I have been in almost 3 years. Joined because I fucked off all of my pell grants chasing tail. Had a son at 22 and started to get serious about life. However, I wanted to minimize student loans for undergrad and law school. Scored a 93 on the ASVAB, decided Air Traffic Control would be a great career field while in, all mental work, very little manual labor (which I despise) and a excellent paying field when I get out if I decide law school is no longer the option. Only shore duty my time. I busted my ass in A school to ensure I didn't got a ship as E3 and below, all the stories from instructors I head about cranking and only controlling aircraft underway sounded like bullshit to me.
I like the Navy. I love Air Traffic a Control. That's a bit of a problem right? I'm not disgruntled I just don't think I have indoctrinated myself to the Navy lifestyle and mindset, and probably never will. I have 0 desire to go sea now, and it is definitely possible for an AC to do 20 with no sea tours. If I do 20 the highest I'll go is First Class.
I made Third Class my first time up. I take Second Class for the first this March, I expect with my study habits and the fact AC2 hovers between 60-40% advancement rate I can pick it up first time. My rate also just upped reenlistment bonus to capped at 45k which is nice. My 5 year contract ends May 2018, and I'll see what my options are as I approach that date. If I reenlist it won't be just for the bonus, where I'll be going will be a huge factor. I'm currently stationed in the Pacific Northwest, and this island is far too cold and too small town for a 26 (27 on Thursday) black man from Los Angeles. If I can get orders to California or Hawaii it would be awesome.
My major gripe with the navy, other than the general bullshit that comes from being E4 and below is actually my own fault. I can't maintain a proper weight. I stress every cycle about passing, and have tried all the frowned upon methods to show up to weigh ins to pass. But that Navy has standards and I can't complain.
I have one other gripe but this is STRICTLY my own mentality. As a black man in the military I heard a lot of bigotry. Never directed at me. Most of the time passive aggressive. But almost always from people above me, so I just bite the bullet and make a mental note of who feels what way.