final physical test was; 30 pushups, 60 situps (had 1 minute to do each) and run 1.5 miles in under 12 minutes. I mean, come on. It doesnt get easier then that!

[Gorgon]

I remember, I did so well on my ASVABs, that I had people calling my parents, knocking at my door, and trying to visit me at school and at my part-time job (my highschool had my entire graduating class take them my JR year, so I was probably 16 years old then?). All I can really remember was this guy in a suit telling me that I was "really smart for a girl."

 

They had some kind of really tempting offer, but I was a chicken, so I graduated highschool, moved into a place with 3 of my friends, and proceeded to get married too young (I was BARELY 20), and basically do nothing with my life. I'm a house wife and I'm BORED. That's probably why I game so much, and post on game forums. I could probably get a job to bump up my social life, but my husband makes pretty good money, so I really don't need to...

 

Anyway, moral of my ramble is that you're taking a great opportunity and running with it. And that makes me kinda jealous for the crazy, adventuring life that i COULDA had...

You know how it's always easier to give advice about someone else life than realize things about your own. Well here goes :

 

Go do whatever it is that will make your life exciting. Just being comfortably settled shouldn't be the end goal in itself.

[taks]

Boot camp for the Navy is a joke. They are far more interesting in traing your mind over your body. I dont know the requirements now, but back in 1989 the final physical test was; 30 pushups, 60 situps (had 1 minute to do each) and run 1.5 miles in under 12 minutes. I mean, come on. It doesnt get easier then that!

which is part of the reason the marines treat the navy guys like dirt. their boot camp is ridiculously hard (also the longest at 13 weeks and requiring another 4 weeks of advanced infantry training after boot camp but before MOS school). my brother went through hell (and did well, btw).

 

taks

 

edit: i should add, my brother ended up stationed in okinawa for his mandatory year of overseas duty, but his official station was camp legeune in one of the carolinas.

Edited April 24, 2008 by taks

[Guard Dog]

Boot camp for the Navy is a joke. They are far more interesting in traing your mind over your body. I dont know the requirements now, but back in 1989 the final physical test was; 30 pushups, 60 situps (had 1 minute to do each) and run 1.5 miles in under 12 minutes. I mean, come on. It doesnt get easier then that!

which is part of the reason the marines treat the navy guys like dirt. their boot camp is ridiculously hard (also the longest at 13 weeks and requiring another 4 weeks of advanced infantry training after boot camp but before MOS school). my brother went through hell (and did well, btw).

 

taks

 

edit: i should add, my brother ended up stationed in okinawa for his mandatory year of overseas duty, but his official station was camp legeune in one of the carolinas.

 

Marine Boot Camp is a mental game. And as long as you remember that is IS a game you will do fine. As for the physical fitness, so long as you are reasonably fit when you get there you will get through all right. The only thing is do not fall out of formation runs. No matter how sick ot hurt you feel, continuing to run (even if you barf) is always preferable to falling behind because the drill instructors are running behind the platoon. By the end of boot camp plus four weeks of infantry school (mandatory for all male Marines) you will be so physically fit you will be able to run 6 miles with pack, flak jacket, and rifle with no trouble.

 

The one thing Marine boot camp is good about is weeding out those who simply cannot do it. I went through Parris Island in 1989 we started with 72 in our platoon. Thirteen weeks later 45 graduated. I understand that rate of attrition is still the norm.

[taks]

The one thing Marine boot camp is good about is weeding out those who simply cannot do it. I went through Parris Island in 1989 we started with 72 in our platoon. Thirteen weeks later 45 graduated. I understand that rate of attrition is still the norm.

yup, the ultimate mental game: push physical limits to see who has the mental stamina to remain. those with the proper level of will-power put up with the pain, those that don't quit. my brother was, btw, fairly fit (and thin), so he didn't have too much trouble. he went through MCRD in san diego and AIT just north of there in 1990, btw. made E5 in his 4 years and got out because he got "promoted" to a shop-manager when he became an E5 (he was an amtrak mechanic), which meant no more mechanic duties. he's now a diesel mechanic for cummins, and still a marine.

 

taks

[babydol]

Go do whatever it is that will make your life exciting. Just being comfortably settled shouldn't be the end goal in itself.

 

 

I'm pretty sure that would involve a divorce, so... I'll pass.

[Walsingham]

I am, obviously, obliged to rag you for joining the Navy, but nonetheless good on you. Like the other fellahs say, don't fret when it seems like they're giving you pointless crud to do. The matra I use is "If this is the worst thing the Army ever do to me then I'm doing well."

 

Of course I'll be very different come Monday. One more weekend of fun fun fun coming up.

[Calax]

I am, obviously, obliged to rag you for joining the Navy, but nonetheless good on you. Like the other fellahs say, don't fret when it seems like they're giving you pointless crud to do. The matra I use is "If this is the worst thing the Army ever do to me then I'm doing well."

 

Of course I'll be very different come Monday. One more weekend of fun fun fun coming up.

that mantra is wierd given I'm in the nave rather than the army

 

anyway by the end of the year I should be working on Fire control stuff for the navy (got into the "advanced electronics" program now called JOG)

[Sand]

You have my sympathies, Calax.

 

You seem to not been told what the Navy means.

 

Never

Again

Volunteer

Yourself.

 

Joining the military is a big mistake.

[Guard Dog]

Joining the military is a big mistake.

 

Unlimited educational opporunities, paid college tuition, interesting work, a solid resume addition, veterans benefits like VA home loans, travel, camradie, a career with unlimited potential for advancement if you choose, all that good stuff. Yep it's a real bummer.

 

Calax in the Navy there will be good time and bad times just like college, work, or whatever else you do. You have no control over that. But being happy or miserable is a choice you make. Sand chose the latter.

[Sand]

Its only a solid resume addition if you stay sane.

 

It takes a certain mindset to be in the military. One has to take orders even if the orders are stupid, one has to act like he has a stick up his rear and follow regulations when they make no freakin' sense, one hase to keep his mouth shut when he sees an idiot in a higher paygrade do something stupid that could get people killed. Sarcasm wasn't too appreciated aboard my ship. There was such a high level of bullcrap going on that I just couldn't stand it. Joining the military is a mistake and not worth the frustration.

 

Calax, just watch out for boot Ensigns who have an overly abundant sense of self-importance and delusions of grandeur.

Edited April 27, 2008 by Sand

[Tigranes]

It takes a certain mindset to be in the military.

 

Maybe Calax has that certain mindset...?

 

I'm getting NZ citizenship to avoid the compulsory Korean military service (2 years), because I'm definitely not the army type physically or mentally, and I don't want to pursue it as a career anyway. But I can definitely see the good it can do for some.

[random n00b]

Sarcasm wasn't too appreciated aboard my ship.

Lol.

[Sand]

Well, I hope he does, Tigger. I nearly got a Section 8 for my troubles in the Navy.

[Walsingham]

Well, I hope he does, Tigger. I nearly got a Section 8 for my troubles in the Navy.

 

 

I know this is a wee bit rude of me, but it seems to me that you've got a massive chip on your shoulder about the Navy. I have a cousin who's a US Navy rating, just spoke to him recently. He freaking loves it.

 

Likewise, without wanting to be offensive, it seems to me that you're whole "Me and me alone" attitude would get you bounced by just about any halfway reputable military unit. Loners don't get far in any service. Pull together is lesson one.

[Sand]

No offense taken, Walsh, and you are right. I am a bit of a loner. When I was given tasks that I could do by myself I get them done very efficiently and accurately, but as soonas I had to work with others things tended to degrade. Hell, even when we got into port for shore leave I went off alone while whole groups got together and went bar hopping, which is a task I loathe.

 

I like being alone.

[Gorth]

Well, I hope he does, Tigger. I nearly got a Section 8 for my troubles in the Navy.

I suddenly feel like watching M.A.S.H. 4077 again for some reason

[Walsingham]

No offense taken, Walsh, and you are right. I am a bit of a loner. When I was given tasks that I could do by myself I get them done very efficiently and accurately, but as soonas I had to work with others things tended to degrade. Hell, even when we got into port for shore leave I went off alone while whole groups got together and went bar hopping, which is a task I loathe.

 

I like being alone.

 

Kudos for being honest. But you can see that perhaps your views are slightly inappropriate to most people who sign up? Being part of a close knit unit, making friends for life, these are all positive things for a lot of people. Things which compensate for a lot of the bull****.

[Sand]

Kudos for being honest. But you can see that perhaps your views are slightly inappropriate to most people who sign up? Being part of a close knit unit, making friends for life, these are all positive things for a lot of people. Things which compensate for a lot of the bull****.

 

My views are always inappropriate. People here should know that by now.

 

I do have to say the two positive things about my stint in the Navy was when I visited Hong Kong and Australia. That one gaming store I went to in Sydney was heaven.

[Walsingham]

Kudos for being honest. But you can see that perhaps your views are slightly inappropriate to most people who sign up? Being part of a close knit unit, making friends for life, these are all positive things for a lot of people. Things which compensate for a lot of the bull****.

 

I do have to say the two positive things about my stint in the Navy was when I visited Hong Kong and Australia. That one gaming store I went to in Sydney was heaven.

 

You, sir, are a weapons-grade nerd. I bow before you.