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

[xanis]

A while back I made a thread about possibly joining the Army, and I've been thinking it over ever since. Currently, I'm not quite sure if I want to join or not, and I'm just trying to keep my options open. I wouldn't say that I'm bad studnt persay, but I'm not doing as well as I should in school, and there are a ton of other problems that I have, which I won't get in to.

However, I'm currently wondering how I should tell my parents that I'm considering joining the Army. I'm pretty sure my mom would have a heart attack and my dad would say something like, "No f*cking way". I just want to tell them that I haven't made any decisions yet, but I'm considering enlistment either before or after college. How can I tell my parents without them having heart attacks and whatnot?

Thanks

 

[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?

 

[nakedfrog]

Join the Air Force instead?

 

[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.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

What is your HS GPA and what are you plans for after the army.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Are you over 18? You can make your own decisions then.

You want to enlist...then do it, enlist. Try for AF 1st, Navy 2nd, Army 3rd, and Marines last (or not at all). Good luck.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
What is your HS GPA and what are you plans for after the army.

My GPA is a 3.0 currently, and I'm lucky to have that.

After the Army, I would like to get a job in an IT field working on systems administration or networking.

 

[Amused]

Once you've made your decision, say "I'm joining the Army." Then say nothing more about it.

It's your decision to make.

BTW, when I told my Mom I was joining the Army (before you were born) she was beaming with pride.

 

[FoBoT]

if it is that big of a problem, wait until you are 18 and then send them a letter from boot camp

p.s. Go Navy!

 

[huberm]

you would tell them exactly the way your title reads...."Mom, Dad, I want to enlist"

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

what you tell them is "I've enlisted a while ago and I leave tomorrow."

 

[mk52]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
What is your HS GPA and what are you plans for after the army.

My GPA is a 3.0 currently, and I'm lucky to have that.

After the Army, I would like to get a job in an IT field working on systems administration or networking.

that's if you're still alive

 

[xanis]

Thanks for all of the help so far.

What I think I might do is see how my Senior year goes. If I do well enough to get into a decent college, then I may wait until after college to enlist, or not at all. If I don't do well my senior year, however, then I'm probably going to enlist.

 

[Dissipate]

Don't join the military. The military industrial complex will use you for war profits.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
What is your HS GPA and what are you plans for after the army.

My GPA is a 3.0 currently, and I'm lucky to have that.

After the Army, I would like to get a job in an IT field working on systems administration or networking.

You probably don't want to enlist directly into first then. You can get the same structure/discipline by attending a state university with a strong ROTC program at a civilian college. The military will still pay for your schooling, and when you graduate you enter our enlisted forces as an officer.

I'm not part of the military, but I researched and considered going this route briefly while in high school. It'd probably be easier to break this kind of news to your parents than deciding to enlist directly.

 

[EatSpam]

If you want to enlist, join the Navy or Airforce. See the world, not just Iraq.

In any case, why would you want to go to Iraq and die for Dubya and Dead-Eye?

 

[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.

 

[scottish144]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Thanks for all of the help so far.

What I think I might do is see how my Senior year goes. If I do well enough to get into a decent college, then I may wait until after college to enlist, or not at all. If I don't do well my senior year, however, then I'm probably going to enlist.

Bah. With a 3.0 you can get into George Mason University or something similar. Nothing great, but decent overall (it was my backup. I'm an HS senior BTW) From their you can transfer to almost anywhere if you do well. My advice: Apply high. I got into V-Tech, UDEL, Syracuse and RIT with a 3.3 (although I had a resume any engineering school would drool over for undergrad). Still, my advice would be to try to get into college. I don't know what its like yet, but I bet its better than HS. Try to get good grades Senior Year and take some challenging courses. I'm currently finishing up my 4 AP Classes.

Granted, its your choice, but like others have said, don't tell your parents your going to enlist until you have made a decision. I've found this to be true for other things as well, but thats with my parents. If ur 18 they have to respect your decision. If they don't respect it, make them. I've pretty much told my parents to GTFO of my academic/social life (I've literally had to tell my dad to shut up several times) and let me handle it. It took a few hellish months, but they listened at last.

In any case, stand by your decisions. This sounds cheesy, but speak the truth always, and accept the consquences of your actions. 2 axioms I go by.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if it is that big of a problem, wait until you are 18 and then send them a letter from boot camp

p.s. Go Navy!

Winner! Extra points if you use a postcard.

I second the Navy. Army or Marines and you'll get arms or legs blown off. Air Force you'll be scraping bird crap off some runway in South Dakota. :thumbsdown:

 

[RCN]

Do what I did. Wait till you make the decision. Sign the papers and then tell your parents "I'm leaving for boot camp in 30 days"

 

[ForumMaster]

well you have it easy. in my case, i don't have a choice. i'm also in high school and am finishing soon. when i do finish, i will go to the army whether i want to or not. Israel is one of the few countries where the going to the army is not a choice. however, i am getting my CCNA and am learning web-design and C. i will try to get a job in the army in network administration. maybe you can do the same. since the army sends its own people to do the CCNA course, coming with the cert will probablly get me a job on the spot. anyway, it might be safer for you to work a little harder and improve your GPA instead of going to the army.

 

[Trikat]

Be a sniper. You know that's the best role in a FPS game.

 

[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.

 

[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?

 

[jammur21]

Might want to think about a techincal AA at your local junior college. You can do ROTC or you can go in as E-2 or E-3. Shouldn't take longer than a year and a half.