Armed Forces Recruiting Center

In what would define the start of my adulthood, I went on an adventure for several years in the military before starting college. My experience with the military recruiters was pleasant. I knew what kind of job I wanted, and had the ASVAB scores qualifying for it. I processed through MEPS, and shipped out months later.
The paperwork to get into the military is long. You will need to have references for every school and workplace for up to five years prior to your enlistment. It was easier to enlist in my time, due to the fact that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were just beginning. Nowadays, it’s considerably harder to qualify for enlistment. You need at least a high school diploma, and the last time I checked they were no longer accepting GEDs. You cannot have any convictions, and you need have a good explanation for things like traffic infractions. I don’t think parking tickets count.
The following advise applies to potential Navy enlistees:
If you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, go for OCS and become an officer. The pay is higher and the respect is immediate. You are basically a manager, and will have that experience to put on your resume once you transition back into the civilian world. If you do chose the officer route, make sure to get your master’s degree before competing for promotion to O-​4. Promotion to O-​2 and O-​3 is automatic. You will need to be referred to an officer recruiter, which is separate than the enlisted recruiters. To apply for a ROTC scholarship, you can go through the enlisted recruiters. They have a separate process to apply for the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Do not enlist as undesignated airman, undesignated fireman, or undesignated seaman. You will be doing the worst of the worst on ship if you do. Unless you are a total loss on the ASVAB, make sure you have an A-​school in your contract. Some recruiters will claim that you can strike for a job as soon as you go to your ultimate duty station, but that is a lie. You need to be at a command for a minimum of two years before you can change jobs and duty stations. And that is ONLY IF your officers and NCOs let you go.
If you are single with no kids, keep it that way. DO NOT marry someone for the extra money (BAH). You will not believe how many people foolishly do this, and they end up broken emotionally and financially for a while. Being junior enlisted doesn’t pay much, so don’t start a family until either your second enlistment, or when you have successfully transitioned back into the civilian world.
Keep a positive attitude and work hard. You will meet people with bad attitudes and those to try to skirt on duties. Don’t be one of them.
Have thick skin. Service members bag on each other, but it is all in good fun.
Do not get into trouble under any circumstances. It sounds like common sense, I know, but some people get into more than their share of trouble. Getting into legal problems will have double the penalties. Also, it’s illegal under the UCMJ to: commit adultery, to not take care of dependents, and to be late on paying bills.
For the enlisted side, you will get the respect starting at E-​5. Your rating exam will have a big determination on your promotion, but other things come into play as well: evals, PT scores, inspections, recommendations.
DO NOT do drugs, period. They do urinalyses at random, and if you pop positive for drugs, you’ll be kicked out with an «other than honorable» or «dishonorable» discharge.
Keep several copies of every form the military gives you. They will come in handy when applying for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
And finally…
Have good clean fun in your time in the military. Once you’re a veteran, like me, the respect and opportunities are plentiful. Use them wisely, and go far in life.