My son wants to join the marines, security forces. Is this good?

Yossarian

I've got family who want to, and have, joined the military. I can't help but think if that's something your son really wants to do, you shouldn't stand in the way.

I personally wouldn't want to join, but I'm all for someone actively looking for work of any kind.

Jus-10

Have him finish high school first. And once he turns 18 it's his call.

tharedhead ((debajo del ombÃº))

They can promise him whatever job they would like to get him to join, but it is in no way a guarantee that that is what he'll actually end up doing.

That said. If you actually felt compelled to ask "answers" about this, it sounds to me like you really already know your answer.

Best Wishes

Kim

i would encourage him the best i can to just wait atleast another year since he is so young. but if his heart is so
set on it, then tell him how gruelling it really is. he probably doesn't understand what it's really like in the marines. my friend recently joined the marines and he is currently stationed in south carolina for training. he is depressed, regrets even going. they are VERY tough on you to get you prepared for iraq. it's really no joke.

Knowitall

He needs to finish school. And he is almost done anyway. He has completed at least 10 years of 12 finish up.

Usually they wont take kids without a HS diploma.....Ask yourself why they are taking people now.

I would make him finish school for his own good so that he is not a trigger puller his whole life. Despite the marine training if he does not have a HS diploma when he gets out he still needs the diploma because there are 10000 other guys who went to the marines and have their diploma.

Tom

I think the military is an excellent opportunity for young people not interested in college. My nephew just joined the Air Force and he's training in mechanics.

Of course, there's always the chance of being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, so you have to weigh the positives & negatives.

Gern

Absolutely. He will learn discipline and respect and will get respect. I hope you do it, I wish my nephew, who is the same age, has the same desire your son does. A year from now you will be so proud, you will probably laugh that you came in here and questioned if it was the right move.

Potential Dentist

I know you'd be sad if he left. But he needs to make this decision on his own. Your little boy might becoming a man.

H-town Chic

Well if your son really wants it then do it....don't listen to dumbass people about the recruiters not caring about your son....I know personally that the MARINES do care about who they put in b/c it's a brotherhood to them! Plus your son will have a long time training before anything comes up about going overseas!! Basic alone is 3 months then his special training for his MOS. It will be ok and plus it is no doubt going to teach your son many things for him to fully become a man.

Sqweegee

You need to talk to him and ask him if this is truly what he feels he wants to do in life. If college doesn't seem to be an option, than military is a great choice. He does know that there are textbook parts and tests in ranking in the military right? Of course they will be over what he is interested in so that will make it easier.
I took an asvab test, Military requires so they can determine your strengths and weaknesses and field placement, and my top selection was special forces and I often wished I joined the military. It's hard to find good jobs without a college degree now and military teaches you so much.

Good luck to you both and if you sign that waiver, as a U.S. citizen I thank you and him from the bottom of my heart.
Take Care!

dkappa95

Quiz him on the job, it's possible consequences and alternatives.

If he is really comfortable and confident, Sign the waiver and let him go.

I would also like to re-iterate what some others have stated. The job is in no way gauranteed and it could be a ploy by the recruiter to have him sign quickly.

Make sure he understands this!

Pudah

That is really up to him. If it's what he wants to do, and he has sound reasoning for WHY he wants to, and it's realistic that he could do it, then it is good. We need more people to serve. If he's doing it out of spite or for a not-so-practical reason, then no, it's a bad decision that can be regretted.

bk2texas

I entered the Marine Corps when I was 17. Twenty-two years later I left the Marine Corps. I will tell you, as earlier stated by another responder, recruiters will virtually tell your son anything he wants to hear. He may very well end up being an 0300 like most of those who entered the Corps when I did; yes we all complained about not getting our promised MOS assignments.

Lurch

Sign the waiver today. The Marines will make a man out of your boy.

zebber23

Don't pay attention to Ron Regan up there.

If you son is not big on school and this is what he wants to do then sign the papers because he is just going to sign them himself when he turns 18.

Yes it is true that the job may be gone but it is also true that the job may still be there by the time he turns 18. There is no way of knowing for sure if it will be there or not.

chuck.mush

If he is that adament, go ahead and sign. The Marines will teach him discipline, self respect and respect for others.

He seems to know what he wants and I hope he is successful.

We thank him for serving our country.

He can always get his High School GED at a later date.

Allen T

Sign it my parents did i leave for USMC boot on sep 2. it will be the best thing for him.

And for after ron reagon. ....... yea they get paid on commision . But they dont just want idiots especially the marine corps. A$$hole

oscarsix5

As long as put his duty assignment in black and white on his contract, yes sign that waiver and let him enlist. He's seeking the opportunity to make something of himself and this might be his chance to build a solid foundation in his young life, if he does the full 20 years he will be able to retire at 37 years and had an entire second career if he chooses.

It sounds to me that you're already on track with him on this, the problem is that once it is done, he's going to be on his own. All you will be able to do is write often to keep him mentally and morally focused. If you believe he can do it then by all means sign....

jaymeeeeeee

Don't sign it if you enjoy your son being alive.
It's a good job for him to have, it will teach discipline and determination and education but there is a good chance that he will die much younger than he would otherwise.

65% water

Do not believe anything a recruiter says. The military are so desperate for warm bodies right now that they will lie even more than they always did, which was a lot to begin with. They will promise him anything, but if you read the fine print on the papers it says they can do whatever they want with him, and his bottom will be in Iraq so fast it will make your head spin. If he really "hates school," he's going to hate killing strangers even more.

If you want to be a loving parent to your son, convince him to stay the heck out of the military and finish school, and then get some advanced training - college or technical - that will help him live a good life. It's just too bad that he hates school.

capnbilly

it is a great profession to get into, especially for someone that doesnt know what they want to do with thier future

of course realize he will almost for sure be sent to either Iraq or Afganistan repeatedly as an infantryman

so make sure both you and him are ready for that eventuality

PatriotWolf

It is true he will get exceptional discipline and training. But our corrupt government will have total control of him. If it were my son I would make him wait until he is 18 then I would tell him it is his life and he is free to make his own choices.

nikki

yes it is it might make you feel bad but don't forget your fighting for freedom. my brother is in the marines he said it was hard but he went through it.

Actor Ron Reagan

recruiters get paid on commission..cant believe a word they say..if you value your sons life dont sign anything.. In todays world the military is taking anybody including drop outs and felons..it aint what it use to be plus these kids think they are fighting for freedom when nobody even knows who the enemy is..its a big mess over there. Remember they will lie to you for their money..they care nothing bout your son

DrStupid

The marines are hard-core...have him go into the army, or air force....if he makes it thru boot camp in the other ones, and likes it, im sure he can transfer...

THISGUy

Not all recruiters are bad i wanted to sign up for infantry which i will later do but i signed on for SF's because of the 2 years i could possibly do in fleet. but my recruiter said he would not sign me up for a combat job even tho he gets paid extra for doing that.

Wisdom

Short answer: Security Forces is a great job in the Marine Corps. He will be guarding either nuclear facilities or embassies. He will be exposed to leadership opportunities that none of his peers (from Boot Camp) will have. However, there are a lot of posts that are completely off the mark. Hopefully I can dispell the rumors: 1. Recruiters don't get paid a commission. Not a single dime. They are given a monthly quota that they must meet, just like in any sales job. 2. Inter-service transfers (Army-Navy, for example) do not happen easily and I wouldn't recommend this option. If he wants to join a particular service, then he should with the full expectation that he will enjoy it. 3. He MUST finish high school and earn a diploma. Period. In this day and age, no service is accepting drop-outs. Last I checked, it was less than 1%. Good luck to him. Security Force Marines are impressive and the experiences he will gain will be life-changing.

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