I'm 19 year old male... I've done a lot of research and am really interested in joining the Navy. I've read all the literature and talked to a lot of people, but I still wanted to hear someone elses perspective. If there was one single thing you could say to convince me of joining... what would it be?

I can only speak from my experience.
You do not want to wake up one day,too old to serve your country,and realize what a terrible mistake you have made by not giving back to your country.
If you are serious in joining, do it,do your best,and don't apologize to anyone.
Don't wake up old and grey and hating yourself for not doing the right thing.
My .02.....

I was in the Marines, but was stationed on Navy ships for over a year. We visited Hawaii (cruised in through Pearl Harbor on the ship), Guam, six trips to the Philippines, about three weeks in Hong Kong, 2 weeks in Thailand (went to Bangkok), about a month in Korea, a week in Sasebo, Japan where we also went to see the A-Bomb museum in Nagasaki, and many other places. I've seen whales off the coast of Japan, sharks, dolphins, flying fish, and rode out a typhoon or two. I once saw three funnel clouds at one time the day after a typhoon. On the ship a thousand miles from land you can see thousands of stars, and even satellites cruising across the sky. On the 4th of July, we had an Independence Day like no other. The big 10 inch guns were fired, Marines fired tracers and popups into the night sky, and the four ships in our group fired more fireworks than I've ever seen. The ocean sparkled with the fireworks overhead.(The fireworks were bought cheap in one of the Asian ports.) One time, a Taiwanese Navy ship almost rammed us, on purpose. Another time, a Soviet plane flew about 500 feet over our deck and we mooned it. (This was in the late 80s.) I also went on a couple of Liberty Cruises, where the Navy pulls into a port for PR. One time, we went to Santa Barbara, California! (The Marines did a beach landing and the Navy showed off the ship.) The Navy organized a dance on the ship the last evening we were there. They only invited the women of Santa Barbara. Well, Santa Barbara is one of the wealthiest towns in America. (The Shah of Iran's sister lives there.) You should have seen the women! I have a thousand more stories, some you wouldn't believe unless you saw it with your own eyes. Overall, a once in a lifetime experience. Don't get a stateside job. Get on a ship and see the world!

Matt: Still need convincing huh? You either want to do it or you don't. The Navy ain't a bad way to serve your country. Its reasonably safe to be a squid. (if that has any bearing on your decision)

Tow Gunners experiences are pretty typical of what we experience as Marines getting taken for a ride by sailors. Trust me, its always one hell of a ride too. We all hand it to the squids as they KNOW how to do it up right.

All the Marines I know and associate with, have a healthy respect for Sailors. (just don't introduce one of them to yer sister or yer momma!)

Matt...
Spend the 1sr 10yrs in the Navy, served on Cruisers and Destroyers. Crossed over to the Air Force on the last 10yrs Retired. Enjoyed both the Navy & Air Force. Depends on what your interest are? In any case good luck...

Enough Said...