I Dont Want to Leave My Family and Join the Army
For Parents
What to Expect
Many parents with a child considering military service volition take questions and/or conflicted emotions almost this option. It'southward merely natural to want success and security for your child in whatever future they may pursue.
As you begin to accept discussions with your child about their choices, consider this page a checklist of the important milestones they will feel equally they prepare, bring together and railroad train for a armed forces career. And so, using the tips and advice on this page, you lot can ensure your support will assistance them toward their goals.
On This Folio
- Choosing a Branch of Service
- Enlisted or Officeholder Paths
- Eligibility Requirements
- Meeting With a Recruiter
- Finding a Military Career
- Taking the Oath
- Training
- Graduation
- Postal service-Graduation
Advice to Parents Nosotros asked war machine parents, "What would you tell some other parent whose child was considering service?" These responses provide valuable advice for families and a firsthand perspective on making the decision to serve.
Transcription
Mary McHugh: The advice I would give another parent who might have apprehensions? Well, I could say this for certain: I've been there, done that. I don't recollect there was anyone more than apprehensive most a child joining the Military than me, merely I have to say that you still take to let them make information technology their pick, and if information technology's going to be the option that they brand, you lot need to exist a hundred percent behind information technology.
Barbara Heinz: I would tell them that I do call up it'south a wonderful thing to serve your country — the dedication, the discipline, the loyalty to your country, I think all that's of import — but the service isn't for everybody, and in that location are some people that simply tin't. They tin't practice it.
Dale Conjurski: It's a great opportunity. It's a great feel. I would caution any parent whose child is going to join anything is that they're going to exist abroad from home. Tin can they handle that time away?
Beth Radiseck: I would say for them to discover people actually serving because I call up they're the biggest wealth of knowledge.
Marc Danziger: People who are retired or current War machine are stunningly generous with their time to talk to people who are thinking about this every bit a career, and they're stunningly honest.
Patti Kolk: They really need to become and speak to a recruiter. Get to dissimilar recruiters. Become to unlike recruiting offices. You know, simply don't accept your feel with one person.
Hugo De Leon: Brand certain they're there in the recruiter's office, and to ask the questions the kids aren't going to ask, y'all know. As parents, even though the kids don't like to admit information technology, nosotros're a footling wiser. Yous know, in that location'due south questions nosotros're going to have on our minds that the kids aren't going to think almost, and beingness there and really being able to look at the recruiter in the center and know that yous're getting the directly answers, it ways a lot. Beyond that, it would really be, study upwards, math especially, because when they accept their exam, yous know, any score they get on that — it'due south based a lot on math — that's going to open the doors to any trades they can take.
David Smith: I would tell them right away, it's a groovy idea, particularly for anyone who is not fix for higher or has no idea what they desire to do with their lives. They can get into the Military machine, and they can choice from a menu of things to train in, and they're going to larn what it is they like and what they don't like. And I would admittedly recommend in a heartbeat that they encourage their kid to get into the Military.
Advice to Parents
Choosing a Branch of Service
First, your child volition choose one of the U.S. Military'southward half dozen Service branches and decide between full-fourth dimension Active Duty or part-time service in the Reserve or Guard. Each option offers a unique service experience and length of delivery.
Enlisted or Officer Paths
In the Military, your child can choose to either enlist or exist commissioned as an officer.
Enlisting
If your child decides to enlist in the Military, they will visit a Armed services Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), which are in locations all across the state.
At MEPS, your child will take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, undergo a physical examination (which varies by Service and job) and undergo a background screening. As a parent, yous are free to accompany your child to MEPS, simply you will be asked to wait in a separate area during the test.
Gathering Materials
Help your kid prepare for their MEPS visit by collecting necessary documents, including medical records, birth certificate, social security menu and commuter'south license.
Commissioning as an Officer
Being an officer involves a higher caste of responsibleness, grooming and a college degree. Officers usually serve in managerial and leadership roles, or in a position that requires specialized advanced preparation. There are several paths to earning an officeholder committee. Officeholder careers include but are non limited to everything from public diplomacy, security forces and engineering to doctors, lawyers and chaplains.
Eligibility Requirements
To join the Military machine, your child must be a U.S. denizen who is 18 years old (or 17 with your signed permission). If your kid wants to become an officeholder, he or she will need a four-year college degree.
Meeting With a Recruiter
Meeting recruiters in person with your child is the best way to learn more about particular Service branches, what to expect for your child, various armed forces careers and benefits. There is absolutely no obligation to sign a contract or join the Military after meeting with a recruiter.
Asking Questions
Equally a parent, you tin enquire the recruiter any's on your mind — there's a good take a chance you will call up of important questions or comments that your kid won't.
Contact the Services to begin a conversation.
Finding a Military machine Career
At MEPS, your child will meet with an advisor to see which career is best suited to his or her strengths and skills. While it's possible to switch careers subsequently, information technology tin be a long procedure, so information technology's best to make a good, informed decision now.
Establishing Career Goals
Talk with your child about the kinds of feel, training, responsibilities and bounty he or she wants from their military service.
Taking the Adjuration
To become members of the U.S. Military, recruits take the Oath of Enlistment and cadets accept the Oath of Office. These emotional moments mark the official beginning of a young adult's military career.
Recognizing Their Accomplishments
Many parents commemorate these momentous occasions by spending time with their child to celebrate, recognize their accomplishments, or only prepare for the steps ahead. Others may see this as an opportunity to share their milestones with friends and family.
Training & Didactics
If your child chooses to enlist, they will either report to Basic Training presently after MEPS or enter into the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), which allows them to attend training at a later appointment for reasons like completing a high school education. Contact is express during boot military camp, but you can ever mail messages and some services even allow phone calls.
If your child has chosen the officer path, they will begin their education to obtain a four-year college caste before receiving their Service commission. In certain cases, enlisted service members tin can advance and transition to officers during the grade of their military career as well.
Packing and Prepping
You tin can assist him or her go set for these big steps by lending them a paw with packing, encouraging them to stick to an exercise program, and by offering to handle day-to-day responsibilities such every bit paying bills, minding mail service, and dealing with bank accounts while they're away.
Graduation
Approximately 90 percent of all enlisted recruits consummate Bones Training and graduate. Officer cadets who graduate from their respective programs and institutions will go on to go commissioned officers. These events are important moments, as they represent the significant achievements your child has made in overcoming challenges to preparing themselves for Service.
Post-Graduation
Later on your child graduates, they will move on to receive advanced training for their specific office and ultimately put their new skills to the test on duty. Although they may not be able to reveal all of their accomplishments to you for security reasons, your child's career volition probable lead to recognition such as medals, ribbons and promotions.
Beingness Proud of Their Path
As you become more familiar with your child's service and their successes, feelings of apprehension may evolve into those of understanding, appreciation, and pride. Some parents like to demonstrate this through diverse acts and symbols from military culture, including displaying the flag of their child's Service co-operative aslope the American flag, and even learning common armed services acronyms.
Source: https://www.todaysmilitary.com/parents/what-to-expect
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