Navy — shortest term?
HI,
I was wondering, what is the shortest length of time one can spend in the navy? In other words what is the minimum number of years someone would have to serve?
I am supposed to recieve my BS. this yr., around December and I was thinking about joining the Navy… thought about the Air Force as well but my vision isn’t perfect.
I have been researchign them both however I don’t recall seeing the minimum service requirement for either of them.
I would be an officer. I’m not sure if they would consider my Legal Studies degree suiting for specially skills classification though. I sort of like the idea fo being in JAG.
The minimum time issue has to do with the fact that I want to go to law school.
Serving in the military was my way of paying a debt .. so to speak.
After which I can go home.
“RockandRoll” I know the military isn’t a social club. I don’t have to do it . I don’t need to do it. It was simply a thought… a possible way to give back to a country that isn’t even mine!


If you have special skills, you could probably negotiate it – but be very careful what you sign. If it’s not clear, or leaves too many holes open – don’t sign. The Armed Forces are notorious for loopholes in contracts.
enlist or officer?
If you’re so worried about how LITTLE you will serve, why even bother serving at all ?
You don’t need perfect vision to join the AF (unless you plan on flying…then the Navy does too).
Are you wanting to be an officer? Speak to a recruiter about OTS.
For the AF:
For the Navy:
If you just want to go enlisted to serve your country, I believe the current minimum is 3 years.
EDIT:
You will definitely need to contact someone. Start with a local recruiter, or even better, if your college has it, the ROTC program.
Your situation may be ideal for that…they will pay for your law degree, and you will get some experience as well before you move on to the big bucks of the civilian world. Then again, you may enjoy the military life so much you stay with it!
I’m sorry I don’t know the minimum contract time…I’m guessing here: 5 years after school is over and you are commissioned as an officer.
There IS NOT a short term military enlistment.
The US Armed Forces IS NOT a Social Club!!!!!
If you want to be an officer, I am guessing that they would make you do 4 years at least. Enlisted you could do a National Call to Service contract, which I believe is two years. The only downside to NCS contracts is that they have fewer job choices, I think.
If you want to be an officer, talk to an OSO (officer selection officer); if you want to enlist, talk with a recruiter. A recruiter might be able to tell you who the OSO is for your area.
Good luck.
I think it would be either 4 or 6 years. You of course would have to go through some sort of commissioning school. That would be included in your time. I can’t say for sure but I just mostly wanted to say good luck with your decision.
The military has some good options for paying back loans and some good people to network with. It looks great on a resume and who knows, you might even love it and make it a career.
Seems like you got some negative feedback and I just wanted to say good luck.
4-5 years at least. As far as JAG goes, you have to be an actual attorney to be a JAG officer. What you will probably end up doing is becoming an administrative officer until you finish your law degree and pass the Bar exam.
I believe i read on about.com the other night that the minimum is 4 years active duty, then you will have to serve 4 years of inactive, meaning you can join the reserves for 4 yrs or they have the entitlement to call you if they need you anytime during that 4 year span. Which makes it a total of 8 years. If you do decide to join, make sure you have anything the recruiter promises in writing signed.