My son JUST graduated Navy Boot Camp on July 26th. Before he left, he was a couch potato and while not obese, was “soft”. He did fine. Went from barely 10 pushups to 60. Navy Boot Camp is 9 weeks in Illinois, near Chicago. They are expanding it to 13 weeks in the near future. Then there is training afterward. That depends on the rate, my sons cryptologg course is also 9 weeks. He had several guys in his division that were “computer guys”, but none with any prior training. I was and enlisted wife, I hated it. It was very defining…everyone “knew” who you were supposed to be. I wasn’t. That was 20 years ago, I hope everyones right and things have loosened up. Feel free to email me, I can give to my sons Email address in Pensacola, if you like.
The whole “fifties housewife” = “officer’s wife” is no longer true. It was true at one time, into the '60s and '70s when my Mom was a Navy wife. I was in the Navy myself for 6 years – enlisted. Shortly before I got out I married a fellow enlisted man. After a few years, my husband got a commission. He is now a LCDR (0-4 for those in other services). I had the usual enlisted person’s prejudice against officer’s wives and was extremely apprehensive about becoming one. Turned out, the Navy no longer seems to care what an officer’s spouse is up to – unless it’s something illegal, of course. Most of the zero’s spouses I’ve known have jobs and lives and opinions of their own and spend very little time sweating the Navy line. Many are also ative duty themselves. I’ve known more than a few who kept their maiden names. Really, it’s a different Navy. Lunasea – when we meet at the Norfolk Dopefest (I hope you’re still coming?), I promise not to hold you being the wife of a bubblehead against you, if you promise not to hold me being the wife of an officer against me. 
And, Tubagirl? If your husband is looking for hands-on computer experience you’re better off going enlisted. If you are thinking $$$, officer’s make more but their responsiblity tends to be supervisory rather than hands on. Boot camp is no picnic, but completely survivable. The family separations suck, but are also survivable – with the right kind of attitude, which I’m very sure you’re both capable of cultivating. Someone recommended thinking in 5-year blocks instead of about a 20 year retirement… Good advice. If your husband really enjoys the work and the life retirement-time will be upon you before you even realize it. Good luck and let us all know what you decide!
That’s the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, about halfway between Chicago & Milwaukee. I belive San Deigo & Orlando are still in operation. If Chris opts for Navy and the recruiter signs him up for basic in winter, one of the warmer climes would definately be the place to be. If that had occurred to me 15 years ago, I’d probably wouldn’t have washed out. OTOH, I might be stationed on an aircraft carrier somwhere!
Nope, San Diego and Orlando are closed. It’s Great LAeks or nothing…for the Navy.