Navy enlistment questions

"Atcrossroad" wrote in message
om...
It's quite loser's story but, hell, I'll not fall lower by telling it.


I've made a big mistake in my life, namely, I've got a Ph.D. in
engineering from a second tier graduate program. Since graduation, I
had a string of sh*t pay, no benefits, long hours, dead-end postdocs
("permanently" temporary research slave jobs for 50% of the fresh (and
not so fresh) Ph.D.s who cannot find a real job). Well, me (and many,
many others) had/have no other options. During postdocing (brain
numbing, overall pointless, BS peddling to cheat a buck from Uncle Sam
kind of a job), I have developed a strong aversion to the (academic)
research trade. I cannot stand it (even in an exchange for a
theoretical lofty paycheck). Had I liked it, I would have roughed
through everything, but...research is for the single-minded zombies
with talents of a used car salesman. And it's not me.
I really like engineering, but with my degree and experience, entry
level engineering jobs are reliably out of my reach. I am
overqualified for entry-level jobs (too old also), and I am
unqualified for experience-only jobs. 1 year of unsuccessful applying
for all kinds of engineering jobs is enough to realize that there is
nothing for me in the "real world". Do not get me wrong, I have good
GPAs (3.9 both in undergrad and grad schools), I have 10 or so
publications in the premiere science journals, I have a good research
resume and good recommendations. But all that is not enough to land an
engineering job these days.

What to do?

I do not have a formal degree in EE, but I do like electronics and I
do know a lot about it. It's my true passion. I'd like to pursue a
career in electronics (desirably engineering, but technician jobs are
OK too - more difficult to offshore). It happens that I like sea, I
like (to learn about, at least) navy, ships, ship's weaponry, naval
history. I would like to try something different, new and manly like a
military service. Clock is ticking. In 4 years (I'm 30 y.o. now), I'll
not have a military option. So, I am considering enlisting to navy.
Local recruiters are not making their quotas, I was forgiven my 10
extra pounds. I think I'll be able to pass physical. I have the right
attitude to get through a boot camp too. Also, I am a permanent
resident i.e. an officer school is not an option (I am not sure if I
would be allowed to enter an officer school in such a ripe age,
anyway).

My questions:

1) Is 30 y.o. is too old to be a sailor? I know navy is OK with 30y.o.
sailors, but..will I look like a freak among early 20th crowd?
2) Have you ever seen a Ph.D. enlisting as a sailor? Do you think it
will be better for me not to mention my Ph.D. at all: a) to avoid
future pecking along the line "let's see how smart you really are" b)
not to be an unofficial poster child for a loser. How thoroughly
background check is done? Will such an omission be counted against me
if discovered?
3) What is the most challenging electronics field in navy? What is its
rate? Is it open for non citizens (Hopefully, I'll be a citizen in 2
years or so)? Ideally, I would like something involving little bit of
design (I hope to pass PE exam in the future, and I need a design
experience to be registered as a professional engineer).
4) Assuming that I will like the service, will be good at it, will get
my citizenship and will decide to become an officer: a) what is max
age for applicants to an officer school? b) will I be required to
fulfill my enlistment obligations prior to applying to a school?
5) Are those with earned college degrees qualified for the Navy
college funds?
6) In army, enlisted college graduates fresh out of a boot camp get
higher rank than HS graduates do. Does anything like that exist in
navy?

Thanks to anyone who'll bother to reply.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but it sounds like about the only thing
you are really qualified for is to do what most of the others with a PhD in
engineering do. Get out of the field (like I did) and do something else.
Either that, start your own business, or go academic.

I never really worked directly in the engineering field, the BS was to keep
my dad happy and off my back, but my main goal was to get into NAVCAD. The
advance engineering degree's I got later were just something to do while I
spent a few years in the Durham NC VA hospital which is next to Duke. Heck I
have met more people that work in something other than what they got their
degree in than those that do.

Red

"Red Rider" wrote in message
om...

[ SNIP ]
I never really worked directly in the engineering field, the BS was to
keep
my dad happy and off my back, but my main goal was to get into NAVCAD.
The
advance engineering degree's I got later were just something to do while I
spent a few years in the Durham NC VA hospital which is next to Duke. Heck
I
have met more people that work in something other than what they got their
degree in than those that do.

Probably a third to a half of the programmers I know actually got their
degrees in something other than CS. In some cases, things like English or
history. They frequently turn out to be better software developers than the
formally trained people. I know a nurse who abruptly changed careers in her
late '30's, and is now an ocean kayaking and rockclimbing guide. Not to
mention quite a few more who have made similar radical shifts.

Hell, at the age of thirty you still have all the options open to you. I
wouldn't enlist in the Navy, but if you're having problems establishing an
enjoyable career at that age you're doing something wrong.

AHS

What about the Merchant Marine? I'm not up and up on their requirements,
but it could be a good choice.

Damian