How's it like living on ship?

[airforceguy37]

My name is Andrew. I've been looking into the air force for a while now. I was trying to get a guaranteed job in the USAF but it's been apparent that I can't do this like I was once told before, so I will have to do the seven jobs process. I've heard that it's possible to not even get the seven jobs that I choose which makes me second guess the Air Force now. I decided to check out the Navy and was told I can actually get a guaranteed job. I love this but the thought of living on a boat all the time scares me.

Can anyone tell me from past experiences in what it's like? Like what's the dorms on the boat that i'll be staying on like? The recruiters were telling me it was just peachy but it's hard to believe the recruiters now a days. And how long should I expect to be out in the middle of nowhere in the ocean? They also said it's great because I'd get to travel around and see the world. Do you really get to do that much traveling? And oh how easy is it to go to school while in the Navy? And o is there anyway you can avoid being on a submarine? I dont think i could do that at all.

As much info about just the Navy in general would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Battleshort]

Like what's the dorms on the boat that i'll be staying on like?

No dorms. The last berthing I had as an E6 was 55 ' wide, 20' long and 7' high. Part of that included a walled off section for the head (bathroom) which had 3 urinals, 4 commodes, 4 sinks and 4 showers. All this room for 45 guys, a TV and most of our belongings.


just peachy

The smell of peaches was nowhere to be found.:rolleyes:


how long should I expect to be out in the middle of nowhere in the ocean?

That would depend on what ship and the schedule. Many, many variables.


They also said it's great because I'd get to travel around and see the world. Do you really get to do that much traveling?

The travel is great. 50 countries in my 20 years.


how easy is it to go to school while in the Navy?

School is easy these days. Even at sea.


And o is there anyway you can avoid being on a submarine?

Don't volunteer for it.


In a nut shell - if you don't trust a recruiter, find someone (in person) and have a chat.

Good luck.

[forcedj]

...the thought of living on a boat all the time scares me.
Can anyone tell me from past experiences in what it's like?

While you’re in the midst of it you will most likely absolutely hate it. But after it, with time, you’ll likely consider it one of your most rewarding experiences.

There’s a funny thing about sailors. When they’re at sea they’re bitchin’ because they want to be in port. When they’re in port they’re bitchin’ because they’re not at sea.

Look, don’t let it scare you. Get in the right frame of mind and you can handle it. Sailors have been living on ships for centuries (and now females too). Some of us…the crazy ones…actually ask for successive tours on ships. In 20 years I did three different sea duty tours (9 year total)…AND THAT’S NOT A LOT by any means.

Dan

[airforceguy37]

No dorms. The last berthing I had as an E6 was 55 ' wide, 20' long and 7' high. Part of that included a walled off section for the head (bathroom) which had 3 urinals, 4 commodes, 4 sinks and 4 showers. All this room for 45 guys, a TV and most of our belongings.

wow are you serious? So its not like that in all ships tho right? :/


That would depend on what ship and the schedule. Many, many variables.

Ah well whats like an average time to get sent out to sea? and another question, would i only get sent out to sea if I'm getting deployed or is that for going a job too? and is there any way you can ask for a job where you'd be next to port?



The travel is great. 50 countries in my 20 years.
wow sounds pretty awesome, is that typical of a sailor to see that much of the world?




Don't volunteer for it.
and good, so theres no way of getting stuck into that right? cause i'm claustraphobic and that'd make me go insane hah

[airforceguy37]

While you’re in the midst of it you will most likely absolutely hate it. But after it, with time, you’ll likely consider it one of your most rewarding experiences.

There’s a funny thing about sailors. When they’re at sea they’re bitchin’ because they want to be in port. When they’re in port they’re bitchin’ because they’re not at sea.

Look, don’t let it scare you. Get in the right frame of mind and you can handle it. Sailors have been living on ships for centuries (and now females too). Some of us…the crazy ones…actually ask for successive tours on ships. In 20 years I did three different sea duty tours (9 year total)…AND THAT’S NOT A LOT by any means.

Dan

hmm so what exactly is a sea tour? and you may not know anything about the air force at all, but if you do, how would you compare the life of a sailor with one of a airmen?

[pawn65]

Alot of that depends on what rating you go into. Now there doing dorms for people that arent E4 and over 4. Seabees hardly ever go to ships. Then you have Seal and Eod Support. Even with an aviation squadron sometimes you never see a ship. On a ship you slip in the birthing with 90 other guys. You have showers a head that are suppose to be cleaned at least once a day. Warm meals everyday and a rack to sleep not as bad as people make it out. Quality of life in military rates in as Air Force>Navy>Army and Marines.

[forcedj]

hmm so what exactly is a sea tour? and you may not know anything about the air force at all, but if you do, how would you compare the life of a sailor with one of a airmen?

What pawn said is true. There are some fields in the Navy that aren't really that sea duty intensive. But, if you're going to join the Navy keep in mind that you are (or will be) a sailor. Sailors belong on ships, and ships belong at sea. Generally speaking, Navy tour lengths are three years. So, when/if you get orders to a ship...i.e assigned as part of her permanent crew...you're going to be stationed on that ship for three years. That doesn't mean you're out on the ocean for three years. I think it's a fair estimate to say that you're gone about fifty-percent of the time. Where to and for how long depends on what phase of the ship's cycle you're in, and what kind of ship you're on. Training, maintenance, inspection, deployment...they're all different in nature and require anywhere from days to months at sea. As far as an airman's life compared to a sailor. A sailor on shore duty has pretty much the same life as an airman (FYI, I was stationed on a couple of AF bases when I was on active duty). Even on a ship...when it's in port you generally keep regular working hours (but it depends on the ship and the CO). But at sea you'll put in a lot more hours. Most people work at least 12 hours per day, 7 days a week. But that depends on the field your working in and the type of ship you're on. If you're lucky, when you get home from long underway periods, you'll be given some comp time that doesn’t come off your leave balance.

Dan

[reydioactive]

My name is Andrew. I've been looking into the air force for a while now. I was trying to get a guaranteed job in the USAF but it's been apparent that I can't do this like I was once told before, so I will have to do the seven jobs process. I've heard that it's possible to not even get the seven jobs that I choose which makes me second guess the Air Force now. I decided to check out the Navy and was told I can actually get a guaranteed job. I love this but the thought of living on a boat all the time scares me.

Can anyone tell me from past experiences in what it's like?
My first ship was the USS JUNEAU, forward deployed in Sasebo, Japan. Key word "forward deployed" makes you busy about your work, and you'll hardly notice the deployment going by pretty fast.

Like what's the dorms on the boat that i'll be staying on like?
There are no dorms. Depending on what department you'll be in, expect to have more than 5 in this berthing.

The recruiters were telling me it was just peachy but it's hard to believe the recruiters now a days.
You won't be smelling any peaches in the berthing.

And how long should I expect to be out in the middle of nowhere in the ocean?
Depending on the ship's schedule and travel time from places to places. You won't be at sea an entire year. Ships need to pull in for maintenance and restocking supplies.

They also said it's great because I'd get to travel around and see the world.
Vladivostok, Guam, Australia, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Zhangjiang (city in South China), and possibly shore of Burma. All of these in a mere 3 years onboard. Need I say more?

Do you really get to do that much traveling?
See answers above.

And oh how easy is it to go to school while in the Navy?
Very easy. In addition to on-line courses, sometimes instructors are brought onboard to teach you,

And o is there anyway you can avoid being on a submarine? I dont think i could do that at all.
I visited one, didn't like it. Don't volunteer!!!

As much info about just the Navy in general would be appreciated.
Good to go, Hoorah!

[sigs10]

Hey?!

Your first gaff was calling berthing a dorm. Even on shore, its called berthing.


What's wrong with serving on a submarine?

But seriously, like the other guys said, you have to volunteer and undergo an entrance program to get assigned to a submarine.

Its not that bad if you consider your personal space is your bunk that is the size of a coffin, you may share with another person on the opposite watch shift, and maybe one or two locker drawers. The head is not a gang shower. There were on my boat four shower stalls and six toilets for 122 enlisted. We didn't hot rack (bunk sharing) on our boat. We had our junior personnel sleep on bunk pans in the bilge and supply areas.

I toured an Arleigh Burke once. I was impressed with the ships store, coke machines, weight room, and pay phones ($6.00 a minute. WTF?) on board. Oh yeah, daylight.

The greatest thing about a submarine over a surface ship two words, SEA SICKNESS. Once you dive the sub is not affected by wave action and the ride is smooth as glass, unless its a major storm or you are doing extreme maneuvers.


Just remember, "if its easy, it ain't worth being proud about."


ETC(SS)