Sorry to hear about your troubles. But there will always be times in life like that.
Think carefully before you decide to enlist, however. If you can go to college or have any opportunity to land a decent union job or something (which will likely pay more than what you would make for years out of college) I would look at doing those things first.
If you do decide to enlist, remember a few things.
1) Assume anything the recruiter promises you is a lie unless you get it in writing.
2) Talk to any friends who have enlisted and get their advice. If you don't have any enlisted friends, I'll be your friend
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3) Take a good look at all branches, not just the Navy. Make sure you ask about, and get (in writing) any guarantees for enlistment bonuses you can.
4) Make sure you are prepared to spend a good part of your life being controlled. Not sure about the Navy but most of the time th USMC doesn't let you sleep, eat, sit or s*** unless you are authorized to do so. And it better be quick.
5) Have a plan B. If you enlist elect not to re-enlist or make a career of it, be sure you have some groundwork laid for a civvie job. Choosing a useful MOS that can be applied in civilian life helps a lot. Computer or network-oriented jobs are some of the best for that.
6) Assuming you decide to go ahead with it, ask your recruiter about poolee (persons slated to enlist soon) meetings and attend them.
Ask the military personnel every question that comes to mind. Try to learn some basic drill and marching. It will save you hours and hours of pain and being screamed at.
7) If you want to enlist but have some doubts, join the reserves. If you like it you can always go to active duty, but if you don't like active duty, you can't go to the reserves.
8) Never, NEVEREVEREVEREVEREVEREVER, accept an "open" MOS. 9 times out of 10 you just agreed to take the crappiest job they have available. And for the love of all that is holy, actually READ the contract. Double-check everything. I almost signed up for infantry because my recruiter goofed.
I can really sympathize with your situation. My experience was just a little different but similar overall.
I joined the Marine Corps straight out of high school. I shipped out the day after graduation. I would have to write a book to describe the shock and pain of boot camp. It wasn't so much the physical element that was hard. It was being trapped there, with no freedom to do anything I wanted. When my feet hurt I could not sit down. When I was tired I could not sleep. When I was thirsty I could not drink.
Everything, sometimes down to the slightest movement of my body, could only be done with permission. Sometimes you can't even ask permission. You just have to hope they say "drink water" or "use the head" (bathroom for those who don't know)
I graduated boot camp in August 01. Ten days later I was in Camp Pendelton's School of Infantry and barely a week later 9/11 happened.
Things went downhill from there. My girlfriend left me because she "wasn't going to wait while I went to war". My parents got divorced and my grandfather died, along with my horse.
Half a year later, when I finally got to come home, my life as I knew it was gone.
But, the military does do one thing for people in these situations. If you take your training to heart, and embrace the traditions, you gain a discipline not available anywhere else. For me, failure simply lost its meaning. Because of the Marines I know I can do anything, and no matter how badly things may go for me, or how much a loser I may be at some point in my life, I will always be able to hold my head high and say "I am a true servant of my country, and my people. I have nothing to prove."
Well that about sums it up. Whether the military is right for you or not depends on the kind of person you are. If pride in yourself and doing "what's right" is important to you it may be a good choice. If your sole concern is getting rich or "keeping up with the Joneses" you may be disappointed.
If you choose the Navy, know that it is a fine service, with a long and distinguished history that you can be proud of. Just watch out for those Marines, they think they're sooooooooo cool
P.S. it also comes with the benefit of hundreds of hours of fun shooting the s*** with your enlisted friends, drinking beer and swapping war stories
PM me if you need anything, and good luck!
-the Lance