How do I tell my parents I want to join the Navy?

Question

I am 17 and have been looking into the military for 10 months. I am fairly sure now that I want to enlist in the U.S. Navy, and my parents said they will support me in whatever I do but I wouldn't bet the barn that they'll follow through. First they tried to talk me out of military, then they tried to show me ROTC stuff. ROTC is cool but I really want to enlist now. I probably come across as a rash teenager but I've been looking into this for 10 months now and talked to a lot of people. I also got a 99 on the asvab so I should qualify for a good job. How can I tell my parents that I really want to go in now and not later?

Answer 1

ok here is how you go about breaking this to your parents, i had to help my cousin do it when he finaly decided to join. He came and talked to me to get some of the facts strait that he was not sure on( i was in the Navy at the time) Go and get all the information you can from the recruter, such as what job rate you are looking in to going in to, do the research on this rate to see what all it intells and what type of conversion it it has to the civilian world. this way when you sit down and talk to them you will have all the facts and should be able to answer any question they may have, it is also a good idea that you save any info you get and websites you look the info up on that way if they have a question your not sure about you can look it up and let them know. also it sometimes helps them if they look at the info as well, And the most inportant thing when presenting this to your parents is not to act like a child when doing this, be as mature as possiable when you do it, don't argue with them, if they start to object ( if they do). then calmly liten to what they have to say take a min and think about what there saying then then calmly start talking to them agin. Doin g it this way will show that you are not just going at this as a rash teenager, but have done your home work and research in to what you want to do with your life, and not just jumping in to something, that is a very big life changeing experiance. good luck.

Answer 2

Be honest with them and explain to them your reasoning for wanting to enlist.

The last thing you want to do is turn it into an arguing match.
Show them you're mature enough to make this decision.

Just make sure you are enlisting for the right reasons.

Don't enlist just to be a gung ho sailor. Also like others have said,
don't believe everything the recruiters tell you. Talk to Active Duty sailors or Reservists to get the truth.

I'm a Veteran and Military brat. I was Air Force Enlisted and grew up a child of a Marine. So if you have any questions or need any advice, just email me.

Answer 3

As it has been something that you seemed to have looked in to a for a lenghty period of time, than they should see that its something that you are keen to do and it isn't a rash decision.

As for telling your parents, be upfront and honest as to why you want to enlist and be open to what opinions and suggestions they may have, it will be hard, but in the long run, they may surprise you and be supportive, although do remember that their main concerns are that you're going to be safe and happy.

Also remember that once you do enlist that depending on what rate you will be going in as, I am not sure of the US Navy, but for the Aussie Navy the initial duration of enlistment is either 4 or 6 years, with long deployments at sea, and away from family and loved ones, really think about if you will be able to do this.

My thought is that if this is something that you really dream to do, there is nothing really stopping you, and go for, who knows, you may end up loving what you will end up doing for the Navy

Answer 4

I have told my parents how I am planning on joining the Marines after I graduate from college. They both think that my knowledge would be better used somewhere else, but I can't think of a better job for myself.

They may seem skeptical at first, but they should eventually open up.


Also, don't ignore the ROTC/NROTC option. I know you want to enlist now, but what if after your service is up, you decide that you don't want to continue being in the Navy? You would have to go back to college if you wanted to have a successful career.

NRTOC would train you while you are in college, they would also pay for your education (if needed) as well as give you a stipend each month.

There are many options out there, so think them all through carefully.

Answer 5

Sit them both down and explain why you want to join, also emphasize that you've done a lot of research and are definitely serious about it. Explain to them what your goals are and show them how you can reach them by joining, and let them know that you can still do the ROTC thing, it's not going to be out of reach just because you enlist. Show them that you want to explore your options, I think they'll appreciate how much effort you've put into all of this, good luck.

Answer 6

One day after dinner sit the entire family down. Now you have to come prepared..so write out a paragraph or a few details on just how joining the Navy will benefit your life and the life of others. Explain to them that this is your passion. Honestly.. I feel proud of you! I think the military is a great career. I think that you will create a solid foundation and obtain skills that will carry you very far in life! Good luck and God Bless you. Remember..always follow your heart!

Answer 7

Tell them the truth, that is the only thing you can do. I would also talk to them about how it can give you a good job and training for later use, but they love you and worry about you so think about how they may feel about it. If it is what you really want then do it.You seem to have done a lot of looking up the information about it they just don't want to see anything bad happen to you that's all. Good luck you are going to need it

Answer 8

Mom, Dad..I want to join the navy. It sometimes comes down to that. I'm a parent but I wouldn't try to stop my children from doing what they want to do providing that it wasn't illegal or immoral.

They are probably, among other things, concerned about you getting a good education. If you can convince them that the Navy can provide one then you are well on the way to joining with their blessings.

Also keep in mind that America is at war and they are probably 'very' concerned about your safety. At 17 you may feel 'invincible', but your not and your parents know it.

Find out what their concerns are and try to address them. Just saying, "its my life and I'll do what I want." is not always the best way to go.

If you can't come up with a good argument, you probably not ready to go

Answer 9

Just tell them. The Navy does not take boys and turn them into men like the other services do. The Navy takes men who know what they want. Do your own research and talk to your recruiter too find out what you qualify for. Get your HS Diploma before you go in.

Answer 10

If it's what you want to do, enlist and go. I enlisted in the army when I was 18 and enjoyed it, because it's what I wanted to do as well. Keep in mind too that alot of people that served in WWI, WWII, etc weren't much older than you are, so don't let anyone tell you that you are being rash for wanting to serve in the military. Good luck!