Great Opportunites and Pride, but Poor Work/Life Balance - Naval Officer US Navy Employee Review

4.0
Jul 15, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There is an incredible opportunity to lead other people at a young age while learning about a wide variety of topics. This career can change completely every two years depending on what your current billet is. The benefits are unsurpassed. Retirement at 20 years and full medical benefits for life. Tuition reimbursement, bonuses, life insurance, you name it, the US Navy gives it.

Cons

The work life balance does not exist. While on a ship, expect to be at sea more than half of the time. Deployments overseas last 6-8 months. Training to go overseas includes 1.5 month stints underway as well. When the ship is in port, working hours can be good (7-8 hours) or they can get bad (12-24 hours) While assigned to a shore command, you are likely to be called up to augment the US Army in Iraq or Afghanistan for a 9-15 month tour. The country is at war. I understand that there is no easy fix for that, but it is a large downside.

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5.0
Feb 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

its a job and they pay you

Cons

not much to say about it

5.0
Jun 3, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It is what you make out of it. You'll have good days and bad days. It's all dependent on your leadership. That can make or break the command. Medical is free, but can take a while to get seen. You'll meet a lot of new people and could travel around the world depending on your duty station. Education benefits and training.

Cons

Medical can take a while to get seen, unless it's an emergency. If you're single, the pay isn't that great, but you don't have to much to worry about for bills if you live on base. If you're on sea duty billet, your work life balance will be terrible.

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