| Stars and Stripes reported that the Navy, despite | | | | nothing out-of-pocket, the Navy pays the schools |
| the uncertainty of the wars in Iraq and | | | | directly. Many use the opportunity to train for |
| Afghanistan, exceeded its reenlistment goals for | | | | their civilian career (when you do eventually get |
| 2008. | | | | out). |
| The paper reported that one of the major | | | | - Job security: When a sailor re-ups in the Navy |
| reasons for the good numbers was that | | | | they won't ever be laid-off; that just doesn't |
| dismissals were down. More sailors passed their | | | | happen. Uncle Sam will always need sailors; and |
| physical fitness tests, and fewer were found with | | | | that holds considerable weight as civilian |
| medical disabilities or illegal substances abuse. | | | | employers continue to shed jobs in this ongoing |
| Navy officials cited three reasons why Sailors are | | | | recession. |
| staying in the Navy: the economy, the dedication | | | | - Uniforms: The other branches have decent |
| to the war on terrorism and the new GI Bill | | | | uniforms, but there's something about a clean, |
| benefits. | | | | white Navy uniform that is timeless; standing on a |
| In no particular order here are some other | | | | ship as it enters port is done best in a white |
| reasons that men and women should consider | | | | uniform. |
| staying in the Navy: | | | | - A Job with Meaning; Once a sailor leaves the |
| - The Pacific: Sailors may spend some time at | | | | Navy, there is no guarantee that their next job |
| Norfolk, which is a fine place; but two huge Naval | | | | will feel particularly meaningful; service is an honor |
| installations at San Diego and Hawaii are certainly a | | | | and sailors are serving at a time when their |
| bonus, particularly in January; There's nothing like a | | | | country truly needs them. |
| winter day at Pearl Harbor. | | | | - Military Spouse Scholarships: Married sailors can |
| - Healthcare: Healthcare is free for sailors during | | | | enroll at schools using the Navy Tuition |
| enlistment; in the civilian world it is expensive, | | | | Assistance; some schools will let a spouse train at |
| complicated and the job that provides your | | | | no cost. Sailors should always ask a school's |
| family's healthcare could disappear at any | | | | admission rep about military spouse scholarships |
| moment. | | | | when talking to them on the phone. |
| - The Ocean: Sailors from Ohio or Colorado, aren't | | | | - Power: The U.S. projects its power abroad with |
| ready to give up sailing on the seven seas. | | | | the U.S. Navy, plain and simple; and no Army or |
| They've been in the Indian Ocean and the Red | | | | Marine Corp general can debate that point. |
| Sea, seen star-filled nights in the middle of the | | | | - Become a Chief Petty Officer: There is nothing |
| Atlantic, would you be ready to give that up? | | | | like the NCO rank of Chief Petty Officer in the |
| - Tuition Assistance (TA): Each year the Navy will | | | | Navy; no other NCO rank in the service has a |
| pay for schooling at a tune of $4,500 a year; | | | | much responsibility and respect; you also get to |
| what's not to like about Navy Tuition Assistance. | | | | wear a new uniform that marks you as a naval |
| And what makes TA so special is that it renews | | | | leader! |
| each year (another $4,500) and sailors pay | | | | |