Hello, I'm very excited about soon to be joining the navy. I have 9 years combat experiance as an Army Infantry veteran and a Sgt. E-5. I was told I will be able to keep my rank. I HAVE NOT PICKED A JOB YET. I was wondering if there is any major differances besides the obvious ones I will encounter from prior Army Infantry going to the Navy? Like for example if its more "laid back", more PT "intensive", more freedoms to go off base, and the commraderie, as well as food and etc... Also in the Army E-5 is fairly respectable in my opion with a measurable ammount of responsibility, will this be the same as E-5 in the Navy? I'm just curious and know 0% about the Navy.
Thanks again!

All I can say is you are just like everyone from E1-E6, the *** kissing from juniors start at E7 in my opinion.

I disagree with the previous statement.
All I can say is. . .I'd put in a jab about public profiles. . .but I won't.

I feel that I have have had junior sailors and senior sailors (and officers) who have treated me with respect. Sometimes you do have to give some to get some. Being from the Army I'm sure you understand that.
Of course, I am also a submarine sailor. . .and each community is different.

I spent 4 years in the Navy (in the 80's) and my husband is currently in the Army. Of course you will have to learn some of the very obvious differences...head=latrine, the lingo is different. Just like the Army, rank is everything. However, in the Navy, they don't continuously refer to E-5's as NCO's like the Army, but rather petty officers. Know that an Army captain is not the same thing as a Navy Captain, but is equal to a full bird. Navy people have a way better sense of humor than the Army, and practical jokes are the norm, especially to new people arriving at commands. Don't be offended by it, it's a rite of passage. We don't take ourselves as seriously and aren't always in
"I'm going to kick your a%% mode."
One very big difference....The Army believes in leaving "no man behind". In the Navy one of the first things they taught in boot, was if your ship is hit, be prepared to close doors with your shipmates behind them. This is for the greater good. Lest you think these things never happen, they still do on occasion. An oiler struck a tender while I was in...big hole, big fire, and doors had to be closed with a sailor behind it. He was already dead, but the person closing the door had no way of knowing who or how many of his shipmates were behind that door.

From what I can see, daily PT is far more intensive in the Army, just don't get fat....and pass your PT test and all's good.
In the Navy, you will do way more watches than the Army. Same crappy type of watches though. Most places also have 'Duty' about every 4th day, as opposed to 'Duty week' in the Army. So be prepared to give up at least one weekend a month. You will be asked to do things that are out of your 'MOS' on occasion in the Navy, but usually you will get fairly good instruction/training on what you're supposed to do. Navy people are way more flexible and adaptable.
Now, remember, YOU WILL DEPLOY. When this war in Iraq is over, and it is peacetime, YOU WILL DEPLOY. Remember, Navy people deploy in war, and in peace. Might be for a year, might be for 6 months, but expect about 6 -12 months of every couple of years (if you are on shipboard duty). A lot of how long you're deployed depends on what kind of ship you're stationed on. I was in the Navy during peacetime, and our saying was
"if you didn't want to deploy, you should have joined the Army."

Yep, when I joined in a pre-Sept 11th world the Army was mowing lawns mostly.
We were deploying. The service enlistment bonuses actually reflected those differences.
Yes, back then, we were the "hardcore" service. Pro's and Con's. . .

And when your not deploying...your doing drug ops, trainning, exersizes of some form or another, sea trials...the list goes on and on and on!

You will do fine. The biggest difference will be how you are treated. As a SGT and leader of troops you get to lead and you are respected. You won't get that until E7 and rare cases as an E6/5.

I went to jump school as a PO2, and being a November (NCO) I was respected by the PVTs. It took me a while to figure out why they were always popping to parade rest to talk to me. I think the Navy lacks greatly in this respect department. Being an 11 Series too makes you different and you won't have the same leadership opportunities.

The Army and USMC are great to have work for you, for the simple reason that you tell them what to do and they do it. And even more so in the Infantry or Combined Arms. The Navy doesn't always operate this way and the Air Force doesn't attempt to either.

Good luck.