• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Thinking of a slight life change -- Navy Reserves

A

allthatisman

Senior member
So I am 31 years old, have a B.S. in Business Management, wife, house, no kids, and zero ties otherwise. I work for the State of California as an analyst making decent money, but nothing lavish by any means (even less, since Arnold wants to pay me min. wage...)

Lately I have been thinking about how lame cube life is and that I would like to do something maybe better, or at least different. Found this:

http://www.navyreserve.com/about/joining/non-prior-service/#basic-entry-requirements

And possible going in as an officer. Any thoughts on this or any other branch of the service? I am about to call a recruiter, but I know how relentless they can be once you give them your number...
 
I would find another outlet for change. Going full blown military is honestly never the best choice, not to mention you're married. I'm sure they don't discriminate based on age, but you might be older than they'd like.
 
I currently have a friend in the army reserves and frankly I do not see how being bossed around on weekends is adding anything new and exciting to his life. But god bless those who chose to serve in our armed forces.
 
A guy on another forum I frequent joined the Navy full time. He was 30 something, married, and taught English at school. It was something he always wanted to do, and now he's gotten out of basic, and is packing the wife up to go to Hawaii. So far he's loving it. The military isn't for everyone, but if you have the right temperament, it could be the best thing you can do.
 
Modelworks said:
I did the navy thing years ago and it was okay. What would you be interested in doing if you did join ?
Click to expand...

Not sure, nothing involving killing though. My dream would be to fly something... but that is dream catergory. I seriously have experience in everything. My brother was in the Coast Guard as an E5 grunt in their maritime law enforcement detail. He loved it, but was stupid and turned down a fat re-enlistment bonus... now he will likely go back in, but with no bonus at all...

lxskllr said:
A guy on another forum I frequent joined the Navy full time. He was 30 something, married, and taught English at school. It was something he always wanted to do, and now he's gotten out of basic, and is packing the wife up to go to Hawaii. So far he's loving it. The military isn't for everyone, but if you have the right temperament, it could be the best thing you can do.
Click to expand...

Both my wife and I would like to travel. I think the military would help with that a bit. Our house payment is super low, and is easily rentable. She hates her job, and likely their next union contract will be even worse than the one they got three years ago... If nothing else, have veteran status with the State of California gets you into EVERY interview you want, and it's a good chance that if me personally, would get the interview, I would get the position. So if I hate it, it would be better career wise here than a master's degree, and I get paid for it.
 
GasX said:
Never? Really? The military life isn't the right thing to do for anyone? My, isn't that a convenient attempt at self validation.
Click to expand...

While that might be a bit of an overstatement, the problem is that it's not really reversable. You can't just try it out and decide you don't like it.

OP, there are a lot of things you can do to change up your life a bit, have you thought of changing careers (not involving the military)?
 
That's 4 years if you go into the military full time. I've had civilian jobs I stayed in longer than that. It really isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. My brother did 4 years in the Navy, hated it, and got out. He's managed fine. You get an interesting experience, a modest amount of pay, and some doors opened(wider) when you get out. Discipline would do much of ATOT some good.
 
GasX said:
Never? Really? The military life isn't the right thing to do for anyone? My, isn't that a convenient attempt at self validation.
Click to expand...

Err, not sure what I was trying to validate...

I didn't say it wasn't the right thing, it's just never the best thing.
 
lxskllr said:
That's 4 years if you go into the military full time. I've had civilian jobs I stayed in longer than that. It really isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. My brother did 4 years in the Navy, hated it, and got out. He's managed fine. You get an interesting experience, a modest amount of pay, and some doors opened(wider) when you get out. Discipline would do much of ATOT some good.
Click to expand...

That takes you from 31 to 35. And (I think) there's 4 years inactive reserve commitment as well.
 
Blackjack200 said:
That takes you from 31 to 35. And (I think) there's 4 years inactive reserve commitment as well.
Click to expand...

Sure, but you're very unlikely to get called back to duty, especially in the Navy. A deployment could get extended if you're overseas, but the Navy isn't as involved as the Army in our various conflicts.
 
lxskllr said:
That's 4 years if you go into the military full time. I've had civilian jobs I stayed in longer than that. It really isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. My brother did 4 years in the Navy, hated it, and got out. He's managed fine. You get an interesting experience, a modest amount of pay, and some doors opened(wider) when you get out. Discipline would do much of ATOT some good.
Click to expand...

I think it was the best thing for me really. I was 17 at the time , lived in a small town and while there was college, like most 17 year olds I was inexperienced and didn't know what the world was all about. The Navy showed me the world, taught me things I could learn nowhere else and gave me the confidence to do other things.
 
I'm in the exact same boat as you are, I'm 29, work for the state and I'm ready for a change. I've recently put some serious thought into joining the Peace Corps. It's 27 months, but you can leave the program at any time without penalty. Doesn't pay well, but IMO experience is priceless.

I'm at a time in my life that if I don't do something like this now, I never will. There's a informational presentation on 7/13 at McKinley Park if you're interested. I'm gonna go check it out and see what the specifics are.
 
scott916 said:
I'm in the exact same boat as you are, I'm 29, work for the state and I'm ready for a change. I've recently put some serious thought into joining the Peace Corps. It's 27 months, but you can leave the program at any time without penalty. Doesn't pay well, but IMO experience is priceless.

I'm at a time in my life that if I don't do something like this now, I never will. There's a informational presentation on 7/13 at McKinley Park if you're interested. I'm gonna go check it out and see what the specifics are.
Click to expand...

I might check that out, if I do, maybe I will hit you up. Judging by your name... you from Sacramento?

I feel that it's going to be now or nothing... and given the current job climate, there just isn't going to be that much opportunity that is better than what I currently have, and so far that isn't cutting it.

I would like to hear more from ATOT'ers that have reserve XP...
 
allthatisman said:
I might check that out, if I do, maybe I will hit you up. Judging by your name... you from Sacramento?

I feel that it's going to be now or nothing... and given the current job climate, there just isn't going to be that much opportunity that is better than what I currently have, and so far that isn't cutting it.

I would like to hear more from ATOT'ers that have reserve XP...
Click to expand...

I am.

Agreed, it seems like there are few opportunities for drastic change in one's life, and I feel like if I let this one go I'll forever regret it.
 
FWIW, I'm too old now, but if I were younger, I'd give serious thought to going in the Coast Guard. I love the water, and if I could score a job where I'd spend a lot of time on a boat, I could do that until retirement(even if the pay wasn't terrific).
 
I was walking into a recruiters door choosing between marine corps or army and only thing that stopped me was a pretty lady i ended up marrying. I belong in the military but i could never live as a married man while serving. A silly catch 22, i decided in no way would i put a family through that misery including myself, when i had several other options available.


You want a change of pace? Be a voluntary fireman
 
lxskllr said:
FWIW, I'm too old now, but if I were younger, I'd give serious thought to going in the Coast Guard. I love the water, and if I could score a job where I'd spend a lot of time on a boat, I could do that until retirement(even if the pay wasn't terrific).
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that one, I look into various marine careers from time to time. I love being on the water. Not sure if the CG is the best way to do it or not as I haven't really researched them too much...

Also, I would really hate doing drug interdiction since I disagree with the whole war on drugs, so who knows...
 
I was walking into a recruiters door choosing between marine corps or army and only thing that stopped me was a pretty lady i ended up marrying. I belong in the military but i could never live as a married man while serving. A silly catch 22, i decided in no way would i put a family through that misery including myself, when i had several other options available.


You want a change of pace? Be a voluntary fireman
 
Beev said:
Err, not sure what I was trying to validate...

I didn't say it wasn't the right thing, it's just never the best thing.
Click to expand...

Well, for you maybe. For some people it is the Very Best Thing.

Who do you think does join the Military? People that cannot do anything else?

Wrong. I served 20 years and retired from the US Navy and it was the BEST thing that ever happened to me and my wife.

1. Some of the best technicians in the world are trained in the military.
2. The pay is probably more than a lot of people are making in civilian life when you add in the tax free allowances, Housing, Food, and Clothing. Plus depending on your specific job code and assignment Sea pay, hazardous duty pay ( each of these are several hundred dollars a month ).
3. Free travel all over the world.

Sure it means time away from your family, but look at all the honeymoons!

Freedom is not Free.

PS: At 31 you are not going to be flying in the Navy, too old. Although the Navy and Marine Pilots are the best in the world. Think about landing a Jet going hundreds of miles per hour on a moving ( in several planes at the same time ) postage stamp in the middle of the ocean
 
Last edited:
If you're going to do it, go all the way. I was active duty Navy and loved it. Not sure I would've felt the same way about reserves. It seems like all of the inconvenience of being in the Navy with none of the exotic port calls.
 
I was thinking of going full-time Army after I get my MS in computer science. Not sure how the officer training works without going through ROTC in undergrad. Helps with government jobs to have military experience, not to mention defense contractors love it (and the security clearance).
 
I've had passing thoughts of joining the military after I graduated college, just as sort of a backup in case I lost my job or something. Now that I'm married those are gone. There's no way I could spend so much time away from my wife, especially if at least some of that time is spent in dangerous parts of the world.
 
I did 4 years active in the Navy 13 years ago. At the time i didnt love it but didnt hate it either. Looking back though now i really enjoyed it and wish i put in my 20 years and retired.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top