[Craig]

Lets compare a 20 year old going to college, and a 20 year old going into the Navy.

1. Both are about 4 or 5 years long. So as far as time is concerned, they are both a wash. Both will have their BS or BA after this time.
2. After 4 years in college you will have a huge education bill. In the Navy, if you actually do take college courses, you will leave with zero (0) education cost
3. The Navy will pay for all education while the sailor is in,once they learns your job and have one year at your 1st command.
4. Once you have served her time in the Navy. the sailor can use the education benefits they earned to continue on to her advance degrees (Masters, or Doctorates degree). If they should decide not to use it, then they can pass it along to her children.
4. Your GI bill isn't even touch while you are on active duty. They use the Tuition Assistance (TA) and the Navy pays for your education.
5. When you get out, you have the experience. A college graduate has no experience, and must begin their path to success, which you already have.
6. Not only will the Navy give you the experience, but you will also become a leader.
7. You will get BAH (Housing), my son make $3000 per month in Hawaii for housing. That's $36K per year that civilians.
8. Medical cost most families $7K or more per year. Then they have to pay deductible.
9. Dental - You and your family are free, how much does this cost the college student?
10. BAS (Food allowance) - Yep, yet again we get paid extra for food. Do they?
11. Gym - Our gyms are state of the art. They are awesome. We don't pay for them.
12. Vision - Yep free vision
13. 30 days of vacation - Do you, or even your parents or anyone you know get 30 days vacation a year? Even someone with 30 years in a civilain company doesn't get that.
14. Career Sea Pay - More money again that people fail to take into consideration.
15. Clothing Maintenance Allowance - Do civilian companies pay for your uniforms? Nope....
16.. Government subsidized grocery store (commissary) - Our grocery stores are non-profit. We get things extremely cheap. 1 Gallon of milk in Hawaii in the economy = $11, and at the commissary $2.
17. Extremely cheap life insurance ($20 for $200K worth of coverage)
18. Legal (notaries, advise) - Free
19. Tax free shopping (Exchange)
20. Annual Cost of Living adjustments (~3.5%)
21. Moving expenses
22. You can retire at age 38.... Get paid $1800mo for life
23. Burial for life for you and spouse ($10K x 2), plus child if under 21
24. When retired, Free or near free heath benefits for life (you and spouse, and children under 21 or 23 of going to college). As a retired guy, I pay an option coverage and pay $510 per year for my whole family. Most civilians pay that every month.
25. VA home loans. Cheap interest rates, no money down.
26. The list just goes on and on. People just fail to realize what we (the Navy) truly get. Yes, college may seem good, but lets face it, you are much better if you join the Navy.

Man, I should be a recruiter huh?