Would anyone encourage their kids to join the service?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:15:17 -0400

And why?

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Jun 7 at 2015 9:17 PM

CW2 Stephen Pate — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:17:37 -0400

Absolutely not. They are way too smart and have way more opportunities in life.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 7 at 2015 9:26 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:26:09 -0400

Yes though I wouldn't encourage her to serve an entire career due to the proposed (and most likely to pass) changes to the military retirement system. It's still a good way to learn a trade, make good money with great benefits and get your education paid for.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 7 at 2015 9:29 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:29:05 -0400

I've always pointed out that it's there. Never pushed though. My wife and I both served, as did my parents, and grandparents.

The Marines did right by me. The Air Force did right by my parents. The Army did right by my brother and cousins. I would never dissuade him from it if that's what he wanted to do.

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Jun 7 at 2015 9:33 PM

CH (COL) Geoff Bailey — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:33:17 -0400

1LT Private RallyPoint Member , without hesitation for three reasons.

1. To serve and defend their country and freedom.
2. To learn discipline and honor through service and commitment to the team.
3. To carry on a history of serving others.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 7 at 2015 9:51 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:51:23 -0400

Inasmuch as my children are well beyond the age at which this question would be pertinent, I will take the liberty of rephrasing it slightly to apply to my grandchildren. My answer in that case is, not at this time.

I see many good and valid reasons for all to serve this once great nation, but not under this Commander-in-Chief. Who would want to see their children/grandchildren used and abused for some waffling political/diplomatic purpose and then be abandoned at a whim.

Ask me again when we regain our sanity if ever...

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 7 at 2015 9:58 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 21:58:31 -0400

In order asked
1. Yes
2. Duty, Honor, Country

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 7 at 2015 10:02 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 22:02:52 -0400

I would tell them why I joined, what I have learned and experienced while I served, what I have gained, lost, and how my values changed. I would then encourage my kids to make their own decisions based on everything I taught them.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jun 7 at 2015 10:24 PM

TSgt David L. — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 22:24:11 -0400

Yes I encourage them both on joining. One is following into the Air Force to be an EOD Tech and the other has plans to join the Army and be a Ranger. Proud papa either way.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 7 at 2015 10:28 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 22:28:22 -0400

I would, not to be pushy, but to show that its important to give back... and most generations of my family had someone serve.

Response by SGT Jamell Culbreath made Jun 7 at 2015 10:30 PM

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 22:30:42 -0400

I would first tell them my story about joining. I would also talk about about the pros and cons of joining, but would highlight the gratification and honor you get from serving and any of the branches. I'd give them all the information they need to make a decision on whether to join or not. I wish Recruiters were more truthful, especially with individuals who are older or more mature than the high school graduates that usually join the service.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 7 at 2015 10:57 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 22:57:46 -0400

If they were interested in the military, I would certainly encourage and support them. However, I wouldn't push them into the military if they clearly were not interested. The only reason I'd nudge them towards the military would be if they were having difficulty finding their way in life. I wouldn't want them to flounder, and the military has a proven track record of helping people find their way in life (and I include myself in that group).

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 8 at 2015 10:50 AM

1LT William Clardy — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:50:42 -0400

I did for my youngest, to help him get a taste of accomplishment, purpose and the discipline that comes with and contributes to both. It didn't work.

He was drifting into adulthood after managing to coast through his teen years without developing a passion for anything beyond role-playing games. I talked to a few recruiters and came away with an impression that the Marines had the most embrasive program for prepping recruits for induction -- my guy had the typical "scrawny gamer" fitness challenge, and I knew he would need some pushing.

Once I convinced him that the Marines had a plan for guys like him, he contacted the local Marine recruiter, scored ungodly high on the ASVAB and started making bumpy progress down that road. It took longer for him to get into shape than anticipated, so he was officially dropped from the program (but allowed/encouraged to participate in PT) until he passed the minimum standard and got readmitted to the program. I was (and am) proud of him making that comeback on his own motivation.

Things went south from there -- the recruiting station got a new Marine SNCOIC. The new SNCOIC did exactly what I feared an Army recruiter would do: the recruiting staff went passive, providing no leadership, minimal supervision, and no real expectations until his fitness had backslid and it was too late to do anything except cancel his contract.

The net result was an undeniable lose-lose outcome: Uncle Sam's Misguided Children did *not* get a smart recruit who really wanted to be a Marine but had been a work in progress discipline-wise, and my son's just-formed self-confidence took a major body blow when all his previous effort was negated to a fail.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 8 at 2015 1:58 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:58:52 -0400

My son is currently a 12B in the 101st. It is a way for him to get into USMA (he is a lot smarter than me).

Response by SGT John Wesley made Jun 8 at 2015 10:31 PM

SGT John Wesley — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 22:31:53 -0400

I've never encouraged nor discouraged my son in regards to the military. He's been in JROTC by choice, and tells me he is enlisting after he graduates next year.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 8 at 2015 10:42 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 22:42:51 -0400

I'd love to seem my daughter join the service....but I doubt that girl would run, even if chased by a bear.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 12:34 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:34:26 -0400

In a Heartbeat. No matter the branch it makes you a better person, enables so many opportunities, and allows you to serve your country.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 9 at 2015 12:45 AM

SSG John Erny — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:45:52 -0400

Yes, you can become part of something bigger than yourself! The GI bill has been a road to a better life for many of us. My parents could not pay for my education, the GI bill and the Army college fund made that dream come true for me. I have yet to earn an actual degree because I have changed professions so many times but I have enough credit hours for one degree.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 9 at 2015 1:53 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 01:53:21 -0400

I will let my child decide on their own. I will not even plant that seed. I will then explain the pros and cons.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 2:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 02:11:05 -0400

Only as officers. I love being an NCO. But if my kids wanted to join, I would encourage them to be something that would be beneficial in the long run.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 8:01 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:01:24 -0400

Yes. I cannot defend saying that a job/career in the service is not a good thing as myself, my father, both grandfathers, a slew of uncles and cousins, great-grandfathers and so on have all served. We have been in the Army, Army Air Corps, Air Force, Marines and Navy and served as typists, riflemen, band member, nuclear engineer, commo officer, to name a few. They served in all wars/conflicts from WWI until today. There have been many different presidents, members of congress, policies, laws and opinions during that time and we all turned out well.

None of us has been worse for wear. As long as they join with the ideal that it is professional and not personal. This is a calling as much as a job. They call it the 'service' for a reason.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 7:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 19:15:58 -0400

No, I will not encourage my children to join the military. If they choose to join I will tell them as much as I can't compare them for the BS that they will have to do it!