Quote: (10-16-2011 06:09 AM)alb3 Wrote:
Again, for Ohio, listen to those who have actually served and make your best decision. If you can get into one of the Academies, give it a strong consideration, if you can get into one to the Academies you can get into any of the top tier universities.
Lotta great information on this thread.
Whether they are separated from service or not, every guy I know that went to an Academy is successful right now.
Ohiogang, you say you want to work with missiles and submarines. You are going to need education and then hands on experience to do that. Graduating from USNA and then NPS is the best way on this planet to guarantee you will get that. No question about it.
I'm not deep like some other folks, but I think you need to start thinking in levels, if that makes sense? Focus on GETTING IN to the Academy right now. It's tough. I tried when I was a youngster and got on some waiting list. I had tons of experience on the water, a great recommendation, and participated in the limited NJROTC available to me. I was also in great shape. In fact the best advice I think I can give you is this: START RUNNING HILLS AND GET IN THE WATER.
Quote: (10-16-2011 06:09 AM)Dash Global Wrote:
O4 is nothing special. Put in 10+ years (do your job and dont get into trouble) and you are guaranteed to get promoted
As alb3 said earlier there was a policy change that happened to be right at the start of my time that shifted around when you were considered below or in the zone for promotions. It took a few years for the laws to catch up to that policy, which is where myself, and a lot of other guys got lucky.
Performance could put you in line for speedier promotions. Some wars, tsunamis, and hurricanes happened which forced people to do their jobs, and get noticed for it. I got bumped to 0-4 right at 8 years. Your fitness report had a lot to do with it, too.
I was commissioned as a reserve officer, so when I had built up enough recommendations to be considered for the 0-4 promotion, I had to also be appointed for a change to regular officer. I realized at that point because of laws, and other people's time spent as regular officers, I'd be looking at a certain passing over at some point regardless of my performance, just because of time in service.
There were a few special things about my promotion. My berthing situation really improved. My deposits got bigger.
Where it really had an impact was with girls. White Girls.
During my 8 years as Lt. Kona, when I was firing at them and the "what do you do" part of the conversation came up, I'd usually just say "I can't talk about it" which worked pretty well. With white girls especially, they wouldn't believe I was a Naval Officer at all. They would say it was because of my hair, but we all know it's because of my luxurious brown skin. Sometimes I'd take advantage of their doubt and make it last for a while, then show them an ID, which would guilt my dick into their mouths.
Once I was LCDR. Kona, it really cut a lot of the bullshit out of swooping girls. I'd just look them in the eye and say "I'm a Commander" and they were mine.
My final year I was lucky enough to be at Pearl Harbor. I still got to cruise places like Rappongi, Darling Harbor in OZ, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Naples, and a few places in between. I did pretty well in my Lt. Kona days, but holy shit the summer whites got so much ass thrown at me that last year.
Aloha!