First, I have no problem with him doing this. One of my regrets is I did not serve when I had the chance. He says he is bored as school and feels like he is wasting his time and his and our money. His plan is to finish this spring semester and enlist in the Marines. He's already talked to the local recruiter and, while I'm not 100% clear on all the details, he was told there are no boot camp openings until the summer so he should be able to finish this semester. I told him not to sign anything until he asks a lot more questions and reminded him it's the military, once you sign on the dotted line they own you.
That being said, I don't know that he understand what he is getting into. He is not someone who suffers mundane rules lightly and the military has plenty of those. He is absolutely terrible and hiding his frustration with 'dumb people and dumb rules'. I'm worried he will get frustrated from having to follow rules and orders and things will not go well for him. Of all my children he is the last one I'd say was a prime candidate to enlist in the military. He is plenty smart, has good grades and tested out of 18-credit hours before he started college last fall (he'll have 78-credit hours at the end of this spring) but has always been one to challenge authority.
I had two uncles server in the Navy (one a pilot and one a nuc sub officer). I talked to one last night and he said the Military has plenty of opportunities for someone just like him. He said that the Navy had a enlisted officer program (sorry, can't recall exactly what he called it) but they basically payed those who qualified to go to college and then commit for x-years after accepting a commission. There are also plenty of jobs outside of the infantry for smart, motivated people. When I brought this up with him he said he wants to 'fight for his country' and be part of the infantry which of course send his mother over the edge with "what would I do if my son dies in combat"....obviously any parents fear. I suggested he finish school first then join but he stated again he feels like he's wasting his time in college right now.
So I guess I'd like to know what questions he should be asking the recruiter before he signs on the dotted line or what does he need to know? Any one else have direct experience as the same person, or kid like mine?
That being said, I don't know that he understand what he is getting into. He is not someone who suffers mundane rules lightly and the military has plenty of those. He is absolutely terrible and hiding his frustration with 'dumb people and dumb rules'. I'm worried he will get frustrated from having to follow rules and orders and things will not go well for him. Of all my children he is the last one I'd say was a prime candidate to enlist in the military. He is plenty smart, has good grades and tested out of 18-credit hours before he started college last fall (he'll have 78-credit hours at the end of this spring) but has always been one to challenge authority.
I had two uncles server in the Navy (one a pilot and one a nuc sub officer). I talked to one last night and he said the Military has plenty of opportunities for someone just like him. He said that the Navy had a enlisted officer program (sorry, can't recall exactly what he called it) but they basically payed those who qualified to go to college and then commit for x-years after accepting a commission. There are also plenty of jobs outside of the infantry for smart, motivated people. When I brought this up with him he said he wants to 'fight for his country' and be part of the infantry which of course send his mother over the edge with "what would I do if my son dies in combat"....obviously any parents fear. I suggested he finish school first then join but he stated again he feels like he's wasting his time in college right now.
So I guess I'd like to know what questions he should be asking the recruiter before he signs on the dotted line or what does he need to know? Any one else have direct experience as the same person, or kid like mine?