I suppose it's time I address the age old question that may or may not be sitting in the back of your mind. Now that I've had some time to contemplate it myself, I shall attempt to answer that.
First off, I've always had this fascination with ships. I'm talking older ships, not these floating resorts people take cruises on. Yes, there's one particular ship that sparked this interest, but that's a bit irrelevant. And though I've never been on one, or been out to sea, I've always imagined it to be a rather freeing experience, like being on a motorcycle. This appeals to me. And so somehow my interests brought me to, at a rather young age, wanting to join the Navy some day, so I could satisfy the desire to, well, go out to sea. Tied into this is the fact that military service seems to quite literally run in the family. My grandpa was in the Army, an uncle served in the Air Force, and I've been told that my ancestors on my grandmother's side fought in the Revolutionary War. How true that is I don't know.
Second, I'm finding it difficult to advance where I work. After nearly 2 years of working there, and after all the things I've learned since being hired, all that has gotten me is a position in which I find no satisfaction, nor is there a career path I could follow. Of course, it doesn't help that I'm not on management's "Favorites" list, either. I know I am capable of much more than I am doing, and it frustrates me that I am not able to see just how far I can run with it. Also, things just aren't the same around the place, and I don't like the direction things are headed. Sure, I could look for a different job, but the situation is always the same: Everybody wants experience, but nobody wants to train. I don't even know how good the chances are of getting a full-time position that pays at least what I make now. Given the state of the economy, it looks as if I've gotten as far as I can go, and that is sad.
Thirdly, I want to be able to say I did something with my life. I want to do something to make myself and my family proud.
Lastly, I would be lying if I told you that 9/11 didn't play a part in my decision. I love my country. I love what we stand for. For a terrorist group to attack that, for me, was unacceptable and almost offensive. By doing this, hopefully I can help make the world a little bit safer, not for me, but for who I care about.
Showing posts with label enlistment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label enlistment. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Enlisting
Well, in about a week's time I went from civilian night shift worker to being in the Navy. Quite an experience I must say.
At first, I merely wanted to join the Navy Reserve, but after a bit of reflection coupled with some encouragement from my recruiter, I decided that active duty would make me happiest. And so almost within a week of walking into the office for the first time, I was being sworn in and receiving my Future Sailor kit.
MEPS was, well, an interesting experience. I arrived last Wednesday at Fort Lee to take the ASVAB. It was rather hot that day, which made the whole experience a bit more uncomfortable. All I had done was walk and my pants were sticking to my butt. Oh and I was cussing the computer during the math portions...because math and I do not get along well. Anyway. I got a 79.
Thursday began painfully early for me, having to get up 4:45 a.m. and having only an hour to get ready and eat before the bus back to Fort Lee left the hotel. Well, no sooner had I gotten my breakfast the bus pulled up and everybody made a mad dash for the door. I chugged my orange juice and nearly inhaled a sausage link and 2 pieces of bacon whilst en route to the bus. Very classy, I must say. In my defense, I had no idea when I'd be able to eat next. The medical portion of my processing actually began around 7 a.m. and lasted until about 11 a.m. I had to "duckwalk." They drew blood, leaving a pretty nasty bruise on my arm in the process. A strange man saw more of me than I would have liked. Oh and I had to drink 6 cups of water so I could pee for the urinalysis. I ended up having to pee like a race horse for the rest of the afternoon as well.
There was a lot of waiting. The worst part was waiting to pick my rate. The Navy liaisons seemed to take forever to get to me. I got very fidgety. Eventually it was my turn, and I was lucky enough to get one of the rates I wanted, which was Electronics Technician. After more waiting, I was finally sworn in around 4:30 that afternoon. It was at that point that I was officially enlisted into the U.S. Navy. I won't lie, I did get a bit emotional, as this was really all I wanted since I was about 12 years old. I plan to re-enlist for as long as the Navy will allow me to. Hooyah.
At first, I merely wanted to join the Navy Reserve, but after a bit of reflection coupled with some encouragement from my recruiter, I decided that active duty would make me happiest. And so almost within a week of walking into the office for the first time, I was being sworn in and receiving my Future Sailor kit.
MEPS was, well, an interesting experience. I arrived last Wednesday at Fort Lee to take the ASVAB. It was rather hot that day, which made the whole experience a bit more uncomfortable. All I had done was walk and my pants were sticking to my butt. Oh and I was cussing the computer during the math portions...because math and I do not get along well. Anyway. I got a 79.
Thursday began painfully early for me, having to get up 4:45 a.m. and having only an hour to get ready and eat before the bus back to Fort Lee left the hotel. Well, no sooner had I gotten my breakfast the bus pulled up and everybody made a mad dash for the door. I chugged my orange juice and nearly inhaled a sausage link and 2 pieces of bacon whilst en route to the bus. Very classy, I must say. In my defense, I had no idea when I'd be able to eat next. The medical portion of my processing actually began around 7 a.m. and lasted until about 11 a.m. I had to "duckwalk." They drew blood, leaving a pretty nasty bruise on my arm in the process. A strange man saw more of me than I would have liked. Oh and I had to drink 6 cups of water so I could pee for the urinalysis. I ended up having to pee like a race horse for the rest of the afternoon as well.
There was a lot of waiting. The worst part was waiting to pick my rate. The Navy liaisons seemed to take forever to get to me. I got very fidgety. Eventually it was my turn, and I was lucky enough to get one of the rates I wanted, which was Electronics Technician. After more waiting, I was finally sworn in around 4:30 that afternoon. It was at that point that I was officially enlisted into the U.S. Navy. I won't lie, I did get a bit emotional, as this was really all I wanted since I was about 12 years old. I plan to re-enlist for as long as the Navy will allow me to. Hooyah.
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