[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How did your parents react... (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/25/2010 1:31:08 AM EDT
|
...when you told them you wanted to enlist in the military?
My mom freaked out when I told her I didn't want to go to college and that I wanted to join the Army. And freaked out even more when I told her I wanted to be Infantry. She believes that infantry are the shitbags of the Army that are too dumb to do anything else... My dad wants me to join the air force. He doesn't give a shit what I do in the airforce along as I'm not in the Army... |
|
My father told me the same thing. He was Army, and said that "all the Army is just cannon fodder for the Generals." Again, this is a guy who came back from his tour in Korea with the Silver Star, but I have no idea how he got it. He refuses to talk about it, and at his age (81), I don't think I've got enough time left to convince him. Had to do with something called Kelly Mountain at the end of the war. He was 3rd Infantry, and apparently they got hit really, really hard.
...as far as tellling my parents, it went a little something like this: "Mom? What are you doing tomorrow evening?" "Uh, nothing, I guess. Why?" "Would you mind dropping me off at the bus station? I have to report then." "Report? Report for what?" "Sit down, Mom." |
|
My mother did not want me to enlist, preferring me to go to college - I tolde her I was nto ready for college yet. My dad did not care, but told me I would not last a year... (that was 12 years ago).
I remember vividly that on the day i left, he hugged me and sobbed a little, whispering to me to take care of myself. My dad is not an emotional person, but that day was the first time I ever saw him cry... |
|
Quoted: You might be interested in this siteMy father told me the same thing. He was Army, and said that "all the Army is just cannon fodder for the Generals." Again, this is a guy who came back from his tour in Korea with the Silver Star, but I have no idea how he got it. He refuses to talk about it, and at his age (81), I don't think I've got enough time left to convince him. Had to do with something called Kelly Mountain at the end of the war. He was 3rd Infantry, and apparently they got hit really, really hard. ...as far as tellling my parents, it went a little something like this: "Mom? What are you doing tomorrow evening?" "Uh, nothing, I guess. Why?" "Would you mind dropping me off at the bus station? I have to report then." "Report? Report for what?" "Sit down, Mom." 3rd Division Photos-Korea |
|
My mother didn't give a fuck. Knowing that, I didn't give two fucks about telling her until the night before I left. My Dad. He knew I was going to be in the infantry when I was a kid. My enlisting to him was a culmination of many many times of me sitting on my fathers lap, as a kid, asking him about his time in the Army (1966-1969). Any his default answer was always...well son, you will just have to enlist and get you some before you will understand.... and he would never discuss it further. On the day I left he took me to MEPS. Quiet and reserved. I got a "good luck, make me proud", and that was about it. And when I graduated OSUT at Fort Benning, the look on his face is something I will remember until the day I die.  |
|
It was the ONLY time in my life that I can remember my Dad losing his cool with me.
I was in my 3rd year at Auburn. I went to the Marine ROTC office and talked to them about joining. My parents were paying my tuition, rent & books and I thought my joining would help with those expenses. I couldn't wait to get back to my hometown and tell my Dad what I planned to do. Things did NOT go as planned. My Dad got very upset, saying that he had worked & saved his whole life so that his children would not have to join the military like he had to do. His family had been dirt poor. He was offered a football scholarship but could not afford college because of all the other costs. He join the Air Force so that he could earn a living and learn a trade (communications). It served him well as he retired after 20 years and got a job back in Alabama with GTE doing the same thing that he had done in the military. I guess my wanting to join the military was taken as a failure on his part. Needless to say, I reevaluated my plans and decided not to join. |
|
Quoted:
...when you told them you wanted to enlist in the military? My mom freaked out when I told her I didn't want to go to college and that I wanted to join the Army. And freaked out even more when I told her I wanted to be Infantry. She believes that infantry are the shitbags of the Army that are too dumb to do anything else... My dad wants me to join the air force. He doesn't give a shit what I do in the airforce along as I'm not in the Army... That's how I felt about the Army when I enlisted, and for the most part I still do. I've met very few people who care about volunteering for a service to their country. I'd say 70% only care about making more money than they made before so "dey can put twenniefos on da impala". My parents said "you're an adult, do what you want" but I'm sure they were thinking the same thing. |
|
They drove me to the recruiter's office and went in with me. I'd just pulled the eject handle from college cause I really had no reason to be there. Went to the office, sat down with all 4 services, chose the Army, and went to MEPS a few days later for the ASVAB and DLAB. Bastards made me wait 6 months in the DEP so basic would wind up with the start of DLI.
Anyway, my parents were both cool with it. They'd both left college the first time too. Dad went zoomie and Mom went with United as a stewardess. Kind of a family tradition to quit school, join something fun and then come back and finish it later. 
|
|
Had family in WWI, WWII, Korea and Nam.
I was 17 before siagon fell and my dad pulled me aside and says, "you know your whole family has been in but I don't know about this one. I you decide to go to Canada I'll help you get there." Nothing more was ever said. I went Coast Gaurd in 78 Lost my dad last year and when we dug out his 214 to have an honor guard we found out just how much he did over there. I miss my Dad. |
|
My Mom and girlfriend (now my wife) sobbed and pleaded with me not to go. My dad didn't say anything to me(ex Army). My mom had my grandfather (WW2) and my uncle (Vietnam) sit me down and talk me out of going. I still regret not joining.
ETA My parents are after my younger brother to join up. 
|
|
Although I am not military, if my son or daughter were to choose to go into the military, which they both say they want to even though they are very young (almost 10 daughter and almost 7 son), I'd cry, but I'd let them serve their country. My boy wants to be a Marine sniper. It really wouldn't surprise me if he was, he's an excellent shot and practices shooting in many different positions and distances and does well. My girl wanted to be a Navy Seal, but I told her unless rules change by the time she grows up, that girls can't be Seals. She was very disappointed. I would not be shocked if they went into the military and I would stand behind them every step of the way. Being their mother I would worry that they would be injured or killed every moment of the day. I can understand why parents get upset, but I cannot understand why they would not be proud and support their childs decision. (These pics were taken a year ago. The shooting protection was removed for the pics).    |
|
Mom: Join the AF it will the best thing you can do for your life. I regret not joining.
Dad: Don't be a crewchief or a weapons loader. Get a job you can do on the outside. Stay in for 20. Grandfather: You need to prep yourself for the AFA. If you do and graduate I'll buy you a brand new Z28 with a LS1 package. 
|
| After high school wanted to enlist active army as a 19K. Parents begged me to go to college first. I caved, sort of. Went to a senior military college, did four years of ROTC, graduated and ended up declining ky commission and now I'm here in Afghanistan in the guard as a 31B attached to a cav troop playing a 19D. Funny how life works out. |
|
My Dad was retired Navy. He was actually pretty pleased and proud of me that I decided to go in. I was the only one from my whole generation that was in the service. None of my other cousins were in. It changed my whole relationship with my Grandfather. He'd been a soldier in WWI and really became a very close friend to me after I enlisted. |
|
My dad said "well, it's not the worst thing you could have done." My parents were products of the 60's, and were big fans of being nice to everyone, and getting along. Dropping 1000lb laser-guided bombs on people was not, in their view, considered to be very nice. |
|
Both saw it coming I think and were pretty happy with it. My mother didn't like the sound of the Marine Corps but she left it up to me until the recruiter asked her to sign the waiver (I was only 17). I decided I wanted to go infantry and when she found out, she almost ripped up the papers. She made me pick something in aviation or she was NOT signing the papers. ended up in Aviation Ordnance.
|
Dad was Navy, he was not impressed that his eldest was going to be a Jarhead 2 of Moms brothers were Marines, she was okay with it. Out of 4 kids I was the only one to join a military service.
Unless you count my two little shit brothers that joined the Air Force.
|
|
Quoted:
I signed up the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. I had to have my parents sign for me to enlist. They were happy to do it and I was happy to get out. Never looked back... This. But I went to BC during that summer and was a drilling reservist during my senior year of high school. Upon graduation I went to "A" school to be a Gunner's Mate. That was 22 very fast and short years ago. Mom has visited me at every duty location and dad was proud of my career. He got to see a picture of me in my Officer dress whites just before he passed away this past March. (he was drafted in 68 and was a tank gunner, he never wanted his boy sleeping in a hole in the ground or eating canned food cooked on an engine) |
|
Quoted:
They mumbled and made their snide comments but, in the end you have to realize it is your life. Take charge. Ha, my parents haven't realized it's my life. And I'm 23. I regret not joining right after highschool. All my friends were going to college and I felt that was where I should have went next. |
Father had to sign papers, since I was 17 . He didn't think much of me back then 
I thought he was going to say no, but instead he said: "Good. Maybe they'll make a man out of you" Signed the paper and gave it back to me. I left a couple of weeks later on a memorable journey by train (with a group of 12 guys) headed for Fort Benning (C/5/3 ) That was in April 1966, when most of you were not even born
|
To this day it's the biggest regret of my life.