What do your children think about serving their country?

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:53:55 -0400

How does that make you feel? Are they serving in the branch you are serving or served? What advice do you give them?

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made Sep 25 at 2017 10:56 PM

PO3 Sandra Gomke — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 22:56:14 -0400

My Army son was born of two Navy parents. We're very proud of him.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 25 at 2017 11:02 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:02:24 -0400

My oldest son served 23 years in the Marines. That covered for my other three, don't you think?

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Sep 25 at 2017 11:19 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:19:58 -0400

My youngest of three (23 y.o.) is an AD USMC SGT.
I told him to take full advantage of any and all opportunities to better himself. And always set your watch 15 minutes ahead.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 25 at 2017 11:24 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:24:54 -0400

My children are too young to serve their country, but honestly, I'll hope my oldest remembers when I was in uniform. I would hope my children show an interest in serving their country, even if it's only for 1 tour of service, because nothing made me appreciate everything I had in my life until I stepped on those Yellow Footprints.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 2:25 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 02:25:01 -0400

I've often had discussions with people about the military and they mention that their father, mother, uncle, etc. served in the (insert service here) and so the they totally understand the military. Two of my children enlisted back in 2012 and 2013 and later came back to me telling me that they thought the understood before but really didn't have a clue. NOW they understand. Non-veterans NEVER really understand what we go through. Whether they support our service or despise it, they never truly understand what it means to serve until they do it themselves. All of my kids (5) have supported my career, despite the hardships, and have expressed their pride in my service. My daughters, though, they truly understand now.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Sep 26 at 2017 6:10 AM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 06:10:05 -0400

Probably not much. One is in my wife's belly, the other is just learning to speak. I'd be impressed if they understand the concept of patriotism already. :)

Pending unquantifiable variables, it would be alright with me if they chose to serve in the military. Although, they will have to listen to a fair share of stories from dear old dad should they consider doing so.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 6:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 06:32:14 -0400

No kids yet, but I plan to have some in the future. However, my oldest niece (5), who I have helped raise, has shown an extreme interest in my military service. Although I would be terrified for her to someday go to war, me and my sister talked it over, and we think that if she decides that is what she wants to do, we would fully support her. When I have my own kids, I would encourage them to at least do something for country or their community. Such as being a police officer, volunteering extensively, being a nurse/doctor... Basically anything that makes the world a better safer place, I would support

Response by PO3 Grant Skiles made Sep 26 at 2017 7:17 AM

PO3 Grant Skiles — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 07:17:39 -0400

I tried to talk my son into serving but only after he graduated from college. I though that he needed some time to grow up, have a first real job and get some experience in the work force. I also said that the only way for him would be as an Officer. His roommate took this advice and is advancing quickly. He also saw the down side and is getting divorced. I had the same thing happen but with kids and as an enlisted. Even though he did not take my advice I still feel that I was right and the professionally he would be further advanced. He is now a Head Cross Country/Trace coach at a college.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Sep 26 at 2017 7:25 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 07:25:03 -0400

My youngest is MA1 in the Navy, so I think he is OK with it. No, he didn't choose Army, but my Father was career Air Force and I didn't go that route. I think he was like me, had been around it all his life and had thought about it, but he didn't commit until he was older and unemployed, much the same as dear old Dad. Now I think he likes it and will stay for twenty, and he is about half way there now.
While I can give advice on the general rules and finance stuff, the Navy does stuff WAY different from the Army and I've had to learn a new set of rules to understand his career progression. I'm still not sure I understand it completely.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Sep 26 at 2017 10:14 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:14:07 -0400

Neither my daughter or son have had any interest in serving in the Military,I respect their decision, I feel that joining the Service in my case was for the best,fortunately my children did not need the discipline and leadership I required ,thank God.

Response by MSgt Marshall Schiller made Sep 26 at 2017 11:08 AM

MSgt Marshall Schiller — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 11:08:56 -0400

My Daughter married a Marine, and my Son served in the Corps for a four year enlistment.

Neither of them were old enough to remember life when I was in, and I steered neither in that direction.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Sep 26 at 2017 1:20 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 13:20:09 -0400

I'm fine with them serving or not serving. It's a personal choice. I have noticed a huge schism between military families and other ones. Half of the people you meet while in are either military brats or have family serving. This creates a caste system. We are starting to develop a warrior caste. Those that serve and those that don't already have a big enough gap between them culturally. If this trend continues, then the populace as a whole will become uninterested with the plight of its soldiers and risk our lives foolishly as they have no reason to care.

Response by Windy Box made Sep 26 at 2017 5:59 PM

Windy Box — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 17:59:03 -0400

My son (20) is Army (14T) in the beginning when he first approached me with it I was dead against it not because im not supportive/respectful of our military men and women but because I am his mom and all i could see was him 4yrs old getting on the school bus the first time in his little rain coat (im sure alot of moms feel that way lol) but knowing he wasnt backing down I chose to support his decisions as i support every other soldiers decision I am proud of him he's done more than i ever could have. As for advice all i can do is encourage him to push forward when he thinks he cant, answer his phone calls and listen to him no matter how crazy tje conversation may go, & when he calls home hungry and its not quite payday call the local pizza hut and have pizza and drinks delivered to him

Response by SPC Diana D. made Sep 26 at 2017 7:37 PM

SPC Diana D. — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 19:37:34 -0400

My father was in the Army, I was in the Army, my son spent 10 years in the Marines and my daughter is currently in the Air Force Reserves. I would say that we are a pretty solid military family!!

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Sep 26 at 2017 10:51 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 22:51:09 -0400

Those yellow footprints is where you get welcomed and learn a lot about yourself that you did not know. It was uphill for the next 13 weeks. The more it sucked, the more pride was installed.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Sep 29 at 2017 8:44 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 08:44:09 -0400

My daughter is 10 and she has her views toward the flag and what it means to be American and I will tell now I saw a huge change in that kids eyes when the US ARMY soldier present my father's US FLAG to her at his funeral last week and you should of seen how she held on to that flag after the funeral. I think now she respects the flag more now than she ever did before. I know it hurt her to see the crap on social media and TV like the NFL and American people disrespecting the Flag and all. It's hard to answer her questions because of the world she is growing up in to.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 29 at 2017 8:56 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 08:56:43 -0400

Older son was self aware enough to understand he would not thrive in the Military life style so said not for him. Younger son tried to get in, but at the time could not get a medical waiver for the steel bits in his wrist and has since moved on with his life to a point service would be a huge personal sacrifice (Newly single father) and for him, his son takes priority over service,,assuming he can even get a waiver for the preexisting injury.
So neither opposed to service in a negative way.