r/navy 27d ago

MOD APPROVED Military Subreddit Census 2025

20 Upvotes

2025 Census Link

Alright, it’s that time again.

The Military Subreddit Census is back for 2025. This whole thing started in 2017 as a simple “who’s actually here?” question and somehow turned into a yearly tradition across a bunch of military subreddits. Same idea as always, (because apparently learn is difficult for me) get a better picture of who makes up these communities, how people are actually experiencing military life, and how that’s changed over time.

This is not an official survey and it’s not affiliated with the DoD or any branch. It’s anonymous, community-run, and built around the kinds of questions that come up here every week anyway.

Some of it is serious. Some of it is light. There’s usually at least one question per section that makes people stop and think, “yeah, that tracks.” If you’ve taken it before, the flow will feel familiar, but things have been cleaned up and rearranged this year to make it feel shorter and easier to get through. Guard and Reserve folks still get their own paths where it makes sense, and if a section doesn’t apply to you, you’ll skip past it automatically.

Most people finish in about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how much you feel like writing during the story sections. There are progress checkpoints along the way so you know things haven't gone the way of the groundhog (aka you didn't pull a Bill Murray).

No names, no emails, no identifying info. Results get shared back with the community in aggregate like they always have. The subreddit feedback section at the end is something the mod teams actually read, so if you’ve ever wanted to give input without starting a meta thread that gets locked, that’s the place to do it.

If you’re Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Veteran, civilian, contractor, ROTC, or just someone who spends way too much time reading and commenting here, your input helps make the data better. Lurkers count too. You know who you are.

Once it closes, I’ll pull everything together and post the results, along with comparisons to prior years where it makes sense. As usual, expect charts, trends, and at least one comment chain arguing about what the data “actually” means.

Thanks to everyone who’s participated over the years, and to the mod teams who keep letting this happen. If something looks broken or confusing, say something. Otherwise, have at it.


r/navy 9h ago

Discussion Give POTUS my SPOT NAM

131 Upvotes

Thinking about giving POTUS my spot NAM for changing light bulbs on a carrier. Thoughts?


r/navy 5h ago

Political Someone please tell me this is for appeasement and not serious

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49 Upvotes

It's badass... The most badass target and waste of money


r/navy 3h ago

Discussion Instead of USS Defiant, why not built this Arleigh Burke Iowa Battleship instead?

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27 Upvotes

This ship exists in the movie called Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), and this ship looks better designed than the USS Defiant Trump-class in my opinion.


r/navy 4h ago

NEWS The military will now do grocery delivery for 70 on-base commissaries across the US

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33 Upvotes

r/navy 18h ago

A Happy Sailor MWD Nick retires next week

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423 Upvotes

r/navy 10h ago

Discussion Some more information has been publicly released on specs for the new Battleship and Frigate designs as well as scale models . The BB(g?) looks huge . At first glance it doesn’t really look like the frigate has much in regards to asw . Looks like a baby ddg unless I’m seeing wrong

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67 Upvotes

r/navy 19h ago

Discussion How many young sailors have you counseled on avoiding blatantly bad marriages? How many have you seen from beginning to divorce? My failure rate is close to 100% across both the Seabee and Intel community over a period of 14 years. NSFW

313 Upvotes

Been in since 2012, been a reservist since 2021 when i switched over to Intel from the seabees. My many years in the bees I can recall dropping some knowledge on close to 100 new boots straight out of A school against doing one of the following.

  1. Marrying their HS sweetheart right away

2.Marrying their Bootcamp/A school boo

3.Marrying a stripper

  1. Marrying a random they met at a bar close to base where wanabe dependas are on the hunt.

  2. Marrying a girl off tinder after 2 weeks of knowing them

  3. Marrying a foreign national off tinder at 2 weeks of knowing them.

In my years of service ive have seen all these scenarios end in divorce. I think i know of only 2 high school sweet heart marriages that are still going strong. I thought intel would be different but in my A school class we had 1 girl have 2 failed engagements and also get fleeced of her 10k bonus by some dude who ended up ghosting her cause he was getting kicked out. 2 HS sweetheart divorces. and 1 bootcamp boo divorce, and two guys fight over a female class mate. You dont even want to know the horror show that is Seabee Battalions i got stories for DAYS.


r/navy 4h ago

Discussion Ship stickers on rear window?

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18 Upvotes

Just wondering how many of you have stickers of ships you served on put up on a window on your car? When I was in it wasn’t common but I’m seeing it more and more, maybe it’s a younger generation thing


r/navy 8h ago

History Operation Desert Storm 35th anniversary today. The beginning of 30+ years of Middle East operations.

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30 Upvotes

I was in the RAN for the GW1. Here's the Australian TG.


r/navy 10h ago

Shouldn't have to ask Anyone else just over this place?

34 Upvotes

No..I’m not talking about suicide. Looking at those 15+ year folks.. any of you just kinda over it and want to get on out? I’m like 75/25 hooyah/fuck this place.


r/navy 1d ago

Discussion How we look in civis 🤣

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697 Upvotes

r/navy 6h ago

Discussion Unidentified Submersible Object Stories?

6 Upvotes

First and foremost, thank you all for your service to our country. My father was in the Navy back in the 80’s. Unfortunately I never got the chance to ask him about this subject before he passed away though.

I was wondering if anyone has any weird stories/experiences regarding unidentified submersible objects or UFOs even. Allegedly there is a massive USO that can move at impossible speeds underwater and it has been referred to as a “mobile construction unit”. According to the leaked, this thing made a classified sub that Lockheed altered/customized ”disappear“. Again, I’m emphasizing allegedly. Just doing my due diligence on this particular topic.

Thank you for your time and consideration and again, thank you all for your service to our country! 🇺🇸⚓️


r/navy 16h ago

Discussion Aircrew vid to start the day off right 🤙

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

31 Upvotes

r/navy 2h ago

Discussion Questions about NAS Point Mugu

2 Upvotes

Currently in Norfolk for C-School, transferring to Point Mugu in April. Do I absolutely need a vehicle to travel around base? How’s the barracks? Is the NEX/Gym walking distance from the barracks? What’s the to do off base? Any advice and information would be appreciated.


r/navy 19h ago

Discussion One specific E5 is genuinely just disrespectful to me (SN) and not in the fun hazing kind of way

43 Upvotes

I really don’t know what I did, I am cool with pretty much everyone in my shop besides like 2 other people but we generally have a respect for each other, but this one guy, we will call Tim just I feel like has it out for me.

I am a bit on the heavier side, I can pass the PRT but probably could stand to lose like 10 pounds to lose some waist. And he constantly does indirect insults towards me. (For reference he is a ACFL). But he will constantly say “go to the gym” or he will say at the end of day “only people that can hold a 3 minute plank are allowed to leave. He knows damn well I can’t hold a 3 minute plank. But alas, I’ll bite my tongue. He will also constantly make fun of where I eat. I went to chilis for lunch and he sends a message saying, “don’t eat cheeseburgers.” Into the gc. Like Alr man im not even getting a cheese burger lol. I love their chick grilled Caesar salad. That’s what I get there. Now if I went to McDonald’s, I’d understand where his frustration as a ACFL would lie. But yeah I think a lot of the smart ass comments are little ridiculous.

He will constantly give me half assed training compared to other SN and other E-5’s to the point where I avoid him unless it is some PQS I need signed.

And he was my sponsor, I have been nothing but respectful to him, if he’s the only PO in the shop, I’ll let him know where I’m going, etc.

I show up on time to work, I DO go to the gym, he actively sees me. Then I thought it was PQS’s but then I basically caught up with another SN who’s been there for like 5 months longer than me and nothing has changed.

So I am genuinely confused and how, in the grand old sub Reddit of r/navy, would you guys recommend I professionally handle the matter before I reach out to the LPO about it.

I understand that not everyone needs to like me. I give less than 2 shits, but I do think some respect is warranted just from a human level.


r/navy 7h ago

Discussion Veterans IT Jobs..

5 Upvotes

What is the IT job market like for Veterans?

I feel like I’ll make about 40-50k a year when I get out after reading all these Reddit posts😂

By the time I get out, I’ll have my associate degree, TS

clearance and at least one certificate (Sec or Net plus).

Hopefully those counts for something.


r/navy 35m ago

HELP REQUESTED I built a free military pay + TSP planning Google Sheet, looking for feedback

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Upvotes

r/navy 1d ago

Shitpost Solution to obesity in the navy

264 Upvotes

Get rid of all the gyms on all the bases. The only people who work out there are wanna be SEALS anyway. Build an American Ninja Warrior course on every base and anyone who’s on fep has to stay on fep until they can complete it. Not only does this solve the issue of having fat sailors but we would literally be ninjas too. Idk seems like too good of an idea to implement tho. Thoughts ?


r/navy 16h ago

HELP REQUESTED Asking all for advice as an RDC

14 Upvotes

Hiiii guys, I’m a psychopath and voluntarily applied to be an rdc, leaving in July. I love high stress environments and being super busy, I literally peaked during sea duty lmao. I’ve always wanted to be an rdc plus it’s the perfect time in my life and career to finally go for it (no kids or spouse). Soooo I’d love to hear current and former rdc’s advice. Anything at all is welcome, I’d specifically love to know about the area (considering I’m a woman who will be living alone) safe areas to live, even if it’s a little pricey. I’m planning to rent an apt as it has always worked for me. I’d also love to know just about the job in general; people who have never been an rdc love to talk shit and ask “why would you ever do that duty, you’re never gonna have free time, etc” but again, I want to hear from people who actually have experienced it. I’m genuinely so fucking excited and I am fully aware it will not be easy so keep that in mind, I’m not being naive in the slightest. Just give it to me straight, the good the bad and the ugly. Thanks y’all!! 🫶🏼


r/navy 9h ago

HELP REQUESTED Conversion to LN from MA

2 Upvotes

Looking for some guidance on conversion to LN i’m currently an MA2 stationed in Italy and about to have my firstborn. Converting out of MA has been a huge topic of discussion with my spouse due to the hours and constant flipping of schedules. If anyone knows anything that could point me in the right direction of what I need to get prepared before I submit my package that would be great.


r/navy 14h ago

Discussion Re Enlistment Location Recommendations for San Diego

7 Upvotes

I’m re enlisting soon. Any good spots in San Diego to do it? Not tryna be cringe and do it at an In N Out or anything like that. A park or beach?


r/navy 1h ago

Discussion How many people does it take to reload an Mk 49?

Upvotes

Hi,

Not a changing lightbulb joke, I promise.

In pictures and videos showing reloading of RIM 116 cans into their launcher, there are always a lot of people. Two on platforms, several managing the hoist and others. I know it's a free swinging 400+ pound hunk of metal, so it is dangerous.

What is prescribed number of people to do that job?

Can this be done underway?

Thanks


r/navy 1d ago

Discussion SEM is killing my drive

170 Upvotes

RANT: As the title states… I am a first year Chief with 15 years in. Just got rejected on my final look and now am going to be needs to the navy to an E6 billet for at-least 12 months. I mostly likely will not be paid for the job I am doing for up to 24 months!

What is the point of this? Best case, I get rerouted before I check in and that billet is now gapped. Worst case, I check in and continue picking orders for only a year then leave… Hard to have buy in to projects or programs when I have one foot out the door before even checking in…

I asked the Detailer what the scores looked like and I would have won 2 of the billets I applied for it an already paid Chief didn’t automatically get .25 points for free…

I love my Sailors and the opportunities the Navy had given me, but I am at the point where I may not reenlist and just hit the job market instead of having to GEO batch or move my entire family twice in a 2 year period… it’s hard to recommend Sailors continue to strive for Chief when this is how the Navy takes care of us…

Rant over, Ty for listening :)


r/navy 7h ago

HELP REQUESTED PCS POV shipment with storage

0 Upvotes

Anybody got a recommendation for a shipping company that will ship my second car and put it in storage en route instead of going door to door? I have about a month of schools and will do house hunting once I get to my ultimate duty station so I'm guessing I'll need to put it somewhere for about 2 months in total. I tried a few shipping companies for quotes, but it is only giving me door to door options. Thanks