Guidebook for a high schooler interested in the US Navy

December 6, 2015 7:35 AM

My early high school age cousin has been expressing interest in joining the military (specifically the US Navy) over the past year and a half. It's not something I'm super excited about, but it seems likely she'll follow through. Does there exist a book that gives really good, honest information about how the different branches of the US military work, how to approach it if you want it to be your career, not just a short term thing, etc? The kind of information she wouldn't necessarily find in a recruiter's office.

I am not looking for books that are intended to convince someone not to join, but rather books targeted at those with genuine interest with the aim to give them the best, most useful and honest information.

posted by ocherdraco to Grab Bag (8 answers total)

Military.com has some useful information, some not so much.

Our experience: recruiters will say *anything* to meet their goal. If the Navy met its goal for that time period, she'll be pushed hard to another service. If she's really good at a particular skill, but they really need some other skill, push. Pay attention to the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational aptitude Battery). Ask for a copy of the contract in advance of being expected to sign. My son found out his initial hitch was 6 years - when he was away to sign up. They didn't want him to bolt, and they were dishonest and disrespectful to me.
posted by theora55 at 7:42 AM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I appreciate this information, theora55, but to guide future answers, this question is specifically looking for a good book on this topic. She's a big reader, and if I find a good one, it might be part of her Christmas present this year.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:49 AM on December 6, 2015

I found a copy of the Naval Officer's Guide in the public library as a teenager, which was kind of fascinating. It told you things like "You have to buy your own coat. Do not cheap out or not buy a coat." If she's on a trajectory that would lead to going in as an officer, it might be a good choice.

I've never looked at it, but it looks like The Bluejacket's Manual is the official "this is how the Navy works" book.
posted by hoyland at 8:20 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]

I was in the Navy many years ago. Seconding the Blue Jackets Manual.

She should also learn about the different Ratings and figure out which ones she has an interest in. Some ratings are more in demand than others and can give you a bonus or semi-automatic promotions on enlistment.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:43 AM on December 6, 2015 [3 favorites]

Thirding the BJM, and seconding Confess, Fletch. The best advice I can give a prospective enlistee is "Don't join the Navy, join a rating." Your cousin will be "in the Navy" like a junior programmer "works for Google" -- that is, she'll have her small area to take care of, and that'll be it. In movies and TV shows, people in the military do all kinds of random stuff because it's more interesting, but in reality, you're doing your single job 90 percent of the time, and 9 of the remaining 10 percent is physical training and work crews. If she doesn't like her particular job, her whole Navy experience will suck, and if she loves it, then she'll enjoy the Navy.
posted by Etrigan at 9:51 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]

Okay, it's not a book but the ten-hour PBS documentary CARRIER does a pretty good job of showing what life in the Navy is really like. From the high-flying jet pilots to the grunts whose job it is to empty trash cans on an aircraft carrier, all day, every day.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:55 AM on December 6, 2015 [4 favorites]

This Joining the US Navy book is geared to teenagers and looks to be an unbiased guide with the basics. The Guide to Joining the Military also looks helpful. We have both in my library system.
posted by wsquared at 10:38 AM on December 6, 2015

Mod note: Stick to book recommendations, please, folks. Thanks.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 6:22 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]