Ten Reasons to Stay in the Navy

Stars and Stripes reported that the Navy, despite the uncertainty of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, exceeded its reenlistment goals for 2008.

The paper reported that one of the major reasons for the good numbers was that dismissals were down. More sailors passed their physical fitness tests, and fewer were found with medical disabilities or illegal substances abuse.

Navy officials cited three reasons why Sailors are staying in the Navy: the economy, the dedication to the war on terrorism and the new GI Bill benefits.
In no particular order here are some other reasons that men and women should consider staying in the Navy:

• The Pacific: Sailors may spend some time at Norfolk, which is a fine place; but two huge Naval installations at San Diego and Hawaii are certainly a bonus, particularly in January; There’s nothing like a winter day at Pearl Harbor.
• Healthcare: Healthcare is free for sailors during enlistment; in the civilian world it is expensive, complicated and the job that provides your family’s healthcare could disappear at any moment.
• The Ocean: Sailors from Ohio or Colorado, aren’t ready to give up sailing on the seven seas. They’ve been in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, seen star-filled nights in the middle of the Atlantic, would you be ready to give that up?
• Tuition Assistance (TA): Each year the Navy will pay for schooling at a tune of $4,500 a year; what’s not to like about Navy Tuition Assistance. And what makes TA so special is that it renews each year (another $4,500) and sailors pay nothing out-of-pocket, the Navy pays the schools directly. Many use the opportunity to train for their civilian career (when you do eventually get out).
• Job security: When a sailor re-ups in the Navy they won’t ever be laid-off; that just doesn’t happen. Uncle Sam will always need sailors; and that holds considerable weight as civilian employers continue to shed jobs in this ongoing recession.
• Uniforms: The other branches have decent uniforms, but there’s something about a clean, white Navy uniform that is timeless; standing on a ship as it enters port is done best in a white uniform.
• A Job with Meaning; Once a sailor leaves the Navy, there is no guarantee that their next job will feel particularly meaningful; service is an honor and sailors are serving at a time when their country truly needs them.
• Military Spouse Scholarships: Married sailors can enroll at schools using the Navy Tuition Assistance; some schools will let a spouse train at no cost. Sailors should always ask a school’s admission rep about military spouse scholarships when talking to them on the phone.
• Power: The U.S. projects its power abroad with the U.S. Navy, plain and simple; and no Army or Marine Corp general can debate that point.
• Become a Chief Petty Officer: There is nothing like the NCO rank of Chief Petty Officer in the Navy; no other NCO rank in the service has a much responsibility and respect; you also get to wear a new uniform that marks you as a naval leader!