My 18 year-old son is totally lost. He only has 18 out of 40 necessary credits to graduate high school. He spoke with a Marine recruiter who has guaranteed him that he will graduate with his class in May 2007 - if he signs-up with the Marines. Does anyone know if the Navy, Army, etc would guarantee anything like this. And ... I'm so scared that he'll join and be scared and want to come home - he really really needs discipline - but I'm scared for him. Any suggestions.
Thanks!
2006-08-09 05:56:06 · 11 answers · asked by emmmay61 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I don't know how the Marines can guarantee that your son will graduate. They don't effect school policy. Also, they do not tend to take people with low test scores so he would probably end up in the Army if he joined.
Believe me if he needs to learn discipline the military teaches it. However, they won't tolerate much and he could be kicked out if he is not adjusting.
2006-08-09 06:02:39 · answer #1 · answered by rltouhe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a far stretch for a Marine recruiter to make. As a former Marine I would question wether he is putting a quota ahead of your sons best interest. Instead of looking at future to get him out of the mess he is in, why not ask the school what the best course is for him to graduate on time. This may include night and Summer classes, and may have to pay some tuition for some college instruction.
My question is it sounds like your son is 3 years into High School and only has one year of credits. How is this? Where has the concern been up until now?
And if I am not 100% mistaken when I signed up you HAD to have a diploma or GED, so how is the Marine recruiter going to guarantee a diploma before he has one. You can sign up in the DEP-Delayed Entry Program prior to having the diploma-GED, and this is not in stone, you sign a note saying that you will join the USMC when and if you get your stuff. The final is when they go to MEPS and swear in.
Hope all of this helps.
2006-08-09 13:09:12 · answer #2 · answered by hobbs1833 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of any branch making sure you graduated. I was in the Army Delayed Program in 2000. Basically, my recruiter made sure that I was doing decent, but never called my school to "persuade" them to graduate me. I graduauted at mid-semester, and went active duty Feb 2001. Watch out for the Marine recruiters...they will make up the most insane promises!! Before I decided on the Army, Marine recruiters would call my house at lease twice a day. It was a little scary. The reason I chose the Army was because I come from a Navy family, and I wanted to prove to my grandfather that a woman can be in the Army and thrive. I was a little "unruly", as with any teen. The Army taught me about hertiage and pride of my country. I also learned to respect my superiors and learned from their experiences. Hope it all works out for your son!!!
2006-08-09 14:55:34 · answer #3 · answered by ladycricket67 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a very good thing to be scared for him. The war situation is not getting any better. And the odds are getting proportionately higher that your child well end up in Baghdad riding around on a Humvee being a shooting duck for a bunch of anger middle-easterners. It is not worth it.
I worked for years as a peer counselor for combat veterans and the price they pay for being in combat is a ruined life. You well hear lots of voices selling the idea of going into the military at this point, but they are not telling you the cost for the individual foot soldier or marine in terms of shattered dreams of a normal life.
If however the kid is determined to go in to the military the Navy or the Air Force are the best bets to avoid combat.
Also, the military is hungry for recruits, so have a male family member who has the kids future in mind go with him and ask lots of questions. You can get things in writing now a days because young bodies for the military are hard to find.
I guaranty that if your kid goes into the military and ends up in the Infantry or the Marines, he well come back a disturbed person who well not do well in civilian life.
God Bless!
2006-08-09 13:38:04 · answer #4 · answered by zclifton2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow. sounds like you have your hands full. sometimes when you have done all you can for someone it's time for some tough love. Maybe the service is a good idea. I have no clue about the graduation promise (i know they can help him get a GED and take college couses though) As far as what branch...that depends on his personality. If he is just troubled and searching for himself i would say the navy would be a good spot... but if he is just off the wall uncontrolable then let him go to marine boot camp. even if he washes out he will appriciate life more and hopefully have a good outlook and a desire to make something of himself. Have you ever thought that he would change if he just got away from his school or friends? That might be all it takes... best of luck!
2006-08-09 13:05:05 · answer #5 · answered by freight_train04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope that he chooses the branch more suited to the type of career path he is following. I joined the US Army because I felt that they would give me a better opportunity to excel in the medical field. No one is better than the other. I'm sure the recruiter's "sales pitch" is the same as everyone elses, just to get their commission. All four branches are just as good and we all are on the same team anyway fighting for similar causes. He should read up on all branches so he will not make a hasty decision.
2006-08-09 13:08:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,.. what they mean by that guarantee is that they wont yank him out of school before he graduates, but after he does graduate he will be obligated to serve with the marines. I just got back from afghanistan, fighting the good fight. I'd tell your son to wait until he graduates so that he is sure of his options. it is natural for him to go in feeling unsure and a little scared, and even more natural for you to be scared for him, (just ask my mother)
the military will not hand him a diploma though, they might give him a referance of a place to go or call but he must get his diploma or GED on his own. if they do hand him something he didn't earn then something illegal is going on
2006-08-09 13:20:40 · answer #7 · answered by militarydeadhead 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking as an old soldier I will tell you to have your boy stay home. There is a bad situation going on right now and things will get worse before they get better. I myself handed the flag to my best friends mother next to his grave for "a gratefull nation". I know she would rather have grandchildren around her then a flag on the mantle. Let your boy grow up and become a man and live his life and grieve fro you in your due time. A mother and father griveing a child is not the way it is supposed to be.
2006-08-09 14:53:48 · answer #8 · answered by jim_2170 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the Marines can do that. He needs to find out if that is real. I think there are pros and cons to all the branches. He will probably have to choose what is best for him. They will also give him an ASVAB test that will also determine which services he can get into. If his score is high enough he can go into any of them. That score will also determine what kind of job he is allowed to do. Good Luck!! I hope it all works out him.
2006-08-09 14:22:48 · answer #9 · answered by Emilyclair 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion the NAVY is the best .. of course my husband is retired Navy ( 26 years ) and we have a son in Iraq right now .. ARMY .. its no fun .. beware of what the recruiters say .. they will say anything to get ur son to sign up
2006-08-09 13:44:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋