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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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I concur with SSG Livingston. He's your father, he should accept you for whatever branch you are. Except the Coast Guard.....
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CWO3 (Join to see)
It's actually fairly hard to get in the Coasties, or at least used to be, and it's no cakewalk after that, SAR...narco seizures etc all high risk
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CWO3 (Join to see)
I know and didn't take it otherwise. Thanks for your comment. Just sticking up for USCG. Never been one and they often get slammed but they must have a pretty tough job. They have served overseas in War also, such as in amphib landings in Pacific in WWII. One was awarded MOH posthumously for his actions on Guadalcanal 1942. Best wishes for the Holiday Season and for your service.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Albert_Munro
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Albert_Munro
Douglas Albert Munro - Wikipedia
Douglas Albert Munro (October 11, 1919 – September 27, 1942) is the only member of the United States Coast Guard to have received the Medal of Honor, the United States's highest military award. Munro received the decoration posthumously for his actions as officer-in-charge of a group of landing craft on September 27, 1942, during the September Matanikau action in the Guadalcanal campaign of World War II.
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Gotta say I did actually consider the Coast Guard because I enjoy what they do. Then I found out about the Auxiliary and joined it so I'm able to do things with them as well as the Army. At least until I graduate.
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I'd say, "Dad, I love the Marines. I love it that they are willing to get in a thin-sided landing craft, and head towards a beach 2 miles away under gunfire, and then assault prepared positions by charging them head on. It's inspiring. But it's not what I want to do. I think I'd rather hit the enemy with overwhelming force where they aren't looking. I'm joining the Army!"
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Just tell him as a parent he should be happy that you learned from his mistakes and assure him you will live in a better world with more opportunities than he ever did. Thats why you're joining the Army.
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Suspended Profile
I'ma join the Army. Pass the potatoes?
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My Dad was Air Force,i went into the Army as my desires were different ,my Dad did not get offended by my choice but actually commended me for wanting to serve this great Nation.Be All You can BE,Army,Air Force,Navy,Marines and the Coast Guard.
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Just do it I worked with an army recuiter that had a son join the Navy Tell him you feel that the Army is a better fit for you
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