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[–] DjangoRed [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I'm strongly considering enlisting the navy right now. I've been to a recruiter several times. I'm in a shit ton of debt with a degree in computer science and awful GPA. But I hated the office job I had. I hated sitting in a chair looking at a computer monitor for 8 hours a day. I don't want to do that for the rest of my life. I realize the navy isn't all sunshine and rainbows but I can't stand the corporate office environment.

The point is I have options most other enlisted people don't. Am I being crazy if I enlist?

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[–] oedipusaurus_rex 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

also, before I forget. Nuclear engineer recruits count double towards a recruiters quota, so they will probably push pretty hard for you to go nuke. Unless you really hate the sun, or leaving the ship, don't go nuke.

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[–] oedipusaurus_rex 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago  (edited ago)

Don't go nuke.

I repeat, do not go nuke. No matter what they tell you, do not go nuke. That being said, if you have a bachelors, you need to be talking to an officer recruiter. Stop talking to the enlisted recruiter right now unless you reallly want to be enlisted. Officers get more freedom and more responsibility. The perks are good, but you are ultimately responsible for other peoples shit (which is going to happen anyway if they are promising you advancement to E4 (it sounds like they are).

As an officer you start out making around the same as a chief (E7 - it's a good chunk of change), and are on a pretty fast track to a 6 figure salary + really good benefits. It's worth talking to an officer recruiter just to see what they can get you.

If you do decide to go enlisted DO NOT GO NUKE! You can go into AECF (it's what I did, so you get a 50/50 shot of shooting the really big guns/missiles). Your computer science degree will be put to good work in that field. You'll end up doing a lot of circuit tracing in your A and C schools, so those will be a cinch for you. AECF includes Fire Controlmen (the guys who work on the guns/missiles) and Electronic Technicians (the guys who work on all other computer systems). I think ICs might also be part of the AECF but I'm not sure. Those guys run the telephone lines/internal communications for the ship.

Going into the Navy sucks. The first year in particular is bad, but it gets good after that. I was given automatic E4 as soon as I did my time, and I made E5 on my first time up for it. It changes most people for the better. Just let it. I highly recommend it now that I'm out. When I was in I told people to stay out. Make of that what you will. If you do your time, you'll get a lot out of it.

If you can, go the officer route. They get the uncrustables.

edit: DON'T GO NUKE! If you do, you will never see a port.