How to Tell Parents That I Want to Enlist (Possibly)

[TallBill]

As an Army Sergeant, I'll give you my 2 cents.

If you want to enlist, do it. Yes, your parents opinion must be respected, but the Army doesn't want children that need mommy's approval. If you enlist, you will grow up quick, but the beauty of the situation is that you are in control of your life. Its your decision to make, not your parents.

Anyways, if you do decide to enlist, and have questions, please feel free to shoot some my way via pm or email, or catch me on AIM - "tallb1ll"

A few years enlisted in the military will do phenomenal things for anyone that takes it seriously and gives it their all. And active duty is the way to go.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: ryan256
I'll give you the same advice my father, a 20 year veteran from the Air Force gave me.
DO NOT ENLIST!! That said if you still want to go into the armed forces join the ROTC unit at your local college. That way once you graduate you will be commissioned as an officer on top of having a college degree. My father was sweet talked by a recruiter and never got to finish his degree. He now believes its the single greatest mistake of his life. The doors that close when you have no degree are too numerous to count. There are plenty of well paying jobs in the computer field he could easily do as he has 10+ years experience doing that exact same job for the Air Force. But employers also want a college degree and hence won't really talk to him.

Thats what the GI bill is for. Not to mention all of time he had while enlisted. I've taken a few classes, even while deployed. He didn't get a degree because he didn't get a degree, not because the Air Force prevented him.

 

[cmdrmoocow]

I'd definitely try the ROTC method first - you'll get a better position and get a degree.

And if you go Air Force ROTC, try your darndest to get into Embry-Riddle Aero University. There might be equivalents to ERAU elsewhere for the other branches, but I don't know them offhand.

 

[ryan256]

Originally posted by: RCN
Your dad couldn't manage to get a degree in 20 years?

He enlisted in '69 and retired in '89. Back then college wasn't the necessity it is now.

Originally posted by: TallBill
Thats what the GI bill is for. Not to mention all of time he had while enlisted. I've taken a few classes, even while deployed. He didn't get a degree because he didn't get a degree, not because the Air Force prevented him.

The GI Bill in its current form did not exist when he enlisted. At that time only Vietnam veterans were eligible for the majority of the benefits. He was never in combat. It was not until '84 that everyone became eligible.
The Air Force didn't prevent him from getting a degree? Then why do I remember waiting up those many years for him to come home from his second job he had to get just to make ends meet? Ever try to support a family of 4 on what the Air Force used to pay enlisted personel??

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Trikat
Be a sniper. You know that's the best role in a FPS game.

and bunny hop!

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: RCN
Your dad couldn't manage to get a degree in 20 years?

He enlisted in '69 and retired in '89. Back then college wasn't the necessity it is now.

Originally posted by: TallBill
Thats what the GI bill is for. Not to mention all of time he had while enlisted. I've taken a few classes, even while deployed. He didn't get a degree because he didn't get a degree, not because the Air Force prevented him.

The GI Bill in its current form did not exist when he enlisted. At that time only Vietnam veterans were eligible for the majority of the benefits. He was never in combat. It was not until '84 that everyone became eligible.
The Air Force didn't prevent him from getting a degree? Then why do I remember waiting up those many years for him to come home from his second job he had to get just to make ends meet? Ever try to support a family of 4 on what the Air Force used to pay enlisted personel??

If things were so different then, why are you giving the OP outdated advice?

 

[ryan256]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

If things were so different then, why are you giving the OP outdated advice?

Outdated??? Did you even read my initial post?

 

[JS80]

what's the word for elope cept it means goes off to the army

 

[RCN]

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: CadetLee

If things were so different then, why are you giving the OP outdated advice?

Outdated??? Did you even read my initial post?

I read it. You told him enlisting would be a mistake.

What you should be saying is wear a condom so you can afford school............


Many of my friends got degrees while they were in. I should have mine but decided to fvck off like your dad instead............

 

[Journer]

join the air force

 

[Baked]

I heard Army grunts have very short half life.

 

[chibchakan]

 

[xit2nowhere]

Air Force and Navy have most of the technical jobs.
But I would personally go Army, because Army is the BACKBONE of any military.

Too bad I can't join due to a very bad eyesight (-10 in both eyes)
Kind of sad really, since I come from a long family of military people.

 

[ryan256]

Originally posted by: chibchakan

For those who don't speak spanish.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: LordMaul
1) Wait until you're done with HS to decide this. And stay away from the recruiters - this should be your decision, not something some meathead Army poster boy doing pushups in front of the cafeteria should talk you into.

2) If it's what you decide to do, do it and don't let others talk you out of it. It's your life and you'll only be sorry if you listen to everyone else.

3) Don't go telling everyone in school about how you're going to join, then decide to not do it. I knew a lot of guys who did this (went around acting and talking the part, telling everyone about their plans, etc. etc.) and then backed out at the last minute... You don't have to guess the kind of embarassment and sheepishness these guys went through.

4) If you DO end up going in... Good job.

Damn, a quality post. Thats a first.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I think graduating, going to college, joining ROTC, see what military life is like, and then make your decision once your done with school. And if you join ROTC, you come in as an Officer, which has many benefits to enlisting.

 

[murban135]

If you are still making up your mind keep it to yourself. If you ultimately decide to join, do it and then just tell your parents what you did.

That is what I did, my parents were not very happy at the time but they got over it.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: AznAnarchy99
I think graduating, going to college, joining ROTC, see what military life is like, and then make your decision once your done with school. And if you join ROTC, you come in as an Officer, which has many benefits to enlisting.

Doing Rotc doesn't give you a very large taste of the real military.

 

[fitzov]

If you're worried about what your parents are going to say then you probably should just stick with being a good momma's boy. Ask them for money, buy an SUV, and party at college like the rest. Then when you get your degree you can get your entry-level job where you will fit right in with the rest of the 22 year old momma's boys.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: RCN

Originally posted by: ryan256
I'll give you the same advice my father, a 20 year veteran from the Air Force gave me.
DO NOT ENLIST!! That said if you still want to go into the armed forces join the ROTC unit at your local college. That way once you graduate you will be commissioned as an officer on top of having a college degree. My father was sweet talked by a recruiter and never got to finish his degree. He now believes its the single greatest mistake of his life. The doors that close when you have no degree are too numerous to count. There are plenty of well paying jobs in the computer field he could easily do as he has 10+ years experience doing that exact same job for the Air Force. But employers also want a college degree and hence won't really talk to him.

Your dad couldn't manage to get a degree in 20 years?

My thoughts exactly. A lot of military bases have satellite campuses for degrees if they are not near a college. 20 Years? I could have gotten several degrees if he wanted.
There is more prestige, responsibility, and work with being an officer, but there is nothing wrong with being enlisted.

 

[Illusions89]

Haha my friend just sent his parents from boot camp

 

[Ramma2]

Originally posted by: Illusions89
Haha my friend just sent his parents <> from boot camp

< a letter >

 

[kranky]

I know two people who enlisted and both of them said it was the best decision for THEM. Only you can decide what is right for you.

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: LordMaul
1) Wait until you're done with HS to decide this. And stay away from the recruiters - this should be your decision, not something some meathead Army poster boy doing pushups in front of the cafeteria should talk you into.

2) If it's what you decide to do, do it and don't let others talk you out of it. It's your life and you'll only be sorry if you listen to everyone else.

3) Don't go telling everyone in school about how you're going to join, then decide to not do it. I knew a lot of guys who did this (went around acting and talking the part, telling everyone about their plans, etc. etc.) and then backed out at the last minute... You don't have to guess the kind of embarassment and sheepishness these guys went through.

4) If you DO end up going in... Good job.

Damn, a quality post. Thats a first.

I paid my dues and got all my quality posting in during the three years before you arrived.

n00b.

 

[sourceninja]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: LordMaul
Sounds like you haven't made any sort of decision at all except that at some point in the future, you're going to make a decision.

Don't tell them anything until you have something to say. When you decide for sure that you want to go in, tell them. Until then, what's the point? Unnecessary stress?

I see what you're saying. The reason I want to say something now is because my parents have been on my case constantly for my various problems (laziness, schoolwork, disorganization, etc.) and I want to tell them that I've been considering enlistment because it would help me fix some of those things, it would give me a good education, and if my problems haven't been fixed in 17 years, then thry won't be fixed in time for college. I understand that all parents are concerned for their child's well-being, but I think that I'm a little worse than some other kids my age... but don't think that I'm just being emo, because my consideration for enlistment is not just a ply for attention.

All parents tell their children they are lazy, do poorly in school, etc. Thats your job as a parent. You will always think your kids are slackers. This is because they tipically always have a easier life they you did. Tought it out, do what you want to do with your life. Pleasing your parents will never make you happy.