little help

rumor has it my son (20) wants to join the military, coming down to talk to me today.

what do i do? support or try and talk him out of it?

If my Son approached me about joining the military, I’d support him as best I could.

At 20 years old, He is old enough to make the right decision. For Himself, not You, not his Mother, not His Girlfriend, for Himself only. Your job at this point in His life is to support Him in whatever He tries to do, as long as it is not illegal or immoral. You can offer guidence as to what you believe, but, He is 20 years old and you could only “push” Him into something that He isnt really willing to accept responsability for. Serving your country is a noble act, and all service men/women should be supported, even if you don’t agree with the current administration or war. Enough said, my $.02 worth!!!!

I would give him my support, he is at the age where he needs to make his own decisions. Even with the war going on there are a lot of opertunities around the world and job’s in the military that do not involve fighting. Just my .02

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rumor has my son (20) wants to join the military, coming down to talk to me today.
what do i do? support or try and talk him out of it?

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Judging by the post your not excited by this situation. It would be very hard for me to not tell my son/daughter how I really felt and what I’d prefer them to do but ulimately they need to stand behind their decision. I for one would be against them joining but then again it is the perfect situation for some young adults.

As exmiltary would support it, try to guide him into a good field. I was a sonar technician on submarines. When I got out after all my training, I had 10 job offers here in the Twincities. One thing I tell people is to us the military as a stepping stone. Because when you are in you will work alot of hrs. Just my .02

thats what im looking for, everybodys .02
i will support him but he has 2 years of college under his belt and i would like to see him finish that first.

My daughter who is also 20 joined the service 3 months ago.
I have always supported my kids in any endeavor. There are a lot of brave young men and women in this country and I am proud of them. She is currently putting in $100 dollars a month for her college education, they have a program. Also I believe they can continue their education while serving. She is just about to Phoneix Az. as we speak where she will be stationed. Some amazing young American kids out there. I for one sure am proud of my Daughter. She’ll like the weather better than here in Montana probably. In reality she is a little frightened but she’ll get over that. Just my 2Cents

just to let you know, he signed up for 6 years in the army special forces. i am very proud of him for doing this, but scared he will get to iraq.
thanks for your remarks everyone it helped me.

Good Luck and tell him we’re all proud of him and praying for him! And please tell him Thank You!

Sit down with him. Have a LONG talk with him about it.

You…..I mean HE needs to decide “WHY” he wants to join.
What is his reasoning?
Does he:
1) Want college money?
2) Learn a trade?
3) Make a career in the military?
OR
4) Did he watch tooo many “Rambo” movies?

Maybe he just wants to be part of something that is “good”?
Maybe he needs to “get away” from home or the “wrong friends” and he knows it?

There is many, many great things about our military. However “military life” is not for everyone.

I would be more than happy to share my experiences over the phone of what “today’s” Army life is like. I have a few years active duty and many years Reserves/Guards. Also still have a few old buddies that are still active duty.

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just to let you know, he signed up for 6 years in the army special forces. i am very proud of him for doing this, but scared he will get to iraq.
thanks for your remarks everyone it helped me.

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I know where you’re coming from… my son is an explosives specialist in the Air Force (as I’ve posted elsewhere, he’s currently stationed at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan). He signed up while still in high school (delayed entry program) – I supported him when he first decided to go that route and I support him now. I’m both darn proud of what he’s doing and quite worried at the same time. Be there for him… the first year or so of training will be the toughest thing he has ever done (especially if he’s special forces). Most of those programs have very high attrition rates – when he makes it through, he’ll have accomplished something great!

I went in to the Army to remove my head from my rear end. My dad was not real happy with the decision but he supported me. I would try to steer him into the Air Force or Navy better quality of life and more likely hood of getting some real life job skills/training. I have been out since 99, things could have change. You just can’t sign up to be in the Special Forces. SF selection would not start until reaching your E-5 status and then you could go into the test to make school. I would not get to worked up about the Special Forces deal. I know you don’t want to here it but there is probably a 98% chance he will be deployed to a hot spot in the Army or Marines. Just try to be supportive. Best of luck to you and your son. My thanks and prayers go out to both of you if he does decide to join.