Re: Joining The Navy!!! Need Tips and Advice!!

**msdz** · 01-26-2008, 01:52 PM

I was also in the Navy. Will be honest with you though, I seriously doubt you will become a pilot though. Not trying to bust your bubble but I heard a lot of stories from other guys who had joined the Navy in hopes of flying but were cut out due to the fact they did not have any ROTC and the Navy likes picking people who had attended a Naval Academy, something else they consider is the scores you received on the ASVAB test, I was told a 98% or better could also get a person considered for a pilot if no other training had been done yet.
One other thing, don't believe hardly anything the recruiter has told you, the majority are lies to get you to enlist, that is their job.
As far as basic training goes, it is not that hard if you are in relatively decent shape to begin with, hardest for me was not smoking but quickly forgot about that due to the fact you don't get time to hardly take a crap let alone think about a cigarette. Learning the Navy way is the hardest and not really the physical training. Letting somebody yell at you in your face and getting a spray shower from a company CO is hard to stand for.

Just to let you know most of the stuff I had heard from other guys who claimed they enlisted to become pilots as well, I do not know any of this to be a fact about the pilot training and what may get you considered. Things my have changed in the past 16 years from when I was in the Navy as well.

**Duncan** · 01-26-2008, 03:43 PM

You know what Ive heard of alot of recruiters lying in the military. So you know what forget it im just gonna stay here in America and live life everyday. I think that would be alot better cause i don't want to join the service and i get alot of unsuspected surprises. I might just become a police officer instead

**War.mongeR1** · 01-26-2008, 05:45 PM

My recruiter experience was positive. They told me everything exactly how it would turn out. They told me the bad along with the good. In fact, I stopped by a couple times to the recruiting office to thank Sgt Pierce for lining me up with such a great career. Don't let some peoples bad experiences sway your decision. Do what YOU want to do. Don't get discouraged about the pilot position either. It's the ones who really put their hearts into it that get it. Most recruits give up, don't get their degrees, get wrapped up in other things, etc. That's why that pilots license is important. Technically it doesn't give you any points on their recruiting checklist, but it proves you have the drive to do what it takes to get that slot. I think it helps. If being a pilot is all you've ever wanted to do, then by god, you can do it.

Like I said earlier, try your best to get an enlisted aircrew position to start. It will provide you the proper motivation to keep on pushing along with your private flight training. And tons of hands on pointers from the pilots themselves. You'll be working side by side with them for long long periods of time. When you're stuck behind a desk pushing paper, then most end up losing that necessary motivation.

**msdz** · 01-26-2008, 07:57 PM

Man, sorry if my post might have changed you mind. I am just saying there are the chances this stuff I said COULD happen. War is right, keep in there and show them your intentions and that you are willing to work hard to get to be a pilot and there may be a good chance you could get it. Most of the people also I had talked to might of had issues with the Navy to begin with?!?! You know, the type of people I am talking about, the ones that gripe and grumble over everything. Their attitudes may have been reasons why they never even got looked at twice.
I also agree, if you want to become a pilot then the aircreww would definitely be the position to be in, get in good with people around you and show them that is what you want and never know, even another pilot may help get you noticed??

Only thing I was saying, be prepared for some hard knocks trying to get what you want. It won't just come to you easily.

**El_Gringo_Grande** · 01-26-2008, 08:23 PM

Recruiters are sales people trying to get you to buy their product. Just because they stretch the truth, make promises that cannot be kept or make the experience sound better than it is doesn't mean that the product is bad.

But if you can change your mind that fast the military is probably not your cup of tea anyway. It is a big commitment that is very hard to get out of.

**Orthos** · 01-26-2008, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by |TG|Marine Hotshot

If Anybody been in the US Navy I was just wondering how hard is basic training. I plan on doing an administrative job cause they have the most flexible hours since I want to get my bachelors as soon as possible. After I obtain a degree I will become a pilot and specialize in fighter type aircraft. If anybody been in the navy please tell me what things I need to know to prepare for the Navy and if this is the right way to go if I want to become a pilot. Thanks

If you are really serious feel free to give me a call. i have been in the Navy fir 15 years. I'm an E-7 (Sonar Technician Chief Petty Officer)(Submarines). I would be very happy top discuss anything you want. The real answers not the info your recruiters are giving you.

STSC(SS) Tom DeVany
USS SAN FRANCISCO (SSN 711)
STLCPO
619-392-2751

**Duncan** · 01-27-2008, 09:00 PM

If your an air crewman do you neccessarily have to live on a ship. Cause i want to bring my computer with me after basic training.

**Ferris Bueller** · 01-27-2008, 09:23 PM

No, not necessarily, but you do have to go where you're assigned to go. So if they say you go on a ship, you go on a ship.

**El_Gringo_Grande** · 01-27-2008, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by |TG|Marine Hotshot

If your an air crewman do you neccessarily have to live on a ship. Cause i want to bring my computer with me after basic training.

Hmmmm, don't want to go to a ship ehh?

Not very likely. The land based assignments usually are a reward to those that are 4.0 sailors and intend to stay in awhile.

But you can have a computer on board. Limits your other personal effects because you only have so much space. But if get put on an aircraft carrier there is space. I had an Amiga 500 then an Amiga 2000 with all the fixens, others did also.

And now a days with the powerful laptops, no problem. You won't have a lot of income at the lower ranks but it is all yours. No bills to worry about, not even food.

**Iceberg** · 01-28-2008, 12:38 AM

AC130's are primarily AF and Army right?

**aculle01** · 01-28-2008, 01:30 AM

Just Air Force

**Duncan** · 01-28-2008, 04:44 PM

Sorry for those of you figuring out where I got AC-130's I mean C-130 hercules which is the cargo carrying variant

**Duncan** · 01-28-2008, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by El_Gringo_Grande

Hmmmm, don't want to go to a ship ehh?

But you can have a computer on board. Limits your other personal effects because you only have so much space. But if get put on an aircraft carrier there is space. I had an Amiga 500 then an Amiga 2000 with all the fixens, others did also.

I was reading a post on yahoo answers and they said you couldnt bring a computer on board because it can affect something with the internet and enemy forces picking up the signal on radar which i think is very stupid and unbelievable.

**LuckyStrike** · 01-28-2008, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by |TG|Marine Hotshot

If Anybody been in the US Navy I was just wondering how hard is basic training. I plan on doing an administrative job cause they have the most flexible hours since I want to get my bachelors as soon as possible. After I obtain a degree I will become a pilot and specialize in fighter type aircraft. If anybody been in the navy please tell me what things I need to know to prepare for the Navy and if this is the right way to go if I want to become a pilot. Thanks

ex Navy nuke (MM) here

1. get soap-on-a-rope.

2. Basic wasn't too hard. They screw with your head but it's not personal. Think full metal jacket minus the hitting. This was what it was like back in 86

3. Become a postal clerk. those guys have it made.

4. Pick your rate before you go in. Don't buy the lie about joining as an apprentice and choosing the rate you want later.

remember.. you're only gay if you push back

**El_Gringo_Grande** · 01-28-2008, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by LuckyStrike

ex Navy nuke (MM) here

1. get soap-on-a-rope.

2. Basic wasn't too hard. They screw with your head but it's not personal. Think full metal jacket minus the hitting. This was what it was like back in 86

3. Become a postal clerk. those guys have it made.

4. Pick your rate before you go in. Don't buy the lie about joining as an apprentice and choosing the rate you want later.

remember.. you're only gay if you push back

I didn't know you where a nuke. Monkeys Mate eh? What ship?

And he is right about postal clerks. Because of my less than stellar attitude I was sent to work there for a bit. It so cake and I was sad to leave.

Number 4 on his list also true, those that go in with no rate get screwed and end up as gophers for the guys with crappy jobs.

And the gay thing? I heard you are only gay if you keep it up after you hit port.

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