My son is thinking of going into the military. His asvab (high school scores) were high enough?

Question

that "he was told he can pretty much write his own ticket". Any thoughts on which branch is best. He's going to have a recruiter come out this weekend to get more info. I think the military would be great, but to be honest...I'm just a little fearful. Thanks for your input.

Answer 1

Ma'am, if I may...

Please relax. think of the meeting with the recruiter as kind of a reverse job interview where the prospective employee is interviewing the employer.

1. Recruiter are salesmen. They have a few minutes to dispel decades of anti-war, anti-military, and anti-American propaganda. I think, as far as opportunity, all the services offer about the same programs and benefits. Specialty areas may differ from service to service. So, it's kind of like toothpaste. Toothpaste is toothpaste, but each brand claims to be the best. So, if the recruiter goes off bragging about this or that... just let him run down... and then ask him the questions. You might visit http://www.navy.mil/ That's the official Navy Web site... there's a lot of information there. Might answer some of your questions and give you an idea of what questions you might want to ask the recruiter.(kind of like the employer's resume)

2. The recruiter is coming out to talk. Don't take a pen in your hand. Take notes in pencil. Same for your son. Nothing you sign in pencil is legally binding. ;-) It's ok to remind him if he starts trying to "close" you, that you're gathering information and are not going to make a decision today.

3. Please try to keep in mind that the military is not in business to develop computer gurus for Microsoft, aircraft mechanics for United Airlines, avionics experts for Raytheon, or EMTs for the local fire department. The military is not in the travel business to provide duty where people want it. The military is not in business to provide tuition for college. These and other opportunities may be available, but the military is in business to train your son to be the best sailor/Marine/soldier/airman he can be, to defend his country, and to return safely. If he doesn't get the latter lessons, none of the other opportunities are going to make any difference.

4. In my day, recruiters could promise absolutely nothing. That may have changed, but it's always safe to presume that the best he can do is promise to apply for a program, apply for a duty station, or apply for a benefit. There may be ways to get some of that stuff, but you son is joining the military to serve his country... not so the country can serve him.

5. My experience:

I went into the Navy out of college. I enlisted with a degree instead of opting for an officer program because I wasn't sure I wanted to make the commitment.

When I reenlisted, somebody rediscovered my degree and suggested Officer Candidate School. Within a couple of years I was an officer.

I retired after 25 years. I live in a house purchased with a VA loan and paid for with my pension. I can fly almost anywhere in the world for free. I can visit base and VA hospitals.

Ma'am... I retired at 45! How many people in the civilian world can say that?

Some of the guys that got out after four years... that's how long active duty was back in the early 1960s... went to work at civilian jobs. Some started with large companies. About the time I became an officer, they were probably still working in the mail room. Those with degrees might have become supervisors. I was in management. By the time they made it into management, I'd been involved in policy at the Pentagon. Bu the time some of them made it up to those glassed-in corner offices waaaaay up in those tall office buildings, I was retired.

I got two more degrees on the GI bill. I was a college professor and a department chair. I was a management consultant for a major consulting firm. Today I get up when I want, spend some time chatting with guys and gals in Iraq and Afghanistan, do some exercise, and my time's my own. I'm active in church. And I still meet with some of the guys I served with.

Those guys in the corner offices? They're working 50-60 hours a week... and dreaming about doing all the stuff I did before I was 45.

Believe me, ma'am... the Navy... or whatever service he chooses... will take good care of your son.

One of the things they told me aboard ship, I was aboard an aircraft carrier and, for short periods, aboard a sub, they told me that if anybody sinks a carrier it will be because we're in the middle of WW III. Aboard ship is probably among some of the safest places in the world to be.

In my experience, most Navymen or women never see combat. They may launch missiles or aircraft, but, except for the pilots, helicopter air crew, and Hospital Corpsmen, few ever come under fire. Those few are SEALs.

From the time he gets to boot camp until he gets out of the Navy, he'll probably be safer than in civilian life... not invulnerable... but safer.

EDIT: Saw a post that said recruiters lie. They cannot legally do so. But they don't always tell all of the truth. They have a product to sell... their service. They are going to emphasize the positive, and minimize or neglect the negative. They have specific programs they're supposed to push... so they do. But if you and your son do your homework on the Navy site, you'll already have an idea of what programs, benefits, etc., are available. If you think a recruiter is leading you down the primrose path, ask if he'd put that in writing... and sign it... and make sure it's in ink. ;-)

Answer 2

I have to add my 2 cents.

First off, sailors are going to combat zones everyday, it is called the IA program, or individual augment. All branches have boots in the sand these days, just some more than others.

Stress college, no matter what branch he goes into, your opportunities are much wider and more rewarding. If college is out of the question, then join and start applying for college. I know many friends, myself included that are in college and or have completed college on the military dime. Free education! That is a no brainer.

It all really depends solely on what your son wants to do in the long run. Most career military people never envisioned themselves at 18 or 19 being a career military person, so don't sweat that. Just get into something that is interesting, and something that has a future. But then again, even infantrymen are desirable to the job market these days.

Good luck, and don't sign anything until you have what he wants!

Answer 3

He likes being homeless because he has you supporting him all the way! Let him get a feel of what it is like to really be homeless without you paying for every whim he gets and deliver food packages when he feels like it. If he wants to go to the program he can get a job, save up and pay for it himself. Like adults who have moved out do. You will pay for him so he can be Street minister which will make him earn how much money a month? For him 9 months will be a long time and he might not be that interested after it is done. It's very possible he has a physical condition due to his mothers cocaine use which makes him act this way along with his feelings from that time. And don't say you can afford it because he is only 19 and there will most likely be other things in life he will really need help with so don't waste it on things he is just too lazy to get himself. Saying "NO" is not abandonment. Putting up limits is not abandonment. Don't fall for him trying to guilt trip you into anything. And the way he is treating you is not excusable just because he has been adopted. He sure will need help but you are in charge of that help, not him. So if he wish to keep on living at the shelter and make $200/month that is his choice. Clearly that means he can not afford a class he wants to take, a car, dining out every day etc etc. He will have to do what everyone else does and get a job. That will in no way hurt him, quite the opposite.

Answer 4

The main thing to keep in mind is can his "MOS" be used for his future once he leaves the military. Yes being a certain military profession may be fun, exciting, challenging etc. But he really needs to think long term. Make the military work for him and take all he can get out of it. Make certain whatever is promised by the recruiter verbally is backed up in writing. Otherwise the chances of his not getting what was promised is very high. Whatever is decided on, let him take his time and really look into what is best for him. Good luck

Answer 5

tough question with wartime but my advice is decide EARLY on a goal. Such as 4 and out, get education benefits and scream or career.
If he truly can "write his own ticket" the recruiter will still try to steer him into an MOS (military occupational specialty) that the service needs to fill. He won't be able to take a field that is full so he needs to ask what fields are available, then with what he plans on doing in the future, both during and after service, make a decision what field would best help him to meet his goals.
If he joins the Marines, (as I was) his first specialty will be infantry, he can specialize after that but all Marines are foot soldiers first.
I wish him well. Go Marines!!!!

Answer 6

Forget the which branch is best BS.

There is no best branch of the military.

You son needs to first figure out, just what he would want to do in the military.

Where he might want to be stationed

And how much traveling he wants to do.

After he has figured those out, then he can see which branch offers the job he wants, the duty stations he wants and the travel opportunties he wants.

Below are 5 links, listing all the jobs in the army, navy, marines, air force and coast guard.

Have him read the job descriptions.

Answer 7

I agree with the first answer but I will say they will still have the chance to pop for an IA billet. It really depends on what he does and if they have a need for his rate and rank. They could be sent anywhere that they need him at that point including Iraq. Make sure he explores all his military options and actually gets input from soldiers/sailors other than the recruiter. Their job is to get them in asap and not tell them the bad/difficult parts. Make sure he also explores all of the rates, some are more "menial" than others.

Answer 8

The navy is probably the safest branch or air force .Make sure he is not color blind because this will limit what he can do .Remember to the recruiter he is a pound of flesh .Put off the physical until he decides exactly what branch he wants to join.Once you take the oath at the end of your physical you are in.
P.S.
Thank you for being understanding and supporting your son in this decision and I want to thank him for especially if he joins for supporting and protecting this country

Answer 9

At the moment, I would suggest Navy. They are the most technical overall (yes the Air Force and Army have loads of technical positions, but the Navy has more). The down side of the Navy is sea duty, but the upside (given your fear) is that if he went into something that required sea duty, he would be least likely to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. But you need to know, all branches have dangers and ships are basically industrial complexes. But the Navy (like all the Services) are very concerned with safety of their personnel.

Answer 10

Congratulations to your son on his ASVAB scores, however, he will not be able to "write his own ticket" as he was told. Every thing is usually done to place him within the three fields in which he scored the highest, but to be very realistic, the needs of the sevice come first. I wish him luck in his military career.