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I just had a talk with my son who is almost 17 another day about his birthday. I was very disappointed to learn that he doesn’t want to attend college.
He wants to go into the military instead. However I have to say he has a very good idea and goals, but at the same time he’s uncertain.
He has numerous scuba diving certifications that he is eligible for. He’s very athlete and love being in water, rock climbing, wrestling, and other things.
So he’s divided between going into the navy to try get into Navy seals. His plan for if he didn’t get in or after he got out of seal is to take up deep water diving so he can learn how to do underwater welding and other related subject.
But at the same time, he wants to go into the army to learn helicopter piloting. He wants to try go into helicopter special force of some kind.
So far he have been leaning toward the army because he says he can get helicopter experience then go to commercial diving school much easier than try to go from navy then learning how to fly a helicopter.
Don't you have to be an officer to fly helicopters, meaning either the USMA or Officer Candidate School (both mean a four year degree)?
Is he college material? How are his academics? Has he taken algebra, trig, etc? How were his grades in those college entry courses?
If he has the academics for college, I'd still try to convince him. Maybe he has misconceptions about the college experience and the rewards of a useful college degree.
Well from what I know, helicopter pilots aren’t officer, they’re warranty officer. Not sure about if college is required though.
Gus does pretty well in school with GPA in range of 3.0 but I can see he is getting burned out by it. He didn’t do as well as he used to. He used to really try to get the best grade but now he just do good enough without being lazy about it.
Besides that, Gus already says he’s not interested in college for now.
Thanks for a great idea hope.
I am surprise that becoming a helicopter is much slimmer than becoming a Navy Seal. I’ll be sure to let him know that next time I talk to him or when he gets home.
What's wrong with the military? I know that it won't lead him down the same road, but honestly, ha e you seen the jobs being offered to graduates these days? Worst case, he'll get out of active duty in 3 years and can use the GI Bill to get an education, and no debt to you. If he can make it as a SEAL, he'll do well either way. He can become a contractor after he gets out, and really make serious money.
I would discourage you from telling him no. I wanted to join the Army during my first year of college after the terrorist attacks, and my parents dissuaded me, and gave me my greatest regret of life.
There is nothing wrong with defering college if he doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up. Going to college would be a waste if he doesn't have a path picked out. It sounds like he's thinking the military will be a good choice for him because of his interests. I suggest you try to support him in this choice and help him contact the right people to find out more about his interests. You could find some 'copter pilots who are now doing commercial work and used to be in the service and same with some divers. I'd also work on finding non-recruiter military people who are in the areas of interest to talk with.
I am surprise that becoming a helicopter is much slimmer than becoming a Navy Seal. I’ll be sure to let him know that next time I talk to him or when he gets home.
He has a better chance if he has already gone to deep sea diving school.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TN_Someday
I would discourage you from telling him no. I wanted to join the Army during my first year of college after the terrorist attacks, and my parents dissuaded me, and gave me my greatest regret of life.
It's not too late! You can still join!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReturningWest
It sounds like he's thinking the military will be a good choice for him because of his interests.
It sounds to me like he wants to be a deep sea diver and is looking at the military as a way to pay for it because he thinks his mom will only pay for college.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReturningWest
I suggest you try to support him in this choice and help him contact the right people to find out more about his interests. You could find some 'copter pilots who are now doing commercial work and used to be in the service and same with some divers. I'd also work on finding non-recruiter military people who are in the areas of interest to talk with.
There is nothing wrong with defering college if he doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up. Going to college would be a waste if he doesn't have a path picked out. It sounds like he's thinking the military will be a good choice for him because of his interests. I suggest you try to support him in this choice and help him contact the right people to find out more about his interests. You could find some 'copter pilots who are now doing commercial work and used to be in the service and same with some divers. I'd also work on finding non-recruiter military people who are in the areas of interest to talk with.
Excellent advice, to which I would add that just about any major metropolitan police department has helicopter pilots that your son could talk to as well- that's another area he could explore a few years down the road.
There’s nothing wrong with going into the military. It was just a bit saddening for me because if he really wants, he could get in a very decent college. In my view, he would have worked hard for 12 years only to walk away from something that take only extra 4 years and could make a big impact on his life. But I can see him failing college since he isn’t even trying that hard in school any more. So this probably is a good idea.
On other hand I’m just really happy he has gave this a lot of thought and seems to come up with a good plan. I’d say he probably have just as good chance if not slightly better of being successful with his plan.
He haven’t went to deep diving school yet as he’s not old enough.
No I wasn’t going to pay for his college. He can get all kind of scholarship and finical help if he wants.
I’ll try to have him talk to some people and see if they can help him. He hasn’t really said exactly what he wants to do. He just says he wants to get a couple unusual skills that aren’t easy to come by and pick out those two.
I would discourage you from telling him no. I wanted to join the Army during my first year of college after the terrorist attacks, and my parents dissuaded me, and gave me my greatest regret of life.
Also possible they saved your life... just sayin'.
Sorry I don't have much advice for the OP, except that it sounds like he's got a decent plan - perhaps a bit lofty (SEALS and helicopter pilot being difficult to attain, as far as I know), but he does have a marketable skill in the diving. Regardless of his ultimate military assignment, at least he'll get the training for future jobs... and the money for school, if he decides to do that later. You're never too old for college, right?
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