Son wants to enlist....

9,249 Views | 67 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by agracer
Fly Army 97
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FightnFarmerUSMC said:

Presley OBannons Sword said:

Bayside Tiger Ag said:

Sway him to the Air Force if you care about him. This is coming from a current Army warrant officer.

The kid wants to go Marine infantry and you're recommending the Air Force? Terrible advice. He would be miserable.

Interesting. I was going to recommend you let him know flying helicopters in the Army is an option...as a Warrant Officer. Degree completion is not a requirement. Accessions are going up in the coming years. It's a rough life, particularly for our Warrant Officers who are deploying more than most of the Army (or DoD). That said, there is a life after the Army if one peruses it.
Pirate04
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AG
Fly Army 97 said:

FightnFarmerUSMC said:

Presley OBannons Sword said:

Bayside Tiger Ag said:

Sway him to the Air Force if you care about him. This is coming from a current Army warrant officer.

The kid wants to go Marine infantry and you're recommending the Air Force? Terrible advice. He would be miserable.

Interesting. I was going to recommend you let him know flying helicopters in the Army is an option...as a Warrant Officer. Degree completion is not a requirement. Accessions are going up in the coming years. It's a rough life, particularly for our Warrant Officers who are deploying more than most of the Army (or DoD). That said, there is a life after the Army if one peruses it.

bufrilla
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AG
A UNITED STATES MARINE........
agracer
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Scored a 99 on whatever test he took (or missed only one question - heard this from the wife not him directly). Has to go back to see an optometrist. He does have poor vision (like +5 and +5.5). Hope this doesn't derail his opportunity here. He said the recruiter told him he could not wear contacts at BASIC and would need some kind of sports glasses/goggles/something that would not fall of his face like regular glasses...maybe that's what the return visit is for...to get him some corrective lenses he can wear at basic???

I'm not sure what his uncorrected vision is right now. I saw the military requires 20/200 uncorrected online. I told him if it is a problem we'll look at LASIC surgery for him so he can still get in. He may have to delay his entry until July.

Wife's family are kinda being unaccepting of this. BIL tried to talk him out of it on the phone and really pissed my son off (and the wife as well). I think my wife is now determined to see he follows through and I think she'll be really proud to have a son serve our country (I think she felt that way all along she just had to get past the death in combat thing - although being a construction worker IIRC is actually more dangerous than the military).

Both Uncles were in the Navy (pilot and Nuc Subs) and said some of the best enlisted people were just like my son, needed some direction and purpose in life and found it in the military and were outstanding at their jobs and left the Navy with a drive and purpose in life.
FightnFarmerUSMC
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agracer said:

Scored a 99 on whatever test he took (or missed only one question - heard this from the wife not him directly). Has to go back to see an optometrist. He does have poor vision (like +5 and +5.5). Hope this doesn't derail his opportunity here. He said the recruiter told him he could not wear contacts at BASIC and would need some kind of sports glasses/goggles/something that would not fall of his face like regular glasses...maybe that's what the return visit is for...to get him some corrective lenses he can wear at basic???

I'm not sure what his uncorrected vision is right now. I saw the military requires 20/200 uncorrected online. I told him if it is a problem we'll look at LASIC surgery for him so he can still get in. He may have to delay his entry until July.

Wife's family are kinda being unaccepting of this. BIL tried to talk him out of it on the phone and really pissed my son off (and the wife as well). I think my wife is now determined to see he follows through and I think she'll be really proud to have a son serve our country (I think she felt that way all along she just had to get past the death in combat thing - although being a construction worker IIRC is actually more dangerous than the military).

Both Uncles were in the Navy (pilot and Nuc Subs) and said some of the best enlisted people were just like my son, needed some direction and purpose in life and found it in the military and were outstanding at their jobs and left the Navy with a drive and purpose in life.
He probably pulled a consult for vision. He has to go see a specialist, as they don't have those on site at MEPS. If he legit scored a 99 on the QT for the ASVAB, he's qualified for every job in the Corps (assuming his MM and EL scores are high. His GT is probably over 115 which qualifies him for everything.) As soon as the specialist clears him he can go back, sign his contract, and then swear in. He'll get his ship date after that. I've been out of recruiting for 5 years, but I remember consults being backed up and taking a while. Hopefully it doesn't take too long.

Tell him to keep running and then run some more. Then go find the thickest books in your house and practice holding them outstretched, parallel to the floor.
Fly Army 97
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If he gets LASIK surgery...we can take him as a Apache pilot. Hunt bad guys in a flying tank. Fly infantrymen to bad hoods in a Blackhawk. Or if he wants an umbrella in his drink, I guess he can fly fixed wing....

Best of luck to your son and his journey. Look forward to hearing him becoming a Marine if that is the path he chooses.
agracer
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FightnFarmerUSMC said:

agracer said:

Scored a 99 on whatever test he took (or missed only one question - heard this from the wife not him directly). Has to go back to see an optometrist. He does have poor vision (like +5 and +5.5). Hope this doesn't derail his opportunity here. He said the recruiter told him he could not wear contacts at BASIC and would need some kind of sports glasses/goggles/something that would not fall of his face like regular glasses...maybe that's what the return visit is for...to get him some corrective lenses he can wear at basic???

I'm not sure what his uncorrected vision is right now. I saw the military requires 20/200 uncorrected online. I told him if it is a problem we'll look at LASIC surgery for him so he can still get in. He may have to delay his entry until July.

Wife's family are kinda being unaccepting of this. BIL tried to talk him out of it on the phone and really pissed my son off (and the wife as well). I think my wife is now determined to see he follows through and I think she'll be really proud to have a son serve our country (I think she felt that way all along she just had to get past the death in combat thing - although being a construction worker IIRC is actually more dangerous than the military).

Both Uncles were in the Navy (pilot and Nuc Subs) and said some of the best enlisted people were just like my son, needed some direction and purpose in life and found it in the military and were outstanding at their jobs and left the Navy with a drive and purpose in life.
He probably pulled a consult for vision. He has to go see a specialist, as they don't have those on site at MEPS. If he legit scored a 99 on the QT for the ASVAB, he's qualified for every job in the Corps (assuming his MM and EL scores are high. His GT is probably over 115 which qualifies him for everything.) As soon as the specialist clears him he can go back, sign his contract, and then swear in. He'll get his ship date after that. I've been out of recruiting for 5 years, but I remember consults being backed up and taking a while. Hopefully it doesn't take too long.

Tell him to keep running and then run some more. Then go find the thickest books in your house and practice holding them outstretched, parallel to the floor.
He confirmed he did qualify for every job in corps based on his ASVAB score. The Vision is just a consult. He passed the vision test but was 'borderline' and had to go to a specialist before they can send swear him in. He will know for sure tomorrow but it looks like he will be on deferred enlistment and will ship out May 14.

Asked him about LASIK and he said "I do not want lasers in my eyes" (to which I replied "what about sharks with lasers?)..also, you're eyes can keep changing up to 25 and he does not want to get surgery, then his eyes keep getting worse.

Why do I feel like he won't be in 18-months and they'll be sending him back to school to finish his degree then sending him to OCS right after he graduates.

If things work out, I'll post picks when he graduates basic.
Presley OBannons Sword
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Quote:

He confirmed he did qualify for every job in corps based on his ASVAB score. The Vision is just a consult. He passed the vision test but was 'borderline' and had to go to a specialist before they can send swear him in. He will know for sure tomorrow but it looks like he will be on deferred enlistment and will ship out May 14.

Asked him about LASIK and he said "I do not want lasers in my eyes" (to which I replied "what about sharks with lasers?)..also, you're eyes can keep changing up to 25 and he does not want to get surgery, then his eyes keep getting worse.

Why do I feel like he won't be in 18-months and they'll be sending him back to school to finish his degree then sending him to OCS right after he graduates.

If things work out, I'll post picks when he graduates basic.
the big "they" doesnt really exist. there is no big Marine Corps eye in the sky who will be snatching him up for OCS. if he has great NCOs and SNCOs and a CO that can recognize potential, then they may try to steer him in that direction, but that's all you might expect. truthfully, in all likelihood, no one will give a **** unless he gives them a reason to give a ***** we like our prior enlisted officers to be self starters, and one of the first big things that is looked at is if the Marine is self motivated and competent enough to get an OCS application package together on his own. i say "we" but obviously i dont speak for the whole officer corps. i'm just giving you my opinion based on what I have seen and done.
Ulysses90
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Quote:

Asked him about LASIK and he said "I do not want lasers in my eyes" (to which I replied "what about sharks with lasers?)..also, you're eyes can keep changing up to 25 and he does not want to get surgery, then his eyes keep getting worse.

As soon as the Corps made refractive surgery available to any Marine who was a good candidate I signed up. My vision when I was commissioned was 20/200, 20/250. I had 20/15, 20/20 after the surgery. It was one of the best fringe benefits I've had in 27 years. I would recommend opting for PRK rather than LASIK. There is a bit more post-op discomfort from PRK because they do surface ablation on the cornea but unlike LASIK there is no incision or flap with PRK.

I also concur with what PO'BS said. No one gets picked to go to OCS if they don't apply of their own initiative for ECP, MECEP, or another path. The Marine Corps is by far the youngest branch of the armed forces by the age of those on active duty. ~36% of the Marine Corps is 18-22 years of age. The next closest is the Navy with only 18% between the ages of 18-22. Those who stay for a career either enlisted or commissioned do so because they self-select.
agracer
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Presley OBannons Sword said:

Quote:

He confirmed he did qualify for every job in corps based on his ASVAB score. The Vision is just a consult. He passed the vision test but was 'borderline' and had to go to a specialist before they can send swear him in. He will know for sure tomorrow but it looks like he will be on deferred enlistment and will ship out May 14.

Asked him about LASIK and he said "I do not want lasers in my eyes" (to which I replied "what about sharks with lasers?)..also, you're eyes can keep changing up to 25 and he does not want to get surgery, then his eyes keep getting worse.

Why do I feel like he won't be in 18-months and they'll be sending him back to school to finish his degree then sending him to OCS right after he graduates.

If things work out, I'll post picks when he graduates basic.
the big "they" doesnt really exist. there is no big Marine Corps eye in the sky who will be snatching him up for OCS. if he has great NCOs and SNCOs and a CO that can recognize potential, then they may try to steer him in that direction, but that's all you might expect. truthfully, in all likelihood, no one will give a **** unless he gives them a reason to give a ***** we like our prior enlisted officers to be self starters, and one of the first big things that is looked at is if the Marine is self motivated and competent enough to get an OCS application package together on his own. i say "we" but obviously i dont speak for the whole officer corps. i'm just giving you my opinion based on what I have seen and done.
Sorry, did not mean to imply that. I meant he'll be motivated enough to do this on his own. Poor choice of words on my part.

When applying for college as a senior in HS, my wife was constantly pressing him to "have you applied for school, sent your grades, applied for housing???" etc.. I kept telling her to let him do it himself and she kind of agreed but also didn't want him not going to school and laying around the house. He's done this whole enlisted thing all on his own.

Everything went fine today for the eye exam. He was sworn this afternoon and will head to basic June 11.
HollywoodBQ
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agracer said:

Everything went fine today for the eye exam. He was sworn this afternoon and will head to basic June 11.
Congratulations!
Check back in August and let us know how he went at Basic.
Presley OBannons Sword
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arb2win said:

Tell him not to... my son went crazy


I'm sorry for whatever your family is struggling with, but this is not the place for this comment.
champagnepapi
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Beat Navy
arb2win
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I'm sorry I'm not me when i'm horny



arb2win
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Damm autocorrect I meant hungry! Sorry I didn't mean to be inappropriate. God Bless you and the troops
Eliminatus
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bufrilla said:

Have to smile at many of the comments here. Retired Marine (Mustang Officer)here, and my youngest son was hell bent to be a Marine 03 (grunt). We(including Mom)had discussions over the pros and cons (I had been retired 3 years, a retired officer, but several years enlisted time) and he was able to join the PLC program that fall as a Freshman. He was commissioned on his graduation from A&M and off to being a "grunt" with 2nd Marines as a Plt/Company commander over the next 4 plus years. Oldest son had finished his Master Degree when he called, we discussed the pros and cons joining the Corps. He was off to OCS within 10 days and now has 23 plus years as a Marine Officer.
Move forward to 2017 and Grandson is a HS senior, is bound and determined to be a Marine (4th generation), father and grandfather discussed the pros and cons and he was off to Boot Camp the week after graduation from High School. He wasn't up for college, average grades in high school (excellent grades in courses he liked). Scored exceptionally high on ASVAP. Very vocal to discipline, to be exact a smart a--,
that changed with Boot Camp. Was there for his graduation (same week as UCLA football game) and a changed young man as to attitude.
The Marine Corps will not hurt the youngster. He will ask himself in the first couple days at MCRD, "what The hell have I done".
As for your concern for death in combat? I was always amazed by my Mom's attitude. She saw 8 sons and one son-in-law serve in combat over 3 wars. I was the youngest. She never complained,(in WWII) she saw my oldest brother wounded in the S.Pacific in 1942; next brother made 3 combat jumps with 82nd Airborne (Sicily,DDay, & Market Garden) wounded twice; brother-in-law was company commander with Patton's 3rd Army, wounded and captured at the Battle of the Bulge; 3rd brother landed on DDAY and the push into Germany and survived with a whole body. In Korea, 4th brother KIA at the "frozen" Chosin; brothers 5 and 6 were lucky in their tours. Vietnam saw brother 7 with the 11th Air Assault, 1st Air Cav (had 5 Hueys shot out from under him); I served one 13 month tour in Vietnam with 3rd Marines as a Platoon Commander; then later, after receiving my "wings of gold", a tour flying combat missions in the F4 Phantom.
Mom never made a remark about the possibilities of loss of life. I was in elementary school when my brother was KIA and remember my mother's words to my father on the morning of 4 December 1950, she told him she had spoke to my brother at the front door that night and that he would not be coming home. My father sort of said "bull" and of course my Mom just went about her business, a month later the telegram arrived, that brother was KIA on 3 Dec 1950 - "a mother's intuition".
My father's attitude (WWI AEF veteran,9 months on the front in France/Belgium). He said it was your responsibility to serve your country, whether in the military or just being a good, everyday citizen. He would give you advice to help YOU make YOUR OWN DECISION(s). That's the key many here have stated. Advise, don't decide.

Semper Fi








'Rah! Got myself a Moto boner now.
Aggie1
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Little different story here.

Uncle was farmer in OK in 1938 and got tired of hoeing weeds - joined the Army - was MSgt by the time WWII broke out. Was part of Landing at Omaha. Afterwards, in Germany was PO'ed that the AF conscripted real houses/beds/kitchens while Army lived in dugouts and mud holes. Switched to AF asap. Was chief NCO in Berlin Air Lift. Was in first segment to achieve AF Top-3 SMgt and then CMst (line #7 in first group in 1955). Retired San Antonio from Lackland.

I was in Naval Reserve in HS late 50's. At A&M beginning in 1961 - 2 years of Army ROTC (required during my time). Worked on a double degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering which was going to take 6.5 years.
Viet Nam and the draft came along. I had been in A&M 5 years but was still without a degree so I was eligible for the draft (which only gave a one year deferment at the time). My draft number came up low so I investigated which branch of the service offered the best opportunity for finishing my education. I talked at length to my retired CMSgt uncle in SA. (To be fair all branches have similar education enlisted to graduation and officer programs ) I eventually opted for the Air Force, and went through Lackland AFB in SA and on to Keesler AFB MS in basic electronics and was accepted into AF Airmen Education and Commissioning Program - that wanted me to change my degree to a new program called "computer science) (again, something I should have done in retrospect, but I digress...) - I opted not to. And chose the AF permissive TDY Bootstrap instead to finish Arch/Co/CE at A&M. Was offered AF commission to fly (which in retrospect I wish I had done...) but wanted to take the architecture boards ASAP before I forgot stuff. Randolph sent me to Iceland 1970 - which was great because overseas unaccompanied short tour gave preference to reassignment back to states. I chose A&M ROTC staff to also work on MArch and was accepted as E-5, earned E-6 while on ROTC staff. Learned I could get a direct commission into the AF Medical Service Corps Health Facilities Officer Program as an Architect/Hospital Designer and work with Corps, NAVFAC, etc. (Army has similar program USA Health Facility Planning Agency). 2nd Lt Jan 1973. Great career move, after total 20+ retired DoD/Washington as Health Affairs Chief Architect. Worked as Architect in Austin, Hospital Administrator in OKC, JCAHO-JCR Consultant, etc., ever since.

Fast forward - 7 kids (5 girls, 2 boys), 30-40 years later. Youngest son #2 was bored stiff and chasing girls and not doing well as a fish. Talked to various recruiters. Enlisted in AF. Went to Keesler. Graduated Keesler top of his class with Associates Degree in Electronics. Got his ESCITS and worked in Ops Center at CENTCOM 6 years - Shaw AFB/Eglin/Hurlburt, Qatar, AFghan, etc., became asthmatic. Retired as E-5 at 60% with all VA benefits with only 6 years service. Now has BS. Working on Master's and has a job paying over $100K/yr.

The education provided in the AF for members of "my family" has been great. Every one of my kids wishes they had at least considered the military mainly because the VA education benefit would have save all of us at least .5Mill$$... The educational (as long as you stay qualified....) - and home buying (no 20% down) - and medical benefits for life are beyond calculation when compared to what's now going on in the healthcare insurance field. My older son is doing OK, but the AF gave younger son a boost the older son will likely never overcome!!

So, if you have a kid that is somewhat lackadaisical, needs $$ and some "support system" to get "motivated" - and may or may not really know what he/she wants to do for their lifetime, absolutely, yes, the military is a wonderful opportunity - and if qualified after testing - the options are endless to pursue a career - even one that can be converted to civilian life afterwards.

Of course there are risks, but the camaraderie and relationships built are similar to what most Aggies think they get while at College Station - only more so... In retrospect (again), had I been more serious about the Corps of Cadets and pursued a commission through the Corps I would have saved years of bouncing around and could have retired at a Gen level instead of Field Grade. But, I have had a very nice career. -- in fact, more that one...
AAAAAAAAAAg - Air Force Aggie Architect and Hospital Administrator fm Amarillo, Altus, Austin, Arabia, Arkansas, Africa, Seoul, Bahrain, Amman, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Saudi, DFW-Fairview, Ramstein, San Antonio, Pentagon, OKC, JCAHO/JCR - '65, '69, '73 - A&M Letterman (ret).
Winston Churchill: “If you’re not a socialist in your twenties, you have no heart. But if you’re not a capitalist in your thirties, you have no mind.”
champagnepapi
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Aggie1 said:

Little different story here.

Uncle was farmer in OK in 1938 and got tired of hoeing weeds - joined the Army - was MSgt by the time WWII broke out. Was part of Landing at Omaha. Afterwards, in Germany was PO'ed that the AF conscripted real houses/beds/kitchens while Army lived in dugouts and mud holes. Switched to AF asap. Was chief NCO in Berlin Air Lift. Was in first segment to achieve AF Top-3 SMgt and then CMst (line #7 in first group in 1955). Retired San Antonio from Lackland.

I was in Naval Reserve in HS late 50's. At A&M beginning in 1961 - 2 years of Army ROTC (required during my time). Worked on a double degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering which was going to take 6.5 years.
Viet Nam and the draft came along. I had been in A&M 5 years but was still without a degree so I was eligible for the draft (which only gave a one year deferment at the time). My draft number came up low so I investigated which branch of the service offered the best opportunity for finishing my education. I talked at length to my retired CMSgt uncle in SA. (To be fair all branches have similar education enlisted to graduation and officer programs ) I eventually opted for the Air Force, and went through Lackland AFB in SA and on to Keesler AFB MS in basic electronics and was accepted into AF Airmen Education and Commissioning Program - that wanted me to change my degree to a new program called "computer science) (again, something I should have done in retrospect, but I digress...) - I opted not to. And chose the AF permissive TDY Bootstrap instead to finish Arch/Co/CE at A&M. Was offered AF commission to fly (which in retrospect I wish I had done...) but wanted to take the architecture boards ASAP before I forgot stuff. Randolph sent me to Iceland 1970 - which was great because overseas unaccompanied short tour gave preference to reassignment back to states. I chose A&M ROTC staff to also work on MArch and was accepted as E-5, earned E-6 while on ROTC staff. Learned I could get a direct commission into the AF Medical Service Corps Health Facilities Officer Program as an Architect/Hospital Designer and work with Corps, NAVFAC, etc. (Army has similar program USA Health Facility Planning Agency). 2nd Lt Jan 1973. Great career move, after total 20+ retired DoD/Washington as Health Affairs Chief Architect. Worked as Architect in Austin, Hospital Administrator in OKC, JCAHO-JCR Consultant, etc., ever since.

Fast forward - 7 kids (5 girls, 2 boys), 30-40 years later. Youngest son #2 was bored stiff and chasing girls and not doing well as a fish. Talked to various recruiters. Enlisted in AF. Went to Keesler. Graduated Keesler top of his class with Associates Degree in Electronics. Got his ESCITS and worked in Ops Center at CENTCOM 6 years - Shaw AFB/Eglin/Hurlburt, Qatar, AFghan, etc., became asthmatic. Retired as E-5 at 60% with all VA benefits with only 6 years service. Now has BS. Working on Master's and has a job paying over $100K/yr.

The education provided in the AF for members of "my family" has been great. Every one of my kids wishes they had at least considered the military mainly because the VA education benefit would have save all of us at least .5Mill$$... The educational (as long as you stay qualified....) - and home buying (no 20% down) - and medical benefits for life are beyond calculation when compared to what's now going on in the healthcare insurance field. My older son is doing OK, but the AF gave younger son a boost the older son will likely never overcome!!

So, if you have a kid that is somewhat lackadaisical, needs $$ and some "support system" to get "motivated" - and may or may not really know what he/she wants to do for their lifetime, absolutely, yes, the military is a wonderful opportunity - and if qualified after testing - the options are endless to pursue a career - even one that can be converted to civilian life afterwards.

Of course there are risks, but the camaraderie and relationships built are similar to what most Aggies think they get while at College Station - only more so... In retrospect (again), had I been more serious about the Corps of Cadets and pursued a commission through the Corps I would have saved years of bouncing around and could have retired at a Gen level instead of Field Grade. But, I have had a very nice career. -- in fact, more that one...


Humble brag
Aggie1
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fact
GAC06
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How is thinking you would have made general in hindsight make it a fact?
Diyala Nick
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Everyone makes general!
Diyala Nick
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For those jobs he needs both LASIK and giant, brass balls. Army pilots are crazy.
champagnepapi
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Send him to Westpoint!
champagnepapi
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GAC06 said:

How is thinking you would have made general in hindsight make it a fact?


Lol I would have received an MOH TOO
Aggie1
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https://www.military.com/military-report/todays-youth-have-distorted-view-military.html?ESRC=mr_180205.nl

Today's Youth Have Distorted View on the Military

Quote:

Unsettling myths about the military are rising among recruit-age youth and their parents, teachers, clergy and coaches in part because they have no personal or family ties to the armed forces, according to a key Pentagon official. The DoD points out that over 60 of those surveyed believe that it is likely that a person will leave the military unable to readjust to civilian life. Read more about the "myths" and the impact they may have on recruiting in the coming years.
Related Topics
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agracer
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Shipped out this morning to San Diego. Graduation is August 9/10 which we are all flying out to see.

ugg....what a weekend. Because he enlisted in his college town, we had to drive 70-miles there and back on Sunday to drop him off, so he could drive back home on a bus to the airport hotel in our home town. Then, this morning, we went to his swearing in ceremony at MEPS (another 30-miles there and back) so basically 200-miles in circles. WTF I could not just drop him off this morning at the MEPS station is a mystery...seems like a lot of wasted time/miles and money on hotels. Whatever...he gets to live with it now.

His younger brother saw the brochure outlining the training and he said "this is like a big summer camp but with guns!"....

His older brother FORGOT his ID and could not get in to the ceremony this morning. Fortunately the swearing in captain let him walk out to the foyer to hug his brother goodbye before we left.

Mom is in tears of course. Yes he's been away at college but she could at least talk to him and we would see him occasionally. Now 14-weeks of silence. The recruiter said they'll send us updates as they get them (they have online access to reports about their status) but that is obviously not the same.
bufrilla
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Do make graduation. Made our Grandson's this past Sept (same week as UCLA game), was probably couple thousand people at the graduation ceremony. Well worth the trip.
agracer
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Son called home last weekend. My wife answers and it's one of the DI's. He says, "this is Staff Sargent so and so, your son, won a bet with me. I told all the recruits if they scored 10/10 on the rapid fire course they would get a 2m phone call home. So here he is!"....

Graduation in < 3-weeks.
bufrilla
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Enjoy your trip for USMC graduation. Your son will be a changed young man. Mom will be in tears, proud tears!
Semper Fi
Presley OBannons Sword
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agracer said:

Shipped out this morning to San Diego. Graduation is August 9/10 which we are all flying out to see.

ugg....what a weekend. Because he enlisted in his college town, we had to drive 70-miles there and back on Sunday to drop him off, so he could drive back home on a bus to the airport hotel in our home town. Then, this morning, we went to his swearing in ceremony at MEPS (another 30-miles there and back) so basically 200-miles in circles. WTF I could not just drop him off this morning at the MEPS station is a mystery...seems like a lot of wasted time/miles and money on hotels. Whatever...he gets to live with it now.

His younger brother saw the brochure outlining the training and he said "this is like a big summer camp but with guns!"....

His older brother FORGOT his ID and could not get in to the ceremony this morning. Fortunately the swearing in captain let him walk out to the foyer to hug his brother goodbye before we left.

Mom is in tears of course. Yes he's been away at college but she could at least talk to him and we would see him occasionally. Now 14-weeks of silence. The recruiter said they'll send us updates as they get them (they have online access to reports about their status) but that is obviously not the same.

Missed this post originally. Welcome to working for the government. Believe it or not, eventually you just get used to the inefficiencies and accept it for what it is

Congrats to you and your son, and welcome to the wonderful, terrible, loving, hateful, awesome, ****ed up, well oiled yet dysfunctional family that is the United States Marine Corps.
BigJim49 AustinNowDallas
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bufrilla said:

Semper Fi Marine

Yes a Legacy!
I might add, one GFather was for a period a Texas Ranger
One GGFather was at San Jacinto, the city park in my home town bears his name, as the land was donated by him from his veterans land grant (100 acres) for service in the War for Texas Independence.
A GGGGGFather severed under General Francis Marion, "the Swamp Fox" during the Revolutionary War and the following three generations bore Francis or Marion in their names.
I'm the 10th generation since sailing out of Liverpool for the English Colonies(1628), settling in North Carolina then on to Maryland, then Virginia, back to North Carolina, to Tennessee, then Texas(1830's).
Even have some documentation back to England and to Normandy (through the Royal Armory of England) Knighted by William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Enough of my brag.

Great family, bufrilla !

My GGU was at San Jacinto as a Captain of Cavalry . Later on Mier Expedition executed by the Mexicans !

Eastland County named for him .
BigJim49AustinnowDallas
bufrilla
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AG
Thanks for sharing. History makers!!!!
FightnFarmerUSMC
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agracer
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AG
Graduated this morning, mom and I are incredibly proud of him!
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