Son wants to join Army

[beags]

Not just any part of the Army the part that gets sent to the front lines first.   I think that's the infantry, correct? 

I've told him to think about it.   He's only 16.  He has a year and a half left of high school. 

Now don't get me wrong, I'm proud he wants to serve his country.   BUT as a mother . . . I don't want my baby on the front line during war time.   He is my baby and my only son.   He usually looks into things before he does them.  At first it was the national gaurd.  He was going to become a doctor and wanted the military to pay for his college. 

Ok, changed his mind.  He doesn't want to become a doctor.   Now he wants to enlist fully into the Army.   I said  Can you look into this better?  

He said I have mom.   Do you know if I make the Army band, I won't have to go into the infantry.   

I said  Do you know there just might be other things you can do without going to the front lines?  

He is an excellent drummer.   Although I don't know if he mentioned the band thing to make me feel better or not.   He just wants to serve.  

Has anyone here served in army?  Are there any other options other than infantry? 

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...thank him for his willingness to serve...

...and there have bee a few threads recently that would be applicable to you and your son... I'll try to link them here...

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

notmsnmoney.proboards.com/thread/29721/tell-me-marines

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

notmsnmoney.proboards.com/thread/29626/national-guard-update-post-130

[Green Eyed Lady]

I understand both your fear and his dedication, Beagsy.  I also thank your son for being willing to serve our country in whatever capacity he finds himself in.  I know that you know my prayers will be with him and with you.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Feb 1, 2013 10:12:16 GMT -5 beags said:

Not just any part of the Army the part that gets sent to the front lines first.   I think that's the infantry, correct? 

...

Has anyone here served in army?  Are there any other options other than infantry? 

..."front lines" and infantry are often synonymous... infantry also has it's own military occupational specialty (MOS) designation... just as cooks do and chaplain assistants do and truck drivers do... and any of those soldiers could find themselves "at the front"... the soldiers in the band are usually not used in the heat of ground force operations... but they still go through combat training... and you never know if there may come a time that a drummer is our best hope...

[Shooby]

Hi beags,  my son (17) and a Jr. wants to join the Marines.  He met with the Marine recruiter and has his phone number.  He is looking into the ASVAB.  He really can't commit to anything until next year so we have a bit of time.  I do think that a lot of teen boys think the Army is like their Xbox and i am sure my son envisions that on some level.
  I think it is a scary proposition for any parent.  But, i want him to fulfill his personal goals and lead the life he wants so i do encourage him but also have put other career paths in front of him too.

[beags]

Thanks everyone.  

I told my son that I would support him in whatever decision he makes.   I won't talk him out of anything.  I had that happen to me by my parents.  I won't do that to him.  Although it scares the crap out of me that I could lose my only son.   But then again, I could lose my only son to a car accident or some other thing considered non dangerous.   In my mind, the military during war time and wanting to be in the infantry . . . well that just boosts up the level to about 80%.  

It's his choice, and his life.   Ever since he's been a young kid, I've noticed that he had the right qualities to be a military guy.  Those qualities are showing more and more as he grows up.   So it should not surprise me that he has chosen this path.  

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

There is no civilian occupation that is directly equivalent to MOS 11B. However, the following civilian occupations make use of the skills developed through MOS 11B training and experience.

Read more: link




military dot com's "skill's translator" online tool




...and here's a personal post from a national guard online message board worth considering, imo...

If you want to go 11b totally do it. There aren't any jobs out in civilian life that would allow you to do anything remotely similar, it's an experience you can't hardly find anywhere else. And not to mention if an employer sees you're in the Guard and you're up against somebody who isn't but has the same experience otherwise, I'm sure they'd prefer somebody who's shown they're well disciplined, intelligent, and able to follow orders. Many employers would look at your experience in the guard as a plus regardless if it has anything to do with your civilian job. You will have been trained by the best army in the world and that's very impressive by anyone's standards.
link

[kittensaver]

Can he let the Army put him through medical school? Yeah, it a long-term (career) commitment, but it's a way he can do both. Just a thought.

[TonyTiger]

It may (or may not) prove helpful to have him talk to one or more people with recent-times Infantry experience in a combat role.

You can probably drum-up a number of these at your local American Legion or VFW or other veteran's group meeting hall.

Talk to one of the Post or Chapter or Lodge leaders and let them know about your concern, and what your goal is.

The trick will be to find one who isn't a thousand years old and who doesn't think that any young man who is willing to serve in the Infantry should automatically be encouraged.

Tell him (or her) that you want your son to talk one-on-one or in a small group with one or more people who have recently been through it.

And then talk to the people themselves, to vett them re: your own comfort level to have them interacting with your teen.

If everything falls into place, then let the meeting take place, at the meeting-hall, or in a nearby restaurant with you at a table nearby, but out of earshot, so they have a modicum of privacy.

Let the veteran(s) tell it like they see it - no punches pulled - cuss-words and all - messy mental imagery and all - and then thank the vet(s) and walk away with your son.

Let him ponder on what he's learned for a week or so, and then talk to him about it again.

Either he will have changed his mind, or at least he will have a much better idea of what he will be getting into.

Dunno if that will work in your case or not, but it was the first kinda-sorta practical thing that came to mind, in order to give your boy some insight into what he's wishing for, while there's still time for him to reflect and to either firm-up his intentions or to chagne his mind.

In any event, best of luck with this... it can't be easy.

My two brothers and I were third-generation Army - stretching back as far as the Spanish-American War - and we figured we'd done enough for King and Country for a generation or two - and we forbade our kids to enlist - and we had the good fortune to actually have them abide by that parental imperative - so I haven't faced that.

[zdaddy]

Oh boy. I decided to enlist in the Army at 18 and there are times I regret that decision. I don't regret my service, only that I should have looked harder at becoming an officer or considered a more technical branch like the Air Force.

A couple of things your son should consider:

1. Does he have decent enough grades to succeed at college, even if it's a state school? If so, he should consider going to college first and joining ROTC. My understanding is they'll consider volunteers and he can take introductory ROTC courses like marksmanship without even having to make a commitment. If he keeps at it he can get a scholarship, but at that point I believe he'll be locked in to serve.

2. How athletic is your son? The Army is definitely a "jock" branch like the Marines, and many infantrymen I knew were high school all-stars or at least varsity players. I've always been more of a geek, and while I could meet the physical standards I at times felt way out of my league.

3. Have him talk to other branches. If he's interested in joining a band, both the Navy and Air Force have excellent programs, and quality of life in the Air Force is definitely a lot higher than it is for the Army.

Final note - joining the band doesn't necessarily get you out of danger. From what I've heard, in emergencies the division band would be assigned alongside the MPs protecting the field HQ or guarding POWs.

[Sum Dum Gai]

My little brother is in the Army now.  Stationed in Hawaii in a non deployable career field.  He'll probably walk into a six figure job immediately after he separates, if he wants to go that route.  He's not in the infantry though.

Here's my advice, for now don't worry about it.  The kid is 16.  Right before I turned 17 I wanted to join the Army to be a Ranger.  I almost had my mom talked into it, when Clinton came on TV and said we were sending troops into the Balkans.  My mom is a history teacher.  She heard that, reminded me that a similar action kicked off a world war, and said she's not signing the papers.  She let me know that once I was 18 I could do whatever I wanted, but she wasn't going to let me sign up early.  I did end up enlisting at 18, but I joined the Air Force, went into a technical specialty, spent my 6 years in a controlled tour (couldn't be deployed outside the country period, even to places like Germany where we aren't fighting), and I had job opportunities when I got out.

Your son is still a little young.  Give him a year or two to mature and mull over the idea.  He might decide on his own that the infantry will be fun now, but what the hell do you do after you get out?  Sell sporting goods at Walmart?  Livin the dream right there. 

You can subtly encourage him to look into other things.  Mention how cool working with satellites would be.  Little known fact, NASA doesn't actually "fly" the space station or shuttle.  The military has control of them while in orbit, because we're the ones who know where all the spy satellites and stuff are.  Anything that's about the size of a deck of cards or larger that's in orbit is tracked by NORAD.  We're responsible for maintaining the bubble around the shuttle and station, and adjusting their orbit path, or the path of the satellites as needed to avoid potential collisions.

Spend a little time on military.com yourself and look into some of his other options.  There are hundreds of MOS's (Military Occupational Specialties) to choose from, and the vast majority of them aren't combat positions.  I'm sure there's something in there that will allow your son to proudly serve his country, learn a skill that he finds interesting, and give him more job opportunities down the road than he'll have coming out of an infantry unit.

[deziloooooo]

There are some very good suggestions being posted here and I am going to suggest something else for you...if your near a veterans hospital , I would suggest having your son look into volunteering to help out there..I and friends of mine from th VFW have been doing so for quite a while now..its a rewarding experience and most important it's badly needed and it is appreciated by those we serve there..It will also give him a idea of what it is all about..service in our Armed Forces....possible actions happening from such service..if he would be uncomfortable in such a setting it also gives him a indication that possible a military tour , especially a combat tour ..combat units in the Army is Armor , Artillery and the Infantry , might not be his cup of tea..

In mentioning that he was considering a career in Medicine..Doctor no less..I am assuming he is very intelligent , has outstanding study habits as well as excells in ALL of his classes and heavy in the sciences..math..and if so, possible as , was it Tony, suggested enrolling into a college and if it has a ROTC program , consider applying for that too...

There is no comparison as to serving as a officer vs a enlisted man..as long as one is comfortable with leading others..

There are four branches and a mature person , and a 17/18 year old for the most part thinks emotionally rather then deep thinking and in a mature way IMHO, possible a enlistment if not looking to enlist as a officer..then Navy, Airforce might be a branch that might help him more when he gets out of the service , most who enlist do not make careers out of their time in the service..

If he is just a average student or below average, not putting the effort into his studies possible he is looking at the military, in his case the Army, as a out ...since he knows he is not doing the work that will get him into a good university..with a year and a half still to go, he still has time to get his act together and even after graduation, possible look at a community college for a year or two..some take longer to get their act together..

[zdaddy]

Dezilooo makes good points. You need decent (not stellar but decent) grades to be able to go the officer route right out of high school. But while infantry lieutenants face a lot of the same hardships as their troops, they do get accorded a few more perks and a lot more respect. There are ways to go from enlisted to officer, but from my experience those are a lot harder to do than what a recruiter may say. In fact, be very careful of what a recruiter says because promises to go to elite training like Ranger school are often hot air.

There are plenty of law enforcement and security jobs open to former infantry, but certainly he'll have less opportunities than say someone who specialized in telecommunications or medicine.

[deziloooooo]

Back in the day, before a volunteer armed services..all had to register for the draft and depending on the needs, the war of the times, most were drafted ..or served..

When I graduated from High School I knew I was going to college and while there, a State school, there were four year ROTC programs..Air Force and Army...first two years then were mandtory..land grant college..so I went that route..

My buddies from High School..those who knew they were not going to College , all it seemed, signed up for ..you got it..the Marines..

We all, most of us...ended up the same place..one made it through chopper school and spent a career and retired a Lt Col...the rest did their time..me too..and got out ..All survived..though one , I am sorry the Marine experience did not do him any favors, unable to cope with civilien life, change from being a Marine to  being a civilien..afraid the drink got to him..to bad, a shame and a waste..ran a great 440 in High School..[ I know, now its meters..}I consider him a casualty..Marines , their training, their the best...for some can never get away from that IMHO...need to cope in the real world and some can't...

It seemed most now don't regret their service. Have seen them on get togethers over the years and now in Florida we have a Floridian reunion evey few years..so keep in touch..

Me ?? I am fine now ...but it took some work and actually if your son would study harder..look for alternative ways of doing his life..I will suggest he consider it..while I will thank him for his service if he does serve..the truth is..such service is very hard..on people..on familys..besides the understood dangers of being injured and worse..

There is also another thing to consider..your freedoms..the freedom to criticize..to say NO if the orders you receive you don't agree with..One does not give two weeks notice and go home, it does not work that way..there is a lot to consider..the problem is however..for most , the best military are very young people..where emotions run high..the mature older types..the ones who might consider and ask the deep questions..they usually are not 17 / 18 year olds..

[beags]

well I have read all the posts.   Thanks once again. 

A little bit about my son as some have asked.   He excells in the sports he has been in. . . which is just about everything.  The main ones were soccer, football, and wrestling.  He doesn't play sports anymore because he wanted money and had to get a job.    He gets excellent grades when he wants to.   He is very smart, and when he coasts along will get a C.   When he opens the book and does some homework, he gets A's and B's.  There are some classes that he takes that he never opens the book and still gets a B.   I'm not saying this because I am his mother, everyone in town says this as well,  he is a gifted drummer and a born performer.    He is taking three college level courses this year in high school.  He is getting either B's or A's in all of them.  Next year he has another three on the list.  By the time he graduates high school, he should have 6 college courses that he will have college credits for before he even enters college. 

I don't know what changed his mind on becoming a doctor to wanting to go to the front lines and skipping college.   I told him to look at everything, and there has to be something in the military for him to do other than volunteering to go to the front lines.   I will tell him about ROTC.  

Oh, and he is already a leader, even though he doesn't want the role.   Many of his classmates look up to him, even though he is the youngest in his grade.   Every sport he has been in, he has had the leader role in.   With the band, the teacher has him teaching the new drum students.  He gives lessons.  The pieces of music for the percussion section is given to my son, and my son decides what student should get what part.   He goes to the elementary school to help out with the percussion section there as well.  

Ever since age 5, in kindergarten, the teachers have said one of two things. . . . . You're son is going to run a third world country some day . . . or your son is going to make a fine politician some day.  

Well considering the batch of politicians that have come through lately in the last 16 years,  I don't consider that a compliment.  

[beags]

Our family is loaded with military history.  It skipped a generation, meaning none of his uncles or dad joined.  but his grandfathers were in it.   A few were Navy and one was Army.  the others are deceased now.  

It isn't the Grandpa that was in the Army, because he keeps telling my son not to join the Army.  

[Shooby]

  He will find his way Beags.

[mmhmm]

Aww, beags, I can understand your concern.  I think we all can.  Thing is, your young man is just that ... young.  At 16, he's still got a ways to go before he really starts making plans as opposed to dreaming dreams.  He may change his mind a few times before he graduates high school.  What his peers do will influence that, to a degree.  If he sticks with the idea of joining the service, he may change his mind several times about the branch in which he wishes to serve.  The best we can give them is our support, both for their plans and their dreams.   That and our love is our greatest gift.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Feb 2, 2013 14:07:24 GMT -5 beags said:

  

Well considering the batch of politicians that have come through lately in the last 16 years,  I don't consider that a compliment.  

[beags]

Well I asked him what made him change his mind.  And why infantry.  I mean why would he choose the front lines when he is smarter than that. 

He told me that he has spoken to many people he knew that enlisted in the last three years.   He talked to those who joined the gaurds, and he talked to those in the marines.  He didn't know anyone who joined the airforce or navy.   He spoke to those who joined the army.   He said that there is a test that he has to take before entering the army, and that tells them what jobs he can take in the army.  He said he wouldn't mind some technical job with mechanics or computers or something else.   He is going to try out for the band, apparently you jump in rank pretty fast if you make the band.   BUT he may still choose the infantry.   He also wants to travel the world.  He likes seeing different places.  

Ok, I can understand where he is going.   I hate to say it, but he is my son in many ways.   He has energy and isn't one to sit for very long.  If there is action, he likes to be in the middle of it.   But as his mother, it doesn't make me feel any better.   I feel like screaming   He's my ONLY son!!!!!  Don't take him.   I'm sure I am not the only mother who has yelled those words.  

I will stay by my word to him.  I will support him regardless of his decision.  I also told him as his mother, I will also try to guide him out of danger.  

He smiled and said  Thanks mom.  

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

My wonderful DH joined the Air National Guard as a 17-year-old high school senior because his career goal was to fly jets. He spent 8 years enlisted working as a crew chief (first on F-4s, then F-16s), and attending college to get a Bachelor's Degree. He then applied for pilot training and was selected/commissioned.... and became a pilot, getting to fly the F-16s he previously worked on. He has since moved to a different air frame that he also enjoys. 

On November 5, 2013 he will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his joining the Air National Guard. (He's still in, by the way.... many of his years were "part time" and he won't hit active duty retirement-eligible until 8-1-2014.)  

Some people really DO know what they want to be "when they grow up" when they're 16 ... and they have the drive, perserverence and determination to accomplish those goals. A career in the military isn't easy, but my wonderful DH wouldn't trade it for anything.

All the best to you and your son.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

(I sent you a Private Message with a link)

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

As to traveling the world, off the top of my head, my wonderful has traveled to the following countries with the Air National Guard/USAF:

Canada
Iceland
Greenland
Scotland
Ireland
England
Spain
Greece
Germany (West and East)
Morocco
Italy
Turkey
Uzbekistan
Ukraine
Afghanistan
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Kuwait
Panama
Curacao
Colombia

[deziloooooo]

Feb 5, 2013 0:39:04 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

He can travel the world in any branch, and in most jobs in any branch.  Of course if he goes into the infantry he'll be travelling a lot more to countries that end in -stan, but they are warm and sandy too.  If you close your eyes you can pretend it's Hawaii if only it didn't smell so damn bad and you weren't wearing a uniform 24/7 and there wasn't a black cloud floating over tent city from all the plastic they throw in the burn pit giving you tuberculosis and there isn't rocket attacks every other day.  Other than that though, it's just like Hawaii.

Try to talk him into going Air Force.  They treat their people the best, hands down.  When you look at things like the quality of the dorms and base housing, stuff like that.

AT least take him to talk to other recruiters.  The worst that could happen is that you waste an hour or two of your time.

As a former grunt from a long time ago...I would suggest strongly..listen to Ratchet...if I remember correctly he is in service now...he is absolutly correct as far as how the services treat their people..don't misunderstand ..there are bad assignements in all branches..there are dangers in all branches...and to insist as a mothers perogative  that he at least sit down with other branches..possible you sit in with him...is not out of line IMHO...

If he is seriouse in this endeaver of his...and is as bright as you claim he is..he definitly should consider buckling down on his grades..consider college and explore those schools that have a ROTC program and consider trying to make it as a officer...The schools that have ROTC programs are usually the land grant schools..the State Universitys...as well as many fine private Universitys and Colleges..example Yale andf I still believe Harvard, BC...etc

[teen persuasion]

Beags, I have some idea of what you are feeling.  DD1 joined the Navy for cryptology; she's at bootcamp right now.

Some of the details are different, such as she graduated from college first.  It was so far off my radar that she would even consider something like this.  She's a painfully shy, scary smart, non-athletic bookworm.  The Navy?

After her graduation, she moved back home, and we were making it clear to her that she had to find a job; she really had no idea what she wanted to do, uncomfortable w/ interviewing, doesn't drive... lots of excuses.  She was talking about teaching English in Japan (her degree is engineering/ concentration in optics).  When she saw an ad on a jobs site about navy cryptology, she knew that was what she wanted to do.  She researched it as much as possible online, contacted a recruiter (she hates phoning anyone, but especially strangers), just jumped right in.

Because of the economy, lots of people are enlisting now.  There was nearly a 6 month lag between when she signed up and when she left for bootcamp; it's called DEP, Delayed Entry Program.  During that time she had to meet regularly w/ her recruiter, attend weekly meetings, lots of tests (ASVAB and language, as well as physical, such as her hearing).  She started running w/ her XC crazy brothers to prepare for PT.  She finally did something about payments for her student loans (since she'd be away when the payments came due).  She looked into military pay, banks, retirement account options, etc.  She'd been dragging her feet before.

I can see a difference in her attitude in her letters from bootcamp.  She's never been competitive before, and seemed reticent to put herself in arenas she didn't excel in (esp. physical).  Now she's saying things like "next test is X, and I fully expect to ace it".

Bootcamp does weed some, maybe lots of people out.  Some decide they can't cut it/ don't want to do this.  Some are made to leave because of information they didn't disclose (and should have), some for medical reasons.  DD didn't get to graduate w/ her division nearly 2 weeks ago because of a stress fracture in her ankle.  At this point they've decided to let her stay; she expects to be another 5-6 weeks at bootcamp, since she has to get to a certain stage of recovery before she can complete classes she missed, like firefighting and battle stations.  The delay may also interfere w/ her language classes at A school after bootcamp.  She had been assigned Korean, but she may have to wait for the next language section to begin; it may a different language like Arabic - she'll get what she gets.

The security clearance stuff has been interesting, to say the least.  She called more than once to get information, since she couldn't google anything there.  They needed the address of everywhere she'd lived and worked since she was 18 (she'd been in 5 different dorms, and had a variety of WS jobs on campus) and work supervisor names.  They wanted info on our family members, too.  Someone came out and surprise interviewed (individually) my boss, me, several board members.  We all just burst out laughing when he asked about DD trying drugs - that's just not DD!

[motherto2]

Beags, your DS sounds like a combination of my DD and DS.  Background:  DS (now 20) has wanted to join the service since he was old enough to know what it was (literally 6 or so).  Used to be Army til he got to HS and did NJROTC then changed to Marines.  DD (now 23 soon to be 24) tried NJROTC in HS and lasted about 2 weeks.  Never did like someone to tell her what to do. DD called me out of the blue one day in her junior year to tell me she wanted to join the service.  Shocked is to put it mildly.  I told her ok, and she was a little surprised that I didn't ut up a fuss.  I told her it wasn't fair for me to be ok with DS to join the service and then tell her no.  She was originally going to join the National Guard reserve, because of a jerk at her college, and as a truck driver no less.  He told her they earned more, and she could change after she graduated from college to another MOS.  I called BS on that.  I told her they made more money because the supply trucks are the first to be shot at, so the supplies didn't make it to their destination.  She started talking to an Army recruiter away from the school, and realized the guy was feeding her a line.  There was a big stink between the two groups on her behalf, but she decided on the Army reserves.  I told her my only requirement was for her to come back and finish college, which she promised me.  She had wanted to be a medic, but her recruiter told her there weren't any openings at the time, so she chose Operating room technician (ORT).  She did her basic training, went to Ft. Sam Houston for the beginning of her advanced training, then chose Hawaii to finish out the actual operating room portion (she was in the top ten of her class, so was able to pick where she wanted to go).  They wanted her to extend in HI for an additional year, but because of the promise she made to me, she came back and finished her degree (kicking and screaming I might add ).  But she just finished her degree in December.  She kept wanting to switch to a medic position, but the longer she was in it, and I kept pointing out to her, there was security in her current MOS.  The Army is downsizing, and the medics (according to alot of sources) will be one of the first to downsize.  But people always need surgery.  Plus it's a good career opportunity after the service.  She is thinking of going to PA or nursing school also, but waiting for a time to decide on that.  She just left last week to deploy with her unit, and is currently at Ft. Hood for several weeks before going overseas.

Now, DS was the 2nd in command in his NJROTC unit at high school.  Has been a civil war reenactor since the age of 10.  Has repeatedly surprised the guys in his reenacting unit with his unique insight to why battles were lost, and what they should have done.  He currently attends a military college (he's a junior). and is going to have a position next year as a senior.  He decided about this time last year he was going to join the Marine reserves while in college and then go active after graduation (just like his sister - but surprisingly (sarcasm) could not get her paperwork signed off on since last June.  She is going to try going active once overseas this summer, apparently it's easier when you are on active duty which she is currently active).  I tried to talk him out of it, pointing to DD and how she's been having trouble switching.  He did his basic training last summer, and is scheduled to be gone all summer this year doing his MOS school, etc.  He is home on spring break this week, and has told me he's thinking of going to an extra year of school after graduation next year (to another college) and get another major in International studies.  He's not sure he'll be able to go active because of all of the downsizing, so is looking at other options.  To be honest, this threw me as much for a loop as DD calling and saying she wanted to join the Army.  He says he might just finish out his reserve contract and then decide what to do at that time.  Maybe reenlist as active or just forget about it altogether, or keep the reserve.  Who knows.  I get the feeling there is something else going on, but can't get it out of him.  I'm not sure if he's become disillusioned, or just what.  He also is a born leader.  He has a unique ability to understand and analyze situations.  While at boot camp last year he was chosen as the first leader in his unit when they got to Parris Island.  He did it for 3-4 weeks and said he hated every minute of it.  AT least the beginning.  I think he finally earned a whole lot of respect from the guys (I think they resented him being picked the first night they were there).  He made a point of going to each guy, learned about their family, girlfriends/wives, etc. and made a point of asking about them by name, listened, gave advice, etc.  Made sure they had all showered and did what needed to be done before he took his shower.  All the right things.  So why he's had a change of heart baffles me.  But for years I told him it was his life, and if he chose not to go in the Military, it was ok.  So, I guess a long story short, your son still has a lot of time to make decisions.  Maybe the best route would be encourage him to go to college and join the reserves, and that will give him some breathing room and figure things out.

Good luck to both of you.  I know it's not easy as the mom. 

[SweetVirginia]

I have not shared this on the board but I feel compelled to do so now. My son enlisted in the Air Force back in August of 2012.  He took the job of "Signal Intelligence Specialist." This truly made me nervous because I knew that working in intelligence could cause security issues.  My son graduated from high school in 2011 and attended Northern Arizona University for a full school year. He earned a 4.0 his first college year. He planned on getting his degree and joining the AF as an officer after college, but realized that joining AF as an officer was difficult at best. He really wanted to serve in any capacity so he decided to enlist and try to transfer to an officer program later on. He left for basic training on Dec 18, 2012.  In Feb. of 2013, my son was sent home due to an injury. Thank God it is  not a permanent injury but  it was a very dark time and painful experience for my son, for me, and our family. 

All this said, I feel for you and what you are going through with your son's decision. I did not want my son to go into intelligence but it is what he wanted and I ended up supporting him in it.  I hope your son will change his mind as to which job he chooses for the Army. (not infantry) But I see that you too will support him in his decision.   

I am an Air Force Veteran and I can only tell you that enlisting in the military was the best decision I made in my young adult life. (25 years ago!) Serving in the military was such an awesome experience for me and I believe that your son will feel the same way and you will feel so proud and happy for your son. I am proud of my son for having had the desire to serve and I feel proud of your son for his future service. His future is bright! Congrats to both of you. He will be fine! 

[Deleted]

A friend of mine posted something on FB today about the military changing the rules on the GI Bill for servicemembers who choose to transfer their benefit.  I don't think the rules have changed yet if you choose to use the benefit yourself.

I'm woefully ignorant on this subject, but it seems like something to keep an eye on over the next year or two - you want to make sure the deal you sign up for is, in fact, the deal you get.