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I've been with the Army ROTC for two semesters now in college and its time to finally take my relationship with it to the next level. My father, a Marine of 30+ years, thought it would just be a brief fling but I truly love what I'm doing. How do I tell him that I'm joining the Army without him disowning me from the family?
Update: Well he took it way better than I thought he would have. He was highly skeptical at first and grilled me about every aspect to make sure I knew what I was doing and hadn't just been swindled into signing my life away. Then after he was satisfied he asked why I wasn't joining the Coast Guard as I've been an auxiliarist with them for a while now. After I gave him the explanation to that he told me to wait on the couch and went into one of our side rooms and came back with some papers. Said papers were my grandfathers DD-214, while they weren't as detailed as the ones that come out now they showed that my grandfather had served in the Army and Air Force and had retired from the latter. I had never met my grandpa as he died before I was born and for some reason he'd never come up in conversation beyond the fact that he had been in the military. I'd always assumed he had also been in the Marines. So overall it went well and I learned a bit more about my family tree. Thank you to everyone for their advice and kind words. I actually used a good bit of that advice over the course of the conversation.
Update: Well he took it way better than I thought he would have. He was highly skeptical at first and grilled me about every aspect to make sure I knew what I was doing and hadn't just been swindled into signing my life away. Then after he was satisfied he asked why I wasn't joining the Coast Guard as I've been an auxiliarist with them for a while now. After I gave him the explanation to that he told me to wait on the couch and went into one of our side rooms and came back with some papers. Said papers were my grandfathers DD-214, while they weren't as detailed as the ones that come out now they showed that my grandfather had served in the Army and Air Force and had retired from the latter. I had never met my grandpa as he died before I was born and for some reason he'd never come up in conversation beyond the fact that he had been in the military. I'd always assumed he had also been in the Marines. So overall it went well and I learned a bit more about my family tree. Thank you to everyone for their advice and kind words. I actually used a good bit of that advice over the course of the conversation.
Humor
ROTC
Marines
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 78
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(Join to see) Are you "joining the Army", or are you continuing your education and taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the ROTC unit to enhance your knowledge of things military? He will be proud of a son who is serving. Good luck!
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CWO3 (Join to see)
read the fine print, you'll be signing a blank check for the amount up to your life, that is a point of pride that many never experience, good luck with whatever you do
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I went in the National Guard.. my dad was a South Pacific WWII Marine.. he use to introduce me as his dog face daughter.. I told him I would have become a BAM but the Marines did not have medical corp. I Was a medic.. I use to call him a seagoing bellhop.. which was a old nickname the navy gave the marines because of their dress blues.. He was proud of me because I served ..
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Have a straight forward talk with your father he may surprise you. My father was W.W.II Army, I was Vietnam Navy, my father was proud of me as I think your father will be proud of you. When all is said and done we are all part of the brotherhood and sisterhood of U.S. Veterans. Good luck in your future with the Army.
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My father was Army in W.W.II, I went Navy Vietnam, it doesn't matter which branch you go into he should be proud that you will follow his lead by serving our Country. We are all part of the brotherhood of Veterans. Talk to him honestly and straight forward, I think he will surprise you. Good luck with your future in the Army, be proud.
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Yea, good luck with that. I don't push my kids to join but I told them if they did there is only one choice...My oldest son decided to join. He went in the Marines. I am not sure how I would have taken the Army (or other branch) conversation.
Joining the Marines would allow you to be father and son and bothers all at the same time. The benefit would be all of the things he could teach you everything you experience he can relate to of help you with. My son and I have some good laughs about all things Marine Corps. I can also help him get uniforms ready for the ball or other events too.
Joining the Marines would allow you to be father and son and bothers all at the same time. The benefit would be all of the things he could teach you everything you experience he can relate to of help you with. My son and I have some good laughs about all things Marine Corps. I can also help him get uniforms ready for the ball or other events too.
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Join the real world. My father was a WWII and Cold War Air Force, I was Cold War through post Desert Storm Army and Army National Guard, and my son is a Navy MA. I wouldn't have objected to the Coast Guard. People make fun of the "Pond Pirates" but they are out there putting it on the line every time they go out.
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Hey, Its your life, not his. You father got to choose his path, now its your turn. Don't ever let anyone, (including your father) try to impose their life on yours. If you love what you are doing, stand up and let your father know, and don't be humble, contrite or conciliatory!! Be Proud. He'll understand and respect your for it!!
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Sounds like you have a good relationship with your father.....whatever you do it has to come from your heart, otherwise you won't be happy.
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