The grass is not always greener on the other side. Make sure you know what you’re getting into.
I would much prefer to sit behind a desk for the rest of my career. Lots of red tape and bureaucracy as well. Loads and loads of it.
Hot steel decks (or bone chilling freezing), eating three meals a day with your boss and others who you may or may not like. Months and months away from home. Hard physical work. 7 days a week, crazy hours.
That being said, you can have a rewarding career but it’s not for everyone. One day I hope to transition ashore.
Most officers end up transitioning to shore. Generational sailors aren’t a thing anymore. Hawsepipers are barely a thing anymore. Today it’s kids that grew up on daddy’s Boston whaler center console in Nantucket or Long Island or Galveston bay and found out you can make 100+k a year at 22. Call me crazy but I feel like the idea of the true sailor is dying rapidly. Half of em can’t even tie a clove hitch.
I transitioned to a day boat. I get to sleep in my own bed at night and still get an equal time schedule. The pay isn’t as good but the trade off was worth it. Hopefully I can retire here.