In the Navy and want to become an instructor in Navy or teacher as civilian...?

Question

I joined the Navy to serve my country and continue the Navy tradition in my family. I also would like to get a college degree while enlisted. My goal is to either become a Navy instructor or recruiter if I choose to stay enlisted,or a teacher in the civilian world. How is it going to college while enlisted? Will the Navy experience help me in getting a teaching job if I leave after my enlistment is up? What would I have to do to be a Navy instructor or recruiter?

Answer 1

OK.

I am assuming you have either not gone yet, or have very little time in, otherwise I doubt you would have asked the questions...at least in the way you did.

First: to be a "Navy Instructor" you simply have to be billeted that way. Instructors are selected and go through a training program to learn how to do so well. You need to have good evals, a good attitude, want it, and have billets available when you rotate to shore duty. This rotation will depend on many factors, primarily the manning level of your rate.

College: I did live classes (like any other "regular" college student would) and correspondence courses while in the Navy, and online college while out. There are options. Best bet is to speak to the college you are interested in. Get started early though. Just offering that advice form personal experience.

As to the instructor/recruiter, that should be pretty easy if you want it. I am wondering if you realize these are billets (jobs) that vary as to availability and length of assignment. In other words, it is not likely you will be stationed at a particular command for more than 4 years. You could easily end up at the same base of that long, just not likely the same command. Yes it does happen, just very rare.

I am a Navy vet. I was in ten years. I served on Subs and did rotations as an instructor as well as a TAD (temp) as a recruiter.

As far as helping you once you are out, this really depends on where you end up. Some places are very liberal and hate the military. Others don't care, and others would take a military applicant over a non-military person all else being equal.

Any person with any experience at hiring/supervising people should understand a person who has served honorably and for any length of time has traits skills and abilities whereass the other applicants may or may not.

That is the real advantage you will have over other people equally qualified whop have not served.