4 answers
Israel
Student
Glendale, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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What exactly is the military like? Specifically the navy.
I am really wonder how navy life style is and anything about the navy really.
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4 answers
Zachary Weeks
Electronics Technician
10
Answers
Placerville, California
Updated
Zachary’s Answer
Hello Israel,
If you’re considering the Navy, it’s important to understand that it is a life defined by significant trade-offs. After seven years as an Electronics Technician, I’ve seen that the "good" is very real: you get steady pay, incredible travel opportunities, and the kind of friendships that only form when you’re working toward a common mission. The long-term benefits, like free education and veteran programs, provide a massive head start for your life after the military. However, those perks come at a high personal cost. You are often far from home, the workload is heavy, and your personal freedom is strictly limited. One of the hardest adjustments for many is the total lack of privacy; you are around people 24/7, which can be draining if you value your own space and quiet time.
A phrase you will hear often is "choose your rate, choose your fate," and it is probably the most honest advice I can give you. In the Navy, your "rate" is your specific job, and it dictates your entire daily reality. As an Electronics Technician, for example, I’m responsible for the complex electronic and computer systems that are vital for the ship to get underway. Because these systems are the nervous system of the vessel, the work is high-stakes and technical. I’ve noticed that the sailors who truly enjoy their time in service are those who actually find fulfillment in their specific craft. If you enjoy the work you do every day, the hardships of the lifestyle become much easier to manage. My best advice is to research the different rates thoroughly and find one that aligns with your interests, because in the Navy, your job isn't just what you do—it’s how you live.
Good luck,
Zachary
If you’re considering the Navy, it’s important to understand that it is a life defined by significant trade-offs. After seven years as an Electronics Technician, I’ve seen that the "good" is very real: you get steady pay, incredible travel opportunities, and the kind of friendships that only form when you’re working toward a common mission. The long-term benefits, like free education and veteran programs, provide a massive head start for your life after the military. However, those perks come at a high personal cost. You are often far from home, the workload is heavy, and your personal freedom is strictly limited. One of the hardest adjustments for many is the total lack of privacy; you are around people 24/7, which can be draining if you value your own space and quiet time.
A phrase you will hear often is "choose your rate, choose your fate," and it is probably the most honest advice I can give you. In the Navy, your "rate" is your specific job, and it dictates your entire daily reality. As an Electronics Technician, for example, I’m responsible for the complex electronic and computer systems that are vital for the ship to get underway. Because these systems are the nervous system of the vessel, the work is high-stakes and technical. I’ve noticed that the sailors who truly enjoy their time in service are those who actually find fulfillment in their specific craft. If you enjoy the work you do every day, the hardships of the lifestyle become much easier to manage. My best advice is to research the different rates thoroughly and find one that aligns with your interests, because in the Navy, your job isn't just what you do—it’s how you live.
Good luck,
Zachary
Philip Gauthier
Nuclear Plant Work Week Manager
25
Answers
Prairieville, Louisiana
Updated
Philip’s Answer
The Navy is a VERY complex Beast, and experiences will vary depending on a lot of factors. I am a former Navy Nuclear Electronics Technician 2nd Class (ETN2) and I was stationed on the USS George HW Bush (CVN-77) for 4 years. The major factors that will affect your experience in the Navy are:
1) Rating (Your Job / Skill) - Mine was Nuclear Electronics Technician
2) Duty Station / Ship Assigned - Mine was the USS George HW Bush out of Norfolk Virginia
3) World Events and Missions (Examples are wars or other events like COVID)
4) Leadership, Shipmates, and your attitude (The people you work with)
CHOOSE YOUR RATE, CHOOSE YOUR FATE - The biggest factor in every navy experience is your Rating (your job) and if you go Officer or Enlisted. Unlike other branches of the military, in the Navy you get to choose your job. When you visit a recruiter, you will take an ASVAB Test which will tell you what jobs are available to you. It is important to choose a Rating that you are interested in an know you can be proud of. There may be no open billets (job openings) for the rating you desire right away but one may open up and you may have to wait. I recommend waiting, and not rushing into a job you don't want, since rating changes are very rare. The nice part of the navy is that there are lots of jobs for almost every interest (Medical, Technology, Engineering, Aviation, Culinary, and so much more).
Where you end up getting stationed the 2nd largest factor and you may have no -or- very little say in the matter. The Navy is not only an ocean-going organization but also has many air stations and bases ashore. If assigned to a ship you will find that life is different on every vessel. Life on a Carrier is much different than life on a Submarine. Even life on a Carrier Stationed out of Norfolk is different than life on a Carrier stationed out of Pearl Harbor or Japan. My Friend from Navy Nuclear School got assigned to the USS Enterprise just as it was pulling in to be decommissioned. He got to spend his entire 4 years on a decommissioning ship and never left port once! On the other hand, I went to the newest carrier in the fleet and spent a lot of time at sea testing experimental systems. My carrier even performed the first launch and recovery of a drone. One negative note was that my ship also had a first of a kind vacuum powered toilet system that liked to break (VERY OFTEN) so you can imagine how that impacted the crew and morale. Regardless of where you end up, you will likely be in close proximity to a lot of people and personal space in incredibly narrow.
Another factor that will affect any Navy experience is world events. This is almost too complex to analyze here since there are so many missions that the navy participates in. For example, when my ship went on deployment, we were supposed to spend more time in the Mediterranean and visit more European Ports but due to world events we ended up spending almost 8 months in the Middle East. Some other examples are the Hospital Ships deploying to foreign countries after disasters, and the Navy's Response to COVID.
Finally, the other factor is the people you work with... Ive had good leaders and bad leaders. They can impact your life pretty significantly but luckily even during the worst times there is always the camaraderie between shipmates that helps pull you through. I worked with a lot of really great people, and those friendships will last forever. Always remember that your attitude will also shape not only your experience but everybody else's as well.
Overall, my Navy Experience was VERY Stressful, and I was very glad to complete my enlistment of 6years and get back to the civilian world. I have no regrets and I am very proud of what I did. The memories will last forever.
My biggest advice to anyone considering joining the Navy is to think about what you want to do AFTER the Navy. That way even if your experience is bad, you have REAL experience that can translate to $$$ on the other side. If you do enjoy the Navy, you can always stay in but it's still good to have a plan.
Think about what YOU want to get out of the Navy
Take some practice ASVAB Tests and get those scores up (will open more opportunities)
Talk to a Recruiter and see what jobs/Billets are available
Don't rush into the first job they offer.
1) Rating (Your Job / Skill) - Mine was Nuclear Electronics Technician
2) Duty Station / Ship Assigned - Mine was the USS George HW Bush out of Norfolk Virginia
3) World Events and Missions (Examples are wars or other events like COVID)
4) Leadership, Shipmates, and your attitude (The people you work with)
CHOOSE YOUR RATE, CHOOSE YOUR FATE - The biggest factor in every navy experience is your Rating (your job) and if you go Officer or Enlisted. Unlike other branches of the military, in the Navy you get to choose your job. When you visit a recruiter, you will take an ASVAB Test which will tell you what jobs are available to you. It is important to choose a Rating that you are interested in an know you can be proud of. There may be no open billets (job openings) for the rating you desire right away but one may open up and you may have to wait. I recommend waiting, and not rushing into a job you don't want, since rating changes are very rare. The nice part of the navy is that there are lots of jobs for almost every interest (Medical, Technology, Engineering, Aviation, Culinary, and so much more).
Where you end up getting stationed the 2nd largest factor and you may have no -or- very little say in the matter. The Navy is not only an ocean-going organization but also has many air stations and bases ashore. If assigned to a ship you will find that life is different on every vessel. Life on a Carrier is much different than life on a Submarine. Even life on a Carrier Stationed out of Norfolk is different than life on a Carrier stationed out of Pearl Harbor or Japan. My Friend from Navy Nuclear School got assigned to the USS Enterprise just as it was pulling in to be decommissioned. He got to spend his entire 4 years on a decommissioning ship and never left port once! On the other hand, I went to the newest carrier in the fleet and spent a lot of time at sea testing experimental systems. My carrier even performed the first launch and recovery of a drone. One negative note was that my ship also had a first of a kind vacuum powered toilet system that liked to break (VERY OFTEN) so you can imagine how that impacted the crew and morale. Regardless of where you end up, you will likely be in close proximity to a lot of people and personal space in incredibly narrow.
Another factor that will affect any Navy experience is world events. This is almost too complex to analyze here since there are so many missions that the navy participates in. For example, when my ship went on deployment, we were supposed to spend more time in the Mediterranean and visit more European Ports but due to world events we ended up spending almost 8 months in the Middle East. Some other examples are the Hospital Ships deploying to foreign countries after disasters, and the Navy's Response to COVID.
Finally, the other factor is the people you work with... Ive had good leaders and bad leaders. They can impact your life pretty significantly but luckily even during the worst times there is always the camaraderie between shipmates that helps pull you through. I worked with a lot of really great people, and those friendships will last forever. Always remember that your attitude will also shape not only your experience but everybody else's as well.
Overall, my Navy Experience was VERY Stressful, and I was very glad to complete my enlistment of 6years and get back to the civilian world. I have no regrets and I am very proud of what I did. The memories will last forever.
My biggest advice to anyone considering joining the Navy is to think about what you want to do AFTER the Navy. That way even if your experience is bad, you have REAL experience that can translate to $$$ on the other side. If you do enjoy the Navy, you can always stay in but it's still good to have a plan.
Philip recommends the following next steps:
Alexandra Brakeman
2
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
Life in the Navy depends a lot on your job, known as your rate, and where you are stationed. It's a good idea to look into different rates to learn about each job. Keep in mind, your rate will involve certain duties, but you'll have other tasks too. Once you find rates that interest you, ask specific questions to get a clearer picture of Navy life.
Ariane Copeland
HR, Payroll
10
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ariane’s Answer
I served as a Yeoman in the Navy for over ten years and had the amazing opportunity to visit more than 22 countries, including places like Singapore, Australia, Paris, London, Bahrain, Dubai, and the Solomon Islands. Traveling was definitely the highlight for me. Depending on your job, you'll have a sea and shore rotation, and every six months, you'll need to meet physical requirements, which include running, sit-ups, and push-ups within a set time based on your age.
If you're interested in joining, I recommend talking to a recruiter. They can help you take the ASVAB test to find out which jobs you qualify for.
If you're interested in joining, I recommend talking to a recruiter. They can help you take the ASVAB test to find out which jobs you qualify for.