Unite States Armed Services? (the best, how many, to live, senior)

[theqbaby]

My 17 y.o. son has been expressing his interest to follow his grandfathers footsteps and join the AirForce. This makes my extremely proud and at the same time extremely nervous.
Of course, we encourage him to TALK to recruiters ,but not to sign until he has thought it over and discussed this a bit more.
With all going on today, I am a bit leary of his thoughts of joining.

I know at one time, if you were the family namesake(last boy with family name), you were not put on the front lines to fight. Does anybody have knowledge of this?

Are there any other requirements? Or things we can consider?

I AM VERY PROUD OF HIS INTERESTS! What a prestigious thing to do! It could turn out to be an amazing adventure for him !

I know there are many on this forum who have served, and many who have children serving, please share your thoughts !!!

If you have served, what are some of the things you wish you had know before joining, and what were the most gratifying?

Thanks for your info. in advanced !

[theqbaby]

Maybe this question is/could become to controversial.
I would just like to get some feedback from people who have exerienced the armed services.
Thank you

[MoMark]

Originally Posted by theqbaby

Maybe this question is/could become to controversial.
I would just like to get some feedback from people who have exerienced the armed services.
Thank you

I totally understand your pride in your son's choice and also your nervousness. I think that his wanting to volunteer for the airforce is a great move on his part. He'll take an ASVAB test (I think that's what it's called if I remember correctly) that will give him his options, so the better he does on it, the more choices he'll have as far as training/careers within the Airforce. The military is all about aptitude tests. Of all the branches to join, I think the Airforce and Navy are the best. I'm a Navy veteran and I signed up when I was 17 too (but I had to get my dad to co-sign as I was underage). It was a difficult experience in many ways and bootcamp and daily military life means having to keep one's real thoughts and opinions to oneself and not just blurt things out...hard for a big mouth opinionated person such as myself to do!, so one learns quickly the concept of 'control'!!! But, you also get to see things you'd never see otherwise, experience situations all around the world in a fairly protective cocoon as there's always a pay check and all expenses are paid for by the military having to do with military obligations. And you meet great people who become lifelong friends. I got out of the Navy in June of 05, but I'm still in contact with my two best buddies from my last ship. One is a policeman in North Carolina, the other a grade-school teacher in Minnesota.
I'd encourage him and then try to pinpoint his career goal to make sure he's going into something he really wants. If they don't give him exactly what he wants, or try to guide him to something he doesn't want, don't sign. Make sure he gets a documented guarantee. It will stand if once he gets in and they backtrack. Recruiters are rated on how many they sign up, so if they make promises, get it in writing....no negotiation. In writing, or no signing up...Period. At least nowadays you have email, so contact is instant. For me I had to depend on mail and each one was precious to me from home or friends...a link to my outside life. Bootcamp is a real shock to the system and knowing you've got all the support from home is everything.

[politikally]

I think the military is a wonderful experience, and really matures a young person into the adult they will be in the future. I will agree I think the Navy and the Air Force are excellent choices, and probably less nerve racking for the families since they aren't the "boots on the ground" over in Iraq, that and you get to play with cooler toys

If there was any advice I would give to your son, it is this: once you sign on that dotted line, your butt belongs to Uncle Sam. It isn't like a job you can quit if you don't like it. Just remind him of that before he joins. Outside of that I think it's a wonderful experience for anyone.

Good luck to you and yours!

P.S. The advice about getting DOCUMENTED guarantees from Recruiters is VERY GOOD advice. If your son wants to do something in particular, or wants to do one of three things in particular and nothing else - get it documented BEFORE he signs. That way he's not cleaning toliets after basic training instead of being a radar operator on a battleship like he wanted.

[klosk]

My son signed up for the Air Naval Reserves in 2002. He ran a 1 1/2 year active duty and then went back to the Reserves. He holds a civilian job. He likes the Navy. Please tell your son NOT to sign anything until he passes his asvab and talks to all the branches. Reason, the recruiters are there to sign as many as they can. If he gets the same response from any of his questions then they are probably telling the truth. I have heard from many sources that the recruiters will say anything they want to hear just to get the sign-up. But all in all my son likes it. He plans on using the GI Bill to get some education. He is my only child and I heard it doesn't matter these days, he goes where the President wants him to go. This is the decision he made and no matter how hard it is on me I respect his decision.

[DBNN]

This is a hard subject: My little brother was a Senior in high school when 9/11 happened. When he graduated he joined the Marines . He is currently still in listed and has been to Iraq. He said he joined because of 9/11.
Thank God (literally) he returned. His time is almost up and he is thinking about re-enlisting. He got married this year and now has a child on the way!

[exhdo1]

Originally Posted by theqbaby

My 17 y.o. son has been expressing his interest to follow his grandfathers footsteps and join the AirForce. This makes my extremely proud and at the same time extremely nervous.
Of course, we encourage him to TALK to recruiters ,but not to sign until he has thought it over and discussed this a bit more.
With all going on today, I am a bit leary of his thoughts of joining.

I know at one time, if you were the family namesake(last boy with family name), you were not put on the front lines to fight. Does anybody have knowledge of this?

Are there any other requirements? Or things we can consider?

I AM VERY PROUD OF HIS INTERESTS! What a prestigious thing to do! It could turn out to be an amazing adventure for him !

I know there are many on this forum who have served, and many who have children serving, please share your thoughts !!!

If you have served, what are some of the things you wish you had know before joining, and what were the most gratifying?

Thanks for your info. in advanced !

I served 69-71. It was by special invitation from Uncle Sam. All I knew was to report for basic training. In hindsight I probably should have joined and enlisted in the Navy. I think it might have been a little easier than hanging out in the jungles. In your sons case I would start with visiting the various recruiters in your area. Each branch of the service should have one near your home. Have him discuss what career path he may be looking at. The military may be a place to learn a trade that will serve him well in the future. Like I said I wasn't a carrer guy so I basically went on the camping trip, kept my nose clean, listened to the guys that I figured would help me to get out of there alive and made it home safe. It wasn't glamorous by any means. Todays military is different with much more opportunities. Good luck to him in whatever he chooses.

[christina0001]

My cousin joined the Navy after graduating high school and is really enjoying it. She is in her 3rd year; I do not think she is going to reenlist. She has gotten to live in a few places around the country, met her husband, and says she's really liked it. She was taking college classes but stopped, which is foolish IMO.

[MelissaB]

The above advice is good. I have to stress though, don't always believe what the recruiters say. They are hurting bad for military men (and women) and at this point will say anything to get someone to sign the dotted line. My advice is to talk to a recruiter from each branch. Once he picks one that is ideal for what he wants to do, go to another recruiting office and ask the same questions to a different recruiter. You'll be surprised on how different answers can be.

My husband is active duty Marine Corps so if you have any questions... ask away.

[Birdie]

I've been told that the best branch to join would be the Air Force because you never have to fight on the front lines, airforce bases are a ways away from the enemy. Good Luck!!