Alright so since Middle School both my parents knew I wanted to go into the Military; but thought I would go through college in ROTC or NROTC or something along those lines. My mom is totally against anything to do w/ me in the Military, but my dad's view on it is; if it gives me a civilian equivelant skill then he'd support me.
Im a Junior in High School and am about to go into the DEP (Delayed Entry, so I go to Boot and AIT after I graduate). Im enlisting in the Marines as Machine Gunner (0351). I dont need my parents permission, but their support; Im doing it either way. But how do I get them on my side?
2007-02-14 08:12:58 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Good luck and Semper Fi. I was in your exact shoes a few years ago. Sounds eerily familiar where my mom was totally against it and my dad only wanted me to do a skill job too. I wanted infantry, and that's what I did. I didn't get any formal civilian skills, but it will give you a lot of confidence, discipline, and leadership skills (all of which are invaluable). The lives of the 03--s are hard ones, but worth it.
As to how to get them on your side, it would be nice, but you don't really need them on your side (I never had my parents on mine until after boot camp, and even then they disagreed but still supported my desicion). Eventually they'll have to come to terms themselves that this is what YOU want, and they can't make your decisions for you all the time.
2007-02-14 08:22:15 · answer #1 · answered by mr_peepers810 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you've just got to act like a man about it! Tell them in a respectful manner that this is a decision you've made about your life. Also discuss the benefits you get towards college from the military--your recruiter has many brochures about this! Soldiers do really well in college because they know first hand that an education translates into safer work for better money!
Of course your machine gunner training doesn't have a lot of real practical crossover to civilian life but the training you'll get in self-discipline, leadership etc. is invaluable. It is really hard for people who haven't been raised in military families to understand the great benefits of it. Your time in service will help you mature so that the time you spend in college later will be used effectively. You will be much less likely to fail out a semester like so many 18-19 yr old boys do drinking and partying--what a way to waste 10,000 dollars!
2007-02-14 08:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by psycho-cook 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you just have to give them time. It takes awhile for parents to grasp the concept that their kids are growing up and for us few are going into the military after highschool instead of college. My mom has some support in my decision making, she wishes that i would of waited alittle longer before i enlisted ( back in September) My dad has full support in me. He said that if he was my age he would of done alot of things differently and one of those things was if he should join the military or not, his thought was that there wasn't a real point for him to join. He says that if he was my age again he would of joined. til this day he regrets it. You just have to step back and just look around at them. The support is there you just can't fully see it because you are to worried that they don't support you. But hey, good luck with the Marines. I'm a Senior in High School so i'm leaving August 1st. Mechanics for the Air Force.
2007-02-14 10:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by matt f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know your relationship with them, but as a parent of an 18-year-old, I recommend that you find ways to demonstrate that you are capable of making responsible decisions on your own. You might avoid starting off with a declaration that your mind is already made up, whether it is or not, because that might put them on the defensive. Check out a book called Parent Effectiveness Training. If they are open-minded, if you think the book makes sense you could ask them to read it. It's about finding a no-lose solution--both you and your parents get what you want. Good luck.
2007-02-14 08:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by sargon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a parent of a son that wants to do the same thing...all I can tell you is to tell them and ask them to support your decision.
This is my worst fear, that my son will enlist and not tell me until the last minute. So tell them now.
I have been opposed to my son going in the military while the war is going on because I am afraid that he will be sent there right out of boot camp and I am afraid that he won't come home.
2007-02-14 08:23:26 · answer #5 · answered by saved_by_grace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just talk to them and show them the benefits from being in the marines. my brother just came home one day and said that he had enlisted in the marines and he left 2 weeks after graudating high school. less than a year after that he left for iraq. and right now he is there again. my parents support him b/c they love him. im pretty sure they will understand but make sure you look into the military before you enlist. its not always what they make it out to be.good luck!
2007-02-14 08:30:43 · answer #6 · answered by ☆..LoSEr..☆ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't even tell my parents I had joined the USAF until about a month before I left for basic.
You will need your parents permission to go into DEP if your not 18 yet.
Your parents will support you after you sign up, they might not like it, but they will soon change their mind.
Maybe its just me, but it is your life and future you are talking about. While it might be nice to have family support for your decision's, you have to do what you think is right for you.
2007-02-14 08:25:24 · answer #7 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be straight with them. Tell them that you want to do this even though you understand the consequences. Let them know that your mind is made up and that you will feel better knowing that they support you actions.
2007-02-14 08:17:37 · answer #8 · answered by united9198 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them its what you want to do and you want their support but dont need it. My mom is a hardcore jehovahs witness (i dont live with her thank god) and hates the fact that im joining the marines and wont sign along with my dad who was in the marines and supports me. Just tell them that you want to do it tell them why and tell them u love them. HOORAH MARINE CORPS GRUNTS!!
2007-02-14 08:18:11 · answer #9 · answered by thanatos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to manage them with ur proper logic. if ur logic is strong tnen they will permit u.
2007-02-14 08:19:23 · answer #10 · answered by meets_the_eye 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋