The USMC just called for my 17yo son. I signed an Opt-Out in September.

He said that they get the list from the County, probably, (although I'm not positive) from driver's license rolls.

So, apparently, the Opt-Out is a fucking waste of time.

Fortunately, the Sargeant who called was very understanding and said he would my son's name from the list.

Now I get to wait to hear from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

:woohoo: :hug:

:hug:

My dad was in the USAF and if it were peace time? It would be wonderful for my son, but not now.

:grr: :hi: :hug: :hug:

SAC bases were always in the most godforsaken places in the middle of nowhere......

AND...they're sending airmen to the sandbox, as "security" types.

Talk about lambs to the slaughter.

I don't really blame the recruiters though as she is not the type to fall for it, and she did seek them out. But I was shocked when she told me. I actually hid her BC and SS card(she found them anyway) and we had some meltdowns in my house.

I'm gettng used to the idea, she just graduated and had plans to go to college and become a teacher. All out the window now. She tested well and got into the Advanced Electronics/Computer Field.

She says shes been thinking about it for months, I dont know. She has a lot of friends who joined the military as well, shes never been a follower, but I do think it opened up the idea of the military as an option for her.

Peacetime? I would be totally fine with it, but I don't want my child, the child of liberal parents who opposed the war to be cannon fodder.

In a perfect world? All the RWers who supported Bush, but who don't want their children 'in harm's way' would have to suck it up as they got on the bus.

(One of my RW friends actually told me that she thought the Army would be good for her son, but since there was a war on, she wouldn't consider it. Right. Better to send the children of people who were opposed. :grr: )

Just trying to look at the silver lining.

The military improved me a lot.
Work ethic, attitude, teamwork skills, people skills.

People at my job complain about 4 hours mandatory overtime sometimes.
This is with overtime pay and we are salaried. I think about all the military asked of me and 4 extra hours is nothing to get excited about.

Stuff that is hard to quantify but helps you succeed later in life.

Maybe she gets out becomes a teacher and later with the leadership & teamwork skills ends up being a principle and then superintendent.

Peacetime? Bring it on.

it is why I will be getting out when my contract with National Guard ends in November.

My wife simply couldn't handle another tour. I could (maybe that is weird). I wouldn't want to but I could do it.

My wife barely held it together last time. I can't do that to her again.
Got 10 years half way to retirement and health care for life.... can't do it.

In some ways it is harder for those who stay behind.

In army they say "Army wife, toughest job in the Army".

I guess in your case it is "Navy parent, toughest job in the Navy" :)

As a parent I get it that you worry... but it is THEIR decision.

Hug them, support them, be behind them.

Read the OP>

now when your son turns 18 what happens if he decides to join? At that point HE IS ABLE to do so, LEGALLY.

He has no interest in the military at this point. He would like to go to college after he graduates.

And so am I, but we're talking about women in the service, right?

She had an excellent time in the Navy. Apart from a couple of times when she questioned the leadership ability of a commander or two, she enjoyed her 8+ years serving.

It can be an excellent temporary career, something that gets you out of your normal routine before you return to the civilian world and settle down.

I joined the Navy, went to a bunch of A and C schools, served aboard a nuclear submarine and got out. After I was discharged I completed my bachelor and master degrees. Before I went in I was in junior college studying electronics and having a difficult time of it. The Navy straightened my ass out so when I got out school seemed like a dessert!

Many times young people really don't know what they want to do. Serving for a while in a branch of the armed services (or, for that fact, the Peace Corps) can give them a time to think about their future career.

My dad makes alot of money and claims me as a dependent even though I am not on speaking terms with him and am on my own with bills to pay . I am 23 and working full time and am beginning to think that my friend in High School was pretty smart for joining the coastguard.

He's committing tax fraud.

At 24 you'll be an independent student for financial aid purposes no matter what.

This is such a hard and personal issue to deal with. I just want to be my own person doing my own thing.

on a ship, there are college classes on some of the larger ones - with real college professors. At least, there were before I retired in 1988 - it was PACE - Program for Afloat College Education. The only cost for PACE was the textbook. One can get a lot of the basic work out of the way.

GI Bill afterwards. The navy was a good career for me, but for many four years is enough.

Good luck.

Edit for update. It is now NCPACE Navy College Program....

I googled 'program for afloat college education' and the magician inside my monitor gave me many, many choices one of which is this http://www.ecpi.edu/military/programs/ncpace.cfm

late 40's now, but if I hadda do it all over again, I would have joined the military out of high school

part of it has to do with th vets i see here posting on DU:patriot:

we weren't at war. Especially a war like the one against Iraq.

And, I agree. I have nothing but respect for the vets here. Some of them are dear, dear friends.

Color me wary of the government at this point regarding this war.

assholish things, and sign them all with my veteran status. :D

after HS graduation in 1960, and retired (USN) in 1988.

Didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up, had not prepared for college because in my family college was not an option, wanted to get away from home because it was dysfunctional, etc.

Whilst in, I got a lot of inexpensive college classes, got some more after retirement.

Thank you so much for your kind words.

especially kids.

He just left because a friend told him that WalMart *gasp* was hiring.

At least I won't have to worry about him being cannon fodder. My daughter got a wonderful internship this summer, but since he's still in high school, he can't do it.

give him a copy of Smedley Butler's "War is a Racket" for summer reading.

Here's how you get rid of the recruiter. You say "What, you think you're being FUNNY? What jerk gave you my son's name--you know full well that because of his severe DISABILITY that he could NEVER serve in the (fill in branch of service)!!!"

Say it real MAD, too. If they ask what his disability is, tell them you don't have time for these bullshit crank calls, and hang up. Odds are, though, they won't ask.


You don't have to tell them that his "disability" is an allergy to bullets.

like I said in the OP, I'm guessing driver's license records. He and a lot of his friends are 'new' drivers.

It's perfectly legal, too. They usually place an ad in the book as well.

Tell them he's going to college on a scholarship and they probably won't call again. The USMC started calling me when I was 16 (my junior year in high school; I graduated at 17) but when they found out my college education was already being paid for, they gave up.

"JVS, I want to talk to you about the opportunities the Corps can offer you. I understand you're a top student in your class and you'll be heading off to college next year. We can help with that."

"Thanks but I've been given a scholarship. My plans are made."

"So you're telling me that there's nothing I can tell you to change your mind?"

"Yeah. I've decided and I'm pleased with my decision."

Never heard from him again.

Now your state is short another Marine. :(

The recruiters got their names and contact info from other government databases. We did what we could to prevent it. We refused to let them take the test for the military - even though their guidance councilor, a recruiter herself, had a hissy fit and eventually ended up fired. It seems we started a trend.

After they got their driver's license, we just screened calls with caller ID and threw away the military junk mail before they got home from school. Of course that only works if you get home before they do.

We always had long talks about it with them, especially considering the illegal invasion of Iraq and mismanaged war in Afghanistan. If they wanted to join, we always told them they should consider ROTC and then not until they were through a couple of years of college. That's where they are now. I still doubt they'll consider it unless they get to a point that they can't afford college and the student loans run out.

there is nothing you can do about it. I signed up for the Corps at 18 without ever talking with my parents about my plans. I joined in the summer of 1996. I went to Iraq in 2003 as an infantry squad leader. I am out of the Corps now and work as an Analyst for the Social Security Administration. Not a day goes by where I don't think about all the great times I had in the Corps. The military and war has always been a young mans game. To me, it was a right of passage to manhood. I have a couple of young newphews who I think will make great Marines someday. If I do have a son, I will encourage them to join the Corps. I have no regrets and no compliants. In fact, I miss my buddies from Fox company of the 25th Marines.

I just say I'm gay. Strangely, the line goes dead. :P

but my kid is a higher-up in JROTC. He said he would rather join the Air National Guard if he had to join the service. They were calling my daughter until she was well into college and she was not in Jrotc in high school.

Just curious, I've not heard of this.

Oh, and hugs to you... I agree I think I would flip shit if any child of mine wanted to join right now. :hug:

states that the school is not allowed to pass along contact information to the military.

I had to do it with my daughter as well. Not that I have anything against the military; just illegal and immoral wars for profit.

It's part of NCLB if you can believe it.

The point of my thread is that we signed it, my husband and I and still got a call. Apparently, the schools aren't passing along the information, the county is.

wonder how an overweight 35 year old would get in?

to all parents if their son or daughter brings up joining the military: ask for a waiting period. Young adults sometimes act rashly. Not all. My son, six years ago, wanted to quit college. He told us he wanted to join the Marines. We were skeptical, to say the least. We told him to wait six months, and if he still wanted to enlist, he had our support. Well, he waited six months and joined the Marines. He's had 3 tours to Iraq. Lots of promises are made by recruiters. Make sure your son/daughter talks over the details with you and that you scrutinize the contract. In the case of Marines, 4 means 8. You sign up for 4 years, but you can be required to serve 8. My son re-upped after 4 yrs, but he had friends who left after 4 yrs, only to be called back - without the signing bonus or the chance to earn rank. My son was 19 when he enlisted. If he had been 17, I probably would have told him he had to wait at least a year before enlisting.

At least that stays here on American soil

and I'll bet you a $1 the army will be Marines will still try again to recruit him.