Have not been in the Navy, but a very good friend of mine, his son joined last September. He is now on a destroyer ship in the Persian Gulf on his way to the Suez Canal. Six months at sea, should be home by April of 2009.
His experience, so far, and he went in as an Eagle Scout, which upped his initial rank and pay.
Basic training very intense, rules to abide by, guard watch, limited communications (no cell phones, pagers, or email) intially, priveleges earned, attire code.
You show up for basic training and they take away all your personal possesions that you came with, and give you issue uniforms, which by the way, come out of your pay. Some have their clothes sent back home and others donate their clothes to charity.
Get a nice haircut, if you have wisdom teeth, they'll yank those out compliments of the Naval dentist, when needed.
Could be the best 4 years of your life!! Might even meet a life partner.