Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Lily Connel
The Navy is one of the most popular branches of the military, and with good reason. It offers excellent benefits, including education opportunities, job security, and a retirement plan.
The Pros and Cons of Joining the Navy – The Comparison
| Serial | Pros of Joining the Navy | Cons of Joining the Navy |
| 1. | The Navy will pay for up to 100% of your tuition and fees for college, and you can even get money for books and other expenses. | Sailors often have to work long hours, sometimes upwards of 12 hours per day. |
| 2. | On the other hand, if you decide to go to graduate school, the Navy will also pay up to 50% of your tuition and fees. | Navy career options are somewhat limited compared to other branches of the military or civilian jobs. |
| 3. | The Navy also offers excellent job security. | Due to the nature of their job, sailors are often exposed to dangerous situations, whether being out at sea during a storm or dealing with hazardous materials onboard a ship. |
| 4. | Even if you decide to leave the Navy at some point, employers will highly value your experience. | The Navy requires sailors to be away from their families and friends for long periods, which can be extremely difficult. |
| 5. | The Navy offers a generous retirement plan that includes a pension (which starts at 20 years of service) and health care coverage (which begins at age 60). | The discipline and structure of life in the Navy are too constricting. |
| 6. | If you serve for 30 years or more, you’ll also receive an annuity payment each month that can supplement your pension income. | Some people dislike living on a ship or being away from home for long periods. |
| 7. | You will meet with a lot of people at your job, but you will develop a close-knit camaraderie with the ones you work with. You will have friends that will last you a long time. | Privacy is hard to come by in the Navy due to living arrangements onboard ships or at shore stations. You will likely have roommates or share a small space with others, making it difficult to get some alone time. |
Here are a few things you should know before you decide to join the Navy:
The Navy is exceptionally competitive. There are more than twice as many applicants for every open position in the Navy.
That means that even if you’re an outstanding candidate, there’s no guarantee you’ll be accepted. If you’re not 100% committed to serving in the Navy, don’t bother applying – your chances of being accepted are slim to none.
Wherever” is anywhere in the world – including war zones. If you have family or personal obligations preventing you from relocating at a moment’s notice, joining the Navy is probably not for you.
