You’ve chosen a career in the Navy. You handed in all your papers and you’re wondering what the next steps will be. Not to worry. Here’s what you can expect as you enter the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and progress through your training:
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Everyone who signs up takes this aptitude test. It’s designed to determine the career you’re most ideally suited for. To get an idea about what’s in the test and take a few practice tests, check out this ASVAB site.
The Physical. This is not unlike the standard physical you take at your doctor’s office. It’s tests, medical history, plus hearing and vision evaluations.
Career Classifier & Pre-Enlistment Interview. Here you’ll go over your career options with a career counselor based on your interests, ASVAB and physical results, and your background. If your career choice calls for more testing, you’ll do that here. If everything is in ship shape, you’ll sign your enlistment contract.
Oath of Enlistment Ceremony. This is where you invite your friends and relatives to witness your official entrance into the U.S. Navy.
Boot Camp. Enlisted recruits go to Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago, Illinois. The 7-9 week training camp involves everything from close-order drills to swimming and weaponry.
“A School.” After Boot Camp, most Enlisted Sailors go through advanced training in “A” School, where they’ll learn specialized skills to prepare them for their career.
Officer Candidate School (OCS). If you’re a college graduate and you signed up to become an officer, you'll attend OCS. This 12-week program conducted at the Navel station in Rhode Island will train and prepare you to become a commissioned Navy Line Officer. You’ll undergo leadership, physical and military training, as well as the academics required in the command of ships and submarines.
Officer Development School (ODS). This five-week program trains commissioned officers in specific career options--like nuclear engineering, medicine or oceanography. The rigorous training brings new officers “up to speed” on the responsibilities of Navy staff corps officers. The training includes U.S. Navy history, its traditions and customs, leadership development, and military etiquette.
For an additional perspective, check out this Navy boot camp video:
Got any thoughts on starting a Navy career? Feel free to share them in the comments section.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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