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Post by ReformedLiberal on Apr 21, 2012 20:54:07 GMT -8
Most of you already know that my stepson served in Iraq as an MP and an instructor at the Baghdad Policy Academy training civilians on ethics and behavior of law enforcers in a democratically constituted country, and that he was diagnosed with multiple forms of cancer after he was discharged. He is doing fine and was so impressed by the care he received at the VA that he has begun nursing school to give back the same kind of care.
Well, at Easter dinner his 18 years old brother who is due to graduate high school in a few weeks announced that as an adult male in America, he feels a responsibility to serve at least one tour of duty in the armed forces. I have recommended that he join ROTC, get his higher education first and then serve as an officer, rather than serve first as a grunt and then go to school later as his brother did.
I would welcome any advice on branch, MOS, etc. that anyone of you would care to offer and I will pass it along. He is an accomplished musician and played trombone all four years in both the Marching Band and Signature (advanced) Jazz Band. I would like to see him in the Marine Corpse Band, but the choice will be up to him and where he qualifies. He is also interested in Special Forces and Intelligence. He is physically fit and is a novice boxer. His ACT score is high enough for the Air Force Academy, but his vision is not good enough to become a pilot, which he would love if it weren't for that.
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Post by Sailor on Apr 22, 2012 9:05:15 GMT -8
ROTC or even one of the academies would be a great way to go, though after 4 years of school he'd still have a 4 or 6 year obligation (forget which.)
We also have a shooting war going on in Afghanistan and troops in a number of trouble spots around the Asia / Africa theaters that we may not be in in another 4 years, God willing.
I agree, education first.
My best to your stepson, one veteran and cancer survivor to another.
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Post by dustdevil28 on Apr 22, 2012 9:29:06 GMT -8
ROTC would require a long commitment, but education first is never a wrong choice. It's all about the individual and what his goals are in life.
I admire the kids desire to serve, but he should try and keep in mind what he ultimately wants to do in life and try and take advantage of the training the military provides to reach those goals. If he would like to be a musician, serving in the Marine Corps band would be wonderful place on his resume. I'm not sure how the process goes for recruiting musicians, but if it's anything like I've seen in the Navy he'll want to make sure that it is already decided he'll serve in a band prior to going to MEPPs and signing his contract.
If he's interested in Special Forces, I'll of course talk up the Navy SEALs. I truly believe they are the most unique among Special Forces, and a lot of that has to do with the level of difficulty it takes to become a SEAL, years of training. So the commitment and desire must be there.
If he wants to go a different route like Intel the Navy has rates which may appeal to him. If his idea of Intel is looking over large amounts of information and adding meaning to it for leadership, than he would want to become an "Intelligence Specialist" or "IS." Another benefit of becoming an IS is gaining a security clearance which, should he want to stay in Intel once he becomes a civilian, will put him ahead of others while he seeks out job opportunities. Again, though, this is subject to what your stepson wants to do with his life post-military.
Hope that helps.
-DD
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Post by ReformedLiberal on Apr 22, 2012 9:54:09 GMT -8
Thanks, guys. The more advice, the better. I'm an outsider looking in on this one. I applied to the Army in my younger days, but couldn't pass the physical due to the damage I did to my knee in a motorcycle accident at 16.
And just for clarification, this one is my first-born. I should have said half-brother to my stepson.
His goals and desires seem to shift as he gains more information. For the past couple of years he was gearing towards becoming a teacher, specifically music and German. He spent 6 weeks in Germany last summer in a language immersion exchange. He has incredible leadership skills. He was selected by a teacher in 6th grade and attended a Jr. Leadership conference in Washington, DC (as a result just last week rec'd an invitation to attend the next presidential inauguration). He founded a gaming club at school last year (non-electronic games like board games and card games... face to face, old-school stuff) that has become the largest club at the school, and may be the largest gaming club in the state. They hosted a gaming convention off campus that attracted dozens of vendors and thousands of visitors.
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Post by 101ABN on Apr 22, 2012 15:01:22 GMT -8
Tell him to follow his own heart on this.
I have a bias toward Combat arms as they were my choice but they certainly aren't for everyone.
If I were doing it again knowing what I know now, I'd put my education first.
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Post by ReformedLiberal on Apr 22, 2012 16:51:04 GMT -8
Tell him to follow his own heart on this.
I have from the startI have a bias toward Combat arms as they were my choice but they certainly aren't for everyone.
He told me tonight that the USMC Band wasn't what he had in mind. He's currently looking into Army Rangers. The living off the land in remote, secluded locations thing appeals to him. And combat arms does also. I think he wants his resume to say "I kicked ass," not "I played brass." If I were doing it again knowing what I know now, I'd put my education first. I think that one is being treated as a given now. |
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Post by warrior1972 on Apr 25, 2012 4:04:51 GMT -8
Thanks, guys. The more advice, the better. I'm an outsider looking in on this one. I applied to the Army in my younger days, but couldn't pass the physical due to the damage I did to my knee in a motorcycle accident at 16. And just for clarification, this one is my first-born. I should have said half-brother to my stepson. His goals and desires seem to shift as he gains more information. For the past couple of years he was gearing towards becoming a teacher, specifically music and German. He spent 6 weeks in Germany last summer in a language immersion exchange. He has incredible leadership skills. He was selected by a teacher in 6th grade and attended a Jr. Leadership conference in Washington, DC (as a result just last week rec'd an invitation to attend the next presidential inauguration). He founded a gaming club at school last year (non-electronic games like board games and card games... face to face, old-school stuff) that has become the largest club at the school, and may be the largest gaming club in the state. They hosted a gaming convention off campus that It's really a hard call. What's he interested in? God, they've got so many opportunities, especially when someone demonstrates an aptitude for certain things.
It may be worthwhile to get more professaional information on this for him. Ther'e s a ton of it out on the Internet these days, all free. And a lot of the the AFSCs (Air Force Specialty Code) and MOSs they have these days didn't even exist when I was in, so the subject certainly bears research. In fact, personally, I'd be fascinated to hear what you find out, and would be more than willing to assist in any way I can.
Please let us know how this goes.
-A Warrior from 1972 |
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Post by ReformedLiberal on Apr 25, 2012 16:28:44 GMT -8
In fact, personally, I'd be fascinated to hear what you find out, and would be more than willing to assist in any way I can. Please let us know how this goes. -A Warrior from 1972 [/b][/i][/quote] I appreciate that. Thanks. |
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Post by tripleo on Apr 25, 2012 17:38:49 GMT -8
Don't listen to all those zipperheads, flotilla flunkies and flyboy featherheads! Listen, there's got to be some third world country somewhere that will pay him good money to man an old split trailed 155 built by Oliver in the 40's. It's challenging, develops respect for modern technology, sharpens the reactions and motor skills and (above all else) gives lifelong love for anything else he may attempt - regardless of what that might be. ;D   |
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Post by ReformedLiberal on Apr 25, 2012 18:48:15 GMT -8
Don't listen to all those zipperheads, flotilla flunkies and flyboy featherheads! Listen, there's got to be some third world country somewhere that will pay him good money to man an old split trailed 155 built by Oliver in the 40's. It's challenging, develops respect for modern technology, sharpens the reactions and motor skills and (above all else) gives lifelong love for anything else he may attempt - regardless of what that might be. ;D There's one in every crowd. |
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Post by tripleo on Apr 26, 2012 9:17:03 GMT -8
Ah, RL, I see you took my post in the vein it was intended  One of the few talents I have is the ability to throw myself back to the days when I was eighteen or twenty - accurately, I might add. That's why almost every day I have some youngster stop by the house or come up to me when I'm in town with some question about things that to normal old fogies would seem trivial and get laughed off, but I take seriously. Here's the deal: Unlike most of us old fogies, he is young and resilient with a plethora of opportunites ahead of him. Right now he is walking down a hallway passing door after door with a sign hanging out front saying, "Come on in. We're here to help." Eventually he will make a decision and I can almost guarantee that it will be based on gut instinct. And that gut instinct is telling him, "This is what I want to do!" If he does what he really wants to do, then he made the right decision - as long as he is happy with that decision and is aware that all consequences of that decision (good or bad) rests on his shoulders. All of the suggestions (other than mine) on this thread have been good ones. I'm sure there have been many more that we don't know about. But when it comes down to the nitty gritty of the whole thing, there are only three questions you can truly ask: Is it what you want? Why? Are you prepared to live with your decision?  |
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Post by ReformedLiberal on Apr 26, 2012 18:10:44 GMT -8
Ah, RL, I see you took my post in the vein it was intended Of course I did. Have you forgotten that I was the one who first started calling you "triple O" before you did, when you were posting as O.O.O. on THC? |
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