I want to join the military but my parents dont want me to!! Please Help!?

Question

I really want to join the military and serve my country but my family does not think I should. they keep telling me that I'll get killed and I should just go to college and I do want to go to college but maybe later.
Now I would just enlist if I could but my problem is that when I graduate I wont be 18 until November 2008 and they told me if I dont go to college then I will get kicked out the house and I wont have anywhere to go because the rest of my family is in Michigan and we're in Tennessee.
And I dont want to get killed if I go even though the military is where I'm going and it could happen
So I was wondering should I just join the Navy or the Airforce instead of the Army Reserve to ease their minds and is it possible to enlist at 17 without parental consent.

Answer 1

I can adopt you and sign the consent form for you to join the Regular Army at 17!

Answer 2

Okay.. .couple of things in your post snagged my attention... The other posters are right, you can't even enlist in the DEP without parental consent at age 17... so you'll need consent until you turn 18.

Regarding the level of danger, that has more to do with the specific job you choose in the military than it does what branch of service you choose. For instance if you have a desk job, you're likely to be safe, even if deployed. If you're in a job that puts you in a close support position to combat troops, then the likelihood of injury increases. Make sense?

I recommend you take an online career guidance course... or maybe your high school counselor has one you can take. It should help you start thinking about different skills you have and what career fields would best suit you. Then you can talk to military recruiters from each branch. Let them know what areas you're interested in, and see what jobs they have to offer. It's likely that one branch will really stick out for you as being the one you'd like to be part of. Do your homework on this, and choose an Occupational Field that best suits you and will maximize the service you give.

If you've thought it out that much, and your parents see that you're serious about it and that you have chosen something that is less dangerous than an "infantry" position, then they may yet come around.

If they don't, then consider going to a local community college the first year... joining after your freshman year in college... and you may graduate basic training/boot camp as an E-2, rather than an E-3... which is good! The recruiter can help you with all that!

Good luck to you.. and thanks!

Answer 3

Yeah, I can understand why you wouldn't want to go to college. College is basically high school, except with ashtrays.

Anyway, don't think you're going to escape getting an education if you join the military. Unless you choose a combat position, you'll be getting training in your job of choice with plenty of opportunities for further education while in the military and after also (GI Bill). Studying sucks, but it is also kind of inescapable these days. I'm sure if you cut a deal and promise your parents you will pursue some higher education during your service, they will at least have consider it.

Compared to the Marines and Army, the other branches are comparatively much safer, but there is always a chance that you can get deployed, and always a chance that you could get hurt.

Answer 4

In today's military service, you don't join at 17 without parental consent, nor do you enlist without a H,S. diploma or GED.

So, until you're 18 and fully emancipated, you best listen to mom and dad. A little college never killed anyone, yet a little military service has killed many.

In today's military service, sea going navy personnel have very low casualty rates, but the middle east is highly volatile and this could change. This war could expand to include Iran, and that would certainly mean more involvement of navy and air force services.

Answer 5

Go for the coast gaurd or air force, I wouldn't recommend the Navy. No, you need parental consent under the age of 18, you are still considered a minor till then.

Or you can tell your parents about the ROTC program. They pay for your 4 years of college, plus some cash on the side. And then when you actually become active you will be an officer making good bank and have a paid for education and only have to do a few years in.

Answer 6

No it is not possible to enlist at 17 without parents consent and the military won't take you without a high school diploma anyway. The Air Force will maybe accept a GED if you test higher than 60 on the ASVAB. Wait another year and see how you feel. when you turn 18 you can do as you please. If they throw you out of the house, who cares, you will be gone anyway.

Answer 7

It is not possible to join the military without parental consent at age 17. You can go to college and serve in the military. go to a recruiter and ask your questions. I used to be in the US Army. I will not lie to you. Yes, you could get killed, but that depends on what your job is and where you get deployed. Have your parents go with you to the recruiter and get their questions answered. If they will not, then wait until you are 18 and then make your own decision. If you believe in God, pray about your future. He has the best answer for you. Thank you for wanting to serve your country and God bless you.

Answer 8

First thing first, NO ONE who joins the military WANTS to get killed. Those that do dont make it in.
Keep your parents happy. Join the military after you turn 18. Sign up for the military with an entry date in or at the end of your freshman year in college. Concentrate on your school til then. Dont lie to your parents. At 18, you are considered an adult...legally that is.
I joined the Air Force and am adult leader in the Navy Sea Cadet program so read between the lines there.
Your parents most likely will support you.

Answer 9

You can't enlist at 17 without parents consent, they can't throw you out of the house before you are an adult. There are child abuse laws , and criminal ones, covering that.

Take their advice, go to college. You won't be serving your country if you go to Iraq. Exxon oil perhaps.

And you can't retire or go to college if you come back in a body bag. There have been 89 women killed in Iraq, almost all by combat. There have been 4 suicides!

And let me tell you something from my experience, the people in the US could care less about you! Even today they are giving bad discharges in Ft. Carson Colorado, after 22,000 of them have served in Iraq, many have Purple Hearts and many have closed head traumas! There reason is "pre-existing personality disorders" I would love to see their "Pre-existing" data! America just doesn't want to pay!

Currently their is a law suit filed by the wounded of Iraq who are NOT getting medical care because Bush cuts VA Hospitals and give tax cuts to the rich!

Is this what you really want to join?

Some of those for the war, mainly neocons and fascists, want to put your life at-risk in Iraq. But I can guarantee they don't want to help you if you are wounded and come home!

Even one on this site said they shouldn't help, and the wounded should just go out and get a job! Translation: You are just welfare recipients to them!

You do not owe anyone to place your life in jeopardy in an illegal war based on nothing!

If you want to join a service, join the airforce, they have lost far less than the Army has in just women alone!

PS: You can enlist without a diploma, maybe not in the Airforce.

Answer 10

Think long and hard about what YOU want to do.Research each branch and try to talk to people who serverd in them.Dont rush to make a decision, I was in the Army Reserves for 8 years and while I it was a great experiance for me, knowing what I know now I would have done things differntly.Make sure when you go to meps , if you do sign up that you have everything you were promised in your contract.If you want a certain MOS and its not available dont assume you can switch it easily later on.You cant enlist without their consent until your 18, maybe once you decide you can bring your parents to speek to the recruiter.The millitary can do so much for you, money for school, new experiances and meeting so many great people.It is a great commitment though so dont rush it , good luck :)