my mom and dad DO NOT want me to join the army for my collage can any one help?

Question

I am 15 years old

correction:I am 15 and thinking about my career

Answer 1

They are probably scared. The thing is you will have to soul search. Alot of young kids join the military today for college, but ulitmately it's still the military, if you are called to duty you must go. It's not just a free ride and never has been, and you shouldn't go in with that mindframe. You join the military to serve your country for a certain amount of time. I joined the Airforce when I was 18 years old and I knew what it entailed. They didn't have the great big enlistment bonus's they offer to the new recruits today when I joined 14 years ago, and they only paid a certain amount for college then too so that wasn't my reason for joining. Alot of my reasoning to join was to get out from under my parents thumb...which is funny since being in the military you are just getting a whole new set of rules , lol. I enjoyed my time in and then got out, I'm proud to say that I served my country and I am still married to a wonderful Airforce sergeant today, it's a good life honestly and we love the traveling!! I wouldn't discourage my daughters from joining, I'd be proud! Good luck, only you can make that descision for your life, do youre research on all the branches and make sure they give you the job you really want, even if you have to wait, dont let them talk you into doing something you'll hate!

Answer 2

It's natural for your parents to be discouraged about you joining the Army for the obvious reasons there is a war going on in Afganistan and Iraq. But unfortunately they have given you very little options. I am currently serving in the Army and I am deployed in Mosul, Iraq having completed 10 out of 12 months of this deployment. My parents were alittle worried about me going into the Army especially the infantry but they learned to accept it and have become very proud of me. My advice to you: 1) Research everything before commiting to anything especially the Army. 2) If you decide to join the Army you will have to take the ASVAB (Armed Service Vocational Apptitude Battery) at your local MEPS (Military Entry Processing Station) which is similar to a college entrance exam that will determine your academic proficiency and determine what MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) or jobs you are qualified for (some libraries have study guides), if I were you I would take the test then sit down with a recruiter and discuss your options. 3) Pick an MOS that interests you and one that you can use towards your career choice in the civilian world, DO NOT GO INFANTRY there are no civilian jobs that utilize the skills of an ex-infantryman except police, security companies and mercenary groups. 4) Do not let any recruiter lure you with an $18,000 dollar signing bonuses for a 5 year contract, you don't know if you will like the army so sign up for 2-3 years. There are lots of guys in my platoon that took that $18,000 and they hate the army but they are stuck for the next 5 years. Beware of Special Forces contracts. 5) Look into the National Guard and Reserve, you can still get money for college without having to join the Active Army. 6) Talk to people who have been in the Army or are still serving, ask people who have done it (eg. not a recruiter). 7) Ultimately, you are an adult and this is your life being an adult you will have to make decisions on your own regardless of what others think or want you to do. After this deployment I will have about 3 months left and I will be returning to civilian life having served 3 years in the Army. I have no regrets, I am proud and glad that I have served and fought for our country and that I will always have the satisfaction knowing that I was a soldier. In closing I would like to say....GOOD GOD MAN, DO NOT JOIN THE INFANTRY!!

SPC Brian S.
172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
C Company 2nd Battalion 1st Infantry Regiment

Answer 3

Is it because of Iraq? IF yes- that's easy. The first thing to explain is that there are many jobs you can perform in the Army that would keep you from even going to Iraq. Secondly, figure out how many soldiers have served there the last 3 years. 400,000 or so? Out of that many- and dont get me wrong 1 is too many- how many have died? I think its at 2500 or so....so the odds of you not coming home IF you went there are 160 to 1! Those are pretty high odds considering we are in a war.

More importantly, explain to them the benefits of military service. Even if they are against you joining, I am willing to bet they would be incredibly proud the day you graduated from Basic training. Their son would be a soldier, not just joe somebody! Depending on what your MOS you are interested in, you could train to use computers, or repair helicopters, or even be a veterinarian. I hat to sound like a recruiter, I am NOT. But the Army was the best thing I ever did, and I can't stress enough that the positives outweigh the negatives. Good luck!!

Answer 4

They're worried about you, which is a good thing, but you'll have to make your own choices. It's STUPID to join the military in time of peace for college money. No one joins for that reason in time of war. If you want to do it, if you think it's right for you, then there are any number of options. In the navy you may get stuck on a ship, but rarely will that every put you in any real danger. The AF is about 50/50 for dangerous jobs & has excellent quality of life standards (they take real good care of you). The Army & Marines are the fighting force & while there are still many great support jobs, the quality of life isn't as good & the danger is higher.

As far as college, you'll want one extreme or the other. Active duty has the best GI Bill benefits & scholarship opportunities, the Reserves are a much reduced version of the same thing, and the Guard even less so, BUT when you get to the Guard there are state programs to help you also. Here they have total tuition reimbursement to state schools & if you want to stay on after school, they have great full-ride ROTC scholarships.

All this is a decision you have to make on your own, and do lots of research to see how it works out for you. There are pleny of ways to pay for college. My little brother lived at home, worked offshore during his summers, and waited tables weekends during the year to pay for a private college. If you're joining the military, make it for the right reasons & count the college help as a bonus. You're an adult now, so make your own decision, and then figure out how to show them it's right for you.

Answer 5

I think the military is a great way to pay for college, although I would prefer the Navy or Air Force, and a great way to learn discipline and team work. They are probably worried because of the war in Iraq. I would be proud to have a son or daughter in the military. Both my nieces were in the Air Force. One was a firefighter, now is a civilian firefighter on the Base after doing her 6 years. Good luck.

Answer 6

Military service is always a good choice. Although you should absolutely take your parents feelings into consideration, maybe there's some way for you to help alleviate their fears and get them as excited about it as you are. Have you looked over the recruiting literature/DVD's together? Maybe they would feel better if you joined another branch of the military (if you're not already dead-set on the Army). As a military veteran, I fully understand, respect and commend your desire to serve...but as a parent, I can imagine how your parents are feeling. Just make them understand how important their support is to you. Good luck -

Answer 7

Go USMC!!
or Navy

Are you joining ROTC or enlisting for the college benifits?

If ROTC...When are you starting college? I'm pretty sure ROTC scholarship applications were/are due by February. If it's this upcoming year don't worry about it...join the program and talk with your instructor about the scholarship--once you're in you need to do very well with your pt, academics, and apptitude grades because (at least in my NROTC Unit) it's slightly more difficult to get the scholarship once you're in.

contact me if you have any questions AOL IM smeagolyduck13

Answer 8

The military isn't the only way to go to college. there are Gov't grants and loans that can pay for it practically in full. I have one son in Iraq and a daughter in college and I wish my son was here in this country. If you have a choice,make an educated one. Consider everything, the military has a way of talking you into joining. Think of your family, your future. Make it your decision, don't let anyone make it for you.Then make a decision, then make it right.

Answer 9

College first & then the Army will allow you to go to Officer's Training School. It does not guarantee you will be an officer but it does guarantee you to be a specialist as that is what you go in as. My son did this & is a Ranger & LT. now. But only you can decide whether College first or Army first, it is not up to your parents to decide. My husband & I would never have chosen the Army for our son & his family. But it was his choice & we are very proud of him & pray for the best for him - he wants that Eagle on his uniform. A few months to Captain. Good luck.

Answer 10

Ok my son is 4. But if he was your age. I would find it hard for him wanting to do that. But I would also be pround of what he is doing. Give them time. My parents freaked out too. I'm leaving in sept. for the coast guard. When my husband left 3 years ago for the navy. He's mom freaked out. Now she is like the proudest mother in the world. Just make sure when you decide what you are going to do. That it is your decision. Not anyone elses. Because your the one who has to live you life.