Looking for a way to earn lifetime benefits, protect your country and travel the world all at the same time? The United States Navy not only offers valuable skills and training to enhance the future of a soldier, it also provides the opportunity to see different countries and build a bond with other sailors over the course of service. Here is how the United States Navy can affect your life:

Getting Started
After visiting a Navy recruiter, you have a checklist of what you can expect from service in the Navy. This can include information on career options and other requirements in being admitted to the Navy. Every soldier must meet requirements on, among others:
• Age
• Citizenship
• Education
• Drug/Alcohol Policies
• Medical/Legal/Moral Standards

After completing the requirements, each soldier is sent to MEPS, or Military Entrance Processing Station, where the aptitude test or ASVAB is taken. The Navy also offers a Delayed Entry Program (DEP), which can allow a soldier to finish paperwork and be processed in, but not report for active duty up to one year later.

What to Expect
During your time in the Navy, you can expect to learn valuable life skills, as well as learn how to work as a team. Learning to become a soldier takes place in Boot Camp, which lasts 8 weeks. After Boot Camp, each soldier begins to learn skills based on their chosen career path. During your time in the Navy, you can also expect to see many different locations around the world and experience firsthand all of the different cultures around the globe. The Navy will instill the Core Values, which are Honor, Courage, and Commitment, into each and every soldier so that character and confidence can be built, and teamwork becomes instinct.

After Life in the Navy
Once your contract is up, you have a few options to choose from. If you decide that staying in the Navy is the best thing for you or you just miss life as a sailor, re-enlisting or joining the reserves can be a great option. By joining the Navy reserve, you can:
• Receive a Sign on Bonus
• Use the GI Bill for college
• Learn new skills for the future
• Earn points toward a retirement
• Gain low cost insurance
To re-enlist as an Active Duty soldier in the Navy, you can:
• Receive re-enlistment bonuses
• Learn new skills for advancement
• Continue to earn money for college
• Increase benefits for the future

The US Navy offers several ways to help high school students pay college expenses. Those making good grades and involved in extracurricular activities may qualify for the US Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. (NROTC) scholarships or be nominated for the US Naval Academy.

The NROTC Program was established to educate and train qualified young men and women for US Navy Jobs as commissioned officers in the unrestricted line Naval Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the NROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and US Navy management Jobs in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.

Enlistment into the Navy requires that all new recruits complete basic training, or boot camp. This is an 8 week program that takes place in Great Lakes, Illinois. Once finished with boot camp program, you will find that you are a physically strong sailor boasting skills that will see you through the rest of your life.