I leave for Navy bootcamp in 2 weeks!
- Thread starter Tristan
- Start date
CresentSon
Over 1,000 Posts
My but went Navy in '98, and thought he would shave his long hair off before flying out. Standing in their first formation line still in civilian dress the sergeant charges straight up too him and starts screaming in his face. The guy basically tells him only two types of people show up with that hair cut, "gay ass pansy faggot mother fuckers, and KKK Nazi skinhead haters". He then asked him to illuminate the rest of the recruits as to which one he was. A quick scan of the line showed several of his fellows were large black dudes, and the next Sergeant over was as well. Being a pragmatic and somewhat diminutive individual he looks directly in the guys eyes and shouts, "I'm a pansy ass faggot, Sir". To which he replied, "Good, I thought so". My buddy cried himself to sleep that night.
Moral of the story... Don't shave your head.
Moral of the story... Don't shave your head.
KOCONUT
In too deep to quit.
I was in 03-08. Just do what your told and stay unnoticed. when they have mail call, they should have to think twice about whether they have someone by that name in that division. Hopefully you did whatever your recruiter told you to do to make E-3 before you go, that way you dont have to be all super motivated. Just learn everything you can, and keep your mouth shut when the RDC's are talking. Pysically, its cake. My high school football was more physically demanding. You arent going in undesignated are you? If not, what's your rate? I'll tell you how bad it sucks ;D ;D ;D
Tristan
Been Around the Block
Fix said:
Can do! Mouth shut, eyes and ears open.
CrescentSon said:
LOL, very good advice. Curious, did you buddy just clip it on the shortest setting or go all out with a razor?
KOCONUT said:
Stay anonymous, I've heard that plenty of times. Undesignated? HELL NO!! Ive heard undesignated people usually just end up doing maintenance work and any other task that no one else wants to do. I'm going in AV.
Tell me how bad it sucks!!
CresentSon
Over 1,000 Posts
Clippers with no guard.
KOCONUT
In too deep to quit.
Ah, you'll be a tweek. 
Avionics, nice. Not really a shit job, just lots of A school. I was an AM, aviation structural mechanic. Try to get into a shore based squadron and for the love of God, stay away from the ship. Especially ships company. Never go to a ship command, they are all bitter from being at sea for so long. Stay in the squadron!!!! If you should ever have to go to the ship for deployment, better to be in a squadron assigned to the air wing. That way you wont have to deal with all the ship bs like firefighting and general quarters drills. Naval Aviation is like a totally different branch of the military, stay in it. Compared to the rest of the Navy, it's the best job you can get.
Avionics, nice. Not really a shit job, just lots of A school. I was an AM, aviation structural mechanic. Try to get into a shore based squadron and for the love of God, stay away from the ship. Especially ships company. Never go to a ship command, they are all bitter from being at sea for so long. Stay in the squadron!!!! If you should ever have to go to the ship for deployment, better to be in a squadron assigned to the air wing. That way you wont have to deal with all the ship bs like firefighting and general quarters drills. Naval Aviation is like a totally different branch of the military, stay in it. Compared to the rest of the Navy, it's the best job you can get.
Wahoo650
Coast to Coast
Hey! I was one of those 18 year old kids- went in 3 days after I turned 18 way back when, USAF 1980-90. Basic Training is mostly head games to "get your mind right". You've got the right idea with eyes open- mouth shut. And absolutely go into Avionics. I spent 10 years working Navigation systems (B-52 & KC-135) and loved every minute of it. My only other real advice is for after you finish your training- Travel! It's great to go overseas on Uncle Sam's dime! Good Luck!
Matt
Matt
AgentX
Over 1,000 Posts
Keep perspective. Know it's all a game but commit yourself to it. When they want you to yell or do something stupid, fucking DO IT, swiftly and with commitment. But don't forget that it's not actually important in the end.
They're going to call you things and tell you things to fluster you. You need to hear what they say and respond appropriately while knowing it's all a charade.
Think about the fact that it's all going to be over when it's over, and until that point just deal with it. Live meal to meal and sleeptime to sleeptime. It's a grind but just go with it until the day you walk off the grinder.
They're going to call you things and tell you things to fluster you. You need to hear what they say and respond appropriately while knowing it's all a charade.
Think about the fact that it's all going to be over when it's over, and until that point just deal with it. Live meal to meal and sleeptime to sleeptime. It's a grind but just go with it until the day you walk off the grinder.
Basement rat
Over 1,000 Posts
Dont know what country, but its all the same.
Be the "Grey Man", Blend in with everyone, dont be too good and dont be a bag of shit, just stay under the radar.
Do as your told, when and how your told.
And have a good time, you will be talking about it for the rest of your life.
Be the "Grey Man", Blend in with everyone, dont be too good and dont be a bag of shit, just stay under the radar.
Do as your told, when and how your told.
And have a good time, you will be talking about it for the rest of your life.
cyclefreak
Over 1,000 Posts
I went through Navy boot camp in 1991. All of the advice given so far is spot on. Remember it is only two months long and the regular Navy is NOTHING like boot camp. Good luck man!!
SteveG
Been Around the Block
I joined the Royal Navy at 16. Basic training is shit, but you will make good friends and have a laugh now and again. Don't take anything your instructors say or do personally, they are just trying to weed out the weak. My instructor was a lovely chap, while we were out on a squad run, he wrecked our mess and ripped up our photos from home - wives, girlfriends e.t.c. He was just trying to break us down. What it does is give you someone to hate and it makes you bond as a team. Sleep when you can, eat when you can, and do as you are told as fast as you can. Enjoy. Remember - pain is just the weakness coming out.
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Non Sibi Sed Patriae!
legendary_rider
Jump in with both feet.
Yeah I've got some advice. Don't do it.
I've been Armed Forces, PMC and lastly an agent for the CNSC where we trained in counter terrorism. I learned a lot that helped through the years but I wouldn't do it again. I'm gonna catch a lot of shit but I honestly think that military is just young poor men dying for old rich ones. You can do a lot better my friend and when you look at the statistics of how many ex servicemen are homeless in the US it's shameful. There isn't a Nazi Germany to fight against now. If there were I'd be there along side you. It's about oil and corporate/government interests. Sorry to piss guys off which I'm sure I have but I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't throw in my .02.
Oh I just read the above post "Thank you for your service". I am truely grateful to those who have served before us even if they believed it was for something it really wasn't. Heros can be decieved too.
I've been Armed Forces, PMC and lastly an agent for the CNSC where we trained in counter terrorism. I learned a lot that helped through the years but I wouldn't do it again. I'm gonna catch a lot of shit but I honestly think that military is just young poor men dying for old rich ones. You can do a lot better my friend and when you look at the statistics of how many ex servicemen are homeless in the US it's shameful. There isn't a Nazi Germany to fight against now. If there were I'd be there along side you. It's about oil and corporate/government interests. Sorry to piss guys off which I'm sure I have but I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't throw in my .02.
Oh I just read the above post "Thank you for your service". I am truely grateful to those who have served before us even if they believed it was for something it really wasn't. Heros can be decieved too.
rays650cafe
No quarter given, none taken.
Legendary Rider, as a former Army DS I totally agree with you. The poor are here to serve as the muscle of the rich and powerful. But also the military is a pretty decent way for the poor to get a better education for themselves. Yes, there are other ways. I don't know what the post service benifits are like anymore, but it's gotta be better than pilling up a bunch of student loans. And i also agree with Fix, I too feel that the military is here not for politcians, but for basic rights. Thanks.Great posts guys!
Basement rat
Over 1,000 Posts
This is all gonna turn in to a huge hijack...
The military's not for everyone and not everyone who joins is suited for the military.
I don't know how the US works for 100% but up in Canada, I after completing my first 4 of 5 years, I was offered an additional 20 years of service. This means for the most part, I will be gainfully employed with a pay check that 99.9999% of the time will always be there and on time. I never have to worry about time off being sick or not making enough hours to pay for my house and everything else.
For sure, I could get sent god knows where doing I have no idea what, away knows how long for those that do care and cant care less.
But aside from all of the bull shit, I love what its all about.
I'm a Structures tech (metal, composites, refinishing, welding, machining) on the CF-18 in the RCAF. I also work on on aircraft safety systems and flight crew gear.
Its not "Oh my God, A fighter Jet!" any more but I still think its cool.
Your probably going US Navy (correct me if I'm wrong) and you could be working on a carrier that has more fighter aircraft than all of the Canadian forces, a Nuclear sub or a little patrol boat off Alaska.
Regardless of the Nation, nobody parties like the Navy guys.
The military's not for everyone and not everyone who joins is suited for the military.
I don't know how the US works for 100% but up in Canada, I after completing my first 4 of 5 years, I was offered an additional 20 years of service. This means for the most part, I will be gainfully employed with a pay check that 99.9999% of the time will always be there and on time. I never have to worry about time off being sick or not making enough hours to pay for my house and everything else.
For sure, I could get sent god knows where doing I have no idea what, away knows how long for those that do care and cant care less.
But aside from all of the bull shit, I love what its all about.
I'm a Structures tech (metal, composites, refinishing, welding, machining) on the CF-18 in the RCAF. I also work on on aircraft safety systems and flight crew gear.
Its not "Oh my God, A fighter Jet!" any more but I still think its cool.
Your probably going US Navy (correct me if I'm wrong) and you could be working on a carrier that has more fighter aircraft than all of the Canadian forces, a Nuclear sub or a little patrol boat off Alaska.
Regardless of the Nation, nobody parties like the Navy guys.
