After USNA

Hi everybody!

I was wondering if anybody could give me a little insight into life after USNA. It is 5 years required service, right? Do you get any kind of choices? What is it like?

Thanks

can't tell u wat its like out in the fleet yet but service requirements depends on your service assignment, not selection..brown shoes inquire 10 years as opposed to black shoes who have a 5 year obligation..

That question is so broad it is almost unanswerable. It all depends on service assignment, station, command, deployment cycle, etc.

You could go straight to a boat, you could spend a year in graduate school, you could spend 2 years in flight school, etc.

But also for pilots the requirements only 8 years, it just doesn't start until you get winged, so it ends up near the 10 year mark depending on what you fly and how fast you finish flight school.

Sorry, I know it's really broad. Thanks for the answers, though!

pknguyen44 said:

can't tell u wat its like out in the fleet yet but service requirements depends on your service assignment, not selection..brown shoes inquire 10 years as opposed to black shoes who have a 5 year obligation..

Click to expand...

What is a brown shoe?

Good decision makers.

[Naval Aviation]

Hahaha, pretty boys with longer hair and good hours.

[Naval Aviation]

swimsoftball, The answer to your question does change a LOT depending on your service assignment. Here's an attempt at a brief answer.

-Minimum service requirement is 5 years, but the requirement increases with any specialty training. That's why aviators end up with ~8 yr requirement
- Service areas: Most people end up in one of the following categories: naval aviator, naval flight officer, marine corps (aviation or ground), surface warfare, submarines. There are a very limited number (currently no more than 25) slots to attend medical school.
- Do you get choices? Sort of. Everyone gets to put in an ordered list of their top choices. Most people get one of their top two choices, but not necessarily their top choice. Generally, the closer to the top of your class you are, the more likely you are to get your first choice, but some top academic performers get "encouraged" to list subs as one of their top choices. Those who go surface warfare get to choose (in order of class rank, called Overall Order of Merit, or just OOM) their first home port/ship assignment. When in doubt, the needs of the Navy come first.

2012mom? said:

- Service areas: Most people end up in one of the following categories: naval aviator, naval flight officer, marine corps (aviation or ground), surface warfare, submarines. There are a very limited number (currently no more than 25) slots to attend medical school.

Click to expand...

Don't forget also the very limited number of slots for Special Warfare (SEALs), if that's something you're considering.

2012cadet and 2012mom? - I completely agree that the needs of the Navy come first. I am starting to think about applying to the Naval Academy and was having a hard time finding information on what happens when you graduate. Anyway, your answers really helped! Thank you so much!