Posted on Sep 19, 2019
What would be the best branch of service for my son?
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I've asked a few questions concerning ASVAB. My son is a senior this year and a good kid that I believe needs a lot of motivation and direction. I have 3 other sons so this isn't my first rodeo with observing and evaluating potential of my kids. My other 3 sons are highly motivated and successful in life. My son talked to an Air Force recruiter this week. My son is not very social and would be considered to be slightly autistic, although I would never anchor my son with a label like that. Now I am rethinking that he might need a much firmer development such as the Marines. I have the day off this morning and he drives his two younger sisters to school each morning. He was still asleep when I knocked on his door to alert him that it was time to get his sisters (and himself) to school. Evidently this is the 2nd time this week according to his sister. He has gotten better since the 8th grade about focusing on getting assignments in school completed but still has times where he gets a bad grade because he forgets a homework or that a quiz is being given. My impression of the Air Force (from two brothers and a nephew that have served) is that it is more laid back and less oversight given to soldiers. I'm wondering if the Marines or even Army would a better fit for my son? I can't force him obviously but I can strongly motivate him in a direction. I'm interested to hear feedback from you that presently serving or have served in each branch on the best fit for my son.
He is smart when applying himself and is currently 3rd academically in his small senior class of 30 kids. The funny thing about what I just wrote is that it almost mirrors myself exactly when I was his age.
He is smart when applying himself and is currently 3rd academically in his small senior class of 30 kids. The funny thing about what I just wrote is that it almost mirrors myself exactly when I was his age.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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I have not been a Marine, so I can't say definitively, but.... Everything I hear and saw says that when it come to discipline and motivation, the Marines are basically the same as Soldiers - with a volume knob that starts at 5 and goes up to 14. From what you have posted, I believe that either an Army or a USMC career will be a make or break thing for your son. Either he will emerge as a strong, disciplined, focused young man, ready to take on the world, OR he will shuffle out as a shriveled up husk paralyzed with anxiety and even less socially adept. I know the Army is very good at molding young men (and women) and helping them to achieve greatness. From what I have seen, the Marines are very good at this as well. But the bottom line for both services is that the mission comes first. If your son is unable or unwilling to learn and meet the standards - and to do so in a rapid fashion - then the services need to move on and find someone who will.
I am not trying to scare you or anything like that, just trying to be honest. Not knowing your child, I can't say whether either of these services (or any service) would be right for him. With an "average" kid, I'd estimate the ratio to be 95/5 make/break. Maybe even 97/3. You have indicated that your son is facing challenges - this may drop him down to a 75/25. Still not bad. But be wary of what that 25 looks like, especially if your son DOES fall on the autism spectrum.
I am not trying to scare you or anything like that, just trying to be honest. Not knowing your child, I can't say whether either of these services (or any service) would be right for him. With an "average" kid, I'd estimate the ratio to be 95/5 make/break. Maybe even 97/3. You have indicated that your son is facing challenges - this may drop him down to a 75/25. Still not bad. But be wary of what that 25 looks like, especially if your son DOES fall on the autism spectrum.
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Stephen Bracken
He's ambivalent right now to any direction in life. Thus my motivation to get him motivated. He just doesn't know what he wants to do.
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Stephen Bracken
TSgt Joshua Duplin - Well, if it doesn't kill him then he will emerge stronger. Life isn't easy and he might as well learn it sooner rather than later.
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It would depend on what he's looking to do, what he's interested in, what his particular strengths/weaknesses are, what he's looking to get out of it/invest in it, etc. This is the information age. I'm sure you can get access to almost all of the info that you need....short of a literal walk through. You can speak to soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, etc. You can watch videos, read blogs, speak to recruiters, etc.
You know your son better than most. If his strengths are more on the technical/intelligence-based side....I'd say the USAF is more of a good look. If his strength is more so on the physical labor/mechanic/"get your hands dirty" side of things....perhaps the USMC/Army is more of a good look for him.
Take your time, get all of the insight that you can & talk it over with him and others involved....and I'm sure you can arrive at a sensible resolve.
You know your son better than most. If his strengths are more on the technical/intelligence-based side....I'd say the USAF is more of a good look. If his strength is more so on the physical labor/mechanic/"get your hands dirty" side of things....perhaps the USMC/Army is more of a good look for him.
Take your time, get all of the insight that you can & talk it over with him and others involved....and I'm sure you can arrive at a sensible resolve.
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I had a "highly functional" EMS partner with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) named Asperger's Syndrome. He WAS highly functional but not what I would call a 'go-getter'. Anything he had been trained on he could do exactly correct. He could follow best practices, procedures and sequences BUT He could not originate those best practices, procedures and sequences. He could however pass every test, finish every exercise and quote any textbook and for that he was our walking reference.
The problem was if the symptoms did not occur in the 'correct (textbook) order', his care for the worsting patient lagged behind as he worked through the sequences he had learned. He could follow instructions given by others couldn't change it up if things went south when the supervisor had to deal with more critical issues.
He may be fine and find the discipline he needs in the service OR it may not be for him.
The different services will not make it easy for him either way. Others will depend on him at some point in his career and he will be expected to perform.
Assess him and make your determination.
TSgt Joshua Duplin - SSG (Join to see) - PO1 (Join to see) - CWO3 (Join to see) - Stephen Bracken - Sgt (Join to see) -
The problem was if the symptoms did not occur in the 'correct (textbook) order', his care for the worsting patient lagged behind as he worked through the sequences he had learned. He could follow instructions given by others couldn't change it up if things went south when the supervisor had to deal with more critical issues.
He may be fine and find the discipline he needs in the service OR it may not be for him.
The different services will not make it easy for him either way. Others will depend on him at some point in his career and he will be expected to perform.
Assess him and make your determination.
TSgt Joshua Duplin - SSG (Join to see) - PO1 (Join to see) - CWO3 (Join to see) - Stephen Bracken - Sgt (Join to see) -
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Simple answer; the one your son wants to join. My son joined the Marine Corps because I chose the Marine Corps.
Long answer; talk to all 5, including the Coast Guard, ensure he chooses where he believes he'll fit best. Outside of the Marine Corps the others will offer things like signing bonuses, but the Marine Corps signing bonus is the title "Marine" and carries a lot of weight when you graduate.
Long answer; talk to all 5, including the Coast Guard, ensure he chooses where he believes he'll fit best. Outside of the Marine Corps the others will offer things like signing bonuses, but the Marine Corps signing bonus is the title "Marine" and carries a lot of weight when you graduate.
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Sir, this question is going to wield many response from service members and veterans across the DoD. What will be a constant however, is the replied question of what is that motivates your son? That in his interests are going to be two strong factors in deciding which branch will be a better fit for him.
While some job specialties exist in some sort of similarity across each branch, some do not. Also, while our services work well with each other, each have their own distinct mission and purpose. Finding out what his ASVAB scores and his interests are will be your starting point. The branches will differ, as well as his individual specialty, on how much direct supervision he will receive, however each branch will take the time to form him into a solid member of this nation's military.
While some job specialties exist in some sort of similarity across each branch, some do not. Also, while our services work well with each other, each have their own distinct mission and purpose. Finding out what his ASVAB scores and his interests are will be your starting point. The branches will differ, as well as his individual specialty, on how much direct supervision he will receive, however each branch will take the time to form him into a solid member of this nation's military.
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As a retired Marine and recruiter, I would suggest he goes and talks with all 4 branches. Keep in mind here that we are a country at war for close to 20 years with other wars in the future. The idea of the battlefield has changed. There is no front line troops anymore. Your son(s) decide to enlist, they need to understand there is a good chance if they are in the Army or Marines they will be deployed.
The Marines or Army would get him motivated for sure, but he and you need to understand the reality of what we do for a living.
The Marines or Army would get him motivated for sure, but he and you need to understand the reality of what we do for a living.
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He'll get all the motivation and direction he can handle as a US Marine.
Edit: I missed the autistic part, and that should be considered. Being mindful that acting a certain way is not a medical diagnosis, he will regardless need his full faculties to serve in any branch of the military. If he simply is distant or lacks self-confidence, he will benefit from service in varying degrees depending on the branch and the effort he puts forth.
Edit: I missed the autistic part, and that should be considered. Being mindful that acting a certain way is not a medical diagnosis, he will regardless need his full faculties to serve in any branch of the military. If he simply is distant or lacks self-confidence, he will benefit from service in varying degrees depending on the branch and the effort he puts forth.
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Evaluate each branch separately. You'll soon learn that there are tons of career paths that suit each individual. Have him select three (3) jobs from each branch as well as qualifying ASVAB scores. Your son's ASVAB scores will ultimately determine job eligibility. Lastly, look at whether he'll learn skills that can be transitioned to a civilian career. For example, Navy machinist, aircraft electrician, I&C technician, generator mechanic, intelligence specialist and paralegal are jobs with transferrable skills when he gets out of the military.
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Stephen Bracken
That would be good if I didn't think he needed a strong kick in the pants. Which branch would be less likely to give him that motivation?
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PO1 (Join to see)
He's ranked third in his Senior class; so, he's probably too smart for the Corp. USAF or the Navy is his best bet. Irregardless of the branch, he'll get a motivational awakening in boot camp.
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My only warning would be that the military isn't for everyone. I enslited because I had no direction in life. I tried one semster in college and decided it wasn't for me. I wanted a job other than fry cook (been there... done that...) and was sick of school. Having had family members that served, I decided the give the military a try. I asked them what their service was like and what it meant to them.
Yes, the military can focus a person and provide him/her direction in life as it did for me, but it can only do so much. The individual has to be at least a little willing to be directed.
I served with those who enlisted for all the wrong reasons and suffered for it. I'm guessing they thought it would be cool like in the movies or like they saw while playing role playing video games. They didn't know and weren't ready to deal with the reality of military life.
I'd recommend your son sit down with a recruiter from each branch to discuss what he might want to do if he were to enlist. I'd also recommend you not push your son too hard into enlisting. Like I said, the military isn't for everyone.
Yes, the military can focus a person and provide him/her direction in life as it did for me, but it can only do so much. The individual has to be at least a little willing to be directed.
I served with those who enlisted for all the wrong reasons and suffered for it. I'm guessing they thought it would be cool like in the movies or like they saw while playing role playing video games. They didn't know and weren't ready to deal with the reality of military life.
I'd recommend your son sit down with a recruiter from each branch to discuss what he might want to do if he were to enlist. I'd also recommend you not push your son too hard into enlisting. Like I said, the military isn't for everyone.
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