Navy won't let me go to sea, so if I am going to sit behind a desk, I may as well get paid twice for it.
You are a better man than me. I got out of the Navy at the end of my active obligation because I did not want to go back to sea.
First 6 years of service was enlisted with the U.S.M.C, VMFA-232, 77-83, as a structural mechanic for F-4's.
Always land based, and dreaded the possibility of being stationed on an aircraft carrier, never was.
I like the ocean, boogie boarding, surfing, but never cared for being stuck on a boat.
Southern NJ, on edge of national forest reserve, Pinelands.
My first 5 were as an enlisted nuclear machinist mate, the last 25 have been as a submarine officer. Sea is hard, away from the family and I missed half of my 24-year-old daughter's birthdays (marginally better ratio on my son's b-days). But the chance to lead sailors has been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I had one sailor, I took to CO's mast twice. Most guys would kick the kid off the ship and out of the Navy at that point. I kept working him for three years. He just made Chief last year. When I left command he called me his Navy Dad - I disciplined him when he needed it, but he always knew I cared and wanted his success. Aside from being a parent, those experiences and that impact are hard to match.
Not to mention there is a ton of fun to be had. One of my Junior Officers (Justin) had a little brother on a different ship in San Diego. I let Justin run an approach and attack on his brother's ship, including some great periscope pictures of the destroyer in the cross hairs. Then I let him email his brother the pictures (I may have sent them to the ship's CO as well).
Submarines Once, submarines twice....