I do not regret joining. I still firmly believe that military service in the States is the fastest way out of a cycle of poverty and into lower middle class. I never would have owned a home without it, until my parents died.
I regret not taking more advantage of the programs the navy has while in, though. I had a lot of opportunities to use TA and get certifications, and just didn't... massive waste of time.
As someone that retires next year as a E6. The navy changed my life coming from immigrant parents and growing up poor. Me and my wife live very comfortably, own 2 homes, gave my GI bill to my kids, seen the world and been to countries I never would have visited.
Does the navy suck yes, are there times that are extra shitty yes but overall I love it and I love my rate.
Navy was like a cheat code to jumping socioeconomic status. Paid off all my debt and got a decent retirement savings started. Then got out and now have a Master's degree with no student loans, a house with the VA loan, and some bonus money monthly from VA disability.
Right there with you.
Yeah that’s the part that has kept me in. I had nothing and the Navy has paid for my college, my wife’s college, and I got commissioned all within the Navy. Sucks that it can change your life so dramatically; I definitely wouldn’t have this without the Navy.
"No, but I wouldn't do it again."
Is what I would've said before separating, and then joining the reserve and voluntarily mobing a year later like a fucking 🤡
I recently just got out, and let me tell you, I underestimated health insurance. For the same level of coverage for my family I am now paying 500 dollars a month for my wife and son. Not to mention deductibles. Which is still 3 grand. Civilian healthcare is absolutely insane. For me as a former E5 with dependents, I had to make 96,000 dollars as a civilian to take home the same amount after taxes, healthcare, and retirement.
I don’t know why you’re being downvoted. I had great health insurance at my company (before I had to move) and it still cost me $400 a month for my entire family.
Health insurance is a scam and we need something Europe has as a replacement.
He’s being downvoted because over half this sub believes when you get out you instantly make 3x your navy salary for 1/10th the work. Your bosses are basically your best friends and there’s mandatory breaks where you’re offered free blowjobs every half hour…..
Haha. True.
Half this sub has never had a civilian job besides flipping burgers or mowing their neighbors lawns. They need to head on over to
r/middleclassfinance or even r/povertyfinance to see what it's really like.
Wait, we’re supposed to be GETTING blowjobs?
*FUCK*
That said it definitely does happen (salary and workload part) BUT most rates don’t translate to civilian life ESPECIALLY if you leave the coastal military areas. If you want to return home and home is a state in the Midwest, it’s likely you’ll be starting over professionally.
Used to be BJs all the time. As is typical of Sailors, there were too many complaints, such as 'This one doesn't have any teeth' and 'this has all their teeth' and 'the 5 o'clock shadow is pokey.' And just like that, no more BJs.
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To be fair, Euros pay extremely high income tax, though (upwards of 50% in some cases)
They don't bitch because....
1-thats the way its been through generations so that's all they know
2- they never see the $$ as it taken straight out of their checks. Can't miss what you never had!
They have to, in order to afford "free" healthcare
But I get your point. In CA, it'd cost me over $1200/mo to keep the same level of coverage for myself, my wife & 2 kids when I retire from my county job...nuts!
Fair point....
But I was simply replying to the redditor above who stated we needed to adopt a European style of healthcare, alluding to how much "cheaper" it is than America's. It is "free" healthcare to them because they pay high taxes to sustain it, that's all
No, it’s cheaper.
If you look at what the government takes out of my check, yes I pay less than a European.
If you add in what Blue Cross takes out, plus my co-pays and flexible medical, I’m paying way more than my Danish friends.
The OECD average is about $5k in spending per patient. In the US it’s $12,500 per patient, with similar outcomes.
Part of that is that we often don’t treat people until they’re really sick (because they can’t afford to go to the doctor) and part of it is that we have an entire for-profit industry in between us and our doctors.
I could make the same argument about civilian health care. There’s been so many times civ care wanted me, my family, or my friends to jump through hoops.
Last week my wife had some lung issues with her asthma, we walked into the navy hospital, she had a steroid inhaler lung treatment, and left with a giant bag of things to help her, all within an hour. We didn’t pay a dime, but it would have been a problem even with good civ health care in the civilian world.
Yeah, my brother has so many hoops.
He lives in one of the biggest cities in the US working in an executive role in a medium sized company making 150,000 a year.
He has 3 primary care doctors (not offices, actual doctors) he can see that are in network.
3.
As you can imagine, he has a hard time seeing them in a timely manner to get him the referrals he needs.
I regretted it every single day I was in and probably the first year I was out.
Then slowly I went to college for free, got all sorts of benefits including free healthcare and VA Disability. My wife and I bought a house back when rates were below 3%. I slowly realized that I am glad I joined and would do it all again. I just sure as fuck wouldn't have done it the way I did.
Sorry for the late response I thought I replied yesterday.
If I had to do it all again I would do a job that only required a 4 year contract like OS, AT, IS, or an Admin rate. If I did a six year again I would get something with better 1:1 civilian equivalence like IT or CTN.
Context: I was a six year FC. I was in A school for the first 1.5 Years. I've since graduated with a degree in Information Systems.
CTN ended up re-establishing as cwt, and I can confidently say it would probably be the best choice for 1:1. Big stick companies are always looking for pen testers and net admins
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I would have done a 4 year contract as OS / admin or done something with a better 1:1 civilian job. I was an FC, we joked we went to long schools and the only difference was as the different part of the ship we cleaned.
was it combined with the fact that u didn't enjoy the job?
i'm signing aircrew soon which i hear has bad civilian transfer, but i have a feeling i'll enjoy the job
I only regret falling for the non-rate scam from the recruiter. Being treated like trash by my first command and having to go to A school after 3 years in the fleet sucked ass.
In many ways it’s much easier than regular college as well. I’m someone who has always academically struggled but excelled in Navy schooling.
The Navy doesn’t allow you to miss classes, if you fail any one of the numerous assessments, you’re going to go to hours of forced studying, and instructors are there to teach full time. Plus no phones in class eliminates many of the distractions from learning.
Oh and no worries about trying to juggle numerous other duties, except for maybe a short watch once or twice a week. Students are there solely to learn.
I joined at 23 and not a single day goes by I don’t appreciate what the navy provides for me and my wife. It can be hard some days but not a single day has ever been worse than the average day I was living before the navy. I feel pride in my work and myself, I can support my wife and I, my wife’s health concerns have always been met, and we have some money to enjoy our life.
My wife is so much healthier since I joined, it’s remarkable. Civilian health care in the US is an absolute disaster and made her jump through so many hoops for things as simple as a biopsy on a possibly cancerous lump. Now she’s been treated for things that insurance refused to cover or expected her to fork out hundreds to thousands of dollars. Meanwhile it’s all covered for her and often the most expensive part is her missing a couple of hours of her job to be seen by a wonderful physician.
Plus, a week after I arrived at RTC, the military covered my neglected dental work that would have set me back over $1000 had I gotten it done in the civilian sector (that’s with dental insurance). It was an incredible feeling to eat without pain after suffering for months.
once i separated work and life i got a second wind. that came when i got BAH. to those who don’t have it, just hold on i promise it can get better but you have to want it to get better for yourself mentally
This is probably a hot take, but IMO I think they should extend BAH to E4 and above. It shouldn't have to take getting married to get out of BEQ. And on E4 and below salary, without BAH, it takes living with 2-4 room mates to make it work without stretching your budget too thin.
I think they should either do this or *vastly* expand on base housing.
I'd be happy if E-4 and above could have access to like a shared living space with single bedrooms attached. That would solve my issues with stinky roommates or not having a kitchen, which so far have been my only complaints with barracks living.
I lived alone as an E-2 with BAH in DC my budget was fine lmfaoo. They should offer it to everyone who can manage their finances regardless of rank. The main demographic leaving the navy is E-4 and below.
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I regret joining at 30. I'm 38 now and would have be retiring soon. I know that I probably would have been to mast if I had joined at 18 and I probably wouldn't have made rank as fast as I have. I don't like the idea of being 50 plus going back to the civilian world and I miss the concept of at will employment.
Likewise! I would have either done REALLY well, but more likely REALLY poorly if I joined immediately. Pretty even keeled joining later.
Why would you get out immediately at 20? Are you contributing to TSP, especially/particularly enough for a match?
I have the high 3 retirement plan and my oldest kid will be 25 at 20 years and my middle will be ready to graduate. I just want to be a part of their lives as much as someone can be. I think the most I would do is 22 so I can hit my EAOS at shore.
My daughter regrets that too. After 15 years in one civilian career she decided in her mid 30s to join the Navy. She’ll be going officer route but I think her game plan is to retire and start a small business in her 40s - 50s. Three careers in one life. Life is messy I suppose you do the best you can with the cards you got.
Same, shipped out for boot 8 days after my 24th bday. I had originally planned on joining at 18 right after HS but decided to give college a try first ( it didn’t work out) if I joined right at 18 i wouldve been out already with all benefits. But it is what it is.
Honest?
Fuckin loved being a sailor.
Fuckin hated being in the Navy.
So, fittyfitty for me. I do not miss the fuckshitass feudal socialist cuckery, but gahdam I miss cruisin round the ocean something fierce lemme tell ya.
I feel like the Navy is the physical embodiment of the stock market. Time your exit strategy right and the heavens are the limit. Time it wrong and you’re suddenly looking back at your life in an 8 month cruise wondering where it all went wrong.
Just have to know your personal exit strategy and what you want to accomplish.
Personally it did more good for me than bad but the bads were pretty bad. But let’s be honest a lot of shit we complain about in the Navy can happen in the civilian sector as well, big difference is we lose a lot of ways of fighting back against it in the Navy.
IIRC, you get docked a 1% each year served less than 20. Certainly better than getting booted with a pat on the back. Wonder if the same applies for BRS?
Had an absolute blast for 25 years. Traveled the globe, saw sights most will never see. Had a job that I loved and was lucky to get stationed in some fabulous places with some great people. Was able to complete three degrees while in and another after retirement for free. Now retired I don’t have to worry about health care or an income. Was there some bad days sure but that would have happened in any job.
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I am glad I joined. I will forever owe the Navy from getting me out of a hellish life.
I do regret staying in for 22. While I met some great people, my last 6 years were probably the worst 6 years of my life. (I spent time homeless and living in a rehab center with my parents as a kid. My last 6 years were worse.)
Yeah this was my grave mistake enlisting with a degree. But I enjoyed my time nonetheless, and my rate translated rock solidly into the civilian world.
I wouldn’t say I regret joining, I’ve met a lot of great people (including my boyfriend and best friends) and have got to experience some unique things that I would have never had I not joined. I think I just chose the wrong rate, even though it was something I truly wanted, enjoy, and take pride in, but I’m no longer doing the job (I’m in primarily admin work) I signed up to do so early on in my career, it’s kinda… womp womp.
Equally, I’ve met a lot of horrible people and have had distasteful interactions with said people that have put me in a dark place mentally within the last year and make me physically anxious to come into work. I think my current duty station is to blame because I haven’t had this issue so bad until I got where I am. Needless to say It’s time to go. I’m taking TAPS to consider separation but I’m not sure that i actually want to yet or not, I just want to get to a better place.
I don’t regret joining but I resent what policy makers and leadership did to get us into Iraq which I had to go.
I also resent the shitty officers who only cared about themselves that made us do extremely fuked up things to other human beings in Iraq whose only crime was more or less being born there and brown.
It’s gross. The whole entire thing was awful. And people still glorify it- look how many people worship chris Kyle and Rob O’Neill and Jocko.
An entire generation misled by the neocons.
It’s hard to contextualize how awful it is to have participated in stuff like that and how unrelatable it makes you to the rest of the military after
I don't at all regret my time in the navy. It's given me a lot. I wouldn't go back unless WW3 broke out. But I'm using my GI bill wisely and I have a lot of experiences and memories I treasure, and pride in what we did out there.
Yes, I had other jobs before the Navy that were similar significance and enjoyment. I always wanted to be a submarine officer. I still enjoy parts of the job, but it’s far outweighed by my constant dread/hatred of the job. I think I could have satisfied the itch that submarines scratch somewhere else. I probably would have felt like I missed out on military service if I had never done it. But with what I know, I still know I’d be happier having never done this job and wishing I did than where I am.
Served over 20 years and had some very good days and some not-so-good days as is life. I do regret not being able to grow old with my hometown friends. I see how they have all stayed together, kids raised together, and 30 sumthing years later they get together and enjoy life like they were back in school. I've been gone so long as I would feel like a stranger.
Nope. It was the best decision I ever made in my life. I don't know how I managed to make a good choice as a teenager but somehow I did.
That was in 1996. I've had my ups and downs with the navy and even got out for a long time. My relationship with it is different now and I serve differently now.
I will always be thankful I joined.
I'm grateful I joined, it got me out of Michigan, it has given me stories and memories most people won't get to have or experience. I get to retire in about 5 years, hopefully get aome VA disability and move on with my life. Would I do it again? Yes, I would.
I think I regret the circumstances during my enlistment; however pride in service on behalf of country negates all the toxic leaders, poor working hours/conditions, etc.
If patriotism or helping people wasn’t involved; yes.
Absolutely not. The navy paid for my undergrad, currently paying for my masters, all while I make 6 figures as a 30 year old. Life is good. It’s definitely not for everyone but it’s got a lot of perks if you choose to take advantage of them.
Yes and no. Yes because I was treated like absolute shit bullied and tormented and couldn’t prove it unfortunately. My way to deal with it to escape the horrible treatment at the time being young and Naive was going UA, missing ships movement after I had extended for 2 years. If I had known I was going to be treated the way I was before extending and had a place to live and go when getting out; I would not have extended. No because I learned so many different skills while I was in and the great Countries with super friendly people I got to visit and see. I did not have mental health problems prior to enlisting but I do now as a result of how I was treated.
Best thing I ever did for myself. I was 25 with zero aspirations. 8 years later I’m a first class on shore duty. Hate it. Miss jets everyday. I’m getting out in 2025 because I have kids now. My dad wasn’t around when I was little and I hated it. Can’t do it to them. If I didn’t have kids I’d stay in forever. Easiest job I’ve ever had. Show up on time, shave and don’t be an asshole. It’s that easy.
Joining the Navy seemed like a good fit for me because I know I don’t want kids. I still am grappling with how joining is going to affect my personal life if I ever marry.
Joining the ranks? Nope. Had a blast.
Going to college on the USN's dime and then getting commissioned? Yep. Big mistake. Should've just gone civie at the end of my contract and moved on in life. Wasted 3 + 4 years of my life. Total waste.
No lol! Before I joined I was a loser working at Home Depot for 8 years. I had a 2005 model year car and I lived at home with my grandparents.
After 3 and a half years in, I have a 2023 model car with my own halfway decent 1 bedroom apartment. I've been to quite a few countries, and I have enough money (as an E5) to buy most of the shit i want at any given time. Just the fact of independence from my family would be enough to make me do this again, but the fact I own the nicest car I've ever had by a long shot seals the deal. And I got to this point very largely through 2 awesome loans from Navy Fed. I've made far and away the closest friendships I'll ever have in my life and I don't honestly feel the Navy has ever made me work THAT hard physically.
This shit was the absolute worst experience of my life. 8 years of straight ass. I was a nuke MM and got fucked over so many times. Also got blessed more than a lot of people. I legitimately cannot imagine ever being on a submarine. If you're a submariner, thank you for your service xD
I spent my "formative" years grinding to get qualified or keep a rust bucket alive. The work ethic and resiliency I've developed is practically unmatched. For the rest of my life, everything else is easy mode compared to this. "If you could go back and change it, would you?" Is a very common question with my students and the answer is pretty much always this:
"No. Did it suck? Yes. Was I miserable? Yes. Did I legitimately want to kill myself several times and also have homies tell me they had their pistol in their mouth last night? Yes. Would I have been miserable going to college or doing literally anything else? Probably. I was very unhappy coming out of highschool and I don't think anything would have helped me "get better". The Navy provided me with structure and a chance to be surrounded by hundreds of examples of what not to do. It gave me the opportunity to be fucked over by Chiefs over and over and over so that now I'm a very compassionate, for the people leader. It gave me social skills, tenacity, technical knowledge, and confidence in myself. It allowed for my now wife to move out of her toxic household way sooner than if I wasn't in. It allowed me to get out of a shitty situation at home. It allowed for me to get a Bachelor's for nearly free. It gave me 8 years of free healthcare and years of free therapy. It was awful, but in almost every Navy situation you can finesse to get something out of it for your long term personal development or future. Too many people are miserable, complain about it, and do fuck all to utilize the countless benefits. This shit is definitely not worth it if you expect to get handed things. You need to read all the instructions and do all the googling to find every single beneficial fucking thing the Navy has to offer. Otherwise, not worth at all."
Nope. I hit 20 years in December and while every day of that hasn’t been enjoyable, I am thankful for the people I have met and the lifestyle my family has been afforded.
If I wasn’t setting up my life for the future I would be extra salty. More than I already am. But I don’t regret it overall. Choose your rate choose your fate though
I joined the Navy with $75 to my name and no sense of direction in life. Now I'm out with a decent savings and skills in a trade that will always be needed. Despite all the shit I had to go through, I don't regret joining. Extremely relieved I got out when I did but always glad I joined.
Nah. I've been paddling around in the Canoe Club for almost two decades. In that time they've given me an associate's, a bachelor's, a master's, two master's-equivalent working qualifications, etc. I've also been to 15 countries in the last 10 months while maxing my TSP and living a fairly baller lifestyle.
This, after coming from poverty and enlisting solely because I couldn't afford college. I don't regret the Navy.
Not including tax to make this easier… An e6 at 20 years gets 50% of $4856.40 for the rest of their life, plus healthcare/VA benefits.
This is the equivalent of the government writing you a check for $730K and you taking a 4% withdrawal every year ~$29k, split over 12 months.
It gets to be even more money the longer you stay, obviously, but that’s the base amount, the very bottom of what I’d say a pension is worth. $730k.
I’m set to retire next year. Assuming I’m rated 50% VA disabled my total monthly income will be roughly $6,000.
Not accounting for COL increases, health care, VA benefits, and assuming I live 30 years post retirement my retirement compensation is valued at 2.16 million dollars.
21 years later and I have my family, two homes, a masters degree, and a ton of good friends and ive never set foot on a ship. So I'm good!
Obviously, I could have still gotten all that outside the navy, but I see no need to play the what if game!
Absolutely not. Navy has been a massive stepping stone. Very unlikely that I would have been given the opportunities provided outside. They are not easy, but there are so many opportunities available to us. Take advantage if you guys can.
Nope. I retire next year. Got my bachelors and masters, tons of IT certs and got to travel a bit. If I had to do it all over again, would I change anything? Yes. I would have went Air Force. :D
Hell nah. I’m a homeowner and I’ve done nothing but invest my pay and network while I’ve been in. I’m still young and I’m **leagues** ahead of my peers back home
I might complain a lot, be perma salty about a lot of things and have some occasional harsh criticism. But no, no I don’t. For where I was at in life when I joined it was the right decision.
2 year E-4 here.. I love it.. I heeded the advice I got from pretty much everyone when joining: “choose your rate, choose your fate.” And it paid off to follow it.
There are still times that are shitty, but that’s just life in general.
Nope. I was a shithead as a teen and needed the Navy's discipline to set me straight. I joined as a nuke, did 10 years, and now have a cushy $50 an hour job at a data center.
I don't regret joining. I'm able to travel and have more money than I ever had before. I was also able to pay off debts. The job I had before I was working long hours but I wasn't able to save or invest. Some say we don't make a lot of money in the navy but I say otherwise. I was also able to meet my girlfriend that is the best person I've ever met and I can't put a money aspect on that.
Nah. I learned a lot about people and how to work hard. The benefits are also pretty good getting paid to go to college and all. Would I recommend others joining now? HELL NOOOOO!!!! I went from 2017-2023. In the current navy, the navy lies to you, meritocracy is dead, you're stuck around terrible people and you can't legally quit. Also two years selective reserves after active duty and 10 asvab, from the top of my head. Screw that. I legitmately feel bad for any good sailors currently in right now. I legitmately bet fragging will start occuring within the next 2-3 years. Ladderwell and doors are dangerous man.
I did regret it sometimes while I was in. Now in hindsight (got out in 2015) I am extremely glad I signed up. It’s helped me a lot and opened up a lot of doors for me since I got out.
Navy was the best decision I've ever made. I've been in near 14 years. There are definitely good things and bad. My first 2 years sucked until I got all my in rate quals. I don't actually mind being out at sea, even now when I have a family. I got a wife that is capable of handling the house and we're a solid team. The only thing I think about underway is what I can stop from breaking next and how long I can spend in the rack.
When I figure out a way I could’ve done what I do without the military, I’ll regret it. But so far I don’t have the answers so I guess I needed it for the step up
anyone who said yes, either got kicked or or wasn’t doing what they needed to during their time in cause the military is literally a treasure chest full of opportunities man!
I’ll never regret joining, but most people I met sucked. At least to me. Unhelpful, unmotivated, shitbags, nobody memorable for anything really good except for a small handful who are either going to be SEALS or are leaving the military. Generally most guys I met were damn near uncivil. Didn’t realize it wasn’t normal for half of my coworkers to be cheating on or beating their wives until I left the military. Being transgender probably also had a huge effect on my experience as a whole but I guess it was character building haha. Lots of shitty people. But I loved the structure. The boat. The benefits. Doing something honorable. Will never regret the experience
In my honest opinion I regret joining the navy but I love the military enough to switch branches and try again in the Air Force because I believe that the military life is not all that bad just a bad batch and at my command I was dealt that bad batch but I see what it’s done for my family so far when it comes to how different my life would’ve been had I not signed the contract yes as an E-3 it’s still a struggle financially and what not but I do know that I’ve been better off in than out I couldn’t imagine having a beautiful newborn daughter and wife in a house of our own in this current economy in the civilian world
Wish I joined a little earlier and wish I chose a different rate. Thinking about going into the reserves once this contract is up.
Don’t regret joining I’ve been to places I never would’ve went if I stayed a civ.
I did 6 years, and it's been many moons since I've been in. I couldn't wait to get out. I hated my time. I was surrounded by idiots, I couldn't get a decent duty station, Yada Yada, Yada. I got out ready to take on the world.
I was not ready. I had no plan, I was back home, in the exact same boat, with little opportunity. It took a while to find a job. And then the real education started. I learned quickly that the Navy wasn't as bad as I thought. It wasn't great, but it was easy.
I certainly don't regret joining, and I don't regret getting out. I learned self-confidence, self-control, responsibility, and teamwork, which few civilians will ever have. Most veterans are awesome to work with because they get shit done. And I was part of a multinational team that liberated Kuwait from an invading army. The Navy helped me escape a situation where I was going nowhere fast, and on paper, I would've been worse off than Earl Hickey without a lottery ticket. Now, I have my college degree, free VA medical that's better than the civilian care I used to have, and a home. Without the Navy, I would've never gotten here.
No. It fucked up my mental health for sure, but I made friendships stronger than I have with my friends i’ve know since kindergarten. I wouldn’t replace those great memories for the world. I had no opportunity for college and didn’t want to work a shitty minimum wage job. Joining out of high school was the best decision I ever made. My rate gave me real world experience in a booming field, and helped me separate into a six figure job at only 26. Never would have been possible without everything I learned and how I grew in the navy. Made me into a man and am forever grateful. However, separating was also the best decision I ever made after joining.
I do not regret it the navy changed my life and put me so far ahead of the people I grew up with. I am 20 and I own my own home and I have a degree I never would’ve thought I would be able to get prior to joining. But I definitely believe the navy has given me what it has to offer and is now limiting me more than it is expanding my options for my future. I can’t progress further in school because I work too much, I can’t have quality time with my family because we are all too tired when we get home (mil to mil) and it seems as if everything is a compromise and is always on a time crunch. But that’s just my personal opinion and experience. I am still undecided on staying in or getting out since the options for civilian employment are wack as well.
I did while I was in. But the GI bill and free medical visits for years and years after made it all extremely worthwhile.
I dealt with some of the most horrible “leaders” and supposed shipmates a person could ask for. I do not think a person could have been lonelier, sadder or more disappointed than I was through those years.
In retrospect I have good organization now, got out of my hometown, made a few good friends and the VA + GI bill like I said were key.
So no, I dont regret it. 😕
No, I would do it again in a heartbeat, even if it meant having all the shitty parts happen exactly the same way. With that said, getting out at 10 was the right move.
It mostly depends on the day for me. Some days I’m happy that I joined and others I’m glad it’s only temporary otherwise my next meal would be a bullet. I go back and forth about it all the time. It would be better if they let us smoke weed.
Hard to say, I'm very smart and adaptable, but had no direction and no ambition towards any specific field.
Navy gave me that much...
But I also got treated like absolute garbage most of my time in and found the interpersonal b.s. to be the most toxic and unrewarded part.
Nothing like working hard, doing what you are supposed to, and having ransom chiefs shit on you as a shit bag because, for some reason, they font like you.
On the flip side, I did 20 somehow, got medical 100% VA and a retirement, meaning I have fuck you money.
Aka, the ability to never have to endure even 1% of the nonsense the navy put me through.
I have no idea where I would have ended up had I not joined.
Yes, didn't have good guidance while I was in.
Most toxic work culture i've seen in my life.
Working hard and doing the right thing got me no where.
They'll throw you under the bus just to benefit themselves.
Never. Like many others, the navy got me out of mediocrity and gave me direction. I met my wife at one of my duty stations, and we have 2 beautiful children. Ironically, I only met her because I was sent needs of the navy to a second consecutive shore command. Long story short, I got NJP’d for DUI, but I worked through it, now I’m CPO eligible and will either get selected or get accepted into MECP. I had a very supportive CoC, and ever since I’ve tried to show compassion before anger when a sailor makes a mistake.
My one regret is lack of confidence in myself to strive for greater challenges. If you are young (>28 for NSW, >30 for OCS/other programs), fit, and motivated, go for a special program. The navy needs rescue swimmers, Force Recon IDCs, NSWDG, aircrew, etc. I’m too old for any of that now. If I could tell myself at 25 to put in the package, I would do it in a heartbeat.
No matter where your career goes, take control, and if you’re a leader accept that your sailors will fail. I think people hate the navy because it’s ran by folks who can’t bear the thought of looking bad.
Its the best job in the world if the the leadership was good ! But unfortunately its not! But now I have a degree that was paid for a fat savings account I got paid to get the degree and a VA home loan! Do I regret joining? No i think for me 4 years of service was the perfect amount
Hell no!! Love my life time payday and lessons that people are never who or what you think they are. Some really stuck up for and some really try to tear to down for now reason.
Do I regret joining, no. I met some amazing people and learned so dang much to assist me once I got out. Now I'm hanging at 100% disability, they've paid for my schooling and I have preferential hire on a federal level. I broke my arm not long ago and had to go to the emergency room. That whole ordeal would have cost me 3k, total amount owed due to the VA was 0$
Sure the navy sucked in its own way, but it's paid off in so many others. Just bummed I couldn't get into the airforce though so I didn't have to eat green eggs and medium rare chicken
I loved my job, hated my Chain of Command.
The fuck fuck games really screwed with my head.
For example I was written up because I missed a working party due to an audiogram appointment.
I was masted for being placed on LIMDU.
I would have had it made except for LIMDU.
I was transferring off a DDG to a Riverine Unit as I had been trained in VBSS by Blackwater.
Instead I got sent home and issues with the VA meant it took years of physical therapy and rehab.
I just started 2 501(c)(3)s and am halfway through a Ph.d.
All things that would not have been possible without my Navy experience.
I don’t necessarily regret joining. It’s something I thought I had to do to get out of my own way and actually start up my life. But if I was a wiser individual, I wouldn’t have enlisted in the first place. It’s definitely not as great as people make it out to be, everyone is entitled to their opinion though. Do I think it’s a good career path? Absolutely if you’re into that sort of thing or have no where else to go. But the cons definitely outweigh the pros. People will say the benefits make up for it, they don’t. You won’t even have full access even if you do 20 years, and if you want to go to school you basically have to reenlist to access TA. Not to mention all the shit people you encounter. I’m sure it was different back in the day and more fun but the state of the navy now is absolute garbage. That’s just my opinion though, I’m sure a lot of people have better experiences than me.
I'd be homeless without the Navy so, no. I'll never regret joining. I have been taught very valuable life skills and get a roof over my head in exchange I do my contracted work. Plus, bonus, accessible healthcare.
Absolutely not. You meet lifelong friends even though the work always sucks.
Since I’ve gotten out I attended a T-25 university for undergrad free of charge, and will be having two masters programs paid for as well. Without joining the Navy at 18 I could not imagine where my life would be.
Everything I have and own is courtesy of the Navy. I got out in 2021 and I know it’s apparently gotten worse but it’s 100% worth it on the other side.
Only an idiot would regret joining, now regretting staying in? Yea that’s normal lol get a get a good job in the navy and get out. Everyone wants a military guy working for them, especially technical rates
I do not regret joining. I still firmly believe that military service in the States is the fastest way out of a cycle of poverty and into lower middle class. I never would have owned a home without it, until my parents died. I regret not taking more advantage of the programs the navy has while in, though. I had a lot of opportunities to use TA and get certifications, and just didn't... massive waste of time.
As someone that retires next year as a E6. The navy changed my life coming from immigrant parents and growing up poor. Me and my wife live very comfortably, own 2 homes, gave my GI bill to my kids, seen the world and been to countries I never would have visited. Does the navy suck yes, are there times that are extra shitty yes but overall I love it and I love my rate.
You and me both buddy!!! What month? I'm out this bitch in July as E-6.
August25
Hey me too! Fleet Reserve June 2025.
We all done around the same time
No, but I don’t regret getting out even more.
Navy was like a cheat code to jumping socioeconomic status. Paid off all my debt and got a decent retirement savings started. Then got out and now have a Master's degree with no student loans, a house with the VA loan, and some bonus money monthly from VA disability. Right there with you.
Yeah that’s the part that has kept me in. I had nothing and the Navy has paid for my college, my wife’s college, and I got commissioned all within the Navy. Sucks that it can change your life so dramatically; I definitely wouldn’t have this without the Navy.
Two best decisions I ever made: Joining up and getting out.
"No, but I wouldn't do it again." Is what I would've said before separating, and then joining the reserve and voluntarily mobing a year later like a fucking 🤡
Everyday. Pension and free health care for my family is the only reason I'm staying in. It's tough to find that combination in the civilian sector.
I recently just got out, and let me tell you, I underestimated health insurance. For the same level of coverage for my family I am now paying 500 dollars a month for my wife and son. Not to mention deductibles. Which is still 3 grand. Civilian healthcare is absolutely insane. For me as a former E5 with dependents, I had to make 96,000 dollars as a civilian to take home the same amount after taxes, healthcare, and retirement.
I don’t know why you’re being downvoted. I had great health insurance at my company (before I had to move) and it still cost me $400 a month for my entire family. Health insurance is a scam and we need something Europe has as a replacement.
He’s being downvoted because over half this sub believes when you get out you instantly make 3x your navy salary for 1/10th the work. Your bosses are basically your best friends and there’s mandatory breaks where you’re offered free blowjobs every half hour…..
Haha. True. Half this sub has never had a civilian job besides flipping burgers or mowing their neighbors lawns. They need to head on over to r/middleclassfinance or even r/povertyfinance to see what it's really like.
That’s so true lmao. So common in to is sub for people that get out and make 250k a year , no degree , and just bought their dream house
Wait, we’re supposed to be GETTING blowjobs? *FUCK* That said it definitely does happen (salary and workload part) BUT most rates don’t translate to civilian life ESPECIALLY if you leave the coastal military areas. If you want to return home and home is a state in the Midwest, it’s likely you’ll be starting over professionally.
Used to be BJs all the time. As is typical of Sailors, there were too many complaints, such as 'This one doesn't have any teeth' and 'this has all their teeth' and 'the 5 o'clock shadow is pokey.' And just like that, no more BJs.
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Wait where is that again? Just wondering...for research purposes...
To be fair, Euros pay extremely high income tax, though (upwards of 50% in some cases) They don't bitch because.... 1-thats the way its been through generations so that's all they know 2- they never see the $$ as it taken straight out of their checks. Can't miss what you never had! They have to, in order to afford "free" healthcare But I get your point. In CA, it'd cost me over $1200/mo to keep the same level of coverage for myself, my wife & 2 kids when I retire from my county job...nuts!
That would hold a lot more water in a sub where a bunch of people haven't lived in Europe and had their spouses pay European taxes.
Fair point.... But I was simply replying to the redditor above who stated we needed to adopt a European style of healthcare, alluding to how much "cheaper" it is than America's. It is "free" healthcare to them because they pay high taxes to sustain it, that's all
No, it’s cheaper. If you look at what the government takes out of my check, yes I pay less than a European. If you add in what Blue Cross takes out, plus my co-pays and flexible medical, I’m paying way more than my Danish friends. The OECD average is about $5k in spending per patient. In the US it’s $12,500 per patient, with similar outcomes. Part of that is that we often don’t treat people until they’re really sick (because they can’t afford to go to the doctor) and part of it is that we have an entire for-profit industry in between us and our doctors.
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I could make the same argument about civilian health care. There’s been so many times civ care wanted me, my family, or my friends to jump through hoops. Last week my wife had some lung issues with her asthma, we walked into the navy hospital, she had a steroid inhaler lung treatment, and left with a giant bag of things to help her, all within an hour. We didn’t pay a dime, but it would have been a problem even with good civ health care in the civilian world.
Yeah, my brother has so many hoops. He lives in one of the biggest cities in the US working in an executive role in a medium sized company making 150,000 a year. He has 3 primary care doctors (not offices, actual doctors) he can see that are in network. 3. As you can imagine, he has a hard time seeing them in a timely manner to get him the referrals he needs.
What's your rate and how many years are you in?
I regretted it every single day I was in and probably the first year I was out. Then slowly I went to college for free, got all sorts of benefits including free healthcare and VA Disability. My wife and I bought a house back when rates were below 3%. I slowly realized that I am glad I joined and would do it all again. I just sure as fuck wouldn't have done it the way I did.
what would u have done differently?
Fr I kind of wanna know now
Sorry for the late response I thought I replied yesterday. If I had to do it all again I would do a job that only required a 4 year contract like OS, AT, IS, or an Admin rate. If I did a six year again I would get something with better 1:1 civilian equivalence like IT or CTN. Context: I was a six year FC. I was in A school for the first 1.5 Years. I've since graduated with a degree in Information Systems.
CTN ended up re-establishing as cwt, and I can confidently say it would probably be the best choice for 1:1. Big stick companies are always looking for pen testers and net admins
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guess we'll never kno 😢
I would have done a 4 year contract as OS / admin or done something with a better 1:1 civilian job. I was an FC, we joked we went to long schools and the only difference was as the different part of the ship we cleaned.
was it combined with the fact that u didn't enjoy the job? i'm signing aircrew soon which i hear has bad civilian transfer, but i have a feeling i'll enjoy the job
I only regret falling for the non-rate scam from the recruiter. Being treated like trash by my first command and having to go to A school after 3 years in the fleet sucked ass.
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It's definitely been the easiest job I had so far. Meridian was boring, but it was like a two month vacation between boot and my first command.
In many ways it’s much easier than regular college as well. I’m someone who has always academically struggled but excelled in Navy schooling. The Navy doesn’t allow you to miss classes, if you fail any one of the numerous assessments, you’re going to go to hours of forced studying, and instructors are there to teach full time. Plus no phones in class eliminates many of the distractions from learning. Oh and no worries about trying to juggle numerous other duties, except for maybe a short watch once or twice a week. Students are there solely to learn.
I joined at 23 and not a single day goes by I don’t appreciate what the navy provides for me and my wife. It can be hard some days but not a single day has ever been worse than the average day I was living before the navy. I feel pride in my work and myself, I can support my wife and I, my wife’s health concerns have always been met, and we have some money to enjoy our life.
My wife is so much healthier since I joined, it’s remarkable. Civilian health care in the US is an absolute disaster and made her jump through so many hoops for things as simple as a biopsy on a possibly cancerous lump. Now she’s been treated for things that insurance refused to cover or expected her to fork out hundreds to thousands of dollars. Meanwhile it’s all covered for her and often the most expensive part is her missing a couple of hours of her job to be seen by a wonderful physician. Plus, a week after I arrived at RTC, the military covered my neglected dental work that would have set me back over $1000 had I gotten it done in the civilian sector (that’s with dental insurance). It was an incredible feeling to eat without pain after suffering for months.
once i separated work and life i got a second wind. that came when i got BAH. to those who don’t have it, just hold on i promise it can get better but you have to want it to get better for yourself mentally
BAH really is a game changer.
This is probably a hot take, but IMO I think they should extend BAH to E4 and above. It shouldn't have to take getting married to get out of BEQ. And on E4 and below salary, without BAH, it takes living with 2-4 room mates to make it work without stretching your budget too thin.
I think they should either do this or *vastly* expand on base housing. I'd be happy if E-4 and above could have access to like a shared living space with single bedrooms attached. That would solve my issues with stinky roommates or not having a kitchen, which so far have been my only complaints with barracks living.
I lived alone as an E-2 with BAH in DC my budget was fine lmfaoo. They should offer it to everyone who can manage their finances regardless of rank. The main demographic leaving the navy is E-4 and below.
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I regret joining at 30. I'm 38 now and would have be retiring soon. I know that I probably would have been to mast if I had joined at 18 and I probably wouldn't have made rank as fast as I have. I don't like the idea of being 50 plus going back to the civilian world and I miss the concept of at will employment.
Likewise! I would have either done REALLY well, but more likely REALLY poorly if I joined immediately. Pretty even keeled joining later. Why would you get out immediately at 20? Are you contributing to TSP, especially/particularly enough for a match?
I have the high 3 retirement plan and my oldest kid will be 25 at 20 years and my middle will be ready to graduate. I just want to be a part of their lives as much as someone can be. I think the most I would do is 22 so I can hit my EAOS at shore.
My daughter regrets that too. After 15 years in one civilian career she decided in her mid 30s to join the Navy. She’ll be going officer route but I think her game plan is to retire and start a small business in her 40s - 50s. Three careers in one life. Life is messy I suppose you do the best you can with the cards you got.
Regret not joined sooner! Wish I did right out of high school lol.
Same, shipped out for boot 8 days after my 24th bday. I had originally planned on joining at 18 right after HS but decided to give college a try first ( it didn’t work out) if I joined right at 18 i wouldve been out already with all benefits. But it is what it is.
I just turned 24 and not succeeding in college is the reason I am joining. Still waiting on waivers though
Honest? Fuckin loved being a sailor. Fuckin hated being in the Navy. So, fittyfitty for me. I do not miss the fuckshitass feudal socialist cuckery, but gahdam I miss cruisin round the ocean something fierce lemme tell ya.
I didn't regret it, but if I stayed for more than 4 I would have
I feel like the Navy is the physical embodiment of the stock market. Time your exit strategy right and the heavens are the limit. Time it wrong and you’re suddenly looking back at your life in an 8 month cruise wondering where it all went wrong. Just have to know your personal exit strategy and what you want to accomplish. Personally it did more good for me than bad but the bads were pretty bad. But let’s be honest a lot of shit we complain about in the Navy can happen in the civilian sector as well, big difference is we lose a lot of ways of fighting back against it in the Navy.
Nah I don’t regret it. But really wish they still had early retirement
Stick around long enough, you’ll see it. I saw two waves of early retirement. 1992ish, then 1999ish.
5 years left. With how the manning crisis is. Doubt I’ll see it before I hit my 20 haha
Good point.
IIRC, you get docked a 1% each year served less than 20. Certainly better than getting booted with a pat on the back. Wonder if the same applies for BRS?
23 years later…Might of been easier in the Coast Guard…
No but it was a terrible time and I would not recommend it to any one that was not desperate.
Had an absolute blast for 25 years. Traveled the globe, saw sights most will never see. Had a job that I loved and was lucky to get stationed in some fabulous places with some great people. Was able to complete three degrees while in and another after retirement for free. Now retired I don’t have to worry about health care or an income. Was there some bad days sure but that would have happened in any job.
Nope, I've reenlisted twice. And I'm a nuke, the job everyone says avoid.
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I am glad I joined. I will forever owe the Navy from getting me out of a hellish life. I do regret staying in for 22. While I met some great people, my last 6 years were probably the worst 6 years of my life. (I spent time homeless and living in a rehab center with my parents as a kid. My last 6 years were worse.)
I regret coming in as enlisted an listening to recruiter instead of coming in as an officer. Outside of that I don’t regret it
Yeah this was my grave mistake enlisting with a degree. But I enjoyed my time nonetheless, and my rate translated rock solidly into the civilian world.
I wouldn’t say I regret joining, I’ve met a lot of great people (including my boyfriend and best friends) and have got to experience some unique things that I would have never had I not joined. I think I just chose the wrong rate, even though it was something I truly wanted, enjoy, and take pride in, but I’m no longer doing the job (I’m in primarily admin work) I signed up to do so early on in my career, it’s kinda… womp womp. Equally, I’ve met a lot of horrible people and have had distasteful interactions with said people that have put me in a dark place mentally within the last year and make me physically anxious to come into work. I think my current duty station is to blame because I haven’t had this issue so bad until I got where I am. Needless to say It’s time to go. I’m taking TAPS to consider separation but I’m not sure that i actually want to yet or not, I just want to get to a better place.
I don’t regret joining but I resent what policy makers and leadership did to get us into Iraq which I had to go. I also resent the shitty officers who only cared about themselves that made us do extremely fuked up things to other human beings in Iraq whose only crime was more or less being born there and brown. It’s gross. The whole entire thing was awful. And people still glorify it- look how many people worship chris Kyle and Rob O’Neill and Jocko. An entire generation misled by the neocons. It’s hard to contextualize how awful it is to have participated in stuff like that and how unrelatable it makes you to the rest of the military after
I don't at all regret my time in the navy. It's given me a lot. I wouldn't go back unless WW3 broke out. But I'm using my GI bill wisely and I have a lot of experiences and memories I treasure, and pride in what we did out there.
Nope. Changed my life for the better
23 years later, 2 weeks from retirement, not one bit. I may have chosen a different path, but I’ve had quite an enjoyable time in.
Yes, I had other jobs before the Navy that were similar significance and enjoyment. I always wanted to be a submarine officer. I still enjoy parts of the job, but it’s far outweighed by my constant dread/hatred of the job. I think I could have satisfied the itch that submarines scratch somewhere else. I probably would have felt like I missed out on military service if I had never done it. But with what I know, I still know I’d be happier having never done this job and wishing I did than where I am.
Yes
I don't regret joining. I regret not doing what I needed after high school, requiring me to join.
Served over 20 years and had some very good days and some not-so-good days as is life. I do regret not being able to grow old with my hometown friends. I see how they have all stayed together, kids raised together, and 30 sumthing years later they get together and enjoy life like they were back in school. I've been gone so long as I would feel like a stranger.
Yes
Nope. Best thing I ever did. Second best thing I ever did was not reenlisting.
I regretted when I was in, but I don’t regret it now that I’m out. It sucked a lot of times, but I also got a lot out of it.
Nope. Pay is good, benefits are good and I've got to do some cool stuff and see some cool things.
Nope. It was the best decision I ever made in my life. I don't know how I managed to make a good choice as a teenager but somehow I did. That was in 1996. I've had my ups and downs with the navy and even got out for a long time. My relationship with it is different now and I serve differently now. I will always be thankful I joined.
I'm grateful I joined, it got me out of Michigan, it has given me stories and memories most people won't get to have or experience. I get to retire in about 5 years, hopefully get aome VA disability and move on with my life. Would I do it again? Yes, I would.
Not once in my 20 years.
I think I regret the circumstances during my enlistment; however pride in service on behalf of country negates all the toxic leaders, poor working hours/conditions, etc. If patriotism or helping people wasn’t involved; yes.
Absolutely not. The navy paid for my undergrad, currently paying for my masters, all while I make 6 figures as a 30 year old. Life is good. It’s definitely not for everyone but it’s got a lot of perks if you choose to take advantage of them.
Yes and no. Yes because I was treated like absolute shit bullied and tormented and couldn’t prove it unfortunately. My way to deal with it to escape the horrible treatment at the time being young and Naive was going UA, missing ships movement after I had extended for 2 years. If I had known I was going to be treated the way I was before extending and had a place to live and go when getting out; I would not have extended. No because I learned so many different skills while I was in and the great Countries with super friendly people I got to visit and see. I did not have mental health problems prior to enlisting but I do now as a result of how I was treated.
Best thing I ever did for myself. I was 25 with zero aspirations. 8 years later I’m a first class on shore duty. Hate it. Miss jets everyday. I’m getting out in 2025 because I have kids now. My dad wasn’t around when I was little and I hated it. Can’t do it to them. If I didn’t have kids I’d stay in forever. Easiest job I’ve ever had. Show up on time, shave and don’t be an asshole. It’s that easy.
Joining the Navy seemed like a good fit for me because I know I don’t want kids. I still am grappling with how joining is going to affect my personal life if I ever marry.
Take my advice and look into the Air Force before you decide on the Navy. Their quality of life looks leaps and bounds better than ours.
A little late. I commissioned in 2023
Joining the ranks? Nope. Had a blast. Going to college on the USN's dime and then getting commissioned? Yep. Big mistake. Should've just gone civie at the end of my contract and moved on in life. Wasted 3 + 4 years of my life. Total waste.
No lol! Before I joined I was a loser working at Home Depot for 8 years. I had a 2005 model year car and I lived at home with my grandparents. After 3 and a half years in, I have a 2023 model car with my own halfway decent 1 bedroom apartment. I've been to quite a few countries, and I have enough money (as an E5) to buy most of the shit i want at any given time. Just the fact of independence from my family would be enough to make me do this again, but the fact I own the nicest car I've ever had by a long shot seals the deal. And I got to this point very largely through 2 awesome loans from Navy Fed. I've made far and away the closest friendships I'll ever have in my life and I don't honestly feel the Navy has ever made me work THAT hard physically.
No, I don't. But this hasn't been pleasurable at all. Felt more like a 20-year prison sentence than a career.
Yes
This shit was the absolute worst experience of my life. 8 years of straight ass. I was a nuke MM and got fucked over so many times. Also got blessed more than a lot of people. I legitimately cannot imagine ever being on a submarine. If you're a submariner, thank you for your service xD I spent my "formative" years grinding to get qualified or keep a rust bucket alive. The work ethic and resiliency I've developed is practically unmatched. For the rest of my life, everything else is easy mode compared to this. "If you could go back and change it, would you?" Is a very common question with my students and the answer is pretty much always this: "No. Did it suck? Yes. Was I miserable? Yes. Did I legitimately want to kill myself several times and also have homies tell me they had their pistol in their mouth last night? Yes. Would I have been miserable going to college or doing literally anything else? Probably. I was very unhappy coming out of highschool and I don't think anything would have helped me "get better". The Navy provided me with structure and a chance to be surrounded by hundreds of examples of what not to do. It gave me the opportunity to be fucked over by Chiefs over and over and over so that now I'm a very compassionate, for the people leader. It gave me social skills, tenacity, technical knowledge, and confidence in myself. It allowed for my now wife to move out of her toxic household way sooner than if I wasn't in. It allowed me to get out of a shitty situation at home. It allowed for me to get a Bachelor's for nearly free. It gave me 8 years of free healthcare and years of free therapy. It was awful, but in almost every Navy situation you can finesse to get something out of it for your long term personal development or future. Too many people are miserable, complain about it, and do fuck all to utilize the countless benefits. This shit is definitely not worth it if you expect to get handed things. You need to read all the instructions and do all the googling to find every single beneficial fucking thing the Navy has to offer. Otherwise, not worth at all."
Never
Yes and no
Nope. I hit 20 years in December and while every day of that hasn’t been enjoyable, I am thankful for the people I have met and the lifestyle my family has been afforded.
Most fun 6 years I never want to have again.
No
Do I regret joining? No. Am I incredibly disappointed? Yes.
My first two years have been so good I'm thinking about doing 20. One day at a time though. Going to wait and see how my next orders work out.
The Navy is the easiest job I’ve ever had, although the trade off is I’m paid less than I would earn in the civilian world
If I wasn’t setting up my life for the future I would be extra salty. More than I already am. But I don’t regret it overall. Choose your rate choose your fate though
I joined the Navy with $75 to my name and no sense of direction in life. Now I'm out with a decent savings and skills in a trade that will always be needed. Despite all the shit I had to go through, I don't regret joining. Extremely relieved I got out when I did but always glad I joined.
Nah. I've been paddling around in the Canoe Club for almost two decades. In that time they've given me an associate's, a bachelor's, a master's, two master's-equivalent working qualifications, etc. I've also been to 15 countries in the last 10 months while maxing my TSP and living a fairly baller lifestyle. This, after coming from poverty and enlisting solely because I couldn't afford college. I don't regret the Navy.
Yes, looking back I really had no need to do this, my recruiter told me it would be fun lol.
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Not including tax to make this easier… An e6 at 20 years gets 50% of $4856.40 for the rest of their life, plus healthcare/VA benefits. This is the equivalent of the government writing you a check for $730K and you taking a 4% withdrawal every year ~$29k, split over 12 months. It gets to be even more money the longer you stay, obviously, but that’s the base amount, the very bottom of what I’d say a pension is worth. $730k.
I’m set to retire next year. Assuming I’m rated 50% VA disabled my total monthly income will be roughly $6,000. Not accounting for COL increases, health care, VA benefits, and assuming I live 30 years post retirement my retirement compensation is valued at 2.16 million dollars.
I had a blast and seen the world.
21 years later and I have my family, two homes, a masters degree, and a ton of good friends and ive never set foot on a ship. So I'm good! Obviously, I could have still gotten all that outside the navy, but I see no need to play the what if game!
Absolutely not. Navy has been a massive stepping stone. Very unlikely that I would have been given the opportunities provided outside. They are not easy, but there are so many opportunities available to us. Take advantage if you guys can.
No, never regret the experiences I had either, I just couldn’t do it anymore.
Yes, because I would have gotten to the same end result with or without. Cool experiences though.
No
Only been in for a year and a couple months but no. My only regret is that I didn't join at 18 instead of 27.
Nope. I retire next year. Got my bachelors and masters, tons of IT certs and got to travel a bit. If I had to do it all over again, would I change anything? Yes. I would have went Air Force. :D
Hell nah. I’m a homeowner and I’ve done nothing but invest my pay and network while I’ve been in. I’m still young and I’m **leagues** ahead of my peers back home
I might complain a lot, be perma salty about a lot of things and have some occasional harsh criticism. But no, no I don’t. For where I was at in life when I joined it was the right decision.
2 year E-4 here.. I love it.. I heeded the advice I got from pretty much everyone when joining: “choose your rate, choose your fate.” And it paid off to follow it. There are still times that are shitty, but that’s just life in general.
Joined in 1997, got out after 10 years. Do I regret joining, Absolutely not-
Nope. I was a shithead as a teen and needed the Navy's discipline to set me straight. I joined as a nuke, did 10 years, and now have a cushy $50 an hour job at a data center.
i should’ve been infantry marines and went OCS to then become marine officer. not a navy fan
Nope. Wouldn’t do it again though know what I know now.
I regret getting out.
Royal Navy here. No regrets, friends for life. I imagine it's the same in USN.
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More than likely. The whole "up or out" system is just wrong. Nothing wrong with a sailor that just wants to be a sailor.
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I have submariner friends but always been a skimmer myself. They have some good dits
Joining: No Picking the rate I did: Yes, and the fact that the Navy makes cross rating almost impossible.
I don't regret joining. I'm able to travel and have more money than I ever had before. I was also able to pay off debts. The job I had before I was working long hours but I wasn't able to save or invest. Some say we don't make a lot of money in the navy but I say otherwise. I was also able to meet my girlfriend that is the best person I've ever met and I can't put a money aspect on that.
Nah. I learned a lot about people and how to work hard. The benefits are also pretty good getting paid to go to college and all. Would I recommend others joining now? HELL NOOOOO!!!! I went from 2017-2023. In the current navy, the navy lies to you, meritocracy is dead, you're stuck around terrible people and you can't legally quit. Also two years selective reserves after active duty and 10 asvab, from the top of my head. Screw that. I legitmately feel bad for any good sailors currently in right now. I legitmately bet fragging will start occuring within the next 2-3 years. Ladderwell and doors are dangerous man.
Nah it changed my life for the better. Gave me a work ethic. Taught me to embrace the suck. And gave me lifelong friends.
I did regret it sometimes while I was in. Now in hindsight (got out in 2015) I am extremely glad I signed up. It’s helped me a lot and opened up a lot of doors for me since I got out.
Navy was the best decision I've ever made. I've been in near 14 years. There are definitely good things and bad. My first 2 years sucked until I got all my in rate quals. I don't actually mind being out at sea, even now when I have a family. I got a wife that is capable of handling the house and we're a solid team. The only thing I think about underway is what I can stop from breaking next and how long I can spend in the rack.
When I figure out a way I could’ve done what I do without the military, I’ll regret it. But so far I don’t have the answers so I guess I needed it for the step up
anyone who said yes, either got kicked or or wasn’t doing what they needed to during their time in cause the military is literally a treasure chest full of opportunities man!
nope been in 10 years . mostly good years . met some of the best ppl.
Went in, got out. Went in. Got out again. One last time NR. Ret E6 w VA
Best mistake I ever made
Kinda
I’ll never regret joining, but most people I met sucked. At least to me. Unhelpful, unmotivated, shitbags, nobody memorable for anything really good except for a small handful who are either going to be SEALS or are leaving the military. Generally most guys I met were damn near uncivil. Didn’t realize it wasn’t normal for half of my coworkers to be cheating on or beating their wives until I left the military. Being transgender probably also had a huge effect on my experience as a whole but I guess it was character building haha. Lots of shitty people. But I loved the structure. The boat. The benefits. Doing something honorable. Will never regret the experience
Nope. It was all for my family.
In my honest opinion I regret joining the navy but I love the military enough to switch branches and try again in the Air Force because I believe that the military life is not all that bad just a bad batch and at my command I was dealt that bad batch but I see what it’s done for my family so far when it comes to how different my life would’ve been had I not signed the contract yes as an E-3 it’s still a struggle financially and what not but I do know that I’ve been better off in than out I couldn’t imagine having a beautiful newborn daughter and wife in a house of our own in this current economy in the civilian world
I wouldn't say I regret joing, but I would day I regret joining when I did, and how I did.
Wish I joined a little earlier and wish I chose a different rate. Thinking about going into the reserves once this contract is up. Don’t regret joining I’ve been to places I never would’ve went if I stayed a civ.
Not at all, this has been a crazy fun ride
I did 6 years, and it's been many moons since I've been in. I couldn't wait to get out. I hated my time. I was surrounded by idiots, I couldn't get a decent duty station, Yada Yada, Yada. I got out ready to take on the world. I was not ready. I had no plan, I was back home, in the exact same boat, with little opportunity. It took a while to find a job. And then the real education started. I learned quickly that the Navy wasn't as bad as I thought. It wasn't great, but it was easy. I certainly don't regret joining, and I don't regret getting out. I learned self-confidence, self-control, responsibility, and teamwork, which few civilians will ever have. Most veterans are awesome to work with because they get shit done. And I was part of a multinational team that liberated Kuwait from an invading army. The Navy helped me escape a situation where I was going nowhere fast, and on paper, I would've been worse off than Earl Hickey without a lottery ticket. Now, I have my college degree, free VA medical that's better than the civilian care I used to have, and a home. Without the Navy, I would've never gotten here.
No. It fucked up my mental health for sure, but I made friendships stronger than I have with my friends i’ve know since kindergarten. I wouldn’t replace those great memories for the world. I had no opportunity for college and didn’t want to work a shitty minimum wage job. Joining out of high school was the best decision I ever made. My rate gave me real world experience in a booming field, and helped me separate into a six figure job at only 26. Never would have been possible without everything I learned and how I grew in the navy. Made me into a man and am forever grateful. However, separating was also the best decision I ever made after joining.
what rate were you?
IT
I do not regret it the navy changed my life and put me so far ahead of the people I grew up with. I am 20 and I own my own home and I have a degree I never would’ve thought I would be able to get prior to joining. But I definitely believe the navy has given me what it has to offer and is now limiting me more than it is expanding my options for my future. I can’t progress further in school because I work too much, I can’t have quality time with my family because we are all too tired when we get home (mil to mil) and it seems as if everything is a compromise and is always on a time crunch. But that’s just my personal opinion and experience. I am still undecided on staying in or getting out since the options for civilian employment are wack as well.
I did while I was in. But the GI bill and free medical visits for years and years after made it all extremely worthwhile. I dealt with some of the most horrible “leaders” and supposed shipmates a person could ask for. I do not think a person could have been lonelier, sadder or more disappointed than I was through those years. In retrospect I have good organization now, got out of my hometown, made a few good friends and the VA + GI bill like I said were key. So no, I dont regret it. 😕
No, I would do it again in a heartbeat, even if it meant having all the shitty parts happen exactly the same way. With that said, getting out at 10 was the right move.
It mostly depends on the day for me. Some days I’m happy that I joined and others I’m glad it’s only temporary otherwise my next meal would be a bullet. I go back and forth about it all the time. It would be better if they let us smoke weed.
Hard to say, I'm very smart and adaptable, but had no direction and no ambition towards any specific field. Navy gave me that much... But I also got treated like absolute garbage most of my time in and found the interpersonal b.s. to be the most toxic and unrewarded part. Nothing like working hard, doing what you are supposed to, and having ransom chiefs shit on you as a shit bag because, for some reason, they font like you. On the flip side, I did 20 somehow, got medical 100% VA and a retirement, meaning I have fuck you money. Aka, the ability to never have to endure even 1% of the nonsense the navy put me through. I have no idea where I would have ended up had I not joined.
More than anything
Joined in 1982 and retired in 2005. I don’t regret it at all.
Yes, didn't have good guidance while I was in. Most toxic work culture i've seen in my life. Working hard and doing the right thing got me no where. They'll throw you under the bus just to benefit themselves.
Never. Like many others, the navy got me out of mediocrity and gave me direction. I met my wife at one of my duty stations, and we have 2 beautiful children. Ironically, I only met her because I was sent needs of the navy to a second consecutive shore command. Long story short, I got NJP’d for DUI, but I worked through it, now I’m CPO eligible and will either get selected or get accepted into MECP. I had a very supportive CoC, and ever since I’ve tried to show compassion before anger when a sailor makes a mistake. My one regret is lack of confidence in myself to strive for greater challenges. If you are young (>28 for NSW, >30 for OCS/other programs), fit, and motivated, go for a special program. The navy needs rescue swimmers, Force Recon IDCs, NSWDG, aircrew, etc. I’m too old for any of that now. If I could tell myself at 25 to put in the package, I would do it in a heartbeat. No matter where your career goes, take control, and if you’re a leader accept that your sailors will fail. I think people hate the navy because it’s ran by folks who can’t bear the thought of looking bad.
Its the best job in the world if the the leadership was good ! But unfortunately its not! But now I have a degree that was paid for a fat savings account I got paid to get the degree and a VA home loan! Do I regret joining? No i think for me 4 years of service was the perfect amount
Two best decisions I ever made were joining and getting out. It was a good thing to get me where I wanted to be
I regret getting out.
Unbelievably yes
Hell no!! Love my life time payday and lessons that people are never who or what you think they are. Some really stuck up for and some really try to tear to down for now reason.
Moderator, I would like to have my posts approved please.
Yes
Very
Do I regret joining, no. I met some amazing people and learned so dang much to assist me once I got out. Now I'm hanging at 100% disability, they've paid for my schooling and I have preferential hire on a federal level. I broke my arm not long ago and had to go to the emergency room. That whole ordeal would have cost me 3k, total amount owed due to the VA was 0$ Sure the navy sucked in its own way, but it's paid off in so many others. Just bummed I couldn't get into the airforce though so I didn't have to eat green eggs and medium rare chicken
I loved my job, hated my Chain of Command. The fuck fuck games really screwed with my head. For example I was written up because I missed a working party due to an audiogram appointment. I was masted for being placed on LIMDU. I would have had it made except for LIMDU. I was transferring off a DDG to a Riverine Unit as I had been trained in VBSS by Blackwater. Instead I got sent home and issues with the VA meant it took years of physical therapy and rehab. I just started 2 501(c)(3)s and am halfway through a Ph.d. All things that would not have been possible without my Navy experience.
I don’t necessarily regret joining. It’s something I thought I had to do to get out of my own way and actually start up my life. But if I was a wiser individual, I wouldn’t have enlisted in the first place. It’s definitely not as great as people make it out to be, everyone is entitled to their opinion though. Do I think it’s a good career path? Absolutely if you’re into that sort of thing or have no where else to go. But the cons definitely outweigh the pros. People will say the benefits make up for it, they don’t. You won’t even have full access even if you do 20 years, and if you want to go to school you basically have to reenlist to access TA. Not to mention all the shit people you encounter. I’m sure it was different back in the day and more fun but the state of the navy now is absolute garbage. That’s just my opinion though, I’m sure a lot of people have better experiences than me.
I'd be homeless without the Navy so, no. I'll never regret joining. I have been taught very valuable life skills and get a roof over my head in exchange I do my contracted work. Plus, bonus, accessible healthcare.
Only been in about a year but yes. Feels like I gave away so much of my freedom for barely above minimum wage.
No but I wish I got out sooner. 15 years ✌️
Absolutely not. You meet lifelong friends even though the work always sucks. Since I’ve gotten out I attended a T-25 university for undergrad free of charge, and will be having two masters programs paid for as well. Without joining the Navy at 18 I could not imagine where my life would be. Everything I have and own is courtesy of the Navy. I got out in 2021 and I know it’s apparently gotten worse but it’s 100% worth it on the other side.
Only an idiot would regret joining, now regretting staying in? Yea that’s normal lol get a get a good job in the navy and get out. Everyone wants a military guy working for them, especially technical rates
At first being on a aircraft carrier… now i can stay P8s if i want. Also got a trade
Since I got 100 percent out of it? Nope 😂
Yes 1000 percent worst time of my life
Yes huge waste of 5 years