If your son wanted to join the army ...?

Bunnygirl24

I wouldnt be happy and i would find out why he wanted to join in the first place. he might have a different idea of what being in the army really means. i would want my son to live his life and although being killed in the middle east is not top of his list im sure he wants to experience ohter countries and learn some life skills. sit down with him and have a good chat. dont come across like you wana discourage him but you want to know why and that you'll support his decision. if you are worried as to what aprt of the army he is going to join, why dont you go and speak to someone about it and research that area of the army. good luck.

Luekas

No if he/she wants to join then he/she wants to join. I would support whatever decision they made.

ssgtusmc3013

i would let him do what he thinks is right

N3WJL

I'd want him to join the Marines instead. If you're going to go into the military must as well join the BEST.

turboweegie

Why would I discourage him from serving?

I would tell him his great grandfathers served, his great uncles served, his grandfathers served, his uncle was career Army and that his father served and that his whole family would be proud of his decision to serve.

He would do his family, his country proud.

Lew

I would definitely discourage him and tell him that a real man will join the Corps. Semper Fidelis

john s

I have served for 36 years total and still am serving. I have 3 sons and one of them already served in Iraq. My other 2 sons are not military material. They have too many options as it is... but if either one of them wanted to join I'd support them.

No one is prepared for the death of their child... in war or not. Sounds to me like you are just another typical bleeding heart liberal trying to create controversy.

Grow up!

katfred76

I would encourage him to join the Air Force. My husband has been in for 14 years and loves it. We we're stationed at Pope AFB connected to Ft. Bragg (Army), and we heard from Army people and their dependents quite often that they wished they'd gone into the Air Force. The same benefits, pay, GI Bill, opportunities to travel, etc., but the AF generally stays out of harm's way. AKA the "Chair Force". Also, the food, lodging, and on-base facilities are usually better, and most of the deployments have just recently increased to only 4 months. We would run into Army wives on Bragg that hadn't seen their husband in almost a year, with an 11-month old baby that the father had never met.

My husband leaves in December to go to "the dirt" as we affectionately call it, ha ha (somewhere over in the desert hostile area) for 4 months. I'm hardly worried, but if he were in the Army I sure would be.
(long deployments seem to be the same with the Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard)
Tell him to talk to an AF recruiter-they'll say the same thing.

Jeff F

Having served in the "current conflict in Iraq" I would not discourage anyone from serving, and the second part of the question is idiotic. How can anyone be perpared to lose a child in war or otherwise.

kristycordeaux

If he's old enough to go into the service, then he's man enough to make up his own mind.

david.cawood@btinternet.com

he/she is of age let them do as they wish, i spent 22 years in the army and have been in some tight spots but enjoyed every minute, i have also been run over by a car (drunk driver). i sympathise with all parents who have lost a son/daughter, but what i hate is when they go on TV and blame the army for their deaths. If your son/daughter chooses this profesion then support them 100%

msfyrebyrd

I understand your concern. Mine joined the Army last year. I put on a brave face, supported him in his decision, and then cried on my husband's shoulder when my son wasn't looking. He is my ONLY child, but he has to live his life for himself. I cannot protect him forever, no matter how much I may want to. There are times I still cry. He is currently serving in Korea, is getting ready to send papers in to request flight school and he has an excellent chance of being chosen. That just increases my fears. However, I have to let him grow up and be the man he is and wants to be. I just pray nightly and shed a few tears here and there and still support him and his decision. I also come down hard on the idiots here who talk bad about our service men/women.

britsurfer1

Let him join as long as he joins for the right reasons. I think you need to show him the political situation so he actually understands what will be required from him in the army.

Homer Baby

All the men in my family are in the army so yeah i'd agree.

Ca-C

No, I would not discourage him in any way. It is a way of life, it prepares you for real life and gives you opportunities that you might not have had prior to enlistment. Not to mention that they get the feeling of serving thier country. Most military complain while in the military, but, are stronger, more productive people when they get out and they appreciate it. Besides the likelihood of him going to Iraq and getting killed are very low. It isn't like what the media makes it out to be. Policemen/Women have a greater risk of being killed at work each day...

Black Sabbath

If everyone did that, there would be no military, and likewise no democratic government. I'd let him do his part.

theoldguy

To be honest, this question is too late, however, my son is now in Iraq, has been in Afghanistan and was severely injured in Bosnia. I supported his decision, and still support his decisions. No, I'm not prepared to bury him, no parent is ever prepared to bury a child. But the sad fact is that throughout history, our military has been used for everything from enforcing our rights to enforcing our beliefs and no matter what, I'll always support our fighting men and women.

chrstnwrtr

If I had a son who wanted to join the army, then that's his decision. Besides, they'll give him money for college.

catarina

While I would never dishonor the young men and women who have chosen military careers at this time, or their families, I would pray that my son would want to make a difference in some other way.

Flying Fid

Negatory! Join the Navy! I joined the Royal Navy when I was 15, my parents did not like it at all, (especially Mum) but did not interfere as it was my choice. If he wants to be a fighting man, get into the Royal Marines, if he can pass the training he will be one of the best fighting men in the world and can hold his head high and fear naught. (Exept the honey monsters and officers with a map)

marajade_04

When I first joined up in 2004, my parents didn't try to discourage me, now that I'm expecting my first child in November, I would never discourage any of my children from joining the armed forces. It is their choice. Their adult life and they get to do what they want with it. (Just as long as its legal.) But no parent is ever prepared for their child to die in combat but I would support my child either way.

platukism

if they are rational adults they can make their own decisions. i think as a parent i would raise my child to value academics more than anything else. if they still wanted to join, than so be it

joxster

up to him!

pvreditor

I joined the Army during a war and my mom tried gently to talk me out of it. I spent a year in war-torn New Jersey and two years in tense Maryland, and never did get anywhere near a war. Now I'm a veteran and can honestly say that I did my part to serve my country.

It was a great experience and I'd do it all over again, even if I didn't want to stay in the Army for a career.

lostintheclover

I think death comes for you when it is your time to go.
Going to Iraq or Afghanistan is just as dangerous as crossing the street in any bad neighborhood in any other country.

If that is what my son wants I would try to respect his decision as an adult.

Curt

Now is the best time to join the mlitary. Your country needs you.

shrty0525

If that is what my son wanted - yes. I have 4 boys. 3 of them are still pretty young - but want to be in the Army when they are older.

At the point they can join - it is their decision anyway.

Leah

My daughter is only 5 and already wants to be in the Navy - a "Soldier-Sailor" like her Grandfather. He went to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and my husband and I would be proud of her if she decided to do that as well.

frog

I grew up in a Force's family, my brother and I both then joined. The ups totally outweigh the possibilities of being hurt. You are trained to deal with wars, although overall not many active servicemen/women actually see them.

If your son is old enough to join the forces he is old enough to decide for himself. Let him go and be proud of him.

jean c

yes,especially if he was a British born Asian,he could and should fight for his adopted country.he would feel at home in Afghanistan or Iraq amongst his Muslim brethren.

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