Step 4: Meet the recruiter
Navy Questions
Joining the Navy
Basic Training
Becoming an Officer
The Reserves
Aviation
SEALs
Next Steps
What can I do in the U.S. Navy?
Nearly 400,000
active duty men and women serve in the U.S. Navy, the largest in the world
today. Opportunities available to you range from serving on surface ships
or submarines to working in the fields of electronics, engineering, computer
technology, nuclear propulsion and aviation, to serving in special operations
or intelligence while potentially traveling the world.
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What
are the qualifications to join the Navy?
The following are the basic
requirements for joining, and you must:
- To enlist, you must be
a U.S. citizen or a resident alien.
- Be between the ages of
17-34. Seventeen-year olds need parental consent.
- With very rare exceptions,
you must have a high school diploma.
- Take and pass the Armed
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
test.
- Pass a Military Entrance
Processing Station medical exam.
- Women are
eligible to enlist in all occupational fields, with the exception of serving
in the Navy Seals or on submarines.
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What's
the ASVAB?
The ASVAB
is a test that measures your aptitudes. It consists of ten short individual
tests covering word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, arithmetic reasoning,
mathematics knowledge, general science, auto and shop information, mechanical
comprehension, electronics information, numerical operations and coding speed.
When you take the ASVAB prior to enlisting, not only do you receive scores
on each of these individual tests, but several individual test results are
combined to yield three academic composite scores: verbal, math and academic
ability.
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What
are some benefits of joining?
- Steady Income:
You are paid twice a month, on the 1st and 15th, every month, based
on your pay grade and service requirements.
- Advancement:
You are promoted based on job knowledge, your performance, time in pay
grade and service requirements.
- Paid Vacation:
You earn 2.5 days paid vacation per month for a total of 30 days each
year up to 60 days.
- Training: You
choose your career path based on your aptitude, physical abilities, security
clearance, motivation and determination.
- Health Care:
While on active duty, you will receive complete medical and dental care
at no cost.
- Life Insurance:
Active duty members select up to $200,000 in term life insurance for
$18 per month.
- Allowances:
You may also receive additional
tax-free money for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) if government housing
is not available; Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), if government food
facilities are not available in the area you are stationed; and a uniform
allowance (for enlisted personnel only) to help maintain your uniform.
- Tax Advantage:
Only your basic monthly pay is subject to Federal or State income tax.
- GI Bill: The
Montgomery GI Bill will help pay for college education or vocational training. The
Navy has three major financial programs offering money for college. Two
of them, the Montgomery GI Bill and the Navy College Fund, let you earn
up to $50,000 for college tuition and expenses to use after your tour of
duty. While you're in the Navy there's also the Tuition Assistance Program,
where the Navy pays 75 percent of your college costs -- up to $2,500 for
undergraduate courses and $3,500 for graduate courses each year. The Navy
also offers scholarship programs such as NROTC, which let you finish college
before you begin your Naval career.
- Tuition Assistance:
While on active duty, you may continue your education, and may be helped
in defraying the cost of college-accredited courses.
- Additional Benefits:
There are exchange and commissary privileges, moving allowances, temporary
lodging expenses, travel, survivor benefits, Veterans Administration home
loans and more.
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How
long will I be at sea?
It depends. Normally
ships will go to sea for 10 days to two weeks each month for training operations.
Extended operations away from home port can last up to six months. This varies
depending on the mission and type of ship. Ships on six-month deployments
often spend part of the time visiting ports throughout the world.
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Can
certain training schools or duty stations be guaranteed to me upon enlistment?
Yes.
It will depend on your term of commitment, specialty and the needs of the
Navy. Ask your recruiter for details.
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Does
the Navy take people with prior service?
Yes. If you have served at
least 180 days of continuous service and have no more then five years of broken
service, you may be eligible to enter the Navy without attending basic training
and at the rank of your separation. If you're thinking about reaffiliation,
click
here to get more information.
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What
if I am not a U.S. Citizen?
Only U.S. citizens or foreign
nationals legally residing in the United States with an Immigration and Naturalization
Service Alien Registration Card ("Green Card" -- INS Form I-151/551)
may apply. Applicants must speak, write and read English fluently.
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Can the
Navy help me obtain U.S. citizenship?
No. The U.S. military cannot
assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the United States.
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What
if I live overseas?
Regulations prohibit the
forwarding of recruiting information through international mail, even to U.S.
citizens living in foreign countries. Use
our online form to get free information.
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How long
is basic training?
Basic training
or boot camp is a 8-week program.
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Where is
boot camp?
It's held in
Great Lake, Illinois.
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What is boot
camp like?
Intended to introduce
recruits to military life and prepare them for the high operational standards
of the fleet, recruit training in the Navy has become tougher in recent years.
The Navy has sharply increased physical fitness training and has introduced
"Battle Stations."
Battle Stations
is the culminating event for Navy boot camp. It starts at 10 p.m. with a call
to general quarters and lasts until 9:30 the next morning. During this time,
recruits must overcome 12 highly realistic crisis simulations such as one
based on the sinking of the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor
in 1941. Hundreds of sailors were trapped below deck when the ship capsized
and sank. Rescuers had to go in through the upended engine shafts to save
survivors.
For tips on how to prepare yourself physically and mentally for boot camp,
see military
fitness guru Stew Smith's articles.
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How
do I become an officer?
There are a number of ways
you can become an officer in the Navy. In almost all cases you will need a
bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The
three most popular ways are through:
- Naval Academy
- NROTC
- Officer Candidate
School
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How
do I apply to the Naval Academy?
To apply, you should have
competitive Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores and cannot have reached
your 22nd birthday. Visit our service
academy page for more info.
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What
about ROTC?
You can also receive a commission in the Navy by joining Naval ROTC. Navy Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC) program offers tuition and other financial benefits at more than 60 of the country's leading colleges and universities. Two-year and four-year subsidized scholarships are offered. Participants receive a monthly cash allowance. Two-year and four-year nonsubsidized NROTC programs are also offered. These are referred to as college programs and provide for monthly cash allowances during the junior and senior years.
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What
is Officers Candidate School?
Qualified graduates of regionally accredited colleges receive 12 weeks of basic naval science and indoctrination at Pensacola, FL. Successful candidates are commissioned as ensigns in the Navy Reserve and serve on active duty as unrestricted line, restricted line or staff corps officers. Age limits and service obligations vary depending on the program.
Are
there promotions to officer rank?
Yes. There are several programs. Please check with your recruiter for current details.
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Are
there opportunities for professionals in the Navy?
The Navy has special programs
for health care, theological and law professionals. You might be able to join
the Navy at a higher rank and pay. If you're studying in one of these professions,
the Navy might be able to provide you with educational assistance. Request
more information online.
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What
Reserve opportunities are in the Navy?
There are many opportunities in the Navy Reserve for enlisted personnel
and officers. The Navy Reserve is interested in veterans, professionals
and those with special skills and training. If eligible, you may qualify
for advanced rank or pay.
Special programs
are available for:
- Medical Careers
- Intelligence
- Construction
Forces (Seabees)
For more information on Navy Reserve programs, see the Navy Reserve section. You can also request
more information on Navy Reserve opportunities.
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What
are the qualifications to join the Reserve?
Qualifications vary on the
type of program you are applying for. Generally, you must:
What
if I have a problem getting time off from my employer to fulfill my military
service obligations?
By law, as a member of the
Reserve, you must, upon request, be granted a leave of absence to satisfy
a requirement for military training. The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act requires employers to provide Reservists with time away from their
jobs to perform military duty. However, you must notify your employer that
you intend to take military leave. You must be reemployed after completion
of your military duty and return to your job within a reasonable time. You
must be treated as though you had never left employment, including scheduled
pay raises, promotions or credit for longevity or vacation. Your employer
only has to hold a job open for 60 months if you accept voluntary orders.
For additional information, see the Navy Reserve Home Page.
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What
does the Navy fly?
The
Navy's air capability is primarily forward deployed aboard aircraft carriers.
Being a naval aviator is a dangerous job. Besides being the first to deploy
during international conflicts, landing aboard a carrier is said to be one
of the most difficult skills to master. Naval aviators fly jet fighters, helicopters
and other support aircraft. These include:
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How
do I become a pilot?
Pilot training
Naval pilot training is available to commissioned officers of the OCS, U.S.
Naval Academy or NROTC. Flight training commences at Milton, Fla., or Corpus
Christi, Texas. Upon completion of primary flight training, students receive
orders for one of four aviation fields: jet, prop (maritime), prop (aircraft
carrier), or helo. After successful completion of advanced flight training,
student pilots receive their wings and are designated as naval aviators.
Active duty obligation is seven years for prop or helo and eight years for
jets from date of designation. Total time in training varies depending on
what aircraft training pipeline a person is in.
Flight officer
training
Naval Flight Officer training is available to qualified commissioned officers.
After the completion of basic NFO Ground School, officers have the opportunity
to specialize and receive advanced training in one of the following categories:
antisubmarine warfare, electronic countermeasures (ECM) evaluation, radar
interception, airborne early warning or bombardier/navigator. NFO wings
are received upon completion of Advanced Training. Active duty obligation
is six years from date of designation as a naval flight officer.
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What
is a Navy SEAL?
The
SEALs -- an acronym for Sea, Air, and Land -- were created in 1962 by President
John F. Kennedy to conduct unconventional and counter-guerilla warfare.
SEAL
teams are located on the East and West coasts of the United States. Arguably,
they are regarded as the preeminent defensive force in the world, SEALs operate
some of the most sophisticated equipment available, from high speed gunner
boats to laser-guided weapons.
SEAL
missions are strictly classified and require the highest degree of precision.
That's why SEAL training is some of the toughest in the world. SEALs receive
training in:
- Underwater
navigation and warfare
- Land navigation
and warfare
- Small unit
tactics
- Airborne training
- Demolitions
and explosives
- Other specialty
schools
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How
do I become a SEAL?
To become a Navy SEAL you will have to endure the toughest training in the world. If you think you have what it takes to be Navy SEAL, visit the Military.com Special Operations Center to learn more about how to join the worlds most elite fighting team.
Can I
talk to someone in the service now?
Sure.
Visit the Military.com Recruiting
Discussion Board.
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What
should I ask my recruiter?
Navy recruiters must present an accurate picture of its training. You should be aware of all aspects of the naval lifestyle. Be sure you fully understand the enlistment contract. You should ask about:
- Details and qualifications for each specialty.
- The current Enlistment Bonuses.
- Films or videos about training and duties.
- Ask to watch the video explaining boot camp.
- Special enlistment programs if you have completed Junior ROTC or Navy Cadet training.
- Overseas assignments, remote and long duty.
- Haircut and grooming standards.
- Off-duty education and educational benefits.
- Guaranteed training programs.
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Where
do I get more information?
Complete this
form and more information will be sent to you, with no obligations or
strings attached.
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