what is the shortest term you can serve in the navy?
I am currently interested in possibly joining the navy. I want to become a k9 police officer and having navy experience in law enforcement is an excellent reference, i was recently told that you have to serve atleast four years in the navy before you can leave. is this true or could i serve for like 3 years then apply for a police job here in the states???????


If you were to join the Navy Reserve you only have to spend 2 years on active duty. The drawback is you have to join and attend reserve activities 1 weekend a month and two week of active duty a year for the 6 years.
The Navy changes the rules all the time. Once upon a time you could serve 2 years active duty with a 6 year individual ready reserve contract. The ready reserve are just “on call”. They may have done away with that now but the usual enlistment is equal to 8 years, some active, some inactive. 2 by 6 / 3 by 5 / 4 by 4 etc…
For your MOS (job) you would be looking at a min of 4 years with a possibility of 6 if you wished to train in any speciality like seals, or swat. Its is worth the time. you can only suceed in this world with hard work. There is no short cut to success, no matter what the commercials say.
Good luck, you can do it!
There are many programs. Some will let you serve fewer active duty years if you agree to serve in the active reserve after active duty.
All enlistments, for all services, are for 8 years. The only question is how much will be active duty.
4 years is the minimum you can serve. make sure you have it in your contract BEFORE you leave for basic that you want to become an MA.
Call to service. 18 months active duty. 6 years Reserves. You cannot do this for all the rates.
The minimum amount is 4 years (Active). Before you go off to Basic, make sure you sign up for Master-At-Arms (Navy’s Law Enforcement). Basic Training: 2 ½ – 3 months. MA “A” School: 7-9 weeks (San Antonio, TX or Norfolk, VA). If you are wanting to do K9 training, you must go to “C” School (I’m not sure how long that is). My boyfriend is in the Reserves as a MA. The only choice for him was 8 years. One drill weekend a month. 2 weeks of annual training, your training can be anywhere (states or other countries). My boyfriend’s drill unit goes to GITMO Cuba. Before you sign any papers. Make sure you ask QUESTIONS.
shortest Navy AD contracts are 4 years. No more 3 year ratings and NCS is no longer an option.
all contracts are for eight ears total and stop loss, though rare in the Navy, is a possibility.