Perhaps he'll come back and thank you for helping him figure it out at a later date. I had such a conversation with my young nephew who was considering joining the National Guard just before 9/11... I could smell war when W got into the White House. He was concerned about paying for college, I had insisted he go to school, and his friends were joining for the money that could pay for school.
He took my advice and a few years after the war had turned into the ugliest-demon-nightmare-from-hell, he thanked me for talking him out of it. He also drove six hundred miles to visit me last year to thank me again for making him go to college.
You may well hear from this young man again and find that he is quite thankful. At least I hope you do. You have done a righteous thing and I will applaud you for being so responsible for being honest with him.
Edit history
= new reply since forum marked as read