He has decided he wont go to college after all, and that he and some buddies talked to a recruiter at the mall ...and they now want to join the military and go fight in Iraq.
What will you say to your son?
2007-07-14 20:17:26 · 22 answers · asked by me 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
What a waste. But if I had a son I would have raised him to honor education, intelligence, and wisdom over brute animalistic behaviors such as fighting and killing.
I would tell him if he really wants to help this nation instead of enlisting become a doctor, a physicist, a professor, a biologist, etc. Fighting this war is fighting for corporate greed and oil.
Any monkey can be trained to pull a trigger but it takes a true man of intelligence and wisdom (unlike our current chimpanzee in chief) to fight through ideas, principle, and education. But tell him go ahead become a murderer thats fine I am sure God could distinguish killing from ..... killing.
2007-07-14 20:37:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
I'm assuming you want your son to go to college and not Iraq. Begin by honestly letting him know how you feel and what your concerns are. Remind him that he doesn't know the recruiter and after he ship's out he'll never see that person again. Also let him know that when he goes to Iraq he's looking at a year in the desert with no cable, no sports, no resteraunts, etc. Nearly all the commodities will be gone. If he's lucky he'll get to make one phone call a week. He can look forward to working six to seven days a week somewhere between 10 and 16 hours a day.
Ultimately, you have to accept that this his decision to make. If he chooses to join remind him that, while you may not agree with his decision, you love him and will support him (he'll need it if he does go to Iraq). Don't hold a grudge against him and certainly don't threaten, scold, or criticize his decision. He's at a fragile and critical time in his life where if you dig your heels in he'll move in any direction except the one you want.
On the plus side consider this: After serving in the military he'll receive assistance in his schooling to help ensure he can get his college degree. Should he choose to stay in and do 20 years, he'll have a guaranteed paycheck for the rest of his life. Additionally, employers favor military veterans as they have experience, training, and a proven discipline that is not typically seen in a college grad.
2007-07-14 20:36:48 · answer #2 · answered by yn_tennison 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would say the recruiter gave you one side of the story now you are going to hear the other side! Then print out all the data about depleted uranium you can lay hands on like the link below and give it to him to read. I would also include several articles about just how poorly our troops are being treated once they have problems like cancer or deformed babies. The VA hospitals put them on a months long wait list then basically tell them they are screwed!
2007-07-14 20:44:49 · answer #3 · answered by sx881663 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd ask him if he understood the dangers of joining the military and the rewards of going to college. I'd then tell him my issues and concerns. Ultimately, though, he's an adult and I can't force him to do anything. I could waste a lot of time being angry at him and not talking to him, but that would be a needless punishment for the both of us.
2007-07-14 20:22:45 · answer #4 · answered by TheOrange Evil 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Three things:
1) be an officer (if you can't go to a service academy or OCS, take ROTC)
2) join the Air Force or the Navy
3) Find a nice girl, marry her, and knock her up (in that order) I want grandkids and I'm not taking a chance on your dying.
2007-07-14 20:55:14 · answer #5 · answered by anotherguy 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You're grounded!!
Those losers you hang around are a bad influence on you!
I would make them watch a bunch of violent military movies where the heroes are getting killed and if he still wants to go after a few weeks of that treatment, i would schedule him to take an ASVAB, and tell him not to let them stick him into an MP job.
it is one thing to fall for peer pressure on such a matter, but is entirely another, if he feels it is his patriotic duty, after realizing war isn't like it is on TV, even if you feel it isn't.
can't shelter them forever.
2007-07-14 20:43:10 · answer #6 · answered by avail_skillz 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He's on his way there next month. He's a man and it's his decision. He'd laugh at the responses of the sunken chested wimps who have answered this question. I'll worry about him, but he's a man who makes his own decision and really doesn't give a $%#% what others think.
2007-07-14 20:27:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would tell him to wait a few weeks and to some research in what is involved.
I would be honored to have my child serve in the military, but I would want him going in knowing exactly what he is getting himself into.
2007-07-14 20:28:48 · answer #8 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well my best friend joined the Corp earlier this year and he is in Iraq right now.
I am honored to have known him and I wish that he safely returns. Hopefully you feel the same. support his decision. It could lead to great things.
2007-07-14 20:47:25 · answer #9 · answered by Alec with a C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd say its a noble wonderful thing to do but ask them questions about the reality of what they would get into and see if it's still for him! I think you should be proud of your son for wanting protect such a great country, at the same time make sure he fully understands his decision!
2007-07-14 20:21:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋