Joining The Navy

Questions About The Navy: Find Out About Navy Career Opportunities, Higher Education, And More!

What is it about Navy jobs that make you consider joining this branch of the armed forces? Perhaps it’s the abundance of career opportunities that can have you working from home or abroad. Maybe it’s the desire you have to protect your country, its citizens, and its freedoms. Whatever reasons you have for wanting to join the Navy, there are a few things to consider before making this major life decision.

Here are some interesting facts about the Navy that you may not have known:

• Navy blue and gold became the official colors of the Navy in 1802.
• The first distinguishing marks were added to Navy uniforms in 1842. They were the eagle and the anchor emblems.
• The trademark Navy mascot is a goat – Before that, the Navy used cats, a dog, and even a carrier pigeon.
• Thomas Jefferson is the only president depicted on Mt. Rushmore that does not have a US aircraft carrier named in his honor.
• The Navy utilizes over 300 ships and 4,000 aircraft carriers.

Ask yourself these important 6 questions about joining the Navy – and find out if the Navy is right for you!

Before making the decision to join this branch of the armed forces, there are a few choice questions that you should ask yourself to determine if a life in the Navy is right for you. Below you will find a few of the most important questions you should be asking yourself as you consider a Navy career.

1. How long can I commit?

To become an enlisted sailor or officer in the Navy, you must be willing to commit years of your life to serving in the armed forces. The amount of time you must be willing to commit to will vary according to your personal goals and aspirations in the military. If you are interested in a basic enlistment, you are looking at spending anywhere from two to four years in the Navy, with more time being required for specialized positions. If you are looking to become a Naval officer, you will be contracted for service for a period of between three to five years, with the possibility of a longer contract if you are seeking specialized positions.

2. Am I looking to serve in the military full-time or part-time?

Joining the Navy doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment: There are plenty of opportunities to join the armed forces as a Reservist. This option benefits those who want to join the Navy but may not have the ability to enlist with a full-time obligation. Here are two options for becoming a member of the United States Navy:

• Active Duty – Enlisting in the Navy full-time will require you to commit to two to four years on average. You will spend anywhere from ten days to two weeks a month training at sea, with the possibility of deploying for up to six months at a time every year and a half to two years.
• Navy Reserve – Joining the Navy Reserve is a great way to fulfill your desire to serve in the armed forces without committing full-time. The obligations for Navy Reservists include a commitment of two to eight years. During this time, you will typically report for duty one weekend per month as well as a single two-week training period per year.

3. What kinds of career opportunities are available to me in the Navy?

One of the biggest benefits of the Navy is the vast amount of career opportunities available to those who serve in this branch of the armed forces. After fulfilling your obligation to complete basic training as a sailor, you will have the ability to move on to more specialized Navy jobs. Are you content with performing basic job functions for the Navy, or are you looking for an opportunity to become an officer? Taking the time to clearly assess your goals is a great way to determine if the career opportunities in the Navy are what you’re looking for.

4. Can the Navy help me achieve higher education?

This is perhaps the one thing about the Navy that stands out above all of the other benefits: Joining the armed forces is a great way to get an education through the college or university of your choice. Enlisted sailors and officers have access to many education programs during their time of service. There are also educational opportunities for those who have served their time and retired from the Navy, as well as those who enlisted in the Reserves. The Navy offers many veteran college options and ROTC courses for those who qualify.

5. What benefits are available to me after joining the Navy?

The Navy offers many lucrative benefits for those who serve in the armed forces! Benefits that are available for enlisted sailors, reservists, and veterans include:

• Monetary assistance and allowances for housing and education
• Financial services such as credit union membership, retirement plans, and more
• Insurance plans that cover health, dental, vision, life, and more
• Paid vacation time
• Support groups for families
• Childcare assistance programs
• Employment assistance to help find sailors find immediate jobs or long-term careers

6. How much military pay am I entitled to?

This is a very frequently asked question about the Navy, and it’s often one of the first questions prospective sailors have when they consider joining the armed forces. While military pay differs greatly depending on the number of years served and a sailor’s ranking; a sailor who is just beginning their service commitment can expect to receive an average salary of $2,000 per month. As sailors fulfill their obligations and rank higher, they will begin to earn pay raises on a regular basis. After factoring in all of the available benefits, sailors will find that their compensation amount is much higher than their actual earnings.

Have more questions about the Navy? Click here to visit our Navy Jobs page where you will learn about the numerous career opportunities available in the Navy, as well as jobs that are available for Navy reservists and veterans.