Do you feel that joining the military straight out of highschool is the best choice?

I did but back then the Vietnam war was going. I graduated in June 1966 and went through my training and was in Vietnam on Jan 4th 1967, I remember that day because it was my Moms 40th Birthday. I was an Army brat so it was pretty much a thing for me and I remember my high school in Germany sent letters to the men in Vietnam and it felt good when I got the letters.

Yes,

During Vietnam Nam, if you weren't smart enough and fast enough to get to a college and get a deferment, you were probably gone anyway.

That is a "it depends" question. It is definitely a good option. In my current job, we encourage all of our Cadets to aim for college, and all the free money they can get. That includes all college and scholarships, not just miltary related scholarships.

But, I understand for some/many college right out of HS is not the best choice. Still I encourage all to consider that strongly. If they opt for enlisting (and many do) we tell them education is still very important.

I joined right after high school and I have zero regrets! Best decision I have made in my entire life!

If the individual has decided while still in high school (and 17) that they want to join the military, there are advantages to allowing them to join the delayed entry program. The main rason being the the long he/she waits thru the school year or until 18, the less jobs there will be for them to choose from. There will be more jobs available for summer basic training earlier in the school year, then there will be at the end of the school year for those how wish to go on active duty right after graduation.

Parentls should know their children well enough to know if they are serious about this or not. If they know they are serious, then refusing to sign for them at 17 is actually putting them at a disadvantage at the MEPS if made to wait until age 18 and still in school.

My youngest son, told me he wanted to join the delayed entry for the USMC. I sat down with him (also being a former Army Recruiter) and asked enquiring minds questions as a parent. Explained to him the differences in the enlistment options for each branch and told him to go see the different recruiters....ALL of them! I told him this was going to be his 1st "ADULT" decision and if 45 days in, all of a sudden he didn't like it, tough...he was advised pros and cons, sent off to get more info, made to think about it some more.....he made the committment and he would stick it out. If he bailed out on a Chapter 10, 13, etc.. I would kick his ass, for not sticking to his committment! If at the end of his enlistment and didn't want to re-enlist, no problem! His choice, his decision. He made his decision and entered the USMC delayed entry last month and goes off to recruit training at Parris Island shortly after school gets out.

I'm proud of him, respect his choice in branch of service! I would not hold him back knowing he was ready to make that 1st Adult decision. It's his life, and if he's ready to begin to experience it early, I will not hold him back, because he is 17.

As I turned 17 in March (72) and graduated high school 2 months later, and left home the day after. My mother would not sign for me while I was 17, but I was living on my own in a different state, my own job, apartment, car! She later regretted doing so, but stood by her decision as Viet Nam was winding down. So i joined after turning 18. As for my son....his life, his career, his choice of branch.....and his decision to make.

Yes, it gets you experience quick, money for college and a sooner start to a military retirement clock toward 20 years. After 3 years you are still young enough to get out an start a new career plus you have an Honorable Discharge, if you did things right. An Honorable Discharge says to potential employers, I did a demanding job and stayed out of trouble.

I graduated an year early out of high school - then went to college for a year then enlisted in the AF - I personally think everyone should enter the military after high school. If we had this I think we would not have the problems we have in todays society.

In my opinion it was the best decision for me! I didn't want to go to college right after high school. i had already had enough of school and didn't want to spend 4 more years doing it. I joined in 2000 a month after i graduated. looking ahead i have 5 years left until i can retire. I will be retired at 38 years old and moving on to another career where hopefully i can retire from 2 jobs and my kids wont have to worry about much.like i said i know it was the right choice for me. it may not be the right decision for everyone but that is how i feel about it.

It's an individual choice. There is no one correct answer for all.

I not only completed college, but also law school before enlisting and still wasn't all that mature. (My wife would argue that I'm still a little boy at heart)

Not everyone needs a college education. It's not appropriate for everyone. There are many craftsmen and tradesmen who earn more than some professionals and lead equally satisfying lives. And, all branches of the military are excellent sources of technical training.

Also, colleges and universities are far more concerned with indoctrination than education. It may well be that delaying exposure to those ideologues until after having a chance to mature in the military is a good idea.