Army servicemen/women...

naugustyniak

Update....He met with the Marine recruiter and has decided to go that route for sure. He is going to Indy on Thursday next week for his MEPS.

havingitall

My husband was in the Marine Corps for 10 years and I'm sure you have heard the saying " once a Marine, always a Marine". It is so true, but that is a good thing. The Marine Corps instills a lot of good qualities in their men and women.

It is hard as a mother to see your child make that choice in these days of uncertainty. I know when my son joined the Reserves here in Canada, I quizzed them for quite a while about what he could expect. He was only 16 at the time. Be proud of him, he is doing an honorable thing.

mkwood10

Update....He met with the Marine recruiter and has decided to go that route for sure. He is going to Indy on Thursday next week for his MEPS.

Have you talked to him about the fact that enlisting isn't just for the college money, but that he is making a committment to be at Uncle Sam's beck and call for a certain number of years with almost no control over his life? Make sure he understands EXACTLY that......Marines deploy almost as often as Army, but the deployments are usually not as long (no apologies... my hubby's retired Army, so I know what really happens).

Once he raises his right hand and says "I do solemnly swear to defend......" he has to be ready to
1. grow up very quickly
2. undergo rigorous training that will leave him in the best physical shape of his life
3. be ready to go anywhere in the world at as little as 1 hour notice
4. stay there for as long as necessary, oftentimes not being able to tell loved ones where he is and what he's doing, or how long he'll be there
5. defend his country and carry out his mission, which may or may not involve firing weapons at other humans,
6. Be proud that he is serving his country and making a difference!!

I just hope he understands exactly what he is potentially in for, especially with the world situation the way it is now and is likely to stay that way for some time. Over the years my husband was active duty, we both saw WAY too many young soldiers who couldn't handle it when the going got tough and whined that they didn't join the Army to spend months and months training/deployed in harsh conditions, they just joined for the college benefits. That is NOT what the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines are for......... college funds are just a perk that doesn't come without a lot of sacrifice and hard work.
There are just too many people out there who join the military for the wrong reasons.......and they put every single person who joined for the right reasons at risk, every day.

I have no doubts that you've raised him right and he'll make good decisions.
Good luck - keep us posted as the journey progresses.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

naugustyniak

Update....He met with the Marine recruiter and has decided to go that route for sure. He is going to Indy on Thursday next week for his MEPS.

Have you talked to him about the fact that enlisting isn't just for the college money, but that he is making a committment to be at Uncle Sam's beck and call for a certain number of years with almost no control over his life? Make sure he understands EXACTLY that......Marines deploy almost as often as Army, but the deployments are usually not as long (no apologies... my hubby's retired Army, so I know what really happens).

Once he raises his right hand and says "I do solemnly swear to defend......" he has to be ready to
1. grow up very quickly
2. undergo rigorous training that will leave him in the best physical shape of his life
3. be ready to go anywhere in the world at as little as 1 hour notice
4. stay there for as long as necessary, oftentimes not being able to tell loved ones where he is and what he's doing, or how long he'll be there
5. defend his country and carry out his mission, which may or may not involve firing weapons at other humans,
6. Be proud that he is serving his country and making a difference!!

I just hope he understands exactly what he is potentially in for, especially with the world situation the way it is now and is likely to stay that way for some time. Over the years my husband was active duty, we both saw WAY too many young soldiers who couldn't handle it when the going got tough and whined that they didn't join the Army to spend months and months training/deployed in harsh conditions, they just joined for the college benefits. That is NOT what the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines are for......... college funds are just a perk that doesn't come without a lot of sacrifice and hard work.
There are just too many people out there who join the military for the wrong reasons.......and they put every single person who joined for the right reasons at risk, every day.

I have no doubts that you've raised him right and he'll make good decisions.
Good luck - keep us posted as the journey progresses.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Not only have I talked to him about what to expect and why he is doing it but his Marines recruiter has also...no crap and the facts. He knows what he is in for and what is expected of him. All I can do is support him and pray for the best.

mkwood10

Sounds like he actually found a good recruiter who isn't worried about his quota numbers.