I've been trying for three years now to get into the military, but I was not able to because of a torn ACL. Finally, after all that waiting, red tape and paperwork, I was able to enlist in the Navy. Some background, I have already completed two years of college and start my fifth semester in September, I'm over half way to graduating, but I've wanted to join the military long before I wanted to go to college. I jumped on the opportunity to enlist but now I feel like I've made a huge mistake and feel like ****, even my co-workers have noticed and commented on it. (I was walking around looking sick all day.) Why? This is what I wanted, IS in the Navy, why the hell can't I convince myself this is for the best financially and in terms of my future goals?

If you want to serve that badly and your chances of being accepted to basic are iffy at best because of your condition and you've been lucky enough to get picked this time, I'd say go Navy. Look for avenues to complete your degree while you're in.

Originally Posted by Damien435

I've been trying for three years now to get into the military, but I was not able to because of a torn ACL. Finally, after all that waiting, red tape and paperwork, I was able to enlist in the Navy. Some background, I have already completed two years of college and start my fifth semester in September, I'm over half way to graduating, but I've wanted to join the military long before I wanted to go to college. I jumped on the opportunity to enlist but now I feel like I've made a huge mistake and feel like ****, even my co-workers have noticed and commented on it. (I was walking around looking sick all day.) Why? This is what I wanted, IS in the Navy, why the hell can't I convince myself this is for the best financially and in terms of my future goals?

First, you can look at your options as to finishing your college while in the navy. There are various programs you can get into that will help you finish your college while in the military. The other option is use things like Mongomery GI bill or move to a state where state tuition is waved for prior service members. Either one of these options can make up for the income differential.

As far as whether or not its the right time to get in, like 13th said you are fortunate enough to be accepted despite your condition. I am sure you could quit and get back in later, but if you want to serve that badly I doubt you are that kind of guy. Maybe you could look at ReNegotiating your contract, but I dont know what that would do for you.

IMO I would say you made a commitment and now its on you to fulfill it. Yeah it sucks sometimes, but we drive on and make the best with what we have. The military can offer you some things that the civilian side cannot and vice versa. You always have the option of returning to complete that degree after service.

my husband was wanting to go in the army, but they say that he has asthma (he denies the medical facts, but i can hear him wheeze). So in my experience from my husbans point-of-view, if you're sick somehow, they ain't gonna let ya in. question though, my husband loves fighting fires, but nobody will hire him, is he stuck as a back seat volunteer? nothing wrong with volunteering, he just wants to turn it into a profession.

What MOS did you choose?

IS, Intelligence Specialist, also thinking about CTR and CTI. I only scored an 89 on my DLAB though so I need to retake that in November to qualify for the CTI program. The DLAB was incredibly difficult, mainly because of the pronunciation of words, the fact that English and German use a different sentence structure than most of the world's languages, and I was in no way prepared. I showed up asking some questions and the liaison said "Well of you want to do that job you need to take the DLAB, would you like to do that now?" with no prior warning.

So at this point I'm definitely going intelligence, I'm currently signed up for Sonar Tech but that's because we ran out of time that day and if I wanted in I needed to sign up for something so the liaison could work on my waiver for my eyesight, which has come through no problem. On Wednesday my recruiter is coming up to where I live and we'll be signing the new paperwork so I'll be re-listed as an IS. So right now I'm an STG, in a week I'll be an IS but hopefully by December I will have retaken and passed the DLAB and will switch to CTI because with the amount of credits I will get based on my training I will be very close to a degree in global studies and only need to take a few classes to double major in History and Global Studies with a minor in Political Science.

Howdy,

I did the same thing you are doing. Enlisting during a conflict, I did mine during Vietnam. I enjoyed my Navy time. I was stationed on board a Destroyer out of the East Coast. Things and rates were kinda simple back then. I didn't have the Medical Problem, you have, tho. You will never forget the Military time and it will have a profound effect on you. Do your best and you will go far. As the others said, try to finish your college. There are many more opportunities now, then back then. Remeber one thing and keep it in the back of your mind. Boot Camp suck(no matter what branch you're in) but it only lasts for 8 weeks. This is the military's version of making a Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Airman, or Coastie out of you. It is the hardest for individuals to get used too. It will go away after you comply to the new set of rules and reg's. Keep your nose clean and you can make it a career. Continue your education and get your degree. Officers have more opportunities than enlisted. Better duty stations, but you have to work your way there. Hell you maybe CNO later!

Good luck with your enlistment and thank you in advance for your service.

John Krzos
Tincan Sailor
Trusty Shellback
Vietnam 65-66

My 1911 beats a 911 call!

Intel is good. So your German wasn't quite good enough? Geez... what level of grammar was it? Actually I think that would fall under OPSEC. I know just enough German not to starve to death. Email me if you have questions.

Alot of the time their looking for a +3 /+3 or possibly +2/+3 combo in the fluency on reading and speaking. Retake the DLAB your entry level and if you can show increased profiency on the retest shouldn't be a problem. Might even get to go to Monterrey for polishing up.

The other suggestion for you that your family would most likely agree with, especially since your already showing the discipline for college, finish that first if you think your ACL will hold up long enough. Otherwise, get in while you can. Although, the Navy PFT is pretty simple, you could probably do that even with a bum knee. Also, if your going to finish college, might as well do whatever it is you have to in order to try to be accepted as an Officer.