$40,000 to join the Navy?

[lucas80]

I'm outside of their prime demographic, but I took note of their recruiting efforts during the Purdue/Notre Dame basketball game. Pretty slick new TV ad showing how you can see the world, challenge yourself, and get a $40,000 sign on bonus. The ad doesn't tell you what the requirements are to get the bonus, but I found it interesting that sign on bonuses appear to be on the rise.

 

[The Tradition]

https://work.chron.com/gives-biggest-signon-bonus-army-navy-marines-air-force-23229.html

 

[naturalmwa]

This strikes me as a good thing.

 

[SHAWKER]

I think it's a great opportunity for anybody willing to do the time. Wish I would of enlisted out of high school

 

[mnole03]

$40k to get a college grad to work for $1700/month.

 

[The Tradition]

$40k to get a college grad to work for $1700/month.

Only an E-1 makes that little, and you're only an E-1 while in boot camp.

And of course, that's just the base pay. Military guys get all sorts of allowances, cost of living bumps, hazard pay, free healthcare, subsidized on base retail stores, etc., etc. which increases the total compensation.

https://www.militaryrates.com/military-pay-charts-e1_e5_2019

 

[hawkedoff]

My son joined the air Force. They don't have bonuses but they do have quality of life. He has been in less than a year and already has over 10k in the bank. He has zero expenses other than his phone. He also has close to an associates degree from his training because the air Force has their own community college and gives him credit for his tech school.

For him it was a great deal

 

[The Tradition]

My son joined the air Force. They don't have bonuses but they do have quality of life. He has been in less than a year and already has over 10k in the bank. He has zero expenses other than his phone. He also has close to an associates degree from his training because the air Force has their own community college and gives him credit for his tech school.

For him it was a great deal

The Chair Force is great if you can get in.

 

[hawkedoff]

He will be able to walk into a job making 80k or more once he gets out. That is if he doesn't finish his degree

 

[lucas80]

He will be able to walk into a job making 80k or more once he gets out. That is if he doesn't finish his degree

As what?

 

[ANYCHawk]

 

[The Tradition]

As what?

Airplane mechanics make really good money.

 

[mnole03]

Only an E-1 makes that little, and you're only an E-1 while in boot camp.

And of course, that's just the base pay. Military guys get all sorts of allowances, cost of living bumps, hazard pay, free healthcare, subsidized on base retail stores, etc., etc. which increases the total compensation.

https://www.militaryrates.com/military-pay-charts-e1_e5_2019

So $1800. My point was that the bonus structure is basically set to underpay people with certain skill sets or credentials. It’s nice that they give you $10k for a college degree, but it doesn’t make financial sense to enlist when you do.

 

[CarolinaHawkeye]

My son joined the air Force. They don't have bonuses but they do have quality of life. He has been in less than a year and already has over 10k in the bank. He has zero expenses other than his phone. He also has close to an associates degree from his training because the air Force has their own community college and gives him credit for his tech school.

For him it was a great deal

A lot better than it was in 1973.

 

[SSG T]

I told my kids I'll beat them if they try to join the military.

 

[The Tradition]

So $1800. My point was that the bonus structure is basically set to underpay people with certain skill sets or credentials. It’s nice that they give you $10k for a college degree, but it doesn’t make financial sense to enlist when you do.

Talk about not seeing the forest because of all the trees.

 

[The Tradition]

I told my kids I'll beat them if they try to join the military.

My time in the Coast Guard changed my life. I would not be where I am today if I had not done that.

 

[mnole03]

Talk about not seeing the forest because of all the trees.

I’m not saying don’t join the military. I just think some of the bonuses are set up to undercompensate people. Go to OCS or enlist before college.

 

[Walleye70]

With all the snowflakes around- usmc bootcamp should be mandatory for all high school graduates

 

[TJ8869]

My time in the Coast Guard changed my life. I would not be where I am today if I had not done that.

And where is that, exactly? At a Sheraton Inn in North Carolina, bitching about how they put onions in your chicken alfredo and screwed you out of bonus points?

 

[Walleye70]

I did the nam thing, and then the GI bill paid most of my four year professional degree. Very glad I did the usmc route

 

[theiacowtipper]

When I enlisted in 83 I got 5k as an enlistment bonus and 20k for college. As I remember I had to set aside 2700 to get that 21. Looking back, I wish I had gone to college first.

 

[FormerlyCyberCy]

$40k to get a college grad to work for $1700/month.

I think you’re way off on your number. My son got the bonus and was making double that, plus a housing allowance.

 

[SSG T]

With all the snowflakes around- usmc bootcamp should be mandatory for all high school graduates

The military members seem to be doing just fine these days. Pretty sure there aren't as many snowflakes as you'd imagine. Remember, the much maligned Millennials have been fighting wars their entire adult lives.

 

[UNIowaHawk]

If I had to do it all over again I would have gone to the Air Force Academy. Excellent perks during and after service and you don’t have to deal with a lot of dumbasses.

Not sure what their requirements are but I had good grades in HS, good scores on ACT, I’m a minority (albeit not a protected one), played multiple sports in HS with recognition in a one so I think I would have had a decent chance. Then again I’m 6’4” (with short legs) so I think that disqualifies me from flight school.

 

[prlyles]

My time in the Coast Guard changed my life. I would not be where I am today if I had not done that.

You sound bitter....

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

My time in the Coast Guard changed my life. I would not be where I am today if I had not done that.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for the Coast Guard.

 

[Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo]

I told my kids I'll beat them if they try to join the military.

So did they say, "okay dad".....or did they snap to and yell, "YES, STAFF SERGEANT!!"

 

[BABiscuit]

My time in the Coast Guard changed my life. I would not be where I am today if I had not done that.

The Coast Guard kindly asks that you stop telling people that.

 

[BioHawk]

Airplane mechanics make really good money.

That's not a job that will be automated in 30 years either.

 

[BioHawk]

So $1800. My point was that the bonus structure is basically set to underpay people with certain skill sets or credentials. It’s nice that they give you $10k for a college degree, but it doesn’t make financial sense to enlist when you do.

Compared to the amount of debt these kids are likely to rack up by getting the same education at a college? Plus, many of these kids need the discipline the military can provide.