How to convince my parents to support me with joining the military?

Curt J

While the ultimate decision to enlist, depending upon your age, is yours, I agree that having your parent's support is desired.

I suggest you ask your parents to sit down and allow you to explain your reasons for wanting to join and then have them explain their reservations.

During to discussion, you need to ask your father to explain why he joined and what, if any, reservations HIS parents had. You then need to, tactfully, explain that it is your life being discussed, not theirs and that they were allowed to make their own decisions, so why should you not be afforded the same courtesy extended to them.

Don't make the mistake of having a tantrum, because you will then have lost the debate and their respect and support.

Good luck to you, whatever your final decision.

FudgemsBox

I know what you mean man. My parents are the same way.

My dad is worried i will not get a good job afterwards, and my mom does not want me to get hurt. but i am only 15 now, and they do not take my decision to join in two years seriously. but when the time comes, i will tell them this is what i want to do. i want to serve my country, and do my nation , my family, and myself good. You can either support me and send let me go be who you raised me to be, or you can not support me.

Thats what i will tell them.

i know your 15 too, so do not stress about it now. When the time comes, you will know what to say.

ra2000@verizon.net

Explain all the benefits and the honor of serving your country and it is something you really want to do. With the military you have plenty of job opportunities and it looks really good on the resume.

YouAgain

You obviously know that you can enlist whether they like it or not once you turn 18, but it's nice of you to want them to support you in your decision.

You could just show them the statistics of how many troops have actually been killed since the war started. As has been noted many (many, many, MANY) times in this forum, more people are killed in the US from car accidents than there have been troops killed in Iraq. Yes, the risk does exist and you could be injured or killed, but your Dad (of all people) should know that you will undergo quality training.

I think that they'll never get over being worried about you, you're their kid (it's kinda their job as your parents, lol), but that doesn't mean they wouldn't want you to go through with something you really want to do.

You should probably sit down and discuss it with them, explain all the positives, let them know you are aware of the negatives, but that you feel the good outweigh the bad and that it's something you really want to do. Just knowing that you know what you're getting yourself into will probably help in reassuring them.

Good luck : )

(And listen to Curt...he's a smarty and offers really good advice : D )

Chris S

HAHA Reminds me of my folks, my mom went insane when I enlisted in the military, I never really had a dad but my mom flipped. But I joined anyways and never looked back. Just explain the benfits and the rewards, you are gonna be fighting for the freedom every cvilian except the ex military takes for granted. You will have tremedous honor, you will have all the making to make you a damn fine person. And you can also get very good high paying jobs after the military. Most companies would rather hire someone who has four years of military than four years of college. Just talk to them and tell them whats up. Good Luck!

peter f

I don't know your age but I would surmise that you are not 18 yrs old. So to try and answer your question is a little tough, but rangers are tough!!! Being a Mother or Father creates an ingrained protection button that is pushed when a chick wants to leave the nest. Do your research and I do mean research. Try and talk to vets and be mindful that some will not want to talk. Talk to a recruiter and gather facts and fancy. Read up on military history. Start to form a tentative idea as to what you want to do in the miltary and when you are better prepared, take Dad to lunch (Burger King or walk in the park). Present your ideas. Ask him why he joined and what he got out of his military experience. No doubt in my mind, as you describe him, he is pro military as is your Mother. Mothers are in an entirely different and mysterious world so let Dad take care of that. I hope this helps. If you want to talk more email me at peterfear_89501@yahoo.com. But be mindful that I am a sounding board only. Good luck Pete (Major, USA Ret)

Ross

There is a difference between enlisting in the Marines or Army and commissioning in the Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard. I am sure your parents would wholeheartedly support your efforts to be appointed a Midshipman at the Naval Academy or a Cadet at the Air Force Academy or Coast Guard Academy. Your Dad may have enjoyed his time in the Rangers but he also may not have served during war time. He may have joined out of necessity to help pay for college and he may feel that there is no need for you to join because he can send you to college. Try reading the chapter entitled "The Warlords" in C.Wright Mills Classic, "The Power Elite." You can definitely find it in the library at U of Chicago.
Good Luck!

Marine C

im 14 and my parents were the same way but fu.ck it just keep buging them and they will give in
i dont care anyway wen i get out of high school ill be 18 soo they cant tell me squat.
and im joing the marines and going out for marine first recon yeahh

genecide666

i was sketchy about joining military at first but
u can avoid infantry
of course ur trained to fight but it is avoidable if thats a concern of urs or ur parents
i signed up for navy about a month ago
and the benefits are really good
as r most the branches
im currently in the process of discharge tho because i wanna switch over to the marines
if u want to u can go to the branch u like and the recruiter will be more then willing to talk to ur parents
and then if they dont approve after that then its pretty much up 2 u
if u do join the congrats and much respect but if u dont then its understandable cus it aint for everyone

bluegirl08

I feel ya there Dude. My parents don't want me to join the Marine Corps. But you gotta follow your heart and what you want too. Just think are you going to regret it if you don't join?

Point Guard

Family support will be pertinent after joining and you do not want to cause a rift. Ask them what jobs they suggest getting for you that they can finance now and in the future if they refuse the military.

First L

Man I feel for you whats going on I went through that with my dad. He serve the Navy and Army, he was a scout and now he is a government agent. But he didnt want me to enlist because he believes im wasting four years of my life?! It all depends on what your job gonna be or branch of service. For me its Marine Corp, MOS is Infantry, it was really hard for them to accept me enlisting( june 15th when I go). If enlisting is what you want to do really then go for it.Trust me they will support you. They just are trying to make whats best for you. Also theirs always ROTC or OCS and maybe your old man would approve better. Do you have family members who were just in the military? Ask of their opinion and support it helps alot trust me. My cousin got out of Iraq recently and he was a marine too. I ask and he said it was the best thing that happen to him and that I should go for it. My parents didnt argue back at me ever again. Execpt my dad talks so much smack bout the Corp.... he is a Army boy/ swabie.

jeramia s

The military isn't for everyone. But to answer some of your questions is your parents or you are worried about getting injured, then choose a job in the military that is in the rear with the gear, like dental tech. or legalmen. It is a great honor to be able to say you were a vet. Make good use of your time well your in. I just recently got out of the navy after 7 years of active duty and know I go to college fulltime and it's paid for.

yankeeian

the military funds u money for college wen u serve look more thoroughly into it thoo my global teachers bf is in the military he is a sniper and he is a fireman if u r a fireman and u join the military im almost positive u dont lose ur job as a fireman they hold it for u and u still receive pay wen u are serving but good for u and good luck with whatever happens in the future see yaa! =D

Brandon

My dad doesn't have a problem at all with me going. All he said was "It will teach you some discipline" ha

Steffie

Sometimes children don't listen to their parents. Why can't you just grow up a little more and go to college? If you still want to go into the military than they can't say you didn't try something else first.

My son is in the military, he was in the Presidents honor guard for four years. My husband argued with him all the time about going to college and not into the military. He went to college for a year, then dropped out. He wishes that he had stayed in college, but he wouldn't trade his time in the Old Guard. You can't go back, but you can slow it down a bit and give other ideas a try. Then do what your heart leads you to do. Your going to be young for a while what the heck!

xtreme2099

once you are 18 you make your own choices ,you either can go enlisted and do it now or get your degree and go to OCS.

nobody its gonna pay your bills when your an adult so you can do as you please ...and if they pay your bills... your are wrong and need to grow up

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: