By
eHow Careers & Work Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Understand that the Navy expects every sailor to be dedicated to the mission of national defense, even those serving in noncombat roles.
Step2
Discuss enlistment with parents or older family members who have been in the Navy. Listen closely to their personal experiences.
Step3
Remember that you will be devoting four years to an assignment away from your family, friends and home.
Step4
Consider whether you want to join with a request for special training or to join and accept the Navy's choice for your military occupational specialty.
Step5
Understand that Navy duty can require you to spend several months at sea.
Step6
Visit a Navy recruiter.
Step7
Ask for literature.
Step8
Ask questions and take notes.
Step9
Make sure you can establish rapport with the recruiter. The recruiter wants to fill a quota with good recruits, but you can get solid answers to your questions if you persist.
Step10
Make sure you clearly specify your desire to seek assignment to a particular military occupational specialty.
Step11
Ask your school counselor or the Navy recruiter to schedule you for the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
Step12
Remember that you will undergo a physical examination, take a drug screening test and be subjected to a criminal background check.
Step13
Make no legal commitment until you're absolutely sure of your decision to join.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you have the desire to go SEAL, SWCC, EOD, Diver, Aircrew, or any of the Navy's special programs, make sure you get it in your contract. Don't listen to people who tell you how easy it is to get these schools AFTER you get to the fleet. The plain truth is that it can take a minimum of 2 years at your first duty station until you will be considered eligible to transfer.
Anonymous said
on 12/15/2005 If you really want to join the Navy, it's a help if you get a 1 year Seaman course. Almost all of the subjects in the course is related to ships and I think it's a benefit.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 The job classifiers are bound to press the slots that they need to fill, stressing the benefits to convince you. Never settle for a job you don't really want just because it has a higher enlistment bonus, better benefits, etc. Stick to your guns.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Make sure you understand everything that will be expected of you before you join. It's a good idea to do some research in the local library to look up jobs, ratings and what everyday life will be like in the Navy. Get your briefing from a recruiter you trust and in writing, if possible. Get plenty of rest and exercise before you are shipped off to boot camp. Prepare yourself mentally and physically because it will be the biggest, most rewarding challenge you will ever have to prepare for, but it's well worth it. I was in the Navy for four years. I traveled to several U.S. states and foreign countries, was exposed to many different cultures, sightseeing and souvenirs, met loads of cool people, ate exotic foods, bought terrific gifts for family and friends, and had an experience that no one can take away from me! You will work hard, but the "liberty call" makes it all worthwhile!
Mayton said
on 12/6/2007 You don't have to have any Speacial Programs in your contract if you go to boot camp in great physical shape. You have oppurtunities to do that IN BOOTCAMP but it helps if it is so try to get it anyway.