Think it would be ok to tell my son

[MissMillie]

that I'd be okay with him joining the military as soon as young Jenna and young Barbara Bush do?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. My standard reply.

[jobycom]

2. Normally I believe a parent should be supportive of ALL career choices

a child makes. Politician, lawyer, prostitute, even journalist.

But in the case of joining the military--and not because I have a problem with the military--I think a parent should express VERY clearly how they feel about a child joining the military. Be supportive, don't try to talk him out of it, but express how you really feel about that career choice, and explain the dangers and conditions that the media skims over.

Just my HO. I've had a lot of friends and family do very well in the military. Haven't lost one yet. There are a lot of positives to it. But I would communicate my fears and concerns very clearly, anyway. Parents have earned that right.

[MissMillie]

3. I think there's a heap of difference in joining the military 10 years ago

and joining now.

My sister did 4 years Navy, my brother did 6 years active and 14 years reserve in the Navy, and my other sister did 20 years active in the Coast Guard.

But these days joining the marines means going to kill people in Iraq.

Why would ANYONE voluntarily sign up to kill people in Iraq?

[Midlodemocrat]

4. I'm with you.

A career in the military ain't what it used to be.

[jobycom]

7. But if it comes to it

If he wants to join, your choices are to support him or to have him go away mad.

That's why I say, let him know how much you hate the idea, speak to him as personally as you possibly can, and don't make it a contest (cause you know how kids react when they feel they are in a contest with their parents). Also, show him pictures of what it is really like--the children he will have to kill, the conditions under which he will live. And do it all at once--collect all the information and sit down and tell him all the reasons you really don't want him to join the military, and show him the positivc options he can take--Coast Gaurd, police, etc, if he really just has the urge to serve.

Do it all at once, otherwise he'll just feel like you're nagging him if you stretch it out and come up with a new objection every day. ANd then let it sit--don't keep nagging him. If he's left alone to think about it, he will. If he's nagged, he'll raise his gaurd, and ignore everything.

Again, just my opinion.

As for why anyone would sign up to kill people in Iraq--most wouldn't. That's why the gov't doesn't sell it that way. It's all patriotism, honor, mystery, adventure, video games and action movies. Show him it's not any of those things these days.

[DS1]

5. What, like Elvis did?

While he may have even wanted to be on the front lines, there wasn't a CHANCE he'd ever see them.

Don't even start messing around with that option. Jenna and/or Laura joining the military would be entirely ceremonial.

[MsUnderstood]

6. If he is serious no

Because you need to avoid sarcasm and sit him down and tell him "UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU JOIN".

Sarcasm may just allienate him and you need to save your son. Don't let him go. Heck if my child was drafted, I've already told her to claim homosexuality.

They are killing kids, exposing them to horrible chemicals and dangers then bringing them back physically and mentally decimated without any kind of care to help re-assimilate them back into society. . .and that is my two cents.

[LRSU_Ghost]

8. Hi, I saw your post and just had to reply.

I've been lurking on this site for a couple of months and decided to post after reading your thread.

You see, I was recently retired from the Army. I was medically retired. While I understand your son's desire to join-up, I believe that it is hard for kids today to grasp what it means to do so. They simply do not understand what it is like to fight in combat. They simply do not understand that after joining up, they likely will be shipped-out to Iraq. I guarantee you that they have no idea what Iraq is like.

Heck, I remember my Dad (a combat vet) trying to talk me out of joining up and trying to explain what it was like in combat. Of course I was young and thought I knew it all. I've learned a few things since those younger days of mine; while I probably wouldn't change any of my choices that I have made in this life, I definitely would do everything in my power to talk my child out of going off to fight in this particular war.

If your son is hell-bent on joining-up, take him to the local VA Hospital and have him talk with some of the recently wounded there. They should be able to explain the realities of this war to him.

I sure hope this all works out for you and your son. Tell him for me that he does not want to fight in Iraq, tell him to trust me on this one...

My best to both of you...Take care.

[caty]

9. Sure.

Maybe suggest the Coast Guard instead. There have been several in my family who have joined and they loved it.

[MercutioATC]

10. I told mine I'd break his legs if he tried to join the military.

Luckily for both of us, it doesn't seem to be an issue.