Hey buddy, I'm a Navy guy also. I'm still fresh in the Navy so I'm still up on the workings of MEPS, DEP, bootcamp, and "A" school. I've also been deployed, and I know a few ACs, so hopefully I can offer you a little insight.
First and foremost, get AC in your contract. If it means leaving a little later, then by all means do it. Once your in the system, (enlisted, or first time to MEPS) you can tell you recruiter to let you now of there are any earlier openings to leave for bootcamp. This happens frequently as people drop from DEP, or bootcamp, which then leads to the Navy sending out another billet for an AC for the date in which this person was assigned. Asked for bonuses, these days pretty much any rate will have a $3000 to $6000 dollar enlistment bonus. Usually you may need to extend your contract by 1, or 2 years in order to get the bonus. I know though, AC is an automatic 5-year enlistment. This is because the intense schooling you will go through. It's not an overnight, "hey read this book and your an ATC" type of thing, it's taking a fresh high-school grad, and giving him the responsibility of controlling 10+ military aircraft in the sky. Pretty cool though! The good thing with the Navy is when to go to MEPS the second time, or right before you leave for bootcamp, everything is said and done and your already scheduled to attend AC "A" school. None of this "we'll see when you get to bootcamp" stuff like other branches may have. So it's up to you to make it to "A" school. An easy task!
As for as life as an AC. Well I would say there ship/shore percentages are almost the same. You'll have a good shot at going to a ship, or to a land base. Each has it's pros and cons. If your young, single, and like to have a good time, I'd say go for sea duty on a ship. If you want a "normal" lifestyle, want more time for college, hobbies, family, go for a shore duty. I don't know how they assign initial commands down there in airdale land, but for engineers we go straight to ships, and a 5 year sea tour.
If you go to a ship, you'll most likely go to a CVN, LHD, or LHA. Life will be really good on these ships as they have the best QOL. Internet underway, college professors on board, a galley that never closes, sea pay, and the big one, the chance to see the world. Now, let me just say though, these larger ships are capable of being at sea for some time. Most deployments are 6 months. Carriers have been running 7, 8, sometimes 9 month deployments. My buddy is on the John C. Stennis, a carrier, which is on an 8 month deployment. My next boat, the Harry S. Truman, also a carrier leaves in November of this year for a 7 month deployment. Yes, it may seem like a long time, but believe me, it flies by. You'll see a huge amount of the world, eh and a lot of water. You'll have the opportunity to make a great deal of money as most of your time will be in a hazardous duty area, as well as a tax free zone. And did I mention the sunset in the middle of the Atlantic ocean is bar none!
...and remember, if you chose to be a sailor, remember this, sailors belong on ships, and ships belong at sea.
There are probably many pros to being shore based, but since I am on a ship I don't have the credentials to comment on shore duty. The biggest plus would probably be the added time to take college classes. Something I wish I had more time to do myself. It can be done on a ship, and believe me many are doing it including myself, it is just a little harder.
So after ONE whole year in the Navy, and at 19 years old. *that's not saying very much.* I've been to: Portugal, Spain, France, Greece, Crete, Bahrain, Seychelles, and Djibouti. I've crossed the Atlantic twice, I've transited the Suez Canal by ship, I've earned enough money to finish my PPL, and get a good portion of my instrument finished, and have earned 22 college credits towards an associates degree in Marine Engineering. It's been a crazy year, and something I'll never forget. All of my friends who went on to 4-year universities can't even touch what I've done this past year.
All aside man, if I could go back a year and a half, I'd still join the Navy. It's been an incredible opportunity for me to mature and really learn about life, and what it's like to grow up. You may have a few moments of doubt and uncertainty along the way, I know I did, and it's completely normal, but when you sit down and look at the big picture you will realize it was the best decision of your life. Do I think I'll be better prepared to chase my dream of becoming an airline pilot when I get out? Absolutely. You'll soon realize the military in general is going to give you the confidence, and motivation to go out and accomplish anything you want. You'll come out a more disciplined and committed person than before you went in, trust me. After one year of this, I know I've change, my family knows I've change, and especially my friends. And for the better! You'll walk taller, stand prouder, and most of all, when you walk pass someone on the street, or in the store, you'll know because of you're sacrifice, you're honor, and you're commitment, they're freedoms are still there, and won't be getting taken away anytime soon!
Go for it man!
Anyways, If you do join and have to wait till January, all the time you're in the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) counts towards your reserve commitment at the end of your enlistment. So say you do 7 yrs active duty, you will have one year of reserve duty time. Yeah it's actually an 8 yrs contract!:hiya: 4-5 active and 3-4 reserve. It doesn't have to be active reserve which is the one weekend a month;two weeks a year, but can be inactive which you are in the reserves but do not actively drill. Though you are still eligible to be recalled to active duty depending on your rate and how bad your reserve unit needs to man itself. But you can subtract the accrued time you were in the DEP program from your reserve commitment which is cool. Just somemore pertinant info for you.
You must have some allotments or you're getting taxed to death! You're an E-4 now, go out and live in town and get BAS and BAH man screw livin on the boat, plus you get more pocket change!