I am a united states sailor.
i will support and defend the constution of the untied states of american and i will obey all orders of thoes appointed over me. I represent the fighting spirit of the navy and thoes who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world. I Proudly serve my country's navy combat team with honor, courage and committment I am committed to excellence and fair treatment for all.

Thats right ladies and gents i joined the US Navy and took the oath today. I got Corpsman (dont laugh). So talk to me, share stories and tell me about your carrer in the
military (or you can just talk)

Juber3, I don't have any military stories for you because, regrettably, I never served. I do, however, offer my gratitude to you. Thank you.

Congratulations and thank you, Juber!

My son Ken, the 30-year-old Army National Guard sergeant who is stationed in Kuwait, is also a Gulf War veteran. He served aboard the U.S.S. Boxer LHD 4, an assault carrier, in the Persian Gulf.

And now he's serving on land.

I hope the Navy treats you well. God bless you.

As the Father of a Reservist that got back from Iraq a couple months ago let me also share my thanks to you for helping to protect this great Nation.

May you only sail calm seas my friend!

Red

Wow, Juber!!

That is quite a decision. Do you mind if I ask what made you
decide to take the plunge?

well i was always intrested in military. I sent a letter to all the airmed services, and only got one reply back, so they made me take the asvab and i scored a 50...then they said i got a high score and i joined...

That's great, Juber. Thankyou for your service. Mr P says good luck, and think it through...but I guess it's too late for that. Kidding. It's a good life and you'll see the world.

No Problem, its just my job is going to require a LOT of training :S

Wow Juber! I hope you the best. I know you will will excel to the top. Your that kind of guy. Thanks.

Congrats....I'm former Navy myself...eight years including the first Gulf War...I was a Data Systems Technician (now they've all been converted to Fire Control or Electronics Technicians...fancy for computer fixer)...it's a good thing you've got your job assigned before getting in, and also, it'll be useful, if you ever decide to get out....

I've been to Kuwait (before, during and after), the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Afghanistan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong (during British rule), Japan, the Philippines, and many more...I would recommend saving the money you get out of boot camp and buying a decent camera..... I'd also recommend, when you eventually get assigned to a ship, to take whatever tours are offered in whatever port you're in...try the local foods (you won't regret it)...see as much as you can, pay cash for everything (that's the best part of having your food, housing and medical covered by the military, you bank everything....). Take whatever educational courses are offered outside your regular training. Start working on your surface warfare pin as soon as you get onboard a ship (this will help in advancement)...make friends with those that take care of the computers, and those in the supply department (there is a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" mentality)...always look like you know what your doing, even when you don't....there's a whole lot more, I'm sure I could come up with, but this is off the top of my head...

Congratulations! I have so much more respect for you today for standing behind your ideals. Hopefully, more people who share your beliefs will volunteer so that my sons do not have to fear a draft.

Good luck in your new career.

Best of luck to you and THANK YOU for helping to keep us all safe!

MEPS is the worst day in your military life. Getting through MEPS is most of the battle. Basic training to me being in the army was much funner then Advanced Individual Training. I heard the Navy is pretty laxed.

However, I could not help but notice something. I personally as a soldier do not believe in this war and neither do many of my friends in Iraq. I understand that some do....but if young people who follow Bush and believe this to be a just war why is it that they are not sigining up? Personally if I thought a war was pertinant to the survival of the US and I believed in the cause I would join without hesitation as I suppose Juber does. I can respect Juber's rational although I completely disagree with him but why is it that alot of younger republicans I meet who say this war was essential refuse to volunteer for the military? If so many young republicans keep telling me it was necessary then why is that they are not joining up?

The Corpsman Memorial


For those who don't Know, the above is the Sailor's Creed. Now, I don't a single member of the US Navy or Marine Corps who would "Laugh" about someone choosing to become a Navy Corpsman. We all poke fun at each other about everything. For example, 2 of the 3 Corpsman in my unit got drunk just before we deployed to Iraq and went out and got our unit's Shark Tattoo, with Corpman written under it. No I did not mis-spell that, the tattoo "artist" did. As you can imagine, our "Corpman" buddys took a lot of grief over that.

The Hospital Corpsman's Rating badge:


Corpsman, at least those who know their job, are men and women held in very high regard by Sailors and even higher regard by Marines as it is Navy Corpsman who are their medics in the field. I for one, have had my life saved twice by these fine people (and almost killed once by a medical officer, but that is another story ).

Let us not forget that there was in fact a Corpsman with the Marines as they raised the flag on Mount. Suribachi. Hospital Corpsman John Bradley was there and was one of the three survivors from the raising to leave Iwo Jima. John Bradley died January 11, 1994 at the age of 70.

For thoses who do not know:

Hospital Corpsmen :
perform duties as assistants in the prevention and treatment of disease and injury and assist health care professionals in providing medical care to Navy people and their families. They may function as clinical or specialty technicians, medical administrative personnel and health care providers at medical treatment facilities. They also serve as battlefield corpsmen with the Marine Corps, rendering emergency medical treatment to include initial treatment in a combat environment. Qualified hospital corpsmen may be assigned the responsibility of independent duty aboard ships and submarines; Fleet Marine Force, Special Forces and Seabee units, and at isolated duty stations where no medical officer is available. This is a five-year program. source


Now another couple of things you will likely learn soon are:

Hospital Corpsman's Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before god and these witnesses to practice faithfully all of my duties as a member of the Hospital Corps. I hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and sacred trust and will assist the Medical Officer with loyalty and honesty. I will not knowingly permit harm to come to any patient. I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of patients in strict confidence. I dedicate my heart, mind, and strength to the work before me. I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my naval career.

and

A Corpsman's Prayer
Grant me, oh Lord, for the coming events;
Enough knowledge to cope and some plain common sense.
Be at our side on those nightly patrols;
And be merciful judging our vulnerable souls.
Make my hands steady and as sure as a rock;
when the others go down with a wound or in shock.
Let me be close, when they bleed in the mud;
With a tourniquet handy to save precious blood.
Here in the jungle, the enemy near;
Even the corpsman can't offer much lightness and cheer.
Just help me, oh Lord, to save lives when I can;
Because even out there is merit in man.
If It's Your will, make casualties light;
And don't let any die in the murderous night.
These are my friends I'm trying to save;
They are frightened at times, but You know they are brave.
Let me not fail when they need so much;
But to help me serve with a compassionate touch.
Lord, I'm no hero -- my job is to heal;
And I want You to know Just how helpless I feel.
Bring us back safely to camp with dawn;
For too many of us are already gone.
Lord bless my friends If that's part of your plan;
And go with us tonight, when we go out again.

Author Unknown



If you end up serving with the Marines, you will earn the above little badge. Nothing worn on the uniform in the field carries more weight then that pin / badge in my opinion.

As a corpsman, you may end up service in the field with the Marines or the Navy Seabees. You could end up on a ship as the primary medical person for the crew, on a hospital ship, in a Naval hospital or a host of other duty stations. Your rating holds the lives of others in it's hands more then any other. So, study hard!! and remember, you are going to become part of one of only two groups of the US Navy that the Marines have any respect for. One is the Corpsman who keep them alive and the other is the Seabees who keep them dry.

If you want to know more about US Navy life, either shipboard (as a I was an Electricians Mate on board the USS Barney DDG-6 and the USS Suribachi AE-21) or on the ground (as I am currently a Seabee, Construction Electrician assigned to Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare Unit 112, of Naval Coastal Warfare Group 1) then feel free to forward your questions to me via PM. THe Navy isn't what it used to be, but it is still one heck of a ride.

If asked in advance I would have preferred that you went to college or the Naval Academy and upon completion, entered the Navy as an officer (they could use a competent one once in awhile ). However, you've made the leap, so I say congratulations and

Welcome aboard Sailor!!!

I mean i understand how complex it is going to be from transferring from civilian life to military life its just when i went to meps control desk (Cleveland Meps) they said 'the jokes on you bud'

**edited to clarify spelling**
**I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE**

One word....

SQUID!!!

Just a little inner service rivalry...

Enjoy the dog bowl shaped cover, and the pansy white uniform If you're lucky you'll get to serve with Marines and wear a real man's uniform.

I would tell you to try not to get too brainwashed, but I see you are a very conservative Republican which means you're already there.

Seriously though, congratulations. I hope you have an enjoyable experience and a great career if you decide it's your cup of tea. The best advice I could give is "Don't get MARRIED!!" Other than that... stay protected, wrap it up, and enjoy the fine fruits of the world!!

Semper Fi

Jar Head!!!

Though I have to give it to you on the Uniform thing, the Marines Dress uniform is sharp!

How they ever get those Marines to learn how to wear it properly is beyond me, but I guess boot camp can teach even the most challenged individuals how to Accelerate their life and succeed. (for those that might somehow miss it, this is a joke and not my real opinion of America's Marines )

Juber,

Im sad to hear it, but its your decision. You say you have always been interested in the military and I guess thats the important thing, that you do this for yourself.
Im no so eager as most here to offer up your life for mine or the ones I love. I am not a believer that that is what is happening these days.

I respect that this is a decision you made because YOU wanted to, I hope you remember that and not try to claim you did this for other than yourself- as so many do to rationalize their experience when they cannot believe what has happened to them when their fantasies about heroism and killing enemies goes bad.

I do wish you the utmost safety, the knowledge you are seeking, a quik exit and a long and happy life.

Congrats, Juber!

Although the Navy had bell bottoms and Donald Duck hats, it's a proud service. I've worked with Seals and ANGLICO teams in the past, and I've always been impressed. And though the Marines talk smack about squids, they love their Corpsmen to death!

Military service isn't for everyone, but you'll get out of it what you put into it. You'll put in horrendously long hours, be put in harm's way and miss family and holidays.......but you'll come away with not only a skill, but a sense of loyalty and brotherhood, honor, duty and sacrifice that few civilians will ever know.

It's a challenging but rewarding profession......good luck.

Anchors Aweigh!

Congrats to you! Some of my best friends are in the Navy!

I am a 1st Lt. in the USMC Reserves serving with the 41st Marine Air Group (41st MAG) in Dallas/Ft. Worth. I spent 7 months in the beginning of the war in Afghanistan and am a pilot of an AH-64. I believe that my experience beginning in boot camp, then OCS, flight school, and serving in a combat zone have helped to create the person that I am today.

The military offers little glamour, and rarely is represented by ads you see on TV. The sacrifice you make now will stiffen your resolve, change your work ethic permanently, and offer boundless adventure (especially now!!). It doesn't pay particularly well financially, but teaches life lessons that no professor began to teach me in college.
I applaud your decision and wish you the best.

Great choice. As a son of a military man, "don't have kids". Military life is hell on them, unless you don't care if they have life long friends, sports teams or a consistant education.

Thanks for helping to defend America. We need more like you.

Just to update everyone i have s tarted a daily workout trying to get ready for basic training where we have to do 65 pushups. Unfortunatley i can do 23 if i push myself to my limits. Any ideas on how to improve this anyone? Time to go jogging see ya

Good Lord, Jubes--Eight months until you join the Navy? Is it supposed to be like carrying a pregnancy to term?

Do your push ups but add in some dips as well.
These are excellent for building upper body strength.

If you have 8 months to go then you have plenty of time to get to the minimum limit.
If I were you make sure you work on your cardio towards endurance.

Soldiers are endurance before strength. Think Boxers or martial arts before strongmen.
Do wind sprints and 400's ( one lap around the track is 400 y). It will hurt at first but you will love the payoff when you can conquer the worst the drill instructors throw at you.

I have always heard they will run you into the mud--mud created by your own sweat-- so make sure you work on that.

Something you may want to focus on Juber is your core.

Your midsection. If your Core is Weak, so shall you be. There are lots of exercises to tighten your midsection up--do them. With a strong core every other exercise you attempt will be stronger. Note this doesn't mean do some crunches. They are wasteful exercises.

Good Luck Juber

I don't know what your finances look like but it might be a good idea to spend a few bucks and get a consultation from a physical therapist or someone at a gym. They'll be able to offer you all kinds of advice on not only exercises, but diet as well. Diet is just as important if not more important than actually working out.

If you want to go with the cheaper alternative, I'd suggest a visit to the library because there are literally tons of books which have been written on the subject.

My advice would be to come up with a routine and stick with it. You should be exercising at a minimum of 3 to 4 times a week. You should track your progress in excel or something and make it a point to try and exceed some percentage of your maximum each time. If you did 23 push ups today, try and do 25 tomorrow and 27 the next day. You'll eventually get there.

I wouldn't worry about lifting weights or anything, your best bet will be good old fashioned calistenics for basic

Ok another update lol

I can run 1.5+ miles (I was on school track)
170 Jumping Jacks at two minutes
119-125+ Cruches at 2 minutes (dependent on time)
40 Pushup's but im going to stay at that for a couple days so i can do them more easier

Its easy to run since i love to do it. However i am praticing my Pushup's sicne the MINIMUM is 65 by Day 5 of Basic Training. Im going to stay at 40 for about a week so i can do they faster and more constant. Heh, my arms are sore everyday i do the above workouts every day three times a day. Do you think im over extending myself. The navy's special saying is "I can and i will".

Are you doing anything for your back and trunk? Beyond abs you may want to consider any sort of twisting excercise that excercises your oblique muscles, and leg lifts to strengthen and lengthen your hip flexor muscles.

Hmmm...i never really thought of that. I will check out some books about the subject and see what i can find. You have any ideas what i should do

Well without knowing too much about you, I'd say you are off to a good start. I think that your focus should be endurance over strength (and it appears it is), and if you can pull that off you'll sail through basic and do well as a soldier. I'd suspect that where you'll probably want to improve is diet, that is generally a problem for a lot of people. Unfortunately I can't recommend any good books to you, but I'd just suggest browsing around and see what stikes you as good advice.

Juber,

You appear to be heading in the right direction. I will ask my Son for suggestions as he graduated "Boot" top of his class in PT and second overall. I was lucky enough to be on base (Ft Leonard Wood) to see there final "pounding" and I can remember Kyle saying that the ones that could run a good distance prior to boot had a much easier time of it as it went on.

Again, Best of Luck!

Red

Thanks everyone for all the congratulations. I can run the 1.5 miles. Its simple. I just cant wait to go. Im putting so much effort into it :/. I do pushup's daily. But whocares? Well got to go and study my deps manual. Have a good day!

E1-JUSTIN

Show up at basic with at least some hair they can cut off. My buddy got the crew cut in advance and the instructors were NOT happy. Let them have their fun.

Hey Juber, I think it's great that you decided you enlist.

Serving your country is one of the great services you can perform, in my opinion.

I always wonder if I would have made that choice, had I not had a condition that disqualifies me from service.

I salute you.

Juber,

I was drafted in 1998 in the French Air Force for a year, so I can understand what you're going through at the moment.

Good luck to you. Obey your superiors and be fair to your enemies.

dang i have to be fair to my enemies? Im trying my hardest to get iunto shape although these organic chips i'm eating isnt going to help. I am talking to more US Navy Sailors That go to my church and in my school. I hear some bad things about the navy though. Especially excersize.