Your willingniess to step up and serve is to be commended.  This is not a cop-out to say, but need to spend some time with some recruiters...and I would make a point to talk to several if possible. The Navy is in a transition phase right now (economy and lack of goverenment support/funding) and where it will be in a year or two is anybodies guess.  We have some Navy folk onboard...go to Members and search for Craig and Chief West...they can probaly answer some quesitons. We also have a Ask A Recruiter group...yu might try posting questions there as well.  I have a link at home for a great on-line ASVEB prep "course"...if I don't send that when I get a chance over th enext day or two, bug me for it....migth as well get used to what kind of questions you'll have to answer...the better you do..the better your chances.

Pay...not very good, but with a familiy, I cannot say....something to explore with other that have been down the road....

here is that ASVAB link....Navy man Craig says this is the best study guide he has run across.....ASVAB guide

suggestion...you can download this as a PDF (about 3.5Mb) and study at your leisure....

Also check out our DEP group....lots of info there for delayed entry sailors....