Thinking Of Joining The U.S. Navy? Don’t Forget To Prepare

For Boot CampPresented by

Navy.orghttp://www.navy.org/

About Boot Camp

• All enlisted sailors must attend boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago.

• Boot camp lasts between seven and nine weeks and will help prepare sailors for U.S. Navy careers.

• If you’re thinking of joining the U.S. Navy, you are likely full of questions about preparing for boot camp.

Get In Shape!

• Although you probably have some degree of physical fitness, you still need to prepare for boot camp.

• At boot camp, you’ll be asked to run a mile and a half as fast as you can, as well as complete as many sit ups and push ups as possible in two minutes.

• Recruits will have fitness tests, as well as regular group physical training to ensure that they’re in shape.

Get In Shape• Each section is scored individually and then the

sections are averaged.

• This means that a recruit who does exceptionally well on two sections can relax a bit on the third.

• There are different requirements for men and women and these requirements vary by age.

• However, no matter what your age or gender, you’ll need to score at least a 60, which qualifies for the ‘Good’ category.

Talk To Your Family

• If you’re a recent high school graduate, it’s important to talk to your parents about your desire to join the U.S. Navy.

• If you’re married, make sure your spouse understands what the Navy life entails. It’s often said that being a Navy spouse is the toughest job in the service and it’s important that he or she understands just how this decision will affect the entire family.

Talk To Your Family• Many recruiters are more

than happy to speak to a potential sailor’s parents or family members to help alleviate any fears they may have regarding the decision to join the military.

• Some areas even have support groups for family members, especially if you’re located near a Navy installation.

• These groups can help both parents and spouses support the Navy recruit.

Learn ABout U.S. Navy Careers

• A sailor’s job will depend on his or her ASVAB scores, as well as the current needs of the Navy.

• Although sailors may not have much of a choice in their career, it’s a good idea to learn more about each of the U.S. Navy careers that are available.

• If a sailor is unhappy in their original career, it may be possible to cross train into a new one after their first enlistment is completed.

• The different U.S. Navy jobs include careers in:

Learn ABout U.S. Navy Careers

• Arts & Education

• Aviation

• Business & Legal

• Chaplain & Support

• Engineering & Applied Science

• Health Care

• Information& Technology

• Nuclear Energy

• Service & Safety

• Special Warfare/Special Operations

Preparing For Boot Camp

• If you’re thinking of joining the U.S. Navy, it’s important that you prepare for everything that boot camp throws your way.

• Many sailors report that boot camp is one of the more difficult things they’ve done in their career as a U.S. sailor.

• Being prepared before you get to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center can help ensure that you have a leg up on other recruits and could lead to an easier time at boot camp.

About USNavy.com

• Navy.org is a premier online resource for anyone who’s interested in joining the U.S. Navy.

• To learn more about the reasons to join the Navy, the requirements to join the Navy or about the specific U.S. Navy careers that sailors can perform, please visit http://www.navy.org/.