Need some insight from other sailors.
Good evening reddit! Posting this on a throw away, because I think this is a silly way to feel, but it's a way I feel all the same.
I'm a second tour DIVO, and my ship's about to go on blocks pretty soon. By the end of this tour, I'll have spent 4 of my 5 years at sea, in availabilities. I joined the Navy to be able to work with Sailors; I love the social aspect of my job, but I feel like i've missed the crucial experiences and moments of what it means to actually be in the Navy, at sea.
I got a single deployment under my belt on my first tour, and it really didn't satisfy the itch. For my second tour, I picked a ship that was supposed to be operational throughout this year, but once I showed up, I was told they're hitting the yards early due to alot of problems that started showing up.
I've really been thinking of what it'd be like if I volunteered for another afloat tour after this one is over. So for my SWOs and officers from other communities: is shore duty actually worth it? I've been debating on things to do for my shore tour; sure it's a reset, and you can get school done, and all these other things. But I never even got the real experience to need a reset from. I've been talking with my detailer, but I wanted to hear from the people here on reddit and see what y'all's experience has been like.
I appreciate any info or feedback you all can provide. Thank you!