Life at sea

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>Mom (Utahmom)-
Did my brother really not tell you what the tattoos meant? Or how he got them?</p>

<p>The "rooster" and pig represent safety at sea. He (brother) was telling me about how back in sailing days of old when wooden ships and sails were the style, that those tattoos began. When one ship would come across the wreckage of different ship, all that was alive after a couple days would be the roosters and the pigs. This is because the fat content in both animals makes them float better than most other animals. The tattoos are a sign of safety at sea. They are to protect you from drowning, which is an important concern of Navy Divers!</p>

<p>As for how he got them... well you can ask him that... </p>

<p>-Utah-represent</p>

62

<p>O.K. atmom, you can pull the other one now;) And I refuse to chnage my name to Rudolph;)</p>

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<p>LOL! check wikipedia...that's my source...'crossing the line ceremonies'</p>

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<p>Do they describe the Wogamatic? ;)</p>

65

<p>So if this is in the wrong thread, and there's another one, or anyone wants to give me personal contact information, that'd be great, but basically i was wanting to know in general what I should expect a love life to be, and particularly later, married life, and particularly for SEALs, if I do get lucky enough to complete that road? Basically how do you all do it, for those of you who do? and how long are you away and how long do you get to stay home and other things like that?</p>

66

<p>^^^^^
If the Navy wants you to have a girlfriend or wife, they will issue one with your seabag. :D </p>

<p>Ringknocker = married to the Navy.</p>

67

<p>LOL! Beaten to it by GA! :D</p>

<p>SEALs have a horrendous divorce rate. Has to do with the secretive nature of the work, the extreme danger, and the all-hours readiness to be called up. Hard to build a "normal" life around that.</p>

68

<p>You guys are awful! :D</p>

69

<p>my hubby was a cryptologist...never knew what he did, never knew where he was...now he that he's 'Civ-lant', I never know what he's doing at work or where he is exactly when he travels...some things never change...(-;</p>

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<p>So I'm trying to get as much information as I possibly can... do you all think I should create a new post/thread or go somewhere else for information? Anything I get is helpful, and I thank you all for your input. Again, anybody that can give me ideas of different periods of time away from home and married life and SEAL lifestyles would be great. Even any career path really. Thanks again,
-T</p>

71

<p>I'm curious as to why this is so important to you at this stage in your life? Not to be too critical, but I think you may be putting the cart before the horse a bit, here.</p>

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<p>TGo...</p>

<p>I've been mulling your question for a bit and I'm going to make an assumption and comment based on it.</p>

<p>Let me guess..... You have a girlfriend and you're worried about losing her? Let's proceed assuming I'm right (if I'm not, then the advice is applicable to any number of others, so I'm not wasting anyone's time).</p>

<p>First, some background to show you I'm not the heartless bastard a few here think I am. When I went into NAPS in 1986, I had a girlfriend. Smart, funny, and sizzling hot. I was in heaven. I thought we'd be together forever. Oops. Didn't work that way. Took me FOUR YEARS to get over her (I was a bit of a sap, actually). Such is life. The point is, I've been where you are.</p>

<p>You are considering being a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy and upon graduation an officer in Naval Special Warfare. I want you to fully grasp the level of commitment that accomplishment takes and the stress on other priorities it will entail. You are choosing what is perhaps the most difficult career path anyone in the Navy can take. You are to be commended for that, but you should also be warned.</p>

<p>That's where I come in. :D</p>

<p>You need to sit down ALONE and make some VERY HARD decisions, and you need to do it NOW. </p>

<p>If you TRULY want to go to USNA and you TRULY want to be a SEAL afterwards, then you have to decide what that's worth. Is the girl more important? Is partying in school more important? Is having rugrats running around more important? Is making big bucks later in life more important? If the answer to ANY of those questions is "yes", then stop applying right now and don't bother because you won't make it. Your priorities aren't in order. Save your efforts. </p>

<p>IF, on the other hand, your stated goals of USNA and SEAL are the paramount thing, then you have no choice but to pursue them with all the required intensity and be ready to deal with the possible consequences. </p>

<p>I really don't like selfish people (even less so after I divorced one), but in this case, and in this stage of your life, YOU MUST BE RUTHLESSLY SELFISH. NOTHING, and I do mean NOTHING, that in any way can threaten your desired goal can be permitted to remain in your way. If your girl gives you trouble, then get rid of her. If your parents give you flak, then ignore them. If your classmates call you a war-mongering baby-killer (BTDT), then laugh in their faces and KEEP MOVING FORWARD.</p>

<p>You are in a stage in your life where EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE will reverberate not for years but for DECADES. You are playing with YOUR future here, and NO ONE is going to have more of a stake in that future than YOU.</p>

<p>Now, I know that sounds harsh, but it's REALITY. I know this because I lived it myself 20 years ago, and I bloody well wish someone had smacked me around like this when I was your age. Would have done me no end of good.</p>

<p>Having beaten you over the head, let me now offer you a bit of an olive branch. I am not suggesting that you leave your girl now, or that you never see anyone again, or that you never marry. If your girl sticks with you throughout USNA and throughout your SEAL career, then I would say you've found yourself one HELL of a woman and I'd be pretty damned jealous. Do I hope you've found her? YES. Is it POSSIBLE for a couple to remain together through such challenges? OF COURSE. It is, however, EXCEEDINGLY RARE. You need to understand the risks inherent in the career path you are choosing to follow. It is a high cost, but in many ways worth it.</p>

<p>So make up your mind. Which is more important: your girl or your future, your emotions now or your career later?</p>

<p>Welcome to adulthood, buddy. It doesn't get any easier, I'm sorry to say. :(</p>

<p>Good luck. :)</p>

73

<p>^^^^^
Ditto Z-man's post. Zaphod is right on the money on this issue, as usual.</p>

74

<p>Hoo-Ya <em>Insert Zaphod's former rank here</em>!</p>

<p>But yeah, thanks for the insight. I've always wanted to try out for SEALs but that 50m underwater swim is a frightening thought. I can only swim 25 yards underwater before getting too tired!</p>

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<p>Lieutenant. Nothing special, but thanks anyway. :o</p>

<p>As for the swim, that's what TRAINING is for, dude! They don't just chuck you in the water on the first day and say "GO!", you know.</p>

<p>ETA: Can I safely conclude that my assumption was correct?</p>

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<p>Well yes your assumption was correct. And I do thank you for the advice, and I would be an idiot to doubt that it was very good advice. I guess that's why I'm so concerned about it right now, because yes, this is going to affect the next decades of my life, and I want to make the right decision, and for the right reasons. I've talked to her a lot, and we're very realistic about it all; i.e. neither one of us thinks we should ditch our goals just so that we can be together more. So she is very supportive of me, and yes that has been my goal, however it is because this mature outlook (and many other things) that I think and feel extremely highly for this girl. I've seen enough girls to know that this one isn't one I just throw away. </p>

<p>Your advice is correct, however, because yea, other people have been there, like you, and it just doesn't work out. I think what makes me seek the answers is your particular comment: "Is it POSSIBLE for a couple to remain together through such challenges? OF COURSE. It is, however, EXCEEDINGLY RARE." I see this course of action in a very similar light to how I see the Naval Academy and the US Navy SEALs: I am a highly qualified, gifted, motivated and dedicated candidate, and people DO do it. If I can't push myself and make those dreams a reality, then somebody point me to the direction of the hands of those men and women who have, because I want to shake them (not to say that I wouldn't want to already). So thanks again for all of your input (everyone, and particularly Z). I'm gonna keep seeking answers to questions though, so if anyone else has anything, fire away, or point me somewhere else.</p>

<p>-T</p>

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<p>Let me clarify something...</p>

<p>What I meant by EXCEEDINGLY RARE was those cases where a couple goes through USNA and well into the Officer's career without breaking up. Let's face it, how often do high school sweethearts stay married in the civilian world?</p>

<p>You're looking at this the right way. Just remember, though, that your career is more important than your love life. There are tons of fine, intelligent, and worthwhile women out there for you to snag when you're ready, but there's only ONE USNA and only ONE shot to be a SEAL officer.</p>

<p>Hang in there.</p>

<ul>
<li>Z</li>
</ul>

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<p>One other thing to think about. Do you want to be a SEAL or a SEAL Officer?</p>

<p>With your love life, you might want to be an Officer, but as an Officer, you'll only do missions as a JO. Chiefs will be doing missions they're entire career. </p>

<p>And as Z will tell you, Chiefs run the Navy.</p>