Tokyojoe wrote:
Ask your questions.
You can also just choose a totally unrelated career in the military just to have another skill background to fall on after you get out. I would not recommend one that you can't really use (like a Tank driver for the Army or Marines).
While you might have a special fondness for the water (lake where you are growing up), being in the Navy, on a huge ship, is not the same thing as being on a "boat" out on a lake. You will be closer to those "good feelings" with the Coast Guard.
1st rule of thumb: Do not believe everything a recruiter tells you. While there are completely honest ones out there, there are just as many bad ones that will lie and convince you to do this or that to fit the needs of either themselves or the military branch they work for...and not YOUR needs and wants. Gather info, talk to them, but do not sign anything. Take info they give you and go home, google the info, talk to vets and retirees by visiting the local VFW and American Legion. Then go back to the recruiters armed with a wealth of info.
As for 'asking questions' and the '1st rule of thumb' Toykojoe elated to, he is correct. Again, don't commit to anything during your first visit. Go home, think about what you've been told and write down all the questions which come to mind before you return to visit the recruiter a second time.
The one thing Tokyojoe failed to include is that the Navy once again has a "brown water" force called "SWCC" (pronounced; "Swick"). But you must be in top physical condition because these men train much like SEAL's, and the drop out rate is just about the same as well. Your size won't hinder you but the least bit of fear you may have,
will! Seriously, the dedication of these special boats teams is intense. These men (SWCC) insert and extract SEAL Teams and other Special Forces within hostile combat zones among other missions. Depending on which special boat team you enter, you could find yourself cruising rivers, or on the ocean, both in high speed boats.
As far as the Navy, I think you're on the right track myself, and that's coming from a guy who spent 12 years in the Army. By the way, driving and commanding Abrams main battle tanks. I'll get to my post Army career in minute. Anyway, I am a Gulf War (Desert Storm) Veteran who was with the 1st Tiger Brigade of the 2nd Armor Division. We were deployed from Saudi Arabia into Kuwait along with armor from both the 2d & 1st Marines. The Marines didn't have enough tanks back then so they were operating Army Abrams tanks. Now you may hear people from one branch of service disrespect another branch but let me tell you that when you have entered combat (in my case with Armor Marines), you hold those "brother's" to the highest regard for the rest of your life. It is my opinion that those who dis another branch, have either, never served, or never served in battle. I also know for a fact that U.S. Army Rangers have the highest regard for their "brother's" from USMC Force Recon.
Okay so the bottom line as to why I think you're on the right track with thoughts of joining the Navy is that your first choice or even the Air Force for that matter are the two branches I would recommend (and have) to others in today's world. Unless you're into sandboxes? Which reminds me, someone stated incorrectly about deployments regarding the Air Force. I have a cousin who's step-son flies the C130 (cargo) from Saudi into Iraq and has deployed 5, yes, 5 times.
On a side note, as for Fallon, my nephew recently returned from Atsugi Japan to become a instructor at the top gun school. He is a Aviator in the F/A 18 Super Hornet. He likes the place a lot better than he did Japan. Then again, when I asked him and his wife just prior to leaving if they would miss Japan, she said she would miss all her friends (other pilots wifes) and my nephew remarked, not really, I can't tell you much about it other than I have heard it's a really nice place. In 2008, he spent roughly 6 weeks at home, the rest of that time he was at sea on the carrier cruising both the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Okay as for this former Tank Commander, Tokyojoe was right, there isn't much calling in civilian life for tank crew members but I have no regrets. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. Today I am a Operating Engineer playing with heavy construction equipment in a stone quarry and my tank career (aside from being a veteran) quickly got me moved up the union list for training, and soon after, a job. The same job I've been at since then.
Hey, whatever you decide, just take your time and good luck!
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