Don't Drink Yourself Out of a Career
Whether you're going into the military or not, drinking can have a huge negative effect on your career and personal life. It's probably something you've heard millions of times before but it still continues to destroy hundreds of careers throughout the Navy , military and civilian careers.
I myself, drink only for social reasons. I went to Texas Roadhouse yesterday with a friend of mine and didn't even finish my second beer at a two hour sitting.
You can call me a "lightweight" if you must but it doesn't phase me. I don't give in to peer pressure nor do I have too much pride to where someone can use reverse psychology on me.
Drinking seems so overrated to me. I would say its because I'm older but being 23 isn't much different from being 21.
Some of my reasons for not drinking too often or too much are:
- I would HATE to get a DUI or DWI and shatter my Navy career
- I like to stay in control
- Trying to keep away from a Beer Belly!
- I've had my fun and it's time for me to grow up
- Being around drunk people is irritating
- Drunk people are likely to cause problems
When you get any alcohol related incident in the Navy you're career is going to be cut short. The Navy is making huge cutbacks on how many Sailors are allowed to reenlist and who they let in. It's almost certain now that any alcohol releated incident will keep you from being able to reenlist.
On top of your career being cut short, you will also get 45/45. 45 days of extra duty, meaning you will have to stand watch after your shift or stay after work and clean/sweep etc.
Along with the 45 days of extra duty, you will get 45 days of restriction. Restriction is just that, you are restriced from doing anything. You are pretty much back in a bootcamp environment. No cell phones, no internet/tv.
As if extra duty and restriction wasn't enough, another punishment you will receive is TWO months of HALF months pay. That's right. If you make $1200 a month you will only get $600 a month for two months. Sucks doesn't it. Those drinks you have out to be more expensive than you think.
That isn't the end. Last but not least, if you get a DWI or DUI or any alcohol related incident you will suffer all of the punishments mentioned above as well as a reduction in rank. If you are E4 you'll go down to E3 and so forth.
Overall I think it's easy to see that drinking alcohol isn't worth it. I'm not going to say not to drink at all because I occasionally do. You should however, learn to control it and if you can't control your drinking then it would be wise to stop drinking completly.
The decision is up to you in the end. It's your career, not mine. I've got my career under control.
Some Websites with tips on drinking:
J-RoCK!
Reader Comments (3)
i have i question about the drinking thing. If you get a DUI a couple years before joining the navy can or will it affect your chances of getting in?
Good post!You did a good work,and offer more effective imformation for us!Thank you!
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Great post, I just wanted to add my story. I am a marine with just shy of a year in service. My job has one of the longest and strictest schools in the military for enlisted personell. This weekend some friends and i decided to go out and have a few drinks (I am underage). Long story short we were caught coming back on base. I am now being NJP'd (along with everyone else involved). Judging by previous cases I can pretty much guess the outcome that i will recieve upon returning to class tomorrow. I expect 45/45 restriction, which is restriction to the barracks for 45 days and extra duty. I will also almost certainly get knocked down one rank (which will be pfc), and have my pay cut in half for 2 months. The reason i am posting is because I would concider myself a good marine. I was my class leader, with a great GPA, first class pft/cft, all my MCIs done and with a clean record. I may have just ruined my hopes of a career in the marine corps. DO NOT DRINK, i have already realized how stupid it is to waste so much over something so small. I am now dedicating my time to convincing other junior military members to stay away from underage drinking. Let me be the example, don't ruin your career over something that isn't that great of a time anyway.