How do I apply to the Navy when my school wants me to go to college?

If you're asking about the nuts and bolts of HOW to go about joining the Navy, the short answer is to go visit a recruiter. They can guide you through the process. You're school isn't involved in the process at all, although you won't be able to enlist without your parent's consent until you turn eighteen.

Don't write off going to college in the long run. If you don't make a career out of the military (and these days, that can be tough to do, with the military shrinking and missions changing), the Navy will leave you in a good position to succeed in college. You'll have a few years of maturity under your belt, you'll be used to learning and thriving under stress, you'll be able to hold down a decent job while you continue your education, and you'll have your GI Bill benefits to use - a huge financial advantage.

If and when you do enlist, you'll be given the option to turn down your GI Bill benefits - don't do it! Even if you don't have any intention of going to college now, you never know what the future will hold, and the benefits far outweigh the modest pay decrease (which is frankly unnoticeable).

I would never have been able to earn a degree in my chosen field (aviation) without the use of my GI Bill benefits. Starting my career without any student debt has been a huge advantage. On the other hand, I dated a girl in college who was an Air Force vet and had turned down her GI Bill. Eight years later, she was regretting that decision. The GI Bill would have completely paid for her nursing degree, which would have allowed her to work less and focus on school more.

My point is this: military service is a noble goal, but don't limit your options. Good luck!

Hello,

I am currently in the Navy, when I looked for information to join I talked to someone who was actually in the Navy to get an honest answer about the expectations and experiences they had good or bad. Then as a junior in HS I took the ASVAB, it was being offered at my school, the next step was to make sure I met the Navy's height and weight standards. Once I met the requirements I had to choose a rate (job) this is IMPORTANT, you don't want to be stuck or committed to a rate that isn't best suited for you. Once you have all these steps complete then you will get a physical and drug test and then you will be on your way, you will swear in and either be placed in the delayed entry program or you will ship to Great Lakes for boot camp

Hope this helps
Current Navy Sailor 12 years experience

Hello Holly,
Let me first say your school is half right in a sense, going to college will give you an advantage over someone who doesn't have a college degree. However having a college degree does not guarantee success after high school. Ultimately if you want to go into the Navy your school can't stop you. Your parents can stop you if you're under 18, but your school can't, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.
If you really want to go into the Navy I suggest talking to a Navy recruiter to find out what options are available to you. But there's another answer out there as well... you can inquire with whichever college you want to attend about their ROTC program. That way you can go to college AND join the Navy after college. You can hit two birds with one stone. I'd suggest looking into the ROTC program with both your Navy recruiter and whichever school you would like to attend.

Good luck!

Pablo Martin

You can join the Navy and still go to college. I spent 23 years in the Navy and learned a lot about the world and many things I never would have learned in college!
However, college or a skilled trade apprenticeship are important as well, so if your school is telling you that you must go to college there are many different ways to learn, grow and mature. I finished my Bachelors Degree while on active duty and shortly after finished my Masters Degree, so you can do both!
I would suggest that you learn as much as possible about both, weigh out the positives and negatives of both, make a list of each. Talk with your counselors, friends, family and perhaps a recruiter.
As a young adult, you're responsible for your future and both college and the Navy are good choices, just make sure you look at all possibilities and follow your heart but also use your head!
You are on the right path with your choices, feel free to ask me anything about the Navy, I was Naval Security Forces, so I'm not sure what job you're interested in the Navy but I retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) so I have a lot of experience with the Navy.
I wish you the best of luck and it's nice to see a young person thinking of positive great things!