One of the senior crewmen marvels at the willingness of junior crew to work so hard for so little compensation. I think he’s just thinking of monetary rewards. Sure, you could work at McDonald’s for minimum wage, but you’re not working towards qualifications. For many, the Nimitz is a floating school. It’s a way to get paid for learning.
Then there’s the free medical care (including Lasik eye surgery), free dental care, education benefits, re-enlistment benefits, travel (how many McDonald’s employees go sight-seeing in Hong Kong?) and a glowing addition to the resume?
It happens outside the Navy too. Just one example: I sometimes encourage clients to consider transitioning to the Internet by becoming a Virtual Assistant – supplying basic services to experienced Internet business owners. Some balk at the notion of being an “assistant,” starting at a low hourly rate, or doing some fairly straightforward tasks.
But the rewards are high. An experienced marketer can teach you more in six months than you’d learn in six years….and they’re paying you. Lots of high-powered Internet marketers started this way. I had a backup “day job” or I would have too.
Like I tell all my clients: Think “Marketability First.”