Should I Join the Army or Navy?
Joining the armed forces is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. When it comes to choosing between the army and navy, there are many factors to weigh. Both branches of the military have their own unique advantages, challenges, and requirements. In this article, we will break down the differences between the army and navy to help you make an informed decision.
Initial Assessment: What You Want to Get Out of Your Military Career
Before making a decision, it is essential to consider what you want to get out of your military career. What are your career goals? Are you interested in combat or do you prefer a desk job? Do you prefer living ashore or serving on a ship? Knowing your preferences will help guide your decision.
Armed Services Overview
Let’s first take a brief look at the armed forces:
• Army: The US Army is responsible for defending the country and its interests on land.
• Navy: The US Navy is responsible for defending the country’s interests on the high seas.
Contents
Provisioning and Equipment
The navy and army have different provisions and equipment:
Army
- Equipment: Roto-riking vehicles, artillery, drones, satellite communications, cyber warfare
- Provision: Ammunition, fuel, rations, shelter
- Clothing: Battle-dress uniforms, helmets, flak jackets, sleeping bags, boots
Navy
- Equipment: Naval vessels (including submarines), aircraft, advanced sonar and radar, undersea warfare capabilities, shore-based systems
- Provision: Fuel, lubricants, ammunition, ordnance, medical supplies, clothing
- Clothing: Khaki uniforms, sea caps, combat shirts, aviator sunglasses
Rank Structure and Careers
Understanding the rank structure and available careers is vital for planning your military future.
Army
- Entry-level soldiers start as E1 Privates
- Advanced specialties include: pilots, warrant officers, specialized enlisted professionals
- Rank progression:
- Warrant officers: 0-4 to 2-11
- Non-commissioned officers: SPC to 1st Sergeant
- Officers: 2nd LT to Colonel
- Some popular army career fields: Infantry, engineering, cybersecurity, intelligence gathering, administrative support
Navy
- Enlistment usually begins as Seaman Apprentices (SMAPR)
- Officer commission comes from ROTC or a commissioning source (USAFA, NUPEF, etc.)
- Advanced careers include: ship command, pilot, diving, air traffic control
- Rank progression:
- Chiefs: E7-E10
- Petty Officers: E6-E10
- Officers: Ensign (ENS) to Rear Admiral (2-star)
- Some popular navy career fields: Aeronautical engineers, submarines, avionics repair, cybersecurity, chaplains
Fitness and Travel Opportunities
Physical fitness and travel are important factors to consider in your military career:
Fitness Requirements
- Army: Requires 195 sit-ups, 77 push-ups, 43-inch flexibility, 5-minute three-mile run in one sit-up and six pull-ups
- Navy: Requires push-up test for officers and SEALS only; for officers, officers must be a junior reserve officer training corps (jrotc)
- Recruits will require strength exercises, body control exercises for officers and petty officers 3 and lower, running and push-ups
- Army Rangers and special forces and US Navy SEAL need endurance, speed and flexibility: 12 push-ups for 30, 22 sit-ups
- Each branch requires cardio endurance as well
Jobs and Skill Transferable to Civilian Life
Jobs available in the armed forces provide valuable skills, applicable in civilian life. When applying for jobs on civilian grounds, consider military-to-civilian occupation transfer: this program helps transition officers from specific military careers:
Skills Transferable from the Military
- Communications: technical, managerial and maintenance training
- Mechanics and Vehicle Maintenance
- Medics (EMT skills) Nursing, Medicine: Trauma, Orthopaedic (Ortho, and Primary Care
- Data-Processing: Hardware and software
- Software engineering/programming, security: information and Cyber Operations, Logistics
- Administrative/Operational support services (payroll, supplies, purchasing, budgetary) are transferable
