Need some help convincing parents

[6114DAVE]

LOL, me and that weenie are well cquainted

I eventually stopped fighting the big green weenie...lol

[taladeganite]

Get your college first! Its only a few years, a tiny span of time in the span of your lifetime. The doors you can open with a degree are countless. Even in the Marine Corps. Make sure your contract is tight (airwing is good!).. a good friend of mine did the firefighting gig in the Air Wing, He was a happy camper and I was quite envious. The Corps is not for everyone, that is for sure, attitude is everything with that life. Stay positive and motivated and you'll get through the hardest parts in no time.

[cheesyhybrid]

I am a high school teacher and I agree with the recruiters when they say school is for fools. When you join the military you have pay, housing and importantly a personel record where you have been evaluated and documented performance. This will help when you want a civillian job because its better than your starbucks supervisor saying you make customers good coffee.
And when you want to go to college you can. Plus youll be in the real world and probably not waste your time on some dumb useless major like a lot of civillians get brainwashed into doing. I dont know about the usmc but the army has a program called green to gold where you basically go to school full time in the army. Rotc is another option. Just ask your older friends how easy finding a job is after college. Finishing rotc will give you a job that pays a nice living and will either give you responsibility over a platoon or a 10 million dollar budget or more as an xo. That aslo carries well as experience in the civillian world. Almost any job now has experience as a prerequisite and the military is one of the few places where they will offer it to you at a competetive wage.
Joining the military has so many benefits that I did it at 27 with an established career and I just wish I did it earlier.
Your parents will be proud of you after boot camp. My only suggestion is to get the most pog job possible if you want to go to college and look at all the branches and options before going with one. Remember that recruiters got their job because they love their service and want to sell it.

[taladeganite]

Cheesy has a good point! Jobs after college are getting scarce for new graduates with degrees. And those chasing these jobs are facing stiff competition for them.

[stitchnicklas]

let them know your desire and such,if they refuse to sign ,keep your conviction and keep your slate clean as you can because you can join at 18 without a parents wish's.
my parenst signed off when i was 17 and went in to the navy.

[Fobjoe]

Can you give me a rundown on what a officer program is/involves?

Officer programs like OCS are available to individuals who have earned a 4 year degree and meet competitive academic and physical requirements. Others go ROTC (which sounds like a more appropriate route in your case if you choose to serve as a commissioned officer). Others I know who are pursuing or have achieved specialized advanced degrees such as medical and dental doctorates attend a shortened version of officer training and end up practicing their specialties in the military as commissioned officers (army/navy/airforce specific).

As others have stated for enlistment, definitely pick out an MOS unless you REALLY have no idea and don't care what you will be doing. No doubt the military will mature you faster beyond your civilian peers. A commissioned route of first earning a 4 yr degree may make your parents more receptive to the idea of you in the military. Either way, if you do enlist soon your family may be upset at first but will more than likely get over it in due time.

[nicki]

Military

I joined the Navy when I was 18 and I was a corpsman. Fortunately during my 6 years for me there was no hostile actions.

At the time I joined I did so because I really wasn't doing anything with my life, it gave me the opportunity to get training, get a track record using that training and to SERVE my country.

I am very vocal about "Rights", but I strongly believe that citizens must take "Responsibilities" to ensure those rights.

Your family should be "PROUD" of you that you are stepping up to serve your country.

I am not happy with the wars we are involved in which is one of the reasons I support Ron Paul for president.

That being said, it warms my cold black heart to read that you are ready to serve your country.

Nicki

[monk]

I really doubt they're pissed at you. They're just worried for your well being. My mom cried for a while when my older brother said he would join the Army. I was damn proud of him and stood behind his decision, my parents not so much. They eventually realized that it was his call. What you should do is try to shore up support from people your mom and grandma respect.

[Uxi]

I signed up and THEN told my parents. Wait till you're 18, though, and make sure you read everything you sign. The recruiter will try to rush you through it. Remember, whatever he promises you, if it's not on the yellow contract you're signing, you're not getting it.

[monk]

I signed up and THEN told my parents. Wait till you're 18, though, and make sure you read everything you sign. The recruiter will try to rush you through it. Remember, whatever he promises you, if it's not on the yellow contract you're signing, you're not getting it.

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