Decisions, decisions (long)...

Sunny · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2006, 07:26 PM

So comes the time where I have to pick my next move. When July comes I'll have 9 years with the Navy. I have no problems serving more, just as what and how are what I'm having trouble deciding on. If I am stuck on the enlisted side, I am pretty sure I will only do the 20 and retire. If I get picked up as a officer, then, at this point, I can safely say I would go beyond that. So the options are:

1. Apply for the Information Warfare Officer field under the Seaman to Admiral Program (STA-21) . Seems like the best option for long term. With this route, I should be able to go back to school for about 2-3 years and get my BA in Mandarin, then get commisioned afterwards. Pros: Covers education, get to go home for a bit, more pay. Cons: Only 2 chances to apply, might be boring, more bs.

2. Cross over to active duty Army under the Blue to Green program and try to get in as a linguist. Army needs people, so I could work it to my advantage. Pros: Different, possibly more structured atmosphere. Cons: Might not get MOS, might even lose a paygrade/rank, would be most likely stuck as enlisted.

3. Get out and go Army reserves, pretty much same as #2. One extra pro is that Ft. Lewis is only about 45 min. away.

4. Since I am under a Perform to Serve contract, which gives me the option to switch fields if necessary, I could flip over to being a linguist but as enlisted though. Helps me towards my degree provided I get the language I want, but no guarantees.

5. Apply for JCU in Ft. Bragg. Get to play soldier (still Navy though), do field comms, jump out of planes, deploy 75% of the time. Puts me out of the running for STA-21 though. Best for advancement on the enlisted side, and could very well help if I decide to apply for Line Duty Officer (don't get to pick field though).

JLewisinSyr · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 01:23 AM

How about go private, get a pay raise, tons of vacation, benefits, etc. etc?

Decoy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 01:29 AM

go for #1

**bogmali** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunny

One extra pro is that Ft. Lewis is only about 45 min. away.

Where are you, Bremerton or Everett?

Back when I was a commo guru, did some joint ops with JCU peeps while I was with 75th Infantry (Regimental Support Detachment) and it was a different atmosphere all together. It was laid back and it's pretty much "big-boy" rules and none of this BS that I'm having to put up with right now. It should be a pretty interesting assignment and I've heard that it's very rewarding as well.

MrJiggyFly · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 08:09 AM

i can hear the big guns at fort lewis from my parents house, and they live 20-30 miles away. some serious shit goes down there. isn't there a major stryker brigade in iraq based out of fort lewis? thought i saw somthin on the military channel about it a while back.

**bogmali** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrJiggyFly

isn't there a major stryker brigade in iraq based out of fort lewis?

There will be a total of three by the end of this year. I'm in one of them (the very 1st one) and will be in the sandbox for the 2nd time in the very near future

**Asleep** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 05:38 PM

man, those are some tough choices... active army isnt as structured as you might think. remember this is the new army. im finding this out now that im back in. some of these dudes are downright ate the fuck up. if you went army you could go warrant officer. they have it fairly easy and make better money than us enlisted guys do. im just biased i guess, but id look into army options. from what ive seen, its easier to advance now than it was when i was in the first time.

**rEvVoMaNiAc** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 03:16 AM

I'd go for the one that lets you finish your degree, so STA-1. But the Griff option was too good to pass up, so I had to vote that.

Sunny · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 07:18 AM

JLewisiSyr: Private could be good, which I'd look at if I went into the reserves.

bogmali: Home is Seattle, but I'm currently in Bahrain. JCU is very tempting if I don't get selected for STA-21 this year. If I apply for and get selected for JCU, then this year's officer application is my only shot at the STA-21 program. Having another STA-21 application in the works while applying for JCU is frowned upon because it is a 3 yr. uninterrupted commitment.

asleepaltima: Hmm, I knew the Army was changing, I just didn't know how much. I've read some articles about changing certain training enviornments, making it more "stress-free" (or something along those lines).