Would you Encourage or Discourage your Child to Enlist?

[jbd]

I have an 18 year old daughter who went into the Air Force last August. She told me when she was 16 she wanted to go into the military. I told her I didn't have any problem with it as long as she researched her training options and what was being offered by each branch of the service. I did catch one recruiter out right lying to her. Benefit of 20 years in the military, I know what regulations to look for at this stage of the game. In the end she decided on the Air Force. Apparently she may be going overseas sometime this year. She might go to Iraq as I did in '90/'91. She might get hurt or killed if she goes there. Then again she has a much better chance of being hurt or killed in a car crash in the USA. I can't control that.

One thing that I feel is important as a parent is to know your child. This particular daughter would not have done well in college right after high school. She's plenty smart but she doesn't have the self discipline to attend classes each day. I have no doubt she would have flunked out of her first semester. By her own acknowledgement, she needs a much more structured environment. The military provided that. Now that her training is done and she is on a regular work schedule there is less rigid structure but she has adapted and seems to be doing well. Personally I hope she takes advantage of the educatioanl benefits she has in the military and stays in for a 20 or 30 year career.

 

[H2Andy]

Read further and dont quote out of context.

that's why i quoted the conclusion of the article ... sort of speaks for itself

I only dive with people who know enough to donate their primary.

owned!

(sorry WC )

 

[mrjimboalaska]

Before you answer, consider this: The Sunshine Patriots

I would be PROUD to have my son or daughter come to Mom and Me and express their desire to serve God and Country, Quite an Honor.....They would be 6th generation military.
as for the Propaganda list by Thal.......whatever, my children will grow up to respect and honor their form of Government, and NOT SOCIALISM......
are you behind California trying to take "Mom and Dad" out of Textbooks too? geez....

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

The six years that I spent in the Army, were the best six years of my life, so far, for a great many reasons. If my daughter were to come to me and tell me that she was thinking of enlisting, I would tell her to keep her eyes wide open and know what she was getting into, and then I would leave it up to her and support her 100% in whatever decision she made.

 

[fishb0y]

I can't believe I wasted this much time reading this horse ****. As I told my wife, mother, father, children and friends why I choose to still serve, "so my children may not have too". I'll respect my children's decision on whether or not to serve.

Mr Ferrara, your son is doing an admirable job... I've explained to my family that I'm doing this because I believe in my country. I'm sure he would wish you would understand that also.

 

[justleesa]

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[drbill]

My son is old enough (22) to make his own decisions. I would let him do that, and try to support him in whatever he decides. I can only speak for me. If I were of age to serve at this point in time, there is no question I would not. I won't go into the political reasons here out of respect for the TOS. I did not serve in Vietnam, and respectfully told my draft board I would not. However, I had a number of friends who did serve (and some of them died) and I supported their personal decisions.

 

[MikeFerrara]

My son is old enough (22) to make his own decisions. I would let him do that, and try to support him in whatever he decides.

What else can you do?

 

[redacted]

I see no sense in volunteering to fight someone elses civil war. I would suggest any young person try to wait 12 to 18 months before enlistintg if they can.

 

[The Kraken]

* * * * ADVISOR ALERT * * * *

Gentlemen,

I'm posting this alert because I've been asked by a moderator to intervene because previous warning, for all intents and purposes, has gone unheeded.

I'm posting the author's original post for your review:

"no b.s. now ... if your 18 year old son or daughter wanted to join the Army or Marines, would you say "Go for it" or "I wouldn't recomend it?"

no politics ... just "gut feeling"

i ask because of this article:"

To me, and what I would consider any reasonable and prudent person, the author's request is quite clear and succinct.

Therefore, I respectfully "request" that if make a response, or any additional responses to this thread, please do so with respect to the author's original post.

Any posts not follwing the author's original will be summarily deleted as being off topic.

Also, please be advised that this thread will be purged of off topic posts.

Thank you for your understanding.

The Kraken