Should i tell my dad or should i just join?

Question

About ten yrs ago i was away at college and had thought that joining the army was a good idea for me. I called my dad and he told me to wait a few yrs and than join. well a few yrs turned into ten. On my 30th b -day i told my father that it was my time and that i was going to join the Army NG. My dad went off the wall. He told me about what he had gone through with the USMC while in Vietnam. He told me if i joined that i would prob be sent overseas and he does not want me to go through the same things that he did. I KNOW in my heart that joining is what i want to do, but i have to have my dads blessing. Should i just join and tell him or try to get him to see where my heart is?

i am not a grown man. i am female.

someone said that this is no video game and i know the risk and i am still not scared. Thank you to all for your answers. you all have been very helpful

Answer 1

i understand where your dad is coming from. perhapas before you join up, you could read other vietnam vets account of their war and see what it really is like to fight in a war

i read a lot on the military and esp so on the vietnam war, from what i hear and read, it was really terrible years for any vietnam vet and the thigns they saw and witnessed were terrible beyond comprehension

i understnad yur father;s love for you in wanting to sheild you from all the **** he had to go through, what with seeing soldiers having limbs and heads blown off, fighting a war with one arm tied behind their back, not knowing and having a good reason to being in vietnam and the like

but i think your father has to understand too that those were the times when america was in terrible turmoil and things were jaywire and all over the place, since then i think america has gotten their **** together and their military has evolved into a leaner and meaner fighting machine. after the 1st gulf war, there were so many vietnam vets that thanked the retuning GIs for setting things right again. Watch the last few moments of Jarhead to know what i mean

so after you;ve done being objective about things, then decide for yourself. but if signing up is still really what you want, then i say go for it, and pursue your dream. but you're gonna have to work double time to reassure your dad and constantly feed him iformation on how the army has changed for the btter since the vuetnam war.

God bless you!

Answer 2

The world situation is very tense right now and things are heating up. Realize that if you join, you will probably be sent into a very dangerous situation. It's not just the combat/fighting part that's scary, the dying, it's what happens if you get hurt. You don't often hear about what happens to soldiers that get injured. It's nasty. Faces get shot, blasted or melted off, limbs are blown away, if you get shot in the body a certain way, you'll need a colostomy bag...ask yourself if living that way for the rest of your life is worth it. I have nothing against serving, but just remember this isn't a video game.

Answer 3

Well, it's really up to you. You're over 30 now and as an adult you are really free to make your own decisions regardless of what your dad says.
If it were me, and I really wanted to join, then I'd join. Your dad is trying to protect you from hard times but he can't do that. Hard times will come your way whether you stay here in the states or get sent to Iraq. A lot of the people killed in Iraq were killed in regular traffic accidents or drowned while swimming in the river. Stuff that could easily happen to you here. No one can protect you from sudden death whether here or there.
What can happen is that your dad can prevent you from experiencing the life you want to experience. Not to mention that there are other places that Army personnel can be sent.
If it were me I'd live my own life and thank my dad sincerely for the wonderful guidance he's given me and the concern he shows for me.
God speed whatever you choose.

Answer 4

your dad has to realize that what is going on currently is not what happened when he was in Vietnam and that no two wars are ever the same. That he can't live your life for you and prevent you from making your own decisions/mistakes in life. You are 30 years old, you should be making your own decisions, but if your dad's wishes mean so much to you, then you will regret not having joined. If you do join, you might regret hurting your dad. Which is more important to you?

Answer 5

I can understand your fathers concern....since he did go through a terribe war. But, if this is what you feel in your heart to do...I would imagine that your dad will support you once you were sworn in to the United States Army....being a former serviceman, he will support you....it's just that way once you have been in the military....that pride and patriotic feeling doesn't end....I know because my father was in the Air Force and the Navy, and he supported me. I joined the Navy and he was ever so proud when he say me march across the parade ground at graduation.....best wishes on whatever you decide.....

Answer 6

This is your life, your career, not his. Join. He will either fall in line, or he won't. It is nice to have his support, but you can't make your decisions based on his approval. You have to take charge of your life. I enlisted when I was 17, so my mom had to convince my dad to sign the consent forms so I could enlist. He died before I shipped for basic, and he always talked trash about how I had to do this and do that or I was gonna get to war and realize that I didn't have any ammo and stuff like that, my ex-husband for a while when we were having bad fights would say that the army didn't want me because I wasn't good enough, but you know what? I am a mom, been in for eight years, and my soldiers and chain of command love me and don't want me to deploy, they want me to stay here to be a mom to my kids and take care of them stateside. And think I am nuts for fighting for deployment. We are not in Vietnam, you are not going into the Marine Corp, you are not him. Do what you want to do with your life for you, not him.

Answer 7

Girl then just do it. I'm joining the coast guard. They can sent over seas to protect ports over there. But hey if we don't help protect our country who will. If you got your heart set on it do it. Don't worry about what other think. Your dad will get over it. My dad didn't like it either. But he is slowly coming to terms with me leaving. When I first decided to join. The only one who backed be was my husband. Good luck

Answer 8

At first I'd say follow your heart...have you asked him why he decided to join, it might be similar to your reason. It's hard to not listen to your heart but it may not also be the best choice...however i don't know you and your feelings all i can say is you have to dig inside your head and see if its what you are called to do. I definitely wouldn't rush the decision

Answer 9

Dont hear to human beings telling you you dont desire to be interior the defense force because of this or that, forget approximately it. no count if it somewhat is a few thing you rather need to do, then tell him that. he's your father, you're able to be able to take a seat and refer to him approximately it. bypass communicate with a recuriter and placed across him with you so he can hear in additionally. Or point out it to him. start up off with, "dad, what could you think of roughly me turning out to be a member of the defense force?" and bypass off from there.

Answer 10

u r definitely a composed guy. the answer to this ques is within u.if u r really up 4 it, just go n do it, coz maybe u won't get another chance but if u only know xternally about the military then definitely wait.