I would like some opinions, or ways to approach my mom with my huge desire to join the Army.?

NAZGUL

Sit down with her at dinner ( you take her out ) and talk to her and try to explain you reasons, hopefully she will see you as an adult making adult decisions and stand behind you. Good Luck and Thank You for Serving.

Vet-USAF 44MMS

Curtis B

That's a hard one. I signed the papers and then told my mom and dad, and they didn't bat an eye. They figured I was going to go into the military, anyway. Unless this is a spur of the moment thing for you, your mom probably won't be completely blindsided by it either. But remember, she doesn't have to like it, she doesn't have to agree to it, she just has to accept it, because ultimately, it's your decision.

david

go ahead and join at 18, your an adult, just read the fine print, 10 year commitment, if your asking, your not sure because you would just join if your mother disagreed anyways.

GRUMPY

Go to the Recruiters. Get all the info you can, but don't sign ****, they're tricky. The more you know about what you want to do, the more your Mom will see its not just impulsive.

Mike A

Definitely get her involved in the process and have her speak to your recruiter. If all else fails, you could try the route that I took with my parents....I asked every day for about 6 months for them to sign the Parental Consent and they refused, I then put it simply like this..."All you are doing is prolonging the inevitable, because when I turn 18, I am no longer considered a child by the Federal Government and will do it all on my own." They signed the PC 2 days later. The only downfall for me at that time was that when I returned from the MEPS, I tripped over my luggage at the door. They said that since I could do it all on my own, then I was all on my own at that point. It was rough for a while talking with them, but 18+ years later, they are very proud of what I have become. Whatever you do, Good Luck.

As You Were 85

sit down with her and have a one on one conversation with her talk about the reasons why you wanna join and listen to what she has to say. my parents didn't want me to go either but i went anyway. Go to goarmy.com and show her examples of what you wanna accomplish or go to military.com and show her that and see if those sights can answer your questions and hers good luck

Big Blue Fan!

chances are you wont change her opinion. the only thing i can think is to tell her that you wont have a combat position because women are not allowed to be in combat roles. just a thought but i dont think it will change anything though.

Jennifer S

Ever seen the Army promo's on TV---the one where the kid approaches his mama with information on the Army and what he wants to do?-----Take that approach. Seriously----come 'armed' with information. Find out what she objects so much to, if she's ever objected or rejected the idea.

If she seems receptive or hesitatant, take her with you when you go to the recruiter's station. Involve her, make her feel like a part of the process.....quite frankly that's what terrifies most parents---feeling that they've been left out of their baby's life. ;) Be gentle with Mom, but be firm. Know your info before going to her with this so you can answer questions. If you don't know, just tell her, and that you'll find out the answer to the question. Then offer to take her with you to the recruiter's for any questions she has. She can ask whatever she wants while she's there--most recruiters are very sensative to the fact that Mom or Dad wants to be assured that their kids' gonna be okay.

Good luck to ya hon.

ed c

what age can you sign up for yourself, without her consent?

I just signed myself up (i was already old enough at the time), and then told my mum, makes it easier because you can say you've already made your decision, and signed up.

pusherhombre

I didn't ask my parents. I had told them since I was five years old what I wanted to do. Thirteen years later I did it, and they acted shocked. Dad is still bewildered as to why I joined, but was he in a position to help me go to college? The Army looked awesome! Besides, this was what I wanted to do all my life. I told Mom where I was going to be, and that I would be overnight at the MEPS Center, but she was freaking out when I came home after having selected my job, picked a date to begin Basic and taken the oath.

My only regret is that those years flew by too fast! I had a lot of fun. Germany was awesome and a total blast, and I will never forget the people I met or the places I have been.

It is your decision, and you need to make it.

greywolf

, I think it's very Honorable that you want to fight for our country.
I served over 20 years in the Army Special Forces.
Have you talked to a recruiter yet? If not you should and get some info to show your mom. Enlistment programs, schooling
bonuses and so forth, that may help.

Janet B

What I did was fill out the forms and put them in front of my Dad stating I want to join the Air Force. Took me a couple of weeks of asking him if he had signed those papers yet, eventually he did and let me go. It was the best thing I (with his permission) ever did, I loved life in the military, and after I got out, I worked for them for a further 8 years as a civilian in the public service sector, doing the same job.

bellslady65

Sit down with her and tell her why you want to be in the Army. Explain the good and the bad to her. Let her express her feelings, but if it is something you truly want to do then go for it. At 18 you can sign up without your parents permission (although it would be nice to have your family back you in your goal).

elk571

You're just going to have to talk to her calmly, try getting your recruiter involved. A lot of times they can better address the questions/concerns parents have. Maybe try writing her a letter describing y u want to do it. The army also has a website for parents and their children to talk. Keep in mind, she just may not ever agree w/ it, and as much as I hate to say it, it is ultimately your decision, though I know you'd like to have your family's support, it is your life! Your mother is just afraid that something is going to happen to u, and she should be, b/c she loves u and we are in a war, but something can just as easily happen to u while walking across a street!

Brian C

Your mom may never agree with your decision. My mom was against my joining right up until the day I left for basic. When she saw what the training did for me, her mind was changed. The best advice I can offer you is to show her the benefits that the military can offer to you, like college, no charge for medical care, free room and board, training that will enable you to have a great career after your service, giving you confidence and the ability to work as a member of a team, etc. Casually mention it when you're both calm and see what kind of reaction she has to it. You'll always be her daughter, but she has to start letting you make your own decisions sooner or later and she also has to understand that you'll probably join when you turn eighteen anyway. If she brings up the fact that you might be killed in a war, counter with the fact that you have a better chance of dying in a traffic collision. Hope this helped you. Thank you for your decision to serve and good luck in your career.

paradigmer1

Sign up first. Then tell her a few weeks later. Oh, and don't expect her to talk to you again for about six months. That's what I did.

USMC

Michele M

Go over as a private contractor the pay is better!

ops_1

Don't join the Army.........join the Air Force, its much better than all the rest of the services as far as facilities go. You can do what you want, its a free country.

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