Downsizing the Navy

[Xelphus]

First of all, I would like to note that as of October 9th, 2008 I became a member of the US Navy. I finished A school, and am awaiting entry into Power School, so I do not have any fleet experience yet. Any one who actually does have experience in any of the Navy Fleets (Especially navies from other countries) is encouraged to post here as well.

Anyways, down to business. As I'm sure most of you know, due to the economy going down the shitter, tons of people decided to join the one safe haven left: The military (I actually signed up to join right before the recession, and got lucky). Now, as far as I can tell, the Army, Air Force, and Marines are fine right now, but the Navy is full. Some facts:

1) The Navy has reached it's quota for recruits. As in, no more recruits into the Navy until October 2009 when the fiscal year ends.

2) Every single job in the Navy is completely full, except for Nuclear Operator (me), which is still at 80%. 80% is unbelievably high for us nukes, that's how bad things are getting.

3) This year, over 8000 Chief Petty Officers (E-7) were forced to retire, cutting their Navy careers short.

4) Nukes have roughly a year and a half of training. If, at any time during that year and a half, a Nuke gets de-nuked (kicked out via failing, medical, etc.), they are discharged from the Navy instead of being reclassified.

5) There is talk of ending Enlistment bonuses, and re-enlistment bonuses have already been lowerd. Current nukes (such as myself) are fortunately being grandfathered into our bonuses, but it still sucks.

In short, even the Navy isn't safe from the economic crisis anymore, and other branches are most likely soon to follow.

Comments? Concerns? Bitches, moans or gripes?

[Luna]

5) There is talk of ending Enlistment bonuses, and re-enlistment bonuses have already been lowerd. Current nukes (such as myself) are fortunately being grandfathered into our bonuses, but it still sucks.

Does paid college tuition or trade schooling fall under enlistment bonuses? I don't know the specifics for the paid college education trade-off for military personnel. If it does, that would be very unfortunate for people who may have no other way to afford a college education.

[Xelphus]

that's under the Montgomery G.I. Bill, and that works a little differently.

For 1) It's an act of congress and is not included in the military budget
and 2) For the first year, you pay $100 a month in order to get the G.I. Bill, it isn't entirely free. After that it's yours though

[blunt_smoker_420]

I am in the NJROTC and enlisting in the USMC so I have heard alot about these cut backs. Since the economy is in the shitter people are turning to the military for the job security, those bonuses and college money was meant to get more people to join but when there is a surplus of recruits they don't need to wave money around because they are getting more people to enlist regardless. You will also see a rise in standards to join because like I said before when you get a surplus of people they military (navy in this case) can be picky choosy on who they let in instead of letting any Joe shmoe join....until world war 3 then they will take bottom barrel again lol.

[Luna]

that's under the Montgomery G.I. Bill, and that works a little differently.

For 1) It's an act of congress and is not included in the military budget
and 2) For the first year, you pay $100 a month in order to get the G.I. Bill, it isn't entirely free. After that it's yours though

Ah, alright. At least that shouldn't be affected too much.

It's a bit ironic that our military appears to have all the manpower it can support, and yet we probably couldn't afford to carry out proper military action with our current deficit. That's a lot of people to feed, transport, arm and inform. [Not that a technical lack of funding would actually stop a military activity, if action were deemed necessary that is.]

[dyne]

looks like homo's will have to start coming out of the closet instead of joining the navy