What advice would you give your son/daughter before enlisting?

1SG Jason Fitzpatrick — Mon, 11 May 2015 11:52:21 -0400

My son is about to graduate High School. He wants to join up and serve and who am I to tell him not to. My question is what advice have you or would you give to a son or daughter getting ready to join?

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Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 11 at 2015 11:56 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 11 May 2015 11:56:46 -0400

I would let them know that I support your decision. Keep your whits about you, listen what is being taught to you, it may not seem to make too much sense but later on you will understand. Listen to those in charge and exactly what they say, unless you or others will get hurt. No in a combat situation your job is to do what you are told without question.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 11:56 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 11:56:46 -0400

Find an NCO you trust and respect and ask them to be your mentor. Choose wisely and it will help you immensely as your new career gets under way.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 12:06 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:06:47 -0400

Be the gray man in basic. Don't volunteer and always remember to have fun. Not everybody gets paid to shoot guns and throw grenades or belay down towers.

Response by BG David Fleming III made May 11 at 2015 12:32 PM

BG David Fleming III — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:32:53 -0400

Do it for your country, not for the money! When motivated by Country you'll lasts, if motivated for the money you won't.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 11 at 2015 12:34 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:34:47 -0400

Best advice I could give would be something my father (retired MSG) told me long ago.

When you decide to run your brain in high gear make sure your mouth is in neutral, if your mouth isn't in neutral then turn off the sound.
If you f***up, Own up don't drag your buddies down with you.
Listen to what is being said, not the tone of how it is said, you may miss something you should be focusing on.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 11 at 2015 12:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:37:56 -0400

Watch your buddies backs. Don't spend too much money and save some of his pay. Call you before he buys a car. Be the go to soldier. Listen to the NCOs. Keep a good attitude. Remember the Army values.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 11 at 2015 12:57 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:57:51 -0400

When my middle son enlisted back in 2012, I tried to get him to go into a career field that was suited to where his interests in college had been, which was accounting, so I tried to push him towards finance. Well he came back from MEPS as a 19K, like his old man, and it has been rough at times because he now is attempting to "live up" to what I did and has a hard time understanding, at times, that the Army as he knows it and as I knew it are different. With that being said, if your son were mine, I would tell him to pursue the career that he desires as first and foremost one needs to be happy in making their own choices, but at the same time not to expect the same results/career that dad has/had.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 11 at 2015 1:06 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:06:37 -0400

Be an Officer ... better yet a WO.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 11 at 2015 1:10 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:10:26 -0400

Practice Wake up at 0400.
Learn Ranks Structure.
Push up, Sit up and running.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 1:17 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:17:44 -0400

Personally I would tell them to look at the rules, know what is expected. Prepare for the physical activities and "play the game" and learn from the lessons that will be presented for Basic training. Then once you are past that buckle down and learn your job the best you can and always look for more information and do what you have to do to make it the best experience for you (TA, training ops, travel). At the end of the day you joined to make a difference for those you love and to keep our country safe and all of the jobs are vital to the mission, no matter how lackluster they could be. Like our old Command Chief had told us "Get what you want out of the Air Force because the Air Force will get what it wants out of you". We will All (Most) will serve honorably but get what you can and take advantage of the opportunities you will get because they may not come around again.

Response by SPC Fred Krauer made May 11 at 2015 1:40 PM

SPC Fred Krauer — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:40:29 -0400

Research MOS's and find out which one translates easiest to civilian life. There isn't much of a demand for putting holes in people, kicking doors and blowing stuff up in the civilian world. Also, go air force if he wants to be treated like a human being, not just a piece of equipment to be abused and then disposed of when it gets broken.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 2:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 14:07:14 -0400

Don't do it, go to college get an education. And if that doesn't work make sure he gets a job that will pay him well on the outside, without having to go to school anyway. Also combat medic will give you nothing for the real world, without as I said before college.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 2:08 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 14:08:16 -0400

My brothers told me "don't suck and don't embarrass the family." My mom sent me a letter about every day with inspirational quotes and sayings which was awesome and seemed to come at the times most needed. My best advice would be never give up, cry, or talk back in front of anyone. My division remembers me for getting smoked and having to do 100+ push-ups by myself, in front of everyone. What they remembered most was me dropping down again and again face tomato red without any complaints (my adrenaline was too high to feel anything haha.) Mental toughness often times outweighs physical strength.

Response by SSgt Stevan Auldridge made May 11 at 2015 3:05 PM

SSgt Stevan Auldridge — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:05:11 -0400

I would tell them (and have) to simply STFU and follow until such time you have the experience and wisdom to lead.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 3:23 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:23:04 -0400

Make sure he gets the MOS he wants, and any HOOAH Schools in his initial contract, make sure he has you either go with him, or review it before he joins. Give him some of your experience, let him know what you expected of your new Soldiers as a Senior Leader.
Tell him to lead from the front, and to volunteer for leadership positions, and duties.
And to enjoy it, Basic will be one of the best and worst experiences he will have.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 4:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 16:27:13 -0400

1SG Jason Fitzpatrick, he should definitely provide a referral for his recruiting station. That will get him promoted to PFC. He might as well start off as a "hard charger"!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 6:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 18:56:44 -0400

One of my former BN Commanders says it best with his command philosophy by stating "Train hard, Be Safe, but most of all Have fun". I try my hardest to ensure each training exercise has a fun aspect to it. If he can take that and apply it to everything he does it will take him far.

Response by SSgt Chris Lambert made May 11 at 2015 10:02 PM

SSgt Chris Lambert — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:02:15 -0400

Don't

My father served, I served, my children will not.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 12:14 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:14:33 -0400

I'd tell them the Air Force has the best food, best barracks, nicest golf courses, and least chance of being shot.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 12:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:38:02 -0400

Stay positive. Remember that when he is getting griped at for something him or someone else did- they're just doing their job. If he talks to females, take a battle buddy! (Smarter choice- stay away from them)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 12:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:38:38 -0400

"I thought I told you to finish college first" is what my son or daughter would hear.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 1:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 13:14:11 -0400

Lose the Hollywood and video game glamour mentallity. Think long and hard about what you really want out of it. This is your motivator. Lose this and you will be miserable so make it good. choose what you want, not what the recruiter talks you into, and stay positive. learn from those around you and talk to your dad as a soldier when you have issues. A world of knowledge and experience is there. build that relationship professionally, he will probably be your best mentor.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 2:49 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:49:43 -0400

My daughter just recently enlisted and leaves in September for BCT I told her to ensure she is getting a MOS that she is interested in, start getting in shape, keep your head down and mouth shut in BCT take advantage of the militarys education programs while you are in, save money and have a plan if you dont think you are going to stay in.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 8:49 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 20:49:25 -0400

Do your job, listen to your boss (no matter if you think they are an idiot), get to work well before you are considered "on time", do your BEST and DON'T work the flight line. My kid has accomplished all EXCEPT she works the flight line. (Her dad worked the flight line for 22 years so we know how sucky it can be).

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 9:01 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 21:01:13 -0400

I'm guiding mine to either enlist or go to school and get his commission. I just plan to guide him to be better than I ever was.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 13 at 2015 5:31 AM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 13 May 2015 05:31:02 -0400

Congratulations ,welcome to best team in the USA. Remember to be aware of you emotions and reactions when someone or something triggers you to want to express yourself.

If you don't try you can't grow. While you are serving ensure you take advantage of education opportunities use tuition assistance get a degree.

Response by MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM made May 13 at 2015 5:36 AM

MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM — Wed, 13 May 2015 05:36:05 -0400

To think really hard about joining as an O9S.

Response by 1SG Michael Hargis made May 13 at 2015 9:39 AM

1SG Michael Hargis — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:39:03 -0400

Make a pro's and con's list take that list to the recruiter (he can probably give some insight you can't); share that list on rallypoint (we can probably give insight that Mom/Dad can't); share it with a teacher, police officer, confidant, etc. with the end goal of having them take all this information and deciding if it's for them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 7:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:30:29 -0400

ROGER SERGEANT.... MOVING SERGEANT!!!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2016 11:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 11:47:02 -0400

I would say, as a recruiter, don't give in to the whole "pick something that transfers out" hype. It may be a good idea if you actually find a job you like and is useful, but a job you can wake up to and do every day and be happy about is much more valuable. With all the education benefits, you'll be fine if you want to roll around in a tank or kick in doors at the front as long as you get an education, and make yourself happy in the end.

Response by SSgt Dugles Cherry made May 23 at 2016 11:36 PM

SSgt Dugles Cherry — Mon, 23 May 2016 23:36:12 -0400

I would do what my Father did. Even if they had already decided what branch they were going to join, I would have them meet with and talk to all of the different branch recruiters, to see what all of them were offering. I still went with my first choice (Marines). Next, I would go over their contract with them before they signed it to make sure everything the recruiter was promising them was there, in writing. Finally, I'd tell them that they don't have to be the smartest or the strongest to get through basic, they just need to have the will and the heart to see it through.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Aug 31 at 2017 7:27 PM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 19:27:25 -0400

Put up with Basic, whichever Basic it is. It's not forever.
You will be treated more like a human when you go to your AIT.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Aug 31 at 2017 7:44 PM

SGT Jim Arnold — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 19:44:38 -0400

I told my son who enlisted into the Air Force even though his father and grand father were both Army. Do as you're told and dont volunteer for details unless you have a choice sqeeze the trigger and have fun doing what they tell you.

Response by SGT Peter Hayes made Aug 31 at 2017 8:16 PM

SGT Peter Hayes — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:16:56 -0400

well it doesn't matter they won't listen anyway. let them find out for themselves. they already know it all.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Sep 29 at 2017 10:46 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 10:46:36 -0400

"Don't do what daddy does."

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Apr 20 at 2018 3:00 AM

MSG Louis Alexander — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 03:00:12 -0400

Being both my Son and I hail from a strong and old military background, I have had several discussions with him on this matter. I told him this was a life decision that everyone must make sooner or later. We discussed his long-term plans pertaining to GOD, family, children, financial obligations, health care, ongoing educational opportunities etc. I explained as a parent, I can only suggest and guide him along the path of responsibility, not pave it. For he is solely responsible for his own decisions and actions. He spoke of my time in conflict, which I hurriedly rebutted telling him that was the past, but today is “His” future. He must take a hold upon that future and prepare the best way possible. One thing for sure, “He is not moving back into the house with his Mother and I”. So, either he sponges off his Sister or friends, or rents an apartment or simply enlists in the military is left completely up to him. Told him I was going to treat him like an illegal alien – NO benefits!! Make a decision or suffer the consequences this is the only thing millennials understand, that and locks with keys.