can you help me to convince my son NOT to enlist in the military?
Asked by vilynblackthornemy son is overwhelmed with his life. He works a nite job and tries to go to school (college) during the day. It has not turned out so good he is failing his classes. He was special ed in HS before going to the community college, I do not believe he has asked for any special consideration at the college though I believe he should, he is a very proud young man. Also he is still a ward of the state and lives on his own, he must work to pay 100 dollars of his rent each month buy his groceries etc, he is without glasses cause he broke his and the state could care less if he sees or not apparently as they are dragging their feet in helping him get the glasses. I cannot help him financially and he is fiercely independent, my heart is breaking, he has given up and is talking about joining the U.S. Air Force. THis kid has a measured IQ of 135 but for some reason has always struggled and mostly failed in doing schoolwork he will not ask for help. Is the Air Force a good idea.? be kind pls. that is NOT a typo his IQ has been measured at 135. Since he was little he has struggled with school, I feel my choices in life have hurt my child and now I am not knowing how to help him, he also thinks that marrying his gf at 19 is a good way to get good housing in the military should he enlist. How can I help him see other ways ?
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Answered by germanygirl_us
As an Ex military wife of 17 yrs I can tell you gettingin the AF is NOT easy. My Ex husband was a recruiter and the standards are extremely high. for one he can't be a single parent, if he has any law violations it will reduce his chance, so will tattoes. He has to be able to score 40 or higher on the ASVAB test and if his eyes are really bad that could also nix it. If he has ever taken ritalin he has to disclose it and any Inhaler use after the age of 9 will disqualify him as well!!! On the other hand the AF is the best choice if he is determined to go military because they are not usually directly on the frontline, My Ex-Husband retired after 20 yrs without any major deployments or even TDY's or Remotes, It is rare but it can happen. As for the housing issue, if he enlists he can also live in a dorm, they are quite comfortable now compared to 20 yrs ago and he would have good benefits. The military life is hard, specially with the always having to relocate, specially when kids are involved, but being in the civilian world now is just as hard if not even harder. Unless you have serious health concerns you can't stop him if he is 18, talk to him and go to the recruiter with him, maybe it will ease your mind if you cann get your questions answerd as well
As an Ex military wife of 17 yrs I can tell you gettingin the AF is NOT easy. My Ex husband was a recruiter and the standards are extremely high. for one he can't be a single parent, if he has any law violations it will reduce his chance, so will tattoes. He has to be able to score 40 or higher on the ASVAB test and if his eyes are really bad that could also nix it. If he has ever taken ritalin he has to disclose it and any Inhaler use after the age of 9 will disqualify him as well!!! On the other hand the AF is the best choice if he is determined to go military because they are not usually directly on the frontline, My Ex-Husband retired after 20 yrs without any major deployments or even TDY's or Remotes, It is rare but it can happen. As for the housing issue, if he enlists he can also live in a dorm, they are quite comfortable now compared to 20 yrs ago and he would have good benefits. The military life is hard, specially with the always having to relocate, specially when kids are involved, but being in the civilian world now is just as hard if not even harder. Unless you have serious health concerns you can't stop him if he is 18, talk to him and go to the recruiter with him, maybe it will ease your mind if you cann get your questions answerd as well
