I went into the Navy in 1960. That was a little before Vietnam. I was 20 and had a BA in math (graduated from high school at 17). I enlisted rather than go for an officer program because I didn't know if I wanted to make a commitment.
There were several reasons I picked the Navy. One was that my grandfather was in the Navy. Another was that, if I were in a ship and that got blasted out from under me, I could swim a little and might be able to survive.
Back then boot camp was 13 weeks long. During those 13 weeks, they gave us the battery of tests you now take before you go in. Based on the results of those tests, they guide you into areas where they think the Navy could best use your talents and interests. I was interviewed to become a pilot (remember I had the degree and could have been transferred to an officer program) -- offer declined. If I were in a plane and that got shot out from under me... I don't fly too well when I'm not wearing a plane... that would be about it for me.
But there was another interview. I was the only one in the room. This big, burly guy asked me, "Do you want to die for your country?" I guess he liked my answer because I found myself in UDT.
Then Vietnam started up. Some of us were pressed into service. Then President Kennedy inaugurated the Navy SEALs. A lot of us went from UDT to SEAL. Then things got rather busy.
Eventually it came time for me to extend my enlistment for my E-6. Somebody dusted off my degree and recommended me for OCS. I retired at age 45.
When I got out of the Navy I went back to school and got my MA in math and my doctorate in business (DBA) mostly on the GI Bill, but I also had my retirement from the Navy and I'd saved about a third of everything I made for 25 years.
Then, because of my education, my military experience, my management experience, and my recent security clearance, I got a job managing military contracts on the West Coast for a major management consulting firm. I purchased a house with a VA-insured loan and paid it off in 10 years. I retired from that job at 60.
Earlier this year I rented my house out to an officer from a nearby Air Force base and moved into a Veterans Home. The rent more than covers my fees here. My only expenses are incidentals, my internet access, my cell phone, and license, insurance and gas for my car. I can travel just about anywhere in the world for free (military). Entertainment is free. We Vets get to attend major sporting events for free. We have a regional theater on our site that we can attend for free. Not too long ago I got to see Bill Cosby... in person. Tickets sold for about 90 bucks each. Transportation is free. Medical and dental, room and board... covered. And, were I married, my wife could move in with me and stay as long as she liked... even if she survived me.
I won't lie to you. Not every experience was good. But I think it's kind of what you make it. I remember marching to breakfast in Boot Camp in San Diego. We had to get up before dawn. People were complaining about having to get up so early. Me? I was enjoying the beautiful San Diego sunrise and being able to march in the cool of the day. Those guys who complained about getting up early also complained about drilling and PT in the heat of the day. I guess there's no pleasing some people. ;-)
A lot of stuff you encounter, especially in Boot Camp, may seem unreasonable on the surface. But everything in the Navy has a purpose. For example, you can look forward to being yelled at. If it's because you messed up, the shouting is to remind you that you messed up and you probably should do your best to see that it doesn't happen again. But what if you didn't mess up? You can be shouted at even then; the reason being to teach you to work under pressure. Sometimes the whole group will get shouted at. That's to let you know that you are a team and that when one of you makes a mistake it can cost all of you... maybe even your lives.
You might have an opportunity to stand watch. It may be some nonsensical post that you can't see any reason to watch. It's better that you make your mistakes in that kind of a situation than to make them when something really important is on the line.
You'll likely to be sent to "A" school for special training in your rating (specialty). You'll learn more there in a few weeks than you did in four years of high school. While you're trying to cram all the stuff into your head, you'll wonder how you can remember it all. After you graduate you'll look back on a blur of data-overload and wonder what you learned in the last few weeks. But one day the stuff will hit the fan and you'll find that the information you need is right there.
I don't know how the military does it. But somehow, when you think you should probably be running around totally out of control, when the world is falling down around you, the training kicks in and you do what you're supposed to do... without really thinking about it. After it's over, you and your buddies will look at each other with surprised expressions on your faces and say, "Holy
! We did it. And it was almost textbook."
But even the bad experiences were bearable. Heck, if they weren't I wouldn't have stayed in 25 years. ;-) Believe me, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
But that's me... a guy.
When I was in (almost 25 years ago), there were a lot of jobs that were closed to women, and quite a few still are. I think women have to do it better and cleaner than guys. I knew this LT who used to say, "I realize I'm a woman in what is traditionally a man's world, and that I have to twice the job a man has to do to get the same recognition." Then she'd get this cute smirk on her face and say, "And I do it." The up side is that I've seen how little a lot of guys get away with, and it really isn't often all that difficult to do it twice as good, in half the time, and probably with half the effort.