To serve or not to serve

[Cobrajet]

I spent 20 year (and one week) in the Navy, and have never regretted it. I joined right out of high school to spare my parents (actually grand-parents) the cost of college education. I took advantage of the education benefits and got my Bachelors Degree just before I retired. Now I get a monthly retirement check on top of my regular salary in a job that I would never have gotten without that military training and experience. My daughter joined the Coast Guard a few years ago, and is basically on the same path, working on her degree. Whether she (and her Coast Guard husband) will put in 20 is their choice, but in these economic times they've both realized that a military career has a lot of benefits.

Aside from combat, the biggest downside is the frequent moving, especially if you have a family. It's also one of the biggest benefits... the chance to "see the world." I did tours in Guam, Spain, and Okinawa, and flew missions out of Japan, Korea, Philippines, and many WestPac islands. I also did a Med cruise on an helicopter carrier (LHA-2) visiting ports in Spain, Italy, France, and Greece. It's a lot of work, but can be a lot of fun, too. When was the last time you had the chance to climb to the summit of Mt Fuji, view the city from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or walk the street course in Monte Carlo?

I don't know much about boot camp these days, but that's the first chance you get to find out if you are cut out for this life. If you can't handle the strict regimen and physical workout, then you're not ready. If you can't take orders, and put in overtime, then forget it. "It's not just a job, it's an adventure."