Careers in the United States Navy

©2006 Institute for Career Research

CAREERS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY

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Enlisted members - $930.30, to $2147.70 monthly Warrant officers - $1719.00 to $3083.40 monthly Commissioned Officer - $1926.30 to $6594.30 monthly Officers - $2423.10 to $7171.80 monthly

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Good health No felony record Able to follow orders High school graduate or GED Able to respond in an emergency Serve on the sea as well as on land Able to stand strenuous physical activity Live & work in close quarters with many others United States citizen, or permanent resident status, ages of 17 (with parental consent) to 35

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Administration Air Traffic Controller Aviation Ground Support Aviation Maintenance Aviation Communications Weapons Group Construction Data Systems

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Any Naval Base in the U.S. Many of the world wide bases High School Diploma or GED Tech Prep Program for Afloat College Education The Navy College Program Training for Navy Jobs

Meet new people Job advancement Have job security Travel to interesting places Excellent on-the-job training Financial aid to continue your education Good living conditions, three meals a day, medical & dental care

Some assignments are repetitive can be dangerous even in peacetime Adjusting to military life can be difficult The Navy expects you to look your best at all times There is constant pressure to do more & move up in ratings

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Healthcare Intelligence Law Enforcement Logistics Many more

Anchors Aweigh is much more than a naval anthem or a 1940s Hollywood movie musical, it is a tradition going back to the founding of our country. In his 1991 book, To Shining Sea: A History of the United States Navy, 1775-1991, Stephen Howarth writes, On December 17, 1781, after nearly eight years of war, American rebels against the British crown defeated royal forces at the Battle of Yorktown and effectively secured independence for the United States. George Washington, General of the Continental Army, later wrote to a French friend assessing the victory, It follows then, as certain as night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive and with it, everything honorable and glorious. Even though Washington was an Army man and most of the famous battles of the Revolution were land-based, he took the first steps in creating a Navy for the United States. By the summer of 1775, the Colonists in Rhode Island passed a resolution calling for the building and equipping of an American fleet. By November of that year, four ships had been commissioned to be used by a Continental Navy. The Navy is part of our Armed Forces that includes the Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The mission of the Armed Forces is: ● Deter aggression and defeat attack against the Nation ● ● ●

Strengthen and build alliances Prevent a hostile power from dominating a region critical to our interests Prevent conflicts by reducing sources of regional turmoil through various means including humanitarian aid, counter-terrorism, or limiting the spread of militarily significant technology.

A career in the Armed Forces cannot be undertaken casually. When you enlist in a branch of the military, you are signing a contract and making a commitment for a prescribed period of time that can only be broken by unlawful acts leading to a dishonorable discharge and even prison. A military career is a service career and allows you to learn and continue your education; participate with others in protecting our country and its interests around the world; live in other parts of the country and visit countries around the world. Being in the military is a responsibility that is more than just a job. The men and women who sign up accept the duties and responsibilities whether on or off duty, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You become part of a team where others depend upon you. Military personnel are either enlisted starting at the lowest rank and advancing with good service and education, or officers who start at the supervisory level and advance with good service and more education. Enlisted personnel must have a high school education or its equivalent, and an officer-candidate must have a four-year college degree from an accredited college or university before being commissioned. Sailing vessels go back to the early tribes and nations who used primitive crafts for fishing and transporting

goods. Carvings found in Egyptian tombs and writings in Homers epics place so-called rowing galleys earlier than 2000 BC. These ships had 50 or more rowers and did not change much in appearance or material for about 2,500 years. They were used by the Vikings and the nations bordering the Mediterranean for trade and war. By the time the last of these ships saw combat in a long naval duel between the Spaniards and the Turks in 1571, they measured about 140 feet in length, weighed about 170 tons, and had crews of more than 200 men, of whom 150 were rowers. Nations were now developing trading ships and warships with sails as the explorers discovered that the sailing ships helped them make longer and faster voyages. In the 16th century, it was the English who built two and three deck ships and placed small cannons and guns on them making them the first formidable battleships. By the 1800s, the steam engine was used first to drive a paddle wheel and later a screw propeller, and iron and steel were substituted for wood ensuring the building of larger and stronger ships. In the United States, a Continental Navy was established in 1775 to serve during the Revolutionary War, but it wasn't until 1797 that the will of Congress finally helped create a United States Navy. The office of Secretary of the Navy was created in 1798. The Navy played a significant role in the War of 1812 and established itself as an important part of young Americas defense forces. By the end of the Civil War in 1865, the United States Navy had decisively defeated the Confederate Navy to become the largest and most power naval force in the world. When the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, the United States Navy easily destroyed 10 Spanish battleships without losing one of their own. In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt, who believed in a strong navy and wanted the world to know that Americas was the best, sent four destroyers and 16 battleships on a 14-month cruise around the world in a peaceful celebration of our naval power. The ships were all painted white for this celebration and called The Great White Fleet. It was a public relations coup and helped to boost our prestige abroad. In 1910, a civilian pilot made the first ship-to-shore flight from a cruiser, and the following year the Navy purchased its first airplane. In 1914 the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida was established. In 1915, a German submarine sunk the Lusitania carrying 1,198 passengers including 128 Americans, and this act eventually precipitated our entrance into World War I. While the ground forces, as always, took the headlines, it was the United States Navy's vital contribution in mine laying, antisubmarine warfare, and naval aviation that took contemporary technology to its limit and showed the way to the future. By Armistice Day on November 11, 1918, we had 354 naval vessels in European waters representing a third of the Allied forces with the British and French navies. During the early 1920s, the Navy strengthened its ships to try and bring them to par with the British, whose Royal Navy at that time was the worlds best. It was also a time of prosperity in America and stability in Europe, so our Navy had time to concentrate on becoming stream-lined and modernized. As The Great Depression began in 1929, the Navy was stagnant, and President Herbert Hoover did not authorize the building of a single naval vessel during his four-year term. President Franklin Roosevelt changed that in 1933 when the National Industrial Recovery Act was passed and the President put aside $238 million for the Navy to build 32 ships over a three-year period. At the end of the 1930s, Germany and Italy waged war in Europe and there were war rumblings from Japan. There were those in the United States Navy who believed we could eventually be fighting a war on two oceans. A relationship with the British was growing and in 1940 President Roosevelt sent 50 of our destroyers to help Great Britain in her hour of peril. While much of our attention was focused on Europe, Japan was gearing up for war with many believing that the Japanese would not challenge the might of the United States. On December 7, 1941, as the Secretary of the Navy was issuing his report on the status of the Navy and extolling that the American people may feel fully confident in their navy, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on a day that will live in infamy. The loss of men, ships and dignity would galvanize the country as never before. The first few months saw us retreating in the Pacific, but in June of 1942, the Battle of Midway proved to be one of the most decisive engagements of World War II helping turn the tide in our favor. With manpower in short supply, Congress

authorized the establishment of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) making this the first time women were to serve other than nursing duties (the Navy Nurse Corps had been established in 1908). If you have ever watched the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) series Victory at Sea then you know how well the Navy performed with guts and honor throughout World War II. On September 2, 1945, with the war in Europe won, 374 warships lay anchored from the top of Tokyo Bay all the way to Sugami Bay awaiting the formal surrender of Japan abroad the battleship Missouri. Americans could look with pride on what the armed forces in general and the Navy in particular had accomplished to preserve our freedoms. From Stephen Howarth's "History of The Navy" , "by the end of 1945 the U.S. Navy had become a fleet incomparable in history, second to none at last..." A new weapon for the Navy was on the horizon nuclear power. April of 1950 saw America embroiled in the Korean War and the Navy had to bring back many of its mothballed ships and ready them into service. It was in 1953 at the beginning of President Eisenhower's first term in office that Hyman Rickover, first a captain in the United States Navy and now an admiral, had been absorbed with transforming the steam-powered service into a nuclear-powered fleet. He was called cunning, clever, rude, irascible and brilliant. He is acknowledged as the father of the nuclear navy. The first 3,350-ton submarine, the USS Nautilus, made its debut in January of 1955 under way on nuclear power, the first vessel in the world to use nuclear propulsion. To prove its landmark transition, in August of 1958, the Nautilus began a 2,114-mile journey to the North Pole under the Polar Ice Cap and surfaced at the North Pole in March of 1959 demonstrating that nuclear-powered submarines could operate year-round in the Arctic region. By the 1960s, US forces were in Vietnam and the country was deeply divided on the wisdom of the war. This was followed by the Watergate scandal and the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1971. Americans regard for their military and their government was at a low ebb. It wasn't until the first term of President Ronald Reagan in the early 1980s that the military began to return to prominence. The Navy was going to get a new look. New carriers, cruisers and frigates were being constructed, and by 1988 the naval fleet stood at 588 ships. In the 1990s, there was the Gulf War and the end of the Cold War. The Navy continued to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Even in recruitment the goal was to train smarter. The military again responded after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Navy moved to sea in and around Afghanistan, where Navy and Marine pilots launched aircraft and helicopters on many challenging missions. One carrier that saw such action, the Kitty Hawk with its 5,000 plus crew, returned to its home base in Yokosuka, Japan, after 73 days at sea just in time to spend Christmas with their families who were also in Japan. Today's Navy facilities are the most modern in the world. Want to know about reshaping the eyes cornea, check with the Laser Vision Center at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. How about serving on one of the speediest, quietest and most heavily-armed submarines check out the USS Seawolf. Information in times of conflict was often hectic with not enough time to disseminate, examine and make decisions, but now the Navy's new Knowledge Wall, funded by the Office of Naval Research, is a futuristic concept where each work center has its own Web page that can be updated and displayed on the Wall. There are hundreds of such examples of the vision and advanced technology of today's Navy. It is sailing into the 21st century with honor, pride and vast opportunities for you.

Enlisting In the Navy You must be between 17 and 34 years of age, and have a high school diploma or its equivalent to enlist in the Navy and commit to between two and six years, depending on the program you would qualify for. A Navy recruiter will take you through the hundreds of job opportunities and the different levels of responsibility for those who meet the physical, mental and moral entry qualifications. You will be interviewed and asked about your medical history, education, interests and hobbies. You will also be questioned about any police record or drug use. There is a 45-minute, 65-question test covering word knowledge and mathematics ability. There are movies you will view on naval recruit training, drug abuse, preexisting medical

problems, sexual harassment and equal opportunity policies. As you proceed, you will be asked to supply various documents such as your high school diploma or certificate, medical records, Social Security card, birth certificate, and marriage certificate and proof of citizenship, if applicable. There will also be a complete physical to determine your medical fitness for service. All the information is evaluated and if acceptable, your next step will be the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). These processing centers are for all the services and are located in major cities across the country. Transportation and accommodations for overnight stays, including meals, are provided by the Navy. At MEPS there will be orientation, physical examinations, special tests and interviews with a naval job counselor. All your tests and physicals are put into a computer to determine the area for which you are best suited. Careers in the Navy mirror the civilian work world. Some of the areas you could wind up in include: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Administration Air Traffic Controller Aviation Ground Support Aviation Maintenance Aviation Communications Weapons Group Construction Data Systems Healthcare Intelligence Law Enforcement

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Logistics Marine Engineering Media Music Ordinance Systems Seamanship Sensor Operations Ships Maintenance Ships Operation Weapons Control

In addition there are a number of specialized programs. After you and your counselor have selected a job area you will be informed as to when an opening will be available as some jobs areas are in greater demand than others. Finally, the enlistment processing is completed in an enlistment ceremony and you are a Navy enlistee and ready for your basic training. Boot Camp The Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois, is the only training center for new sailors in the United States. This large facility outside Chicago is also headquarters for the Naval Training Center (NTC). When you report to Great Lakes, your first days will be spent in processing instructions. You will join other enlistees to form a company of some 80 members, and you probably will stay with this group throughout your eight-week training period. After filling out necessary forms, getting your new clothing and general indoctrination, you will meet your company commanders, called CCs, who will be with you for the eight weeks and instruct you in everything Navy including rules and regulations, protocol and day-to-day living. Formal training sessions concentrating on administration and processing, military and naval training, and technical training are held every day. There is a great deal to learn including basic seamanship, accident prevention, security, inspections, officer recognition, time management, first aid, personal hygiene, etc. Physical fitness is a big part of your training. There is plenty of calisthenics, running and, of course, proficiency in water skills. By graduation time you will be running two miles at a crack, be able to jump into water feet first from a height of five feet, tread water or float for five minutes and swim 50 yards in the pool using any stroke while keeping your head out of the water. Your day starts at dawn and is filled with training and learning and does not stop until you are back in your barracks when you make time for studying, taking care of personal matters such as equipment and clothing, as well as writing letters to family and friends. By lights out, you will be a tired, but satisfied, sailor for all you accomplished that day.

Finally your eight weeks is up and graduation day arrives. You can invite family and friends to the ceremony. This is where you receive your orders either for reporting to your permanent base or to a facility for technical training. You will also have a few days leave before embarking on your new career. How you advance in your naval career will depend upon you how you discharge your duties and responsibilities, how much you want to learn. The opportunities for advancement are waiting for you. Becoming a Naval Officer You must be a graduate of an accredited four-year college with preferably a major in a technical or science-related field. Yet there are many opportunities for other majors. The maximum age for obtaining a commission is 34; the maximum age for a pilot is 26; and nurses can be commissioned up to age 40. You must be a United States citizen. Strong moral character is necessary and you will be investigated as to your possible criminal history or use of drugs. The Navy may waive some minor past indiscretions, but must eventually determine whether you would pose a risk to the service. Officers assigned to sensitive intelligence areas undergo further scrutiny. Naval careers are broken into two categories: ●

Operations and Management

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Scientific and Technical

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Unrestricted line officers (operating forces on ships) Submarines Operational fleets Aircraft and staffs Restricted line officers (performing specialized duties in technical areas such as aeronautical engineering, oceanography, ship engineering, cryptology, etc.) Staff corps officers (responsible in areas such as civil engineering, judge advocate general, medical, dental, supplies, the chaplain corps, etc.).

There are different avenues you can take to become a naval officer, including: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland Founded in 1845, this four-year college is proudly known for its excellence in both academics and leadership development. It offers Bachelor of Science degrees in science, mathematics, computer science, engineering, humanities and social sciences. The Navy covers your tuition, living and medical expenses and in return, Academy graduates must serve a minimum of five years as a commissioned officer in the Navy or the Marine Corps. You must receive an appointment to attend the Academy. Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Established in 1926, this program offers a four or five year college scholarship providing full tuition, books, lab fees, and a small monthly stipend at any of the more than 100 participating colleges and universities across the country. Housing, meals and living expenses are not included. Your campus life will be similar to other students with the exception of mandatory naval science courses, participating in weekly drill instruction, maintaining a required minimum 2.5 GPA, keeping fit and staying out of trouble. If you drop out or fail after the start of your sophomore year, you must serve in an enlisted area of the Navy or reimburse the service for the cost of your education to date. Officer Candidate School (OCS) Located in Pensacola, Florida, OCS is an intense 13-week indoctrination and training program that turns college graduates into naval officers in a short period of time. Many OCS graduates serve as unrestricted line officers in career areas that need strong and confident leaders. Since 1994, pilots, SEALS, naval flight officers, surface and submarine warriors initially train together at OCS. There is also a 10-week OCS prep school designed to help improve skills in mathematics, science and English.

There are other officer training programs in nuclear power, civil engineering, nursing, health and medical services, as well as naval reserve programs. All naval officer programs have stringent requirements for acceptance and a high level of competency for completion. These are the men and women who lead the forces, and they must be the best and the brightest in education and training.

You can serve on a base in this country and in many parts of the world. You can make a career being trained for combat or healthcare or administration or weaponry or many other specialties. You can make it your lifes work or you can do your stint and have the skills to make it in civilian life. Major Navy bases in the United States include: ● California, San Diego, San Francisco ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Connecticut, Groton Florida, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola Georgia, Kings Bay Hawaii, Pearl Harbor Illinois, Great Lakes Louisiana, New Orleans Rhode Island, Newport Tennessee, Memphis Texas, Corpus Christi Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Beach Washington Bremerton, Seattle

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Bermuda England, London Germany, Stuttgart Iceland, Keflavik Italy, Greta, Naples Japan, Yokosuka Mariana Islands, Guam Puerto Rico, San Juan Sicily, Sigonella

You can start as an enlistee and rise to Chief Petty Officer and above. If you start as an officer, you can rise to the rank of Admiral. It takes time as each step along the advancement takes additional education and/or training. The higher you achieve the more intense the scrutiny and greater the competition. The opportunities are there for both men and women (with the exceptions of the SEALs and submarine service). You can fly at least a dozen different fixed wing aircraft, and at least seven rotary wing aircraft; you can learn seven different weapons systems, and 11 different missile systems. You can serve on at least 27 different types of surface ships, six different types of submarines, and four Sealift vessels (cable repair ship, combat stores ship, fast sealift ship, fleet ocean tugboat). Almost anything you want to do as a career in civilian life can be done in the Navy. Career fields and occupational specialties are open to all who have the motivation, talent, knowledge, education and training to be the best. Some typical work duties for enlistees include:

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Administration Legalman Navy Counselor Personalman Postal Clerk Religious Program Specialist Yeoman Marine Engineering Boiler Technician Electricians Mate Engineman Gas Turbine System Technician Interior Communications Electrician Machinists Mate

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Media Illustrator Draftsman Journalist Lithographer Photographers Mate Construction Builder Electrician, Mechanic Engineering Aide Equipment Operator Steelworker Utilitiesman

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Administrative Accounting Financial/Fiscal Fleet Support Instructor International Relations Logistics/Inventory Personnel Postal Procurement and Recruiting Supply Training Warehouse Engineering/Science/Technical Aeronautical Engineer Astronaut

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Chemist Civil Engineer Computer Systems Cryptology Electronics Engineer Environmental Health and Safety Industrial Engineer Life Scientist Marine Engineer Meteorologist Nuclear Reactor Oceanographer Physicist Space Operations Surveying and Mapping

I Am an Engineman "I can take apart and put together almost anything, and that is what probably saved me from wasting my life. My father owned a gas and service station and from early on I first watched him tinker with cars and engines and finally learned from him. I dropped out of high school and worked full time for his station. After almost a year and wanting to make more money, I found a job in construction where the work was back-breaking, but the pay good. Several years later a friend of mine who had joined the Navy after his high school graduation came home on leave and we happened to meet. He told me about the education he was getting and the places he was seeing and he seemed happy and looked great. I never considered the service because I did not think I would like the disciplined and restrictive atmosphere, but my life was going nowhere even though I was making a good living. I was almost 21 when I started looking into the Navy. I talked to my family and they seemed pleased, but the first

step was, to my surprise, that I had to finish high school by earning a GED certificate. I had to wait a few months to get into a program, but finally made it. With certificate in hand I went to a naval recruiting office and began the process of becoming a sailor. I wanted to work with my hands because that is what I do best, and I had to wait three months before an opening was available in my area. I did pretty well at boot camp, although the work was really hard at first. I had to get used to someone always telling me what to do and where to go. I learned fast that there is no compromise in the Navy, you either do it their way or else! Somehow that seemed okay. After boot camp I went to technical school where I learned about being an engineman, and was then assigned a ship that immediately went to sea. Learning to live and work with others in such close quarters took some getting used to, but its okay now. My job description says that I can operate, service and repair internal combustion engines, ship propulsion machinery, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, air compressors, and other electrohydraulic equipment. Right now I'm part of a team handling the ships propulsion equipment. Since this is my first tour of duty and so far I like what I see and do, I am considering signing up again when my initial commitment is up. I'd like to get more education and advance, and the Navy has some great programs for just that. The Navy has turned out to be a good choice for me and my future." I Am a Yeoman "I'm in the administrative department on my base and help maintain personnel records as they apply to health records, training programs and other information. Its an extremely busy office because the base has almost 2,000 sailors, officers and reservists and the population is always changing. As a Hispanic female and only the second member in my family to finish high school, I wanted to continue my education and there were no funds for college. My older brother also completed high school almost five years ago and joined the Navy, where he was trained to be a radioman. He is probably going to continue his training to advance his grade. In high school I learned to use a computer and that encouraged me to go into office work and grow from there. Joining the Navy was a good move because of all the educational opportunities open to me. Right now I am pleased with learning Navy life and the rigors of being in the military. The more I learn the more I want to do. Down the road I may even consider training to become an officer and earn the grade for personnel officer. It's still early in my Navy life, and I have not yet decided if I want to make the service my career. I do know that I am happy in what I am doing and will probably have additional training soon. Even if I leave after this first stint, I will have the skills and experience to get a good civilian position in administration." I Am a Navy Pilot "There was never a question that I was going to fly planes when I became an adult. From the first time I saw an air show and watched The Blue Angels do their high-in-the-sky aerobatic antics, I was hooked. I read books, watched old World War II movies about flyers and begged my family for flying lessons until my 16th birthday when they finally gave me the gift of lessons. I was in heaven, literally. In the same year, I began my quest to attend the Naval Academy at Annapolis. I was a good student in high school and my grades during my junior year placed me in the top five percent of my class. I started making inquiries and wrote to my congressman in Washington for consideration. Fortunately, because of my grades and sports interests in school, along with excellent recommendations from teachers and community leaders who knew my family and me, I was given an appointment to the Naval Academy. It was a tough four years, but I made it and was proud to have my family come for the ceremonies. I have been trained to fly several types of fixed wing aircraft all based on an aircraft carrier and that is an experience in itself. This is a floating city with more than 5,000 of your closest friends working with you. It is amazing how it works, but it does. The hangar bay holds so many aircraft that it looks like a parking lot in any city. Currently I am piloting an attack aircraft that is used for force protection and interdiction. It can also be used as a fighter for fleet air defense and as an escort. My dream is being fulfilled every day. Not only do I get to fly, but over the last decade, thanks to the Navy's wonderful educational opportunities, I have earned a masters degree in aeronautics and plan to teach when I

can no longer fly." I'm a Missile Systems Officer "Don't ask me why I wound up in a submarine because there was no dream or plan to do so, other than being a good swimmer. This is serious business and not for the timid or claustrophobic. Also, this is one of the two areas in the Navy where women cannot join, the other being the SEALs. Submarine duty is strictly voluntary as you must have strong motivation, be emotionally mature and exercise good judgment. Everyone is knowledgeable in areas like math and physics because we are working with the latest technology in machinery and weapons. You live and work in confined and cramped conditions, and you must stay calm in emergencies and be reliable because so many others are depending upon you. The high academic standards, high-tech environment, and psychological testing ensure that only those scoring in the top of the entry testing are eligible for submarine duty selection. I came to the Navy through campus recruitment. I was a year away from earning a bachelors degree in computer science with a minor in math when I spoke with a Navy recruiter. Of all the options, submarines were fascinating to me. I learned about Officer Candidate School and that I would be eligible. About six months after graduation, I went into an intense almost four-month training program in Pensacola, Florida, made even more difficult because I wanted to serve on a submarine. Further training was necessary at the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut and the Nuclear Propulsion Training Command in Orlando, Florida. There is a selection process that is intense and thorough. By the time I was assigned to serve on a submarine, I had knowledge, training experience and a great deal of respect for the world I was about to enter. The use of nuclear power on submarines makes our responsibility truly awesome. I recently completed my first three-year duty, where I was a junior officer learning about everything that goes on aboard a submarine, including qualifying as a watchstander on different watch stations. The senior officers as well as the commanding officer are watching and evaluating everything we do. Ongoing studies and tests are necessary to qualify for the Dolphins insignia that means I am submarine qualified. I made it! I'm on leave waiting for my next assignment. My goal is to command a submarine some day, and that means that I have decided to make the Navy my life's career. As technology advances so will my knowledge and, hopefully, my career as I cannot think of a more exciting future than one with the Navy. Your future is at stake so any career choice should be well thought out before you make a decision. The best way to do that is to find out about the careers that interest you, read about them, talk with others in the career and ask questions. Make sure the decision you make is an informed one. Military service is not for everyone. If the Navy interests you then here is what it takes to begin a successful career: ● You must be a United States citizen, or immigrant alien holding permanent resident status, between the ages of 17 (with parental consent) and 35, in good health with a valid birth certificate and no felony record. ●

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You must be a high school graduate or have a certificate of its equivalent. You should be a good student with good study habits as you will be in ongoing educational and training situations. You must be able to follow orders from any number of superiors and you may not ever question an order. The military means rules and regulations and they must be followed 24 hours a day whether on duty or on leave. You must be able to stand strenuous physical activity, be a good swimmer and pass physical tests for many career areas. Your training will consist of organized calisthenics and you will be required to keep trim and not put on weight. Also, there is annual testing for drugs. You must be willing to serve on the sea as well as on land, live and work in close quarters with hundreds and sometimes thousands of other sailors, be able to respond in an emergency, and handle training that teaches you to use weapons in wartime.

The men and women who join today's Navy can find very rewarding and satisfying experiences as they realize their potential and reach their goals. You get to meet new people, travel to interesting places and have job security even if the nation is in an economic slump. As long as you work hard, do your job and stay out of trouble, you cannot be fired. One of the best advantages is the potential of financial aid to continue your education. There are a large number of educational opportunities available, including colleges and universities that participate with these Navy programs. You can learn on a ship at sea, on land at a base or school. There is also excellent on-the-job training that prepares you with skills to advance in the Navy or for the civilian work world should you decide to become a civilian. There is job advancement with education and training at each level. If you show initiative, ability and the desire to move up when there are openings in your area, you will be rewarded with new opportunities. All your needs are provided for including good living conditions, three meals a day, medical and dental care at no cost to you, whether you take ill while working or away from your base on leave. Pay is decent when you enter and rises with your grade, rank and responsibilities. There are also good benefits including a pension, which costs you nothing, if you stay in the Navy for 20 years and increases in value for every year after that. In addition to your salary, medical, dental benefits, you also get your room, meals and clothing all at the Navy's expense. Plus, you get 30 days of leave every year, and when you leave the service you will get paid for the accumulated vacation time up to 60 days. You are eligible for inexpensive life insurance, and should you die during your service, the government will pay your beneficiaries a death payment. In many career areas you may request assignments in other parts of the world, and there is always a good chance you will have the opportunity to travel overseas. There are numerous athletic and recreational activities to participate in, and there is the commissary, also called the PX or post exchange, where costs are less expensive than the same items sold in regular stores. The Navy offers a positive experience with lots of opportunities in careers and daily living. You are being trained to defend our country and doing it with the best and latest technology. Whether on the sea, in the air or on land, the United States Navy will be leading the way for tomorrows future and you can be a part of it.

Adjusting to military life can be difficult. Perhaps the most difficult is the discipline and the regimentation. Many young people today have been permitted to do what they want at home and even in the classroom. The idea of being ordered to do anything is foreign to them. The transition to an orderly life where, from the time you wake until the time you douse the lights, you are told what to do, where to be and how to act can be difficult. The Navy, as all military service, is rules, regulations and regimentations. Some assignments are repetitive and considered monotonous and boring. You could be stationed in a post where the temperature is either too hot or too cold and there is nothing you can do about it. Your personal life belongs to the military as you must maintain the military code of conduct whether you are on or off duty. You generally work an eight-hour day with some assignments being split shifts as well as some extra hours for overtime. The Navy expects you to look your best at all times, even if you don't feel like it. Your uniform and personal appearance must pass inspection at any time of the day or night, and your behavior must be above reproach and conform with military regulations. There are many special instructions to remember, such as rank and when to salute. Military service can be dangerous even in peacetime, and while the Navy takes great precautions to ensure the

safety of every sailor, accidents can and do happen. Some recruits experience homesickness if they have never been away for long periods of time, and you may need to wait until you are older before enlisting. There is so much to learn and not enough time to do everything that is asked. There is constant pressure to do more and move up in ratings. By the time you learn one technology, another updated or new one is taking its place. You are never consulted, just told what to do.

Many young people join the Navy to get an education. A definite plus of military service is having Uncle Sam contribute to your college education. In the Navy, you can begin even before you go to boot camp. The program is called Tech Prep and begins while you are a junior or senior in high school. There is the Program for Afloat College Education that allows you to study while aboard a ship at sea. These are just a sampling of the educational programs the Navy has to help you realize your dreams even if you don't make the Navy your lifelong career. There is, of course, an obligatory period of service to the Navy for providing you with an education. It is also possible to have the Navy continue to pay for your education after you have left the service. If you join the Navy after graduating from high school, you can receive financial assistance from the Navy for your college education after you leave active duty. Monomery GI Bill For first-time enlistees with high school diplomas or their equivalency. Participants must contribute $100 a month during their first year of enlistment. You can receive up to $19,000 for college expenses. Full-time students are paid benefits up to 36 months, while part-time students benefits are prorated on the number of credits taken. The eligibility under this program continues for up to 10 years after discharge from the Navy. Navy College Fund For high school graduates who are academically qualified for college. Available to sailors in certain job classifications where there are critical shortages. This is added to the Montgomery GI bill for up to a total of $50,000 in assistance. Enlistees can use this benefit after only two years of active duty. Navy Tuition Assistance for active duty personnel taking educational courses on their off-duty time. Pays up to 75 percent of tuition-course costs in accredited colleges and universities; up to $2,500 a year for undergraduate courses, and up to $3,500 a year for graduate courses. Pays 100 percent of tuition for high school level courses. This program is available when attending technical/vocational schools, business schools, and independent study courses. Loan Repayment Program repays up to $10,000 of student college loans after qualified sailors complete one year of active duty and technical training. The Navy College Program This is where you can get a college education at little or no cost to you, while you are serving in the Navy. Every sailor is enrolled in this program upon entering the Navy. There is no application fee, no minimum test score required for admission, and no tuition deposit. This program can be tailored to your interests and talents so that you can pursue your degree. A wide variety of programs are available, and the Navy will issue you transcripts for the college credits you have earned. Programs include: Navy Servicemembers Opportunities College (SOC) Navy personnel can earn an associates or bachelors degree in a worldwide network of more than 1250 colleges. Credits are transferred among participating schools so that you can continue your education when you move to a different duty station. Program for Afloat College Education (PACE) allows you to study while serving at sea. On some larger ships there are instructors who teach various courses. On other ships and at some remote shore locations, the Navy has course instruction on either video or computer interactive programs. Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), this program provides testing services so that

Armed Services personnel can earn college credits for technical training, independent study and life experiences. Additional testing is available for college admission, high school equivalency and graduate studies. The Navy Tech Prep Partnership Program available at colleges across the country, this program gives high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn up to 15 semester hours of college credits. After graduation, the students can attend a community college to earn an additional 15 credits and then they can enter active duty. After basic training and designated training schools, sailors will have completed the necessary requirements for an associates degree from the participating community college. Navy College Assistance/Student Headstart (Navy CASH), program allows students to enter active duty and receive pay, benefits and privileges for up to 12 months while attending college. Upon completion of their approved course of study, students continue their training in a Nuclear Field, Submarine Electronic/Computer Field, or Missile Technician rating. Enlisted Education Advancement Program (EEAP) allows sailors to complete their college studies for either an associates or bachelors degree at an accredited institution while they collect full Navy pay and allowances. Enlisted Commissioning Program, you can earn 30 college credits while you are off duty and the Navy will cover the rest of your tuition and pay you a full salary until you complete your four-year degree. Upon graduation, you will be commissioned an Officer in the Navy. National Military Apprenticeship Program, when you hone your Navy skills, you can earn apprenticeship certification in jobs comparable to civilian careers. Training for Navy Jobs Every job in every area of the United States Navy requires specific training. Some take weeks, others take months. There is training on bases, training in special schools, training on ships and submarines. A trip to your local Navy recruiting office will be helpful in determining what areas interest you and what kind of training is required. You can also ask about the educational and financial aid programs in more detail. An important note about training in any career area of the Navy: Training is an ongoing necessity no matter what you do. Today's Navy is cutting edge in equipment, machinery and weapons. By the time you learn and master one set of skills, it will probably be time to upgrade to another. You must always be prepared to advance. The Navy didn't get to be the best fleet in the world through default. They did it and continue to do it with men and women who are the best educated and the best trained. And that tradition is ongoing.

Pay scales are the same for each of the services so it is not necessary to check from one to the other for a better pay scale. Every branch of the armed services has pay grades and they are identical. Obviously, the higher your grade the more money you receive. The following figures are samples for some monthly pay scales. They do change regularly and you should check out the most recent rates. ● Enlisted members - E-1 with less than 4 months $930.30, thereafter $1005.60 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Two years service - E-2 through E-7 $1127.40 to $1765.80 Four years service - E-3 through E-7 $1335.90 to $2073.00 Six years service - E-4 through E-7 $1714.50 to $2147.70 Warrant officers - Two years service - W-1 through W-4 $1719.00 to $2592.00 Four years service - W-1 through W-4 $2135.70 to $2974.50 Six years service - W-1 through W-4 $2232.60 to $3083.40 Commissioned Officer - Two years service - 01 through 08 $1926.30 to $6594.30 Officers - Four years service - 01 through 08 $2423.10 to $6999.30 Six years service - 02 through 08 $3071.10 to $7171.80

There are higher pay grades that do not start until you have been in the service for more than eight years. As you look at these figures, keep in mind that in addition to the salary you are getting a place to live, your meals, all your clothes, medical and dental benefits and more. Pay raises occur when both houses of Congress vote the money in a military appropriation bill.

Have a specific career goal in mind? Not sure exactly what you want to do? The Navy can help you realize your dream or find one. With few exceptions, whatever job you find in the civilian work world you can find in the Navy. And, you get the education to start it all off as you will read later on in this overview. Career Programs for Enlisted Men and Women Journeyman Program is a hands-on training experience in Nautical one of the largest groups of naval job specialties including ship operations and maintenance, ordinance (guns, torpedoes, laser-guided missiles, etc.), electronics and administration; Mechanical mastering skills in a variety of shipboard engineering trades such as engineman, machinery repairman and gas turbine systems technician; and Aviation working in aviation job specialties from aeronautical electronics to aircraft structural repair. Advanced Technical Training Program is up to two years of state-of-the art technical training in gas turbine systems both mechanical and electrical, hull maintenance, interior communications and so much more. Musician must be proficient in one or more musical instruments that would be found in a standard band or orchestra. Players provide music for military ceremonies, religious services, concerts, parades and various recreational activities. Jobs in addition to musician include music teacher, orchestra/band leader, music arranger, instrument repairer and music librarian. Quartermaster performs navigational duties on ships including steering, lookout supervision, shop control, bridgewatch, visual communications, and maintenance of navigational aids. A knowledge of geometry and physics is helpful along with good vision and hearing, and the ability to speak and write clearly. Illustrator Draftsman provides designs, sketches, layouts, signs, charts and training aids using art media, computer reproduction systems and graphic arts equipment. Also operates visual presentation equipment. This job calls for creativity, manual dexterity, and competence in mathematics. Experience in art, mechanical drawing and blueprint reading is helpful. Sonar Technician calls for an aptitude in electrical and mechanical work as you operate underwater detection and attack apparatus. A sonor technician obtains and interprets information for tactical purposes and maintains and repairs electronic underwater sound detection systems. A knowledge of algebra, geometry, physics, electricity and shop work is helpful. Aviation Structural Mechanic provides the maintenance and repairs for aircraft, airframe, structural components, hydraulic controls, utility systems and egress systems. This requires a high degree of mechanical aptitude and a good knowledge of or experience in metal shop, algebra, plane geometry, physics and automobile body work. Construction Electrician installs, operates, maintains and repairs electrical generating and distribution systems, motors, controllers, switchboards and transformers. You must have proficiency in mechanical and electrical work, as well as being able to work in tight and high places. Nuclear Power Program has a demanding set of qualifications and intense training awaits those who want to operate and maintain the Navy's nuclear propulsion systems. For those who are accepted, Nuclear Power School follows basic training and provides a comprehensive understanding of the Navy's nuclear systems as they relate to reactor core nuclear principles, heat transfer and fluid flow, plant chemistry and materials, mechanical and electrical systems, and radiological control. This six-month school will help you move on and up to the Nuclear Prototype Training Program and either more training for select jobs as a Machinists Mate or assignment to one of the Navy's nuclear submarines or aircraft carriers. Career Programs for Officers

Communications Officer oversee and direct the personnel who operate computer systems, satellite communication mathematics, engineering, computer sciences or a related field. Artillery Officer supervises the use and firing of the artillery that is used to protect ground troops and sea forces from attack. Cannons, howitzers, missiles, rockets, and specialized equipment to locate targets are part of both air and ground defenses. Navy Pilot Officers are designated by skills and qualifications to fly a particular type of aircraft such as fighters or bombers. Pilots operate weapons, deliver troops, cargo and bombs, as well as perform search and rescue missions. You must have 20/20 vision to be a pilot in any branch of the service. Instructor/Training Officer trains and instructs military personnel in the classrooms as well as in the field on many subjects at the college level. These professionals also develop and direct new training courses, evaluate programs and progress of students as well as instructors. A college education through a masters degree is required. Food Service Manager is the officers who keep the enlistees and other officers full and happy by directing the preparation of meals for a few brass or thousands of sailors at any given time. Whether on a base, ship, submarine, or in a remote station, men and women have to eat every day and these professionals plan and direct as well as manage food budgets and inventories. International Relations Officer act as a liaison between foreign military and government officials. Proficiency in one or more foreign languages is helpful as these professionals work all over the world to collect, analyze, and report on information concerning the military, social, economic, and political matters of other countries. Procurement Officer are the professionals who oversee and control the purchasing of goods, equipment and supplies for their particular base, ship or area. They also prepare the formal contracts for these services. Missile Systems Officer direct and control missile crew and ballistic missile systems that are fired from underground silos, submarines and land-based launchers. These are specialists who are trained in a particular type of operation, launch or missile air defense. Healthcare Administrator are the officers who direct and manage military healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, etc. Specialties within this category include healthcare, health services, comptroller, systems manager, patient administrator, human resources and material management. A degree in healthcare, business, nursing administration or a related field is required. Public Affairs Officer link the military with the public and the media. These are the professionals who answer inquiries direct or written from the public, the media and government officials at all levels. Navy SEALs The Navy SEALs (Sea-Air-Land) created in 1962 for the specific purpose of conducting unconventional and counter-guerrilla warfare, is a special missions force that operates with stealth, concealment and surprise to accomplish their operations. The SEALs are based on the East and West coasts of the United States. You must first join the Navy before you can apply for the SEALs program. If accepted into this program, you will undergo some of the most demanding physical and mental conditioning known. The seven-month training is a test of endurance and includes: ● Basic Underwater Demolition ● ● ● ● ● ●

Airborne Training Basic Conditioning Land Navigation Land Warfare Military Explosives Rappelling and Parachuting

The SEALs motto is The only easy day was yesterday. This exemplifies the spirit, challenge and satisfaction of

becoming a part of this elite group. It is known as the most powerful force the world never sees. Total dedication, determination, discipline and toughness are required. As a SEAL you feel a real sense of unity and understand the impact you have on the security of America.

If you are keeping up with todays headlines, then you know that our military is busy in many areas of the world. If you want to be a part of this experience ensuring freedom of the seas and keeping the shipping lanes open for world commerce, now is the time to start your research into a career in the Navy. ● Talk to your family and friends ● ● ● ● ●

Talk to teachers and your guidance counselor Read books on the Navy from your local library Visit a recruiting office for information Match your talents and interests with naval careers Do the research, ask the questions

When you enlist in the United States Navy, you will become part of an honored tradition dating back to the founding of our nation. Naval Information The library has numerous books on naval history, great battles, biographies of distinctive service and more. These include: ● How to Become a U.S. Naval Officer The Complete Guide to Commissioning Programs by Tom Barkwell, published in 1998 ● ● ● ●

Barrons Guide to Military Careers - published in 1998 To Shining Sea - A History of the United States Navy 1775 - 1991 by Stephen Howarth, published in 1991 Modern U.S. Navy Submarines by Robert & Robin Genat - published in 1997

Listed below are some prominent trade associations: ● The United States Navy ●

Navy.com

Listed below are some trade periodicals ●

Spear

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Navy Media Center

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Navy News Stand

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Navy News Careers Research Monographs Copyright 2006 by The Institute For Research CHICAGO