should my son join the army?

Question

i have a 15 year old son and he wants to join the army i am not sure

Answer 1

Questioner, you have to weight your son's motivations.

Is he wanting to go because he feels it is glamorous? Because all his friends are? Because he's not doing well in school and looking for a career? Because job prospects in your neighborhood are dismal? Because he's one of those rare individuals who is still truly patriotic and believes in national service?

You didn't state whether your son wanted to join the American or UK military (it could be elsewhere, your question didn't specify) so the variables above are pretty much the only ones that remain constant.

Your son should be aware that he will sacrifice many things by entering military service. He will not have the same sort of freedoms that civilians do. He will be asked to do things at either the admin/support level, or as a combatant that will often make no sense whatsoever. He will forego the opportunity to associate with a wide range of people of different interests, instead forging a cameraderie with mostly males from a wide range of origins, often with the same sort of life background he has now. He will forego the chance for a university education unless he reaches a position much higher in rank than the average recruit (unless he is an officer) or leaves the service. He may not have successful relationships with females because of his work or deployment schedule. He will likely become distant from you in person if not spirit, because he will not have the opportunity to return home often even if he desires to do so.

Your son will join the military at the age of majority if he so chooses, unless he values his relationship with family that have objections over the power to determine his own future. What you need to do as a parent is to both get as much information as possible on what your son intends to do, and determine if his motivations are informed decisions or those of a teenager with minimal life experience but great expectations.

You're off to a good start. Unfortunately, many of the people on this website are ignorant, uncultured idiots who have absolutely no desire to give anyone anything other than uniformed opinion and insults. I hope in real life you can get yourself better cooperation than here.

Answer 2

Looking at your other questions I am going to assume you are British! Hurrah!!!

I have been in the British army since I was 16 years old. Unless things have changed, you can join, with parental consent, from the age of 15 and 10 months. However, this is only for junior soldiers such as apprentices and junior leaders.

I joined the Royal corps of signals and did a 2 year apprenticship. I got a chance to learn more in a education sense (it was a college at the end of the day, but a military one), fitness (seemingly lacking in today's world), to travel the world (skiing, adventure training in the form of trekking etc) and discipline installed. They basically break you down to build you up again to the way they want you. However, this doesn't mean you are a mindless robot. Adaption and resoursfullness are encouraged and seen as key skills.

I went you Bosnia on my first tour when I was 19 which really opened my eyes. My mum told me I became a man when I came back from there. Since then I have been all over. It drastically depends on which arm, capbadge or service you join. In some places you can be gone all the time. Other units hardly go away.

Oh, and the baby killer comment? I've never fired a weapon in anger at anyone. We are highly trained not only in the use of weapons but also to respect them and the correct times for thier use. I have been shot at a couple of times but nothing that really worried me too much. Honest!

It is a good life! However, if he were to decide that it wasn't for him after a while then he only has to give a years notice and then can leave. But I tell you, there have been some rough times, hard times, tiring times, times were my life was possibly in danger, times I have seen things I will never forget, good and bad. If I had to do it all again, I would. Even half way through my career like I am now I have memories that others won't have and couldn't understand. And friends and workmates of the like that you won't find in civvy street. It is the bonds that you make here that most people that leave say they miss the most and as a young lad it would do anyone good.

I say give it a go. Oh, and get posted to germany. You get everything tax free!

Answer 3

your son is too young for the army or any military service at this time. I believe he has to be at least 18 to join. Don't choose the army. Choose the Air Force. If he has the right educational background the Air Force can be a winner. Many good positions with good prospects for the future when he gets out. He won't have to carry a rifle and go from house to house to clean out terrorists.

Answer 4

If that's what he wants to do then let him.

There are alot of benefits to joining the forces such as the training, discipline and social life.

There are also a few disadvantages such as having to go to war, some people cant cope with the strict discipline and the training is tough.

But if he really wants to join for the right reasons, not just so he go and kill Iraqis, then it would be the right thing to do.

Answer 5

If that if what his heart is set on you should encourage him. However, he shouldn't be under illusions about the lifestyle as it is not a cushy number by any stretch of the imagination (my husband is a soldier). I would suggest he looks to going to university and apply to be an Officer.

I have read some other answers and he could join up when he is sixteen and not eighteen as some people think

Answer 6

If that is what he wants to do. Since he is 15 that gives him about 2 years to think it over. It's very good that he wants to serve his country in a time of war. Just let him know that the Military is here to protect us living in the states. And if he knows that then he is ready.

Answer 7

can he join the army at 15? how about putting him intouch with someone who is already in the army, get him to find a penpal? i have a friend in the army and he loves his job. he gets to travel the world, is on fantastic money and has a great standard of living.

join him up to your local T.A? let him see what its like?

Answer 8

at the end of the day it is upto you and him, but if you dont let him he will only do it when older, they will teach him to be well disiplined, why dont you see if you can get him to join the navy he could see much more of the world then or the airforce as he could perhaps be a pilot when finished, both less risk than the army

Answer 9

He has at least 2 - 3 years before you have to worry, but if he wants to, he wants to. Part of growing up.

Answer 10

It is ultimately his decision in two years he wont need your permission but i would suggest talk to him find out his reasons,you could even go with him to your local forces careers centre and a soldier will be happy to discuss things and give you both any info you need