Life after Graduation

I know enough about the Academy to know that I want to attend, but what I'm not so sure of is what life is going to be like after graduation. Basically, what's life in the Navy like?

How long are deployments on ships? When you aren't deployed, where are you stationed? When do you have leave/liberty? Those sorts of questions.

Is it best to search the internet on this, or will I find better and more accurate information from a recruiter and my BGO?

majortheta said:

I know enough about the Academy to know that I want to attend, but what I'm not so sure of is what life is going to be like after graduation. Basically, what's life in the Navy like?

How long are deployments on ships? When you aren't deployed, where are you stationed? When do you have leave/liberty? Those sorts of questions.

Is it best to search the internet on this, or will I find better and more accurate information from a recruiter and my BGO?

Click to expand...

I posted a similar question a couple of weeks ago, found here.

I think my DS got better information by talking to current Midshipmen. He literally called all of the kids that graduated from his High School and attended Annapolis. They provided valuable insight.

Fun and Laughs with Lifelong Friends

majortheta said:

I know enough about the Academy to know that I want to attend, but what I'm not so sure of is what life is going to be like after graduation. Basically, what's life in the Navy like?

How long are deployments on ships? When you aren't deployed, where are you stationed? When do you have leave/liberty? Those sorts of questions.

Is it best to search the internet on this, or will I find better and more accurate information from a recruiter and my BGO?

Click to expand...

I asked my son why he wants to serve as a naval officer. He told me that every time I spoke of my days in the Navy he heard me say how much fun I had with the best guys I've ever known and that we're still friends and will always be there for each other. I'd bet my last nickel the vast majority of those who served as naval officers would say the same thing. Now that my son is at the academy he now has a head start on the "fun and friends" rewards of serving. Yes, he's having fun there and making great friends with other mids who are doing the same. Good luck to you.
Cheers

It all depends on service assignment. My life is very different from my friends' down in flight school, nuke school, or already out on ships. For one thing, my biggest problem isn't "I'm spending too much money on paddleboard rentals!" or "One of my Sailors got a DUI and my Department Head is breathing down my neck about my qualifications!"

If you're curious about long-term life in the Navy/USMC, check out some of the websites out there directed towards officers in those services and just read and get a feel for what life in those communities is like.

This is a very broad and wide ranging question. Every service, specialty/MOS, and unit/ship will make this answer vary beyond belief. I went Marine Corps, my room mates all went SWO, my best friend went pilot. Once we all go to the fleet (out of training schools), our lives were so different it is hard to explain. We all amost spoke our own unique languages. USNA2016Dad nailed it describing the intangible of the military. It is a hard life, but it has it high points too. The friendships, memories, pushing yourself, leading, etc are things you will remember. It is like Plebe Year... as you get further away, you forget the bad and embrace the good memories.

As a SWO you will be standing on the deck of your ship 30 days after graduating. Is the ship underway, doing work ups, just returning from deployment, in the yards? This will be a factor in what your daily life is like. What is mentioned above is correct, where do you stand on your quals? Is your ship facing inspection? As a brand new officer quals will consume your life as you try to figure out your job, sailors and shipboard life.

Sub officers go to school for a good bit. After a lengthy training pipeline sub life will vary just like a ship. Every ship or unit has its own personality in the military.

Marines... go to TBS for 6 months, then a MOS school. Those schools vary from 2-6 months if not more. Once you get to the Operating Forces you will be platoon commander learning your job and your Marines. Your days will spent doing alot of paperwork, training your Marines, PT, meetings, counseling, and of course following up and the taskings you have given.

SEAL... lots and lots of school and training then moving on to be a member of a team.

Those are the big ones. As mentioned above a young man called his friends. I would utilize google and you can probably find a lot of websites and forums that talk specifically about this stuff.