So I realize that you have a number of different career paths that you could end up in (Surface Warfare, FLight Officer, Pilot, Marines, Seals, Subs, etc.). I also realize that the path you choose is not entirely up to you (meaning you may not get your top choice or you could be voluntold). I am still weighing my options as to whether or not to attend the academy. I absolutely want to serve my country and it is something I have wanted to do for a long time. However, part of the reason I want to attend Navy as opposed to West Point is that I don't really want to see combat. I'm not saying that I don't want to be put in any dangerous situations because that is at least in some way shape or form a given of military service. So stemming from that I have a few questions.
-What is the likelihood of being selected for Marines if that is something you DO NOT want to do?
-Surface Warfare is obviously very broad. Within SW, what options do you have?
-I have a friend who is in Surface warfare and he is in the Caribbean doing counter drug ops. However, I realize some are shipped out to the middle east or other combat zones. What is the likelihood that you will be shipped out to a combat zone. If you are, what are the chances that you will actually see real combat?
-Lastly and probably most importantly, What options are there as a pilot. Within being a pilot, what are the chances that you will actually engage the enemy? My grandfather was a Naval pilot and all he did was fly around for VIP's for his entire time despite the fact that he desperately wanted to see combat (This was, however, during WWII)
I know some of you are gonna say, you don't belong in the Navy if you don't want to see combat. Thats BS. There are plenty of ways to serve your country without seeing combat. Maybe some of you will say that the coast guard is a better option for me. Maybe you are right. Maybe not. For the time being, the Navy is still what I really want to do and I would like to see what my options are beyond the academy before I make the commitment. That shouldn't be too much to ask I hope
-What is the likelihood of being selected for Marines if that is something you DO NOT want to do?
-Surface Warfare is obviously very broad. Within SW, what options do you have?
-I have a friend who is in Surface warfare and he is in the Caribbean doing counter drug ops. However, I realize some are shipped out to the middle east or other combat zones. What is the likelihood that you will be shipped out to a combat zone. If you are, what are the chances that you will actually see real combat?
-Lastly and probably most importantly, What options are there as a pilot. Within being a pilot, what are the chances that you will actually engage the enemy? My grandfather was a Naval pilot and all he did was fly around for VIP's for his entire time despite the fact that he desperately wanted to see combat (This was, however, during WWII)
I know some of you are gonna say, you don't belong in the Navy if you don't want to see combat. Thats BS. There are plenty of ways to serve your country without seeing combat. Maybe some of you will say that the coast guard is a better option for me. Maybe you are right. Maybe not. For the time being, the Navy is still what I really want to do and I would like to see what my options are beyond the academy before I make the commitment. That shouldn't be too much to ask I hope