Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/9/2009

Question
hello i am 31 years old an i am trying to figure out whether to go into the army or navy i have no children and i have never been married the economy is horrible and i am looking toward my future please help me and give me some input on which one i should chose and why if you can thank you Justin

Answer
Justin,
First of all, you're too old for the Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard so Army and Navy are your only choices.  The age limit for the Navy is 34 and 42 for the Army.

Having spent 30 years in the Air Force and knowing what I know now, I'd say the Navy is my second pick of the services.  I have had several joint assignments working with both the Army and the Navy.  I have great respect for both and you really can't go wrong in either of them.  A lot is going to be based upon your personal preferences.

Personally, I like how the Navy operates.  The Navy is used to being self-sufficient at sea.  I'm always impressed at how they can fix anything.  They can't run downtown and get a repair part when something breaks aboard ship, you have to fix it yourself or else.  And you can always count on a hot meal.  Sorry Army, but I've eaten enough MRE's in my lifetime, I don't want anymore.

Whether you're on shore or aboard ship, you'll always have a warm bed and a roof over your head.  An ungodly number of soldiers die every year by being run over by tanks, trucks, etc. in the field because they're looking for a warm, dry place to sleep and crawl underneath them for the night.

The first time I went to sea on a Navy ship I told them I didn't swim very well.  They simply said, "OK, then don't fall off the ship."  Those that get seasick get acclimated to the sea very quickly.

If you're lucky enough to serve aboard an aircraft carrier, you see why they call them floating cities.  Even with approx. 5,000 people aboard you'll still form a close camaraderie.  When you work AND live with your friends you'll form lifetime friendships.

As a single man you're free from worry about family and being away from them from long periods.  You'll find that military life is very similar in general, the missions are just different.  My dad and my brother were Navy and all my uncles and cousins were Army so I've seen both sides.

Again, it's pretty much personal preference but you asked my opinion.
Good luck in whatever you choose, and thanks for wanting to serve.
Colonel H