Visions of sailors manning the rail as a ship pulls into port may come to mind when you talk about the Navy, but a career in the service offers more options than you may realize. In wartime, many people think only of the front-line combat jobs in the Navy, but in reality, it takes all kinds of jobs to keep the proverbial “ship afloat”. Recent studies show that only about 20% of U.S. military jobs see front line action. So ask yourself, “What is my dream job?” and you may be surprised to find it in the United States Navy.

Daily headlines remind us that jobs are hard to find in this economic climate — and hard to keep. A career in the United States Navy offers a job security that is hard to come by these days with a compliment of benefits that you would be hard pressed to find in civilian positions. Not only does the Navy offer a guaranteed paycheck each week, as a Sailor, you can rest assured you’ll also have housing and healthcare—not just for you, but for your family as well.

You’ll see the world on the government’s dime and have the satisfaction that you’re doing something really worthwhile as you defend the freedom of our nation and promote democracy and peace abroad. For those Sailors who make the Navy a career, there’s a solid retirement plan that isn’t linked to Wall Street. If you choose to simply serve one contract, you’ll have knowledge and training that can transfer into a civilian job. The best part: the Navy will give you all the skills you need. Come armed with a high school diploma or equivalent, the commitment to serve and you’ll be ready to take on your next assignment.

Pick a Job, Any Job

Think of the Navy as its own community. There are cooks, doctors, computer programmers, security, lawyers, even musicians. If you have a dream job, chances are you can do it in the United States Navy. When you join the ranks of these American heroes, not only will you get the training you need to perform these jobs, you’ll also get something that is critical for advancement in the military or the civilian world: on the job training.

Perhaps you don’t know what to do with your future and that has been your stumbling block. The Navy offers aptitude tests that help select the right career for you based on your interests and knowledge. The Navy wants you to succeed… national security depends on it! They’ll set you up to do it with the best training available for your chosen field.

Sign Me Up!

Sound appealing? There are recruiting offices in nearly every town and country across the nation. Walk into an office and ask some questions. The recruiter will be happy to see you—it’s his or her job to find the future of the U.S. Navy. Talk to your recruiter about goals, plans and desires. If there’s somewhere special you’d like to live, they may be able to make it happen. If you have a job request, they’ll help you find out what is available.

Need money for college? There are military programs that provide the opportunity to earn college credits free of charge while you serve or offer money for college once you complete your contract. Once you’ve joined the Navy, you’ll get the training you need to become an effective part of the team. Moreover, the Navy will continue to offer educational and training opportunities to help you expand your knowledge base and make you the best you can be.

A Job That Can Become A Lifestyle

The training and education that comes with being a Sailor is top notch. If you choose to leave the service, you will undoubtedly be more marketable than when you joined. However, what most Sailors will tell you is that once you’ve been part of the United States Navy, you’ll find such a sense of accomplishment in serving your country and a sense of belonging with others that it becomes part of who you are. When you make a career of the United States Navy, your salary and benefits will increase not only with the passing time, but also with each new rank you achieve. Being in good physical condition will be part of your lifestyle. You’ll experience travel and adventure but perhaps the most exciting part of being a United States sailor is you become part of something bigger than yourself.

If you think the Navy might be a good career move for you, click HERE to learn more.

Photo courtesy of army.mil.