My 19 year old son wants to enlist in the Army...?

Question

As his mom I am scared... my son seems so quite and gentle I know he's trying to find his own identity and independence. I guess I just want to know how others of you out there have faired in the army. Especially recently. He's only completing his first year of college. Will this set him back in terms of a career when his commitment is over?

I don't for one second think that I can tell him what to do. This is his decision I have to respect and support any one he makes. I just want info so that I can print them out and let him read them, give him different unbiased view points, not coming from his mother. I give him enough credit that he fully understands the dangers involved.

Answer 1

If your son really believes that he belongs to the military,let him be,and be not afraid,have faith in GOD,hell take good care of your son,,I understand your concerns,,,be vocal to him so he would know whats in your mind and heart,,,,but respect his decisions

Answer 2

He's an adult, and he's going to have to make a decision on his own. If you don't support his choices, at least let him know you are there for him no matter what. The worst thing a parent can do is to tell a child trying to better themselves, or perhaps find direction in life, is to tell them that they are going the wrong way about it. A lot of people have a problem with the military because of the war, but outside of that it is an excellent opportunity with medical benefits, education, and areas for advancement. For someone who wants to see places, and wants a change in life the military is good. It saved my brother from a life of drugs and crime, cleaned him up, helped him find direction and four years later when he got out he became a professional. It helped him help himself...and maybe you're son is looking for that same help.

Answer 3

If money is a problem to get into college, then he needs to go into the service. As others have posted, myself included, the military builds great charctacter and builds a great future for college where before there was little to offer.
If money is not a problem for him to achieve his personal goals in life including college, then support him and keep him from harms way, not that it will forever keep him safe because every day when all people walk out into the streets, we take the chance that an accident might happen. Either way there are no guarantees.
I hope this helps.
Petty Officer Third Class, US Navy, Veteran
Loving Husband with wife and 4 children
God bless.

Answer 4

He will gain a lot of experience in the Army for potential future jobs, such as a police officer, SWAT, etc. My husband joined at either 18 or 19 and he was sent to Iraq about 1.5 years after he joined. He is currently over there and while I am not quite sure what effect the war will have on him, I believe he has gained a certain sense of pride and dignity since serving in a war.

I am very proud of my husband and as a daughter, I believe you should support your son no matter what. There is nothing worse than a parent who doesn't believe in you!

He will most likely be deployed and while dangerous, it would be a great life experience for him.

Answer 5

Make sure he finds a job that he is really interested in. I'm in the Air Force and I joined when I was 18 (almost 19) but I didn't actually leave until I was 20(almost 21). I love my job and the people I work with. I am currently in Afghanistan and I'm making tons of extra money and having a lot of fun. (by extra money I mean for the 4+months I'll be here I will have earned an extra $10,000)

The military life is really fun for me. I'm married with no kids and been in since 2005. My job is a weapons troop for the F15 fighter jet. (I can tell you more about the life if you want to e-mail me)

There are plenty of opportunities for him to continue school. They (at least the AF) really encourages it. There are plenty of programs to help with cost besides the GI bill. You can also go into the education office and just take the college test for a course and if you pass you get the credits...it's free too!

I'll be happy to tell you more if you want to e-mail me.
I think it's a great idea. There are so many different programs he can get involved in on base to help him figure out things like paying bills, organizing finances, buying a car, etc...basically people to talk to help teach you the tricks to being a sucsessful and independant adult.

Answer 6

Coming from someone who is married to a US Army Reservist, ask him where he plans on being in 6 years. Does he want a family? Does he want a wife and children?
Then tell him it probably isn't the best choice. As much as I love my husband, I hate this war, and he's being sent to Iraq in the next few months, and I'm terrified. We have a 7 month old daughter, and my greatest fear is that she might not ever know her daddy. The Army may seem appealing right now, but if he wants more out of his life and plans on going in the Reserves, National Guard, or long-term Active Duty, then he really needs to think beyond that, to how his actions now will effect his future.
My husband recommends that if he does want to serve his country and it's something he truly feels he needs to do, that he should go 2 years active and then get out. That way he'll have all the training, he'll have the experience, and he'll be a better person for it, but it won't control or determine the rest of his life.
I wish him and you, the absolute best of luck. I know how hard it is to see someone you love so much make a choice that could possibly hurt them. What I don't know is how hard it must be to let your child make that choice, since you have this strong need to protect them, and yet know that you have to let them go and make their own choices. *hug* My thoughts are with you.

Answer 7

When your son becomes a U.S. soldier he will be doing a very worthwhile service to the United States. The people that he associates with will determine, more than anything else, what kind of effect it will have on him. The type of unit he is assigned to will have much to do with the quality of his experience.
A hitch in the Army will help his education in the long run because when he gets out he will have much assistance and maturity.
Needless to say, the Army is not a safe place. We may go to war with Iran or North Korea or China or you name it. The freeways aren't so safe either.

Answer 8

Well your son is 19 so technically he can make his own decisions. I enlisted in the Army and was sent to boot camp a month after high school. I know the thought of him going to Iraq is scary but there's a chance he might not go. My brother enlisted and is currently in Kuwait for a year. I myself was deployed to Iraq. He just has to weigh the pros and cons. During the last semester of high school, many people (including some family members) highly discouraged me from going, and this was before 9/11. For the positive reasons mentioned from people above, I think it's a good choice; even if he enlists only for a couple years. I've been out for 3 years and am in my 3rd year of college. I have a part-time job and the GI Bill pays me a hefty amount every month, a little over $1,600 a month. Yeah there are risks but he can get so much back.

Answer 9

Not to be disrespectful in any way, however joining the militart in this day in age is basically a bad move. The war on terror hasn't reached it's full peak yet the chances of your son going to war is about 100%, not only in Iraq, or Afghanistan those are only the two starting points there will be more and more wars in the not so distant future. Let him wait to get drafted. I understand it is his decision to make up his own mind just remind him the price for joining the military is basically his life. I served when I was younger and thank God I am to old to serve now this is the scariest time on earth to be alive.

Answer 10

I joined at 18. I am a female, and did learn a few things. Respect your son's courage for wanting to join. It is a dangerous profession, there is no doubt about that, but you need to have faith in his decision. There are many people who think that what we are doing now is wrong, but these men and women join on there own, and they deserve to be supported, no matter what. These people are fighting for our freedom.

Since he is in college, he could rank as an officer after training. Many officers do not see combat. They are the ones in charge.

Answer 11

You don't really have a choice in the matter. When I joined it was the start of desert storm and I chose Chemical Warfare as my MOS - I was sent to Korea for a year then to Ft. Drum. I was in the ARMY for 4yrs and it taught me how to stand on my own and know that I can do more than I ever thought I could. Once I got out my GI bill paid for the entire 4yr college degree and I can use my VA benefits for home loans, business loans, taxes, etc.
Allow your son to make his own decision, he will respect you for it and you will respect him more because of the commitment he is making.