To join or not to join?

TO JOIN OR NOT TO JOIN???
 
   Everyone has their own personal reasons for wanting to join the military.  A few of the big ones are travel, education, meet new people, life experiences or to continue to legacy of family members.  All of which are very good reasons.  As a member currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy, I must let you know that my experiences are based on my "Naval service"  so keep in mind that although we fight the same fight, different branches of services go about it in their own way. 

Tip #1
Have your goals in mind-short and long term.

  Its okay to have some uncertainty.  Lets face it, for many of us that's why were joining any how.  What I mean is have and end in mind.  If one tour (4-5years) is all you want to do, prepare for that because time flys.  If you want to retire from the military it is still important to plan.  Making rank in the Navy isn't the hardest thing in the world but it isn't going to be a cake walk either. 
   Whatever job you choose (rating) you will be expected to continually seek education and become a subject matter expert.  Advancement is achieved by taking a semi-annual exam which will be scored against your peers and your annual performance evaluations which encompass a slew of things; professional knowledge, quality of work, personal job accomplishment/initiative, leadership,command involvement, community involvement, military bearing/appearance and teamwork.  I told you it wasn't a cake walk!  All of these individual traits receive a score and are averaged out to make up your performance mark average (PMA). 
Tip #2
Don't believe everything you hear.

  I'm not writing this to bash on recruiters but lets face it some of them are a little less than honest.  I was lucky because my recruiter gave it to me straight from the begining.  It helped that he was from my hometown and I had gone to school with his cousin but I've heard horror stories of recruiters making promises that were not fullfilled.  You'll be fine if you just remember that they have numbers to make and to some people, withholding information is not lying

Tip #3
Become your own attorney.

Relax...not literally.  What I mean is do your own research.  Don't expect someone else to have all of the answers for you.  This goes hand in hand with Tip #2.  The great thing about the military is that all rules and regulations "instructions" are readily available.   Be the person who actually references these.

Tip #4
Every place is worst than your last.

Not really...Its one of those grass is greener situations.  You'll be sooo ready to leave a place until you arrive at your next place of duty and begin to miss your last duty station.  That's just the nature of the beast!

and last but not least........

Tip #5
Make the best of your situation.

  My first duty station was Portsmouth, Va.  I was furious when I found out because I had buddies going to cool places like Hawaii, Italy and Spain.  Well after my first year there I met a young lady, now we are happily married with a beautiful son.  So you never know!
I hope I've been of some assistance.  These tips will hopefully prepare you for a successfull and exciting career.

I realize that there are many things that I haven't covered in this blog because this blog would begin to look more like a book.  What I'm trying to say is that the U.S. military policies are constantly being revised.  I'll try to add additional tid bits as I see fit or upon request.
   This morning I was looking over my original contract agreement and something new surfaced.  I was promised
  

-Jot Lyfe