Navy knowledge

[pittman169]

Hello,
I am considering joining the navy and met with a recruiter yesterday. I was wondering if any current or former navy men/women could answer a few questions that I have. please private message me if so. I specifically have questions about the MA job. Thank you for your time

[Arewethereyet]

Are your questions so secretive that they have to sent through PM? LET'S HEAR IT!!!

[jkasandiego]

Hello,
I am considering joining the navy and met with a recruiter yesterday. I was wondering if any current or former navy men/women could answer a few questions that I have. please private message me if so. I specifically have questions about the MA job. Thank you for your time

Master at Arms...

The MA rating provides Navy Ships and commands with force protection/antiterrorism specialists who assist in maintaining good order and discipline, law enforcement, and physical security duties. MA's enforce appropriate orders and regulations, make apprehensions, conduct investigations/interrogations and prepare required records and reports. Due to the unique functions and trust inherent in the MA rating, the quality of personnel selected is of paramount importance and requires strict adherence to eligibility criteria.

Bear in mind that today's Navy is different when I was on active duty 10 yrs ago. The Navy could cut you orders to go Iraq or Afghanistan anytime, and it's not voluntary. My shooting buddy whose an MAC is scheduled to be there soon.

[pittman169]

Thats interesting, specifically because the recruiter told me that navy does not goto Iraq. I had a feeling he was lying, but I wanted to make sure. He also told me Im pretty much guaranteed to be stationed at norfolk, which is the closest to my hometown. He also made bootcamp sound cushy, being that its all indoors. I dont know what Im going to do

[jkasandiego]

Your recruiter is lying to you big time..

[DACP]

Your recruiter is lying to you big time..

are you sure? a Recruiter lying? nahh

[orlandofed5-0]

You can also expect orders to GITMO to do prison duty or watching pee tests. Ive heard MA's will be going down in numbers.

I'm also thinking of joining the Navy Reserve as a MA anybody on here that is in the Navy Reserve as a MA?

Unless your on a base, expect to handle lots of pee tests and admin duties.

[TPD Cadet]

Thats interesting, specifically because the recruiter told me that navy does not goto Iraq.

If the Coast Guard goes, the Navy goes!

I would suggest NOT listening to anything he/she says.

[pittman169]

Ya. I figured that he was lying. Sounded a little to good. Thank you all for your replies

[mmtsquid]

The Navy certainly does go to Iraq - in several different capacities.
Corpsman attached to Marine units are there.
EOD is there.
SEALS are there.
And I'm sure there are many other Navy personnel there as well.

If you join the Navy Reserve as a MA, you will do more pee tests than anything else.
What about MA has you interested?

[Mstangfk]

i have a buddy who is a Navy network admin and he spends 90% of his time in Iraq and Afghanistan...

[formerFAM]

Navy Reserve Intel Officer

Since this Navy thread is already opened...

I am considering a direct commission as a Reserve Navy Intel Officer (O-1). I have no prior military experience but this is a specific position that I have been very interested in for a long time. It is looking pretty good that they will pick me up. Does anyone here have any experience with this position?

PM if you would like.

[NavyFiveo]

I have been in the navy 15 years and working in Navy security for ...Well....15 years. I am an MA1 currently stationed in Singapore. I have been to the sandbox not once, not twice, but THRICE! I actually liked being there quite a bit and enjoyed my job.
Boot camp is a LOT more cushy than it used to be. Sorry to say, but it is obvious by the caliber of the young recruits coming to the fleet.

As far as being stationed in Norfolk, it is quite a good possibility. Shoudl you choose MA, then you graduate from MA"A" school be it in Texas of Va Beach, you will choose orders then. Unless you go K-9, you will most likely go to a Mobile Security Squadron or a large deck ship. You will be too young to do anything else right away. Gotta give it some time. My first duty station was USS Enterprise followed by a helo squadron in Norfolk. I got out for a few years and played cop in the Tidewater area while an Army reservist. I rejoined in 2000 and went straight overseas. After 9-11, all of the mobile security squadrons were commissioned. Mobile mean they are moving and you guessed it. They are moving overseas to the big sandbox. I have no clue what their rotation schedule is but they will be happy to share when you get there.

Good luck in your decision.

[spooky11]

Thats interesting, specifically because the recruiter told me that navy does not goto Iraq. I had a feeling he was lying, but I wanted to make sure. He also told me Im pretty much guaranteed to be stationed at norfolk, which is the closest to my hometown. He also made bootcamp sound cushy, being that its all indoors. I dont know what Im going to do

The Navy has a good presence in Iraq. I've pulled three tours there in '04, '06, '07... Oh, and I'm not a SEAL or EOD, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Another point - when there's no war going on, the Navy continually deploys as a force forward presence in all corners of the world. So this deployment thing is nothing new for us.

Let me be very clear with you - If you are at all hoping to NOT deploy (anywhere, but including the HOT zones) the military is NOT for you. Please understand that this is very real possibility despite what your recruiter tells you. There are a lot of other ways to serve your country or community that will not require deployments.

Good luck.