Life as a Navy Officer?

Question

Hello,

I have not yet met with a Navy recruiter but before I do I would like guidance if possible. I'm 28 years old. Have a degree in marketing and logistics management and am considering applying to become a Navy Officer. I've always wanted to serve and I believe now is the time. I do have some questions before I meet with a recruiter though which I'm hoping can be answered for me.

Do you get to pick your destination? I have lived in Hawaii in the past and still maintain lots of friends there. So obviously this would be my ideal location. Do you get to pick and choose at all? How does that work?

I've been told by friends that you work 7 days a week in any branch of the arm services. Is this true when you're home and out at sea? If not what is a 'normal' week like both home and at sea? Do you get weekends free? What time do you go to 'work' and end work normally?

I know I would have to go to O.C.S. but I've also been told I would have to go through normal boot camp also?

This might be better suited for the recruiter, but how many years do you have to work to retire from the Navy? And are there greater sign on bonuses for signing up for longer commitements?

I'm hoping someone can answer these questions for me. I'm most interested in the life of a navy officer or enlisted navy person. I'm not a wuss and have no problem working hard, but I also would want some free social time, from time to time, and I'm wondering how that works out.

Thank you for all those who respond!

~Shanna

Answer 1

good luck to you! i'm interested in joining the navy or army as an officer also.

so i'm looking forward to reading the responses.

edit: and we have the same degree. the only place i'm aware it's called marketing and logistcs management. university of minnesota - twin cities?

Answer 2

Hello,

You have a great degree that would steer you towards supply, the first step is to talk to a Navy Recruiter.  A lot of the programs have an age limit of 29 (waiverable) so talk to a recruiter sooner rather than later.

You have preferences of where you want to go and the Navy does its best to send you to the correct place, no guarantees.  Hawaii is a big base so your chances are good, but it really comes down to the needs of the Navy.

You are an Officer 24/7 but you only work M-F unless you have duty or you are out to sea.  If the ship is in port, then normal 7 - 4 working hours (depends on the command).  You probably have duty 1 - 2 weekends a month which means that you have to stay on board and supervise the safety/maintenance for the day.

You only go to OCS which is 13 weeks long, located in Newport, RI.  NO BOOT CAMP.

You need to have 20 years in order to obtain the Navy pension.  The pension is regarded as the best retirement plan in the Country.  Initially , you will not receive a signing bonus unless you are a nuke.  If you decide to stay in after your initial commitment, there are VERY LARGE signing bonuses available depending on your community.

Continue to have a great attitude, the Navy life is a good life.  The officers like to have a lot of fun, and you will definitely have a chance to hit the town, especially over seas. Check out http://www.navy-officer.com.  This will answer a lot more of your questions.

Additional info:

An age waiver will solve all of your problems, don't let your age deter you.

You need to have at least one year of calculus and one year of calculus based physics to qualify for the nuclear programs.

The squeaky wheel get the grease when it comes to selecting rotations.  Be proactive and communicate with your detailer, he/she wants to help you out.

Good luck.

Answer 3

at 28 you are tool old for most Communities.  your degree would be useful in SUPPLY.  assuming you are competitive for a slot. the navy is really needing Math and Hard science degrees, preferably with a 3.5 or better GPA.  

where you go is where you are sent.   Officers fill out a dream sheet too..and once you hit O4.. yeah, not even then.. Captains and Admirals TELL you where you are going next.  

you are on duty 24/7/365.  when underway your days are 20 hours long, no kidding.  you will stand watches on weekends and holidays.  when assigned to shore duty,or the ship is in port, as long as you are not on duty, the work day ends usually between 1600-1800 daily( many commands shut down completely except for watch standers on the weekends when not gearing up for deployment).  there are NO days off while deployed unless you pull into a Liberty Port.  you could literally work 30 days straight, 20 hour days, no break.  

OCS IS Boot Camp for Officers.

20 years to retire.  officers do not  have the same types of contracts as enlisted do, you serve at the whims of Congress.  Officers do NOT get sign on bonuses.  some few communities get Retention bonuses..( But not Supply.. Medical, Nuke and Aviation, mostly).  nor do Officers get the student Loan repayment Program.