Andrew Bell Bigelow – Navy

Eagle Eye: When and why did you decide to join the military?

Andrew Bell Bigelow: “I joined in July 2017. I joined because I wasn’t happy at the point I was in my life, I had a plan after high school and it failed. So I needed to do something to get back on track.”

EE: Why did you choose the branch of the military you are in?

AB: “I would like to say I didn’t choose the branch I joined honestly speaking. The Navy recruiter had reached out to me a few months back before I joined and at the point I was at, I remembered and went for it.”

EE: Tell us a little bit about your basic training experience.

AB: “Basic wasn’t all that bad on what it is made out to be, you become part of the United States Military so it should be harder than anything you’ve yet to encounter in your life. My most vivid memory of basic is the night I got there, lots of yelling and screaming filled the hallway, and as one of the instructors got close to utter some words to me, I could smell cigarette/coffee breathe emerge from his mouth. It was the most foul thing I ever smelled. To this day I can smell the stench.”

EE: If you are in active duty, what is your experience so far?

AB: “My experience so far has been both good and not so good. It has given me lots of insight, not only on life in general but also about the type of person I want to become, and the type of person I do not want to become. Also has given me many opportunities to do what I want to do and complete goals that I now have.”

EE: What advice would you give for students thinking of joining the military?

AB: “Have a plan, do research, know what career path you want to pursue, and do not let your recruiters push you into a job you don’t want to do. It’s your future make it the way you want it to be, no one else.”

EE: What are your future goals? What specific job in your branch do you hope to do?

AB: “I finally have the job that I wanted after two years of service. When I first joined I was an Administration Clerk, which I didn’t mind but it wasn’t for me, now I have become a Seabee which is the Naval Construction Force in which I absolutely love. Future goals are to travel across the pond and visit some different countries, and to finish my tour with an honorable discharge.”