I graduate from the University of Florida this December with a bachelors in social work. I want to enlist in the Navy as a sonar tech, but I am unsure if I should do the 4 or 6 year contract. I could see myself becoming an officer if I enjoy my time enlisted, which is a big reason I am wary about the 6 year contract.
Does anyone have any advice if I should choose the 4 or 6 year contract? Any other details about being a sonar tech? Anything would be greatly appreciated!!
NavyCrab2015-07-14T11:55:20Z
"STG requires a four year (48 months) obligation, and if enlisted with the Advanced Electronics Field training, the total obligation required is six years (72 months)."
You do not have much of a choice in whether you want to sign for 4, 5, or 6 years; it depends on the contract requirement of the "rating" (aka job).
FYI, going from enlisted to officer will be very difficult; and a B.A. in Social Work is not preferable in today's Navy (and pretty much useless in civilian sector).
4 year is always better. In a nutshell, if you don't like the Navy, you can walk away two years earlier.
In regards to seeing yourself as an officer, you need to understand that 99% of enlistees will never have a hope in hell of making O. You need much more than a degree to go to OCS. If you enlist you MUST do it with the understanding you will NEVER be an officer.
Edit: Looks like a six year contract is required so no dice there.
seeing a recruiter will be able to tell you more information, maybe not on the specific job, but benefits of a four or six year contract.
unless you get a big bonus in choosing a six year contract (or if the job requires it), i would choose the four year. that way, you can re enlist if you still like it by then, and won't be stuck for another two years if for whatever reason it doesn't turn out to what you think it is.
i know the Navy have enlisted to officer programs, look on their website if they have more information, and ask a recruiter. they also have age limits on how old you can be to apply for officers training, so keep that in mind. but if might be better for moral if you were enlisted first before trying for officer training, that way, if you do make it, and you work with a lot of enlisted personnel, they know you spent some time in their shoes and can hopefully improve on things to make them more better or efficient.
you might still need to take the ASVAB, even though you have a college degree, since you'll be applying for a enlisted job first. they have study guides available just for that test to freshen up on the questions. it's mostly high school level knowledge. i believe there is a ASVAB for dummies book, among others. check your local library or book store for more.
good luck, and thanks for your interest in serving.