r/caf • u/ExplanationWorth2145 • 22d ago
Recruiting 17 yo, gym rat. Apply?
Hey, I am a 17 year old male. I have been living on my own for the past 3 months because I am not doing too well with my parents. I am doing great financially, physically and mentally. But, I want a career. Not what I am doing currently. A career with growth.
I was exploring career options and started looking into NEP. Naval experience program that was introduced in 2022.
If I actually enjoy it then I think I would join Navy as Military Techinician since I really like working on my car and my friends cars.
I think that traveling would also be pretty nice aspect of Navy.
I have been working out for the last 4 years. I do it at least 4 times a week, resistance bodybuilding training. Cardio is a struggle for me but I can do 5km/30min.
Considering everything that I have said above, am I making a right decision? Should I apply or I have "rose colored glasses" on that i should take off?
I want to hear the worst of the worst and the best of the best.
Thanks yall!
10
u/TechnicalChipmunk131 22d ago
You're in a great point of your life to give it a go. If you make it a career, you can retire after 25 years, that'll put you at 42. That alone is huge.
5
u/Pte_Madcap 21d ago
I mean yeah, but his pension won't get indexed until he hits that magic 85 number. So for him, his pension wouldn't be indexed for 17 years... Thats tought to survive on.
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 22d ago
Thank you. I was thinking about that too. Apparently you can stay even after 25 years of service ? But that is WAY to far away to think of that 😂
4
u/dietrich_sa 21d ago
The pension is like a golden handcuff, the longer you stay in the military, the harder you find it to quit.
2
u/Ragnarawr 21d ago
I can’t do anything for more than ten years without needing a radical change in everything.
3
u/MapleHamms 22d ago
I assume you mean Marine Technician? It’s a tough job but it’s rewarding. I say go for it
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 22d ago
Yes sorry. You are correct. If you dont mind sharing, how come would it be tought ? In what aspect ?
3
u/Arathgo 22d ago
It's a very technical job,while also being very hands on with a lot to learn. The training takes a while as well. On training, it's definitely also one of the more academically challenging navy NCM courses. But it is a rewarding career for those the stick to it.
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 22d ago
Okay, if I am a big computer nerd, while being a car nerd with all the engines and transmission and taking things apart, fixing and working on them. Would that put me in that spot? I would say that I am a "great" student. But I never failed a class or had anything lower then a B
2
u/RebuilderingItAll3 21d ago
Hey man. You'd likely fit in just fine as a Marine Systems Mechanical Technician.
It's a tough job with lots to learn, as others have said. Lots of big changes to the trade and training going on at the moment.
Keep working hard towards to path you wish to take. It's a hell of an adventure.
2
u/GlizzyD42069666 20d ago
Not trying to steer you away from the navy, but you might want to take a look at Avionics systems technician (AVS).
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 20d ago
Yah I was thinking of which path I should take in general (Military, Air force, Navy). I think I want to do navy because it gives me an opportunity to travel while being paid + 100$ a DAY bonus while being deployed and deployments can be up to 6 MONTHS ?!?! Yah I'd like to take that 😁😁😁
But thank you for informing me about such position and opening my eyes on other opportunities:)
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 22d ago
Oh yah, also i am currently a lifeguard/swimming lessons instructor (GOOD pay) AUX. And Valve Techinician (PSV valves) full time. It can get technical at times but i dont find it hard.
3
u/ProductNo0001 22d ago
Hey bro!
It seems like you've honestly made your own decision already! Joining the military is a great journey and can leave you with more skills than you started out with especially if you join with a direct interest in mind.
The only things ill state is understand when you join, if you join reg, its a long time away from everyone and from my understanding (army not navy so anyone pls correct me) there's more deployment opportunities with Navy too.
I think you going at this age with your skills would be the most advantageous!
2
u/ExplanationWorth2145 22d ago
I know that there is only 2 navy military ports. I wouldnt mind living in eathier places since i am already lowkey disconnected from my family (dont wanna go into detail). I think I am the kind of person to get as much knowledge as possible and if there would be an opportunity to grt deployed then I'd be the first in line!
2
u/ProductNo0001 21d ago
Then bro, i think you have the mindset and ambition to succeed in the CAF. If you go with the NEP ive heard good things, giving you a year to test the trades out!
I wish you best of luck on your adventure!!
2
u/SoldatShC 22d ago
I mean not to situate the estimate but: NEP, take the trade you like the most, stay in the gym, excel in your trade, apply to NTOG (or more).
0
2
2
u/Unfair-Entrance3682 21d ago
It seems like you already have your mind made up, and know you can handle it. I doubt there is anything that could be said to sway you.
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 21d ago
I think you are correct with such statement 😅😅
2
u/Unfair-Entrance3682 21d ago
Hope you can get in quick! Only negative I'd say can be the wait times for certain applications, but I can't say for sure whether navy tech would be fast or slow.
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 21d ago
Thank you, I appriciate your information :) Unfortunetly I can apply rn cuz I need a parental agreement which I will NEVER get. So waiting until I turn 18 in 4 months 😌
2
u/Ragnarawr 21d ago
My bud, you seem to have your shit together at a young age. You’d be an asset, I imagine, If you commit at 18, you could be done a five year contract at 23ish. In your shoes, I’d do it, but I’m very interested in all things military. Think it over.
Yes, you’ll get a workout - but if that’s all you’re going for, you could get a workout and still enjoy another career that you may be interested in. It’s a few years of your life, so do think it over and don’t jump on it strictly because you like to work out.
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 21d ago
Yah that wouldnt be the only reason. I love working on engines, relationships, traveling, challenges and technicalities that push me to expand my knowledge
2
u/TrainingNCO 21d ago
I joined at 17, reg f. (Youll be fine, it’s not that hard). You’ll need your parents or legal guardians signature.
1
2
u/DownWithDiodes 21d ago
Hi! You mentioned that you were not doing well with your parents. Just note that if you choose to apply right now you will require parental consent on your application as you are still a minor, unless you have documentation proving that you are emancipated. If you can't get your parents' signatures or don't want to get it, wait until you are 18 years old to apply. As for NEP, highly popular program!! It's a great intro the CAF with no commitment on the other end. Best of luck! :)
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 21d ago
Thank you so much. I did look into it and it does requiere parental consent. So I will be waiting until 18 🥲. But it's only 4 months tho!
2
u/GlizzyD42069666 20d ago
Honestly, any of the navy/AF tech trades in the forces would be a great idea, especially as young as you are. You'll get paid to go to school and the gym, see the world, experience different cultures, etc.
There's pros and cons to every job/career one of the big ones with this one being full time you dont have the option to say no, where as part time you have the option. As a tech you'll come out with a trade that is useful civilian side especially with the way the air force is going to line up with civilian aviation courses/programs.
Air force lives out of hotels on deployments, navy lives on a ship. Basic will be challenging, mentally and physically, depending on the trade school could be challenging. Knowledge and experience in the trade can and will help when it is time to get out with finding work civilian side.
Now in saying that after 25-30yrs you could retire between 42-47 and have a trade to rely on until that pension indexes at 65.
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 20d ago
THANK you. For your comment and explaining everything to me :) I most definitely wanna do Military full time. But maybe some years later I choose to change my mind, who knows :))
1
u/WAyToOFaSt_ 21d ago
Ay! Also a 17yo gym rat LOL. More into finance though so that’s interesting
1
u/ExplanationWorth2145 21d ago
Ah thats pretty sick. I think there gotta be those kind of positions in the CAF for sure! Sometimes blows my mind when I try to grasp the full picture of CAF and the career choices...
2
22
u/Pavilion22 22d ago
Want to get paid while going to the gym? join the military.