Pay

Yes, your pay starts the day you get to boot camp. Newly enlisted Sailors start out at the E-1 pay grade, but there are exceptions. You may also be eligible for additional bonuses and allowances. Talk to a recruiter for more information.

New recruits may earn an enlistment bonus based on their rate.

Earn Special Pay for hazardous duty, advanced skills like aviation or high-demand roles such as health care.

Sea Pay, Submarine Duty Pay, Hardship Duty Pay and Tax Exclusion are available based on location of service.

The Navy will help pay for housing with allowances provided to Sailors living off-base. Allowances will vary depending on rank, rate, housing location and dependents.

As with any career path, Sailors are eligible for raises and promotions based on performance, accumulated years of service, and needs of the Navy. In addition, Congress generally authorizes a military pay raise every year to reflect cost-of-living increases.

WE WILL PAY FOR SCHOOL

Knowledge may be free, but education is increasingly expensive. The Navy helps Sailors pay for college and education. With programs like NROTC, Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill and many more, the Navy will help you earn your degree. We won’t take the tests for you, though — the hard part is still on you. Contact a recruiter for more information about education opportunities.

Learn more about undergraduate degree opportunities or explore graduate-level and specialized program opportunities.

Ambition and work ethic are rewarded in the Navy. Regardless of what job function or pay grade you have upon entering the Navy, promotions are standardized and everyone has an equal opportunity to progress to the next level based on individual performance and the needs of the Navy.

LEARN NEW SKILLS

As one of the most technologically superior forces in the world, we encourage hands-on training to advance specialized interests. Our training centers catapult you toward your career goals by developing skills that will serve you well both in the Navy and beyond. If there’s a job in the civilian world you like, we have the training to prepare you to be the best at it. Find your career now.

LEAD

As you progress in your career, you will obtain more responsibility and, with that, more freedom to lead a team to mission success. The further you progress in your career, the more we rely on you to set an example as a leader. Your training will prepare you for this crucial role.

NAVY COOL PROGRAM

Through the Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) Program, you can translate your training into certificates and credentials that can solidify coveted jobs for you in the future. By the end of your Navy career, you’ll not only have new skills and experiences, but also the credentials to back them up.

HEALTH

The Navy is in a unique position to offer premier health insurance coverage through its very own fleet of top doctors, nurses, dentists and surgeons with Navy Health Care. World-class health insurance is available to you and your family at all military medical and dental facilities, as well as for special services that require outside providers. Discover more information about Navy health care coverage.

LIFE

Life insurance in the Navy is not taken lightly. When you put your life in our hands, we make sure you and your family are taken care of with term life insurance under the Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) plan and the Family Servicemember's Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) plan. Earn up to:

• $500,000 of full-time coverage for you.
• $100,000 of full-time coverage for your spouse.
• $10,000 automatic coverage at no cost for dependents.

NAVY RESERVE SAILORS

Navy Reserve Sailors and their families are also eligible for coverage through the Department of Defense Health Care Program, TRICARE. This program combines civilian and armed services health resources, offering complete health care coverage.

WE SERVE YOU THE WORLD

Adventure seekers, pay attention. This is your ticket to traveling the world with perks no civilian could ever access. With over 100 ports of call around the world in every time zone, you can expect to travel far and wide, if you choose.

• Receive 30 days of paid vacation time.
• Fly standby for a fraction of the cost.
• Receive priority boarding on most airlines.
• Stay at military facilities for lodging that’s more affordable than a hotel when traveling.
• Take advantage of recreational facilities like bowling alleys, movie theaters and private beaches on bases around the globe.

GET PAID TO RETIRE

As life gets more expensive and lasts longer, more Americans find themselves unable to retire easily. Sailors who serve 20 years receive a guaranteed steady retirement income. In some cases, it’s possible to retire with a monthly paycheck by age 38 ­– freeing up time for travel, family and passions. With military retirement pay on top of what you will have saved through the Thrift Savings Plan, you can play the long game — and win.

Calculate what you could earn with the military retirement calculator.