Would you be proud of your son or daughter if they Joined the Army?

[becka]

I wonder what kind of a life that is for their kids. They have no stability. They've lived in I don't even know how many different places, changed schools repeatedly, and watched dad get deployed repeatedly.

Take it from this Army brat that we can turn out just fine. Sure my life was different from many others and we moved a lot but people in the civilian world move for their jobs as well. Honestly until I was probably 8-9 I didn't even realize that everyone didn't move every few years. Was I thrilled to move all the time? Heck no! In fact the move I made from Indiana to El Paso in the middle of my junior year in high school was extremely painful for me. I missed my friends badly and I really disliked my Dad and the Army for months.

Since we did not live close to other family we really relied on each other. We were a tight family and we built our own traditions for holidays and other events since we didn't always have to do what our extended family did. My sister and I never got along great but whenever we moved we were in the same situation together and that helped us get closer for a while. My family was all the stability I had and really looking back it was all I needed. Home was where my family was not some street address. I learned how to make friends and adapt to a number of situations. It was not always easy but in the end I think it made me a better person.

I got to travel and experience places and people that I would never have otherwise. Some of my favorite memories growing up were of living in Italy. Was it hard at times? Sure but I learned about others not like me, I learned the language, I learned the culture, I hiked Mt. Vesuvius, saw the Vactican, went to the beach on Ischia. I spent the day in Pompeii learning rather than just reading about it in a book. I wouldn't trade that for the world.

I always used to say that while my Dad joined the Army I was really in the Army as well. My whole family was. Being in the military is a committment for the entire family. While the military members are certainly very brave and deserve a lot of respect for doing their job and going off to war the families they leave behind are also due a great deal of respect. Being the spouse or child of a military member is a hard job. They don't need your pity but they do deserve your respect.

 

[Database]

No, I would not be proud or happy if my child joined the military. I'd honestly wonder where I'd gone wrong.

I would be interested if you could expand on why you would be wondering how you went wrong.

 

[Jedi Master Gonzo]

I normally don’t post on threads like this but

You can thank the military for allowing you the freedom to post such inane dribble as that


I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it- Voltaire

I think Monkeyboy said it all. My hat's off to you, Monkeyboy.

 

[Bob Slydell]

(How many kids of US senators, representatives, CEOs etc are in the services?)

I would guess there's more than a few CEO's that would be proud of their kids if they joined the Army...

Escalation Dominance
The Art of Playing Hardball
By Marc Trezza

You’re probably sick to death of those “touchy-feely” articles about the sales process. So what do you say we take a no-nonsense look at the leadership skills it takes to be a “growth warrior”- Let’s look at managing growth in military terms. Let’s talk “Escalation Dominance.”

The US military is the finest management training in the world. Period. Compared to OCS (Officer Candidate School) training, Harvard and Wharton are all form and no substance. Approximately 40% of Fortune 500 CEO’s are ex-military. Why? First of all, US military officers learn by doing. They learn the fundamentals and application of the principles of leadership. Officers learn the differences between strategy and tactics. They don’t just learn how to run a complex organization. They learn how to achieve a mission objective. They learn how to plan for it; how to prepare and train their troops for it; and how to focus the assets available in the most effective manner, while minimizing losses. The price of failure is horrific. The training is so intense because the stakes are so high. That kind of training develops real leaders.

 

[sydally9367]

Honestly? I'd be pretty sad if any of my kids decided to join the military. I wouldn't understand why, since it's not like they need the $$ for college (we're paying 100% of college and grad. school costs). I just wouldn't wish the military life on my worst enemy. We are saying goodbye to our military (Army) neighbors this Saturday, as they are reporting to their next duty station. I wonder what kind of a life that is for their kids. They have no stability. They've lived in I don't even know how many different places, changed schools repeatedly, and watched dad get deployed repeatedly. No, I would not be proud or happy if my child joined the military. I'd honestly wonder where I'd gone wrong.

I will speak for my 2 young DD's here; they LOVE being Military Brats. Yes, the moving around can stink and they often say goodbye to good friends every few years; but they get to see areas of the world that they otherwise wouldn't get to see, plus, they also get to have penpals everywhere they go. My 9 yo DD still regularly writes to all of her friends from places where we've been stationed and she adores getting and sending mail. We provide stability in our family and we take that everywhere we go; our stability isn't solely based on where we live..it's what you build inside the walls of your home. They also adore the attention they get when Daddy comes to school on Career Day or Bring Your Dad To School Day..just an added bonus I 100% think we are enriching their lives, not making it more difficult.

I would not be proud. I would be appalled. It is expected in my family to go to college. You can be anything you want - artist, actor, accountant, but you will not be a soldier.

No one in immediate or extended family is in or was in the military (unless drafted). It would be looked down upon, I consider the service as something that other kids do ... those without the desire for college, without money, without other options. (How many kids of US senators, representatives, CEOs etc are in the services?)

I am grateful to all who serve.

I was Active Duty for 4 1/2 yrs and DH has been Active Duty for 12 1/2 years; there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said other than you're welcome for the freedom to say what you have stated here. We may be just "other kids" to you, but to those who matter more, we are heroes.

 

[Database]

Briarmom;19012487]My dh went to college. He has his Masters Degree!


Yeah, my kids are complete messes. They've lived all over the US and Egypt. They're on their way to Belgium this summer. Plus, their POS Dad goes on deployments so that people like you can live free.

QUOTE]


USAF Brat here!
Don't know how my siblings turned out so well. I was able to obtain three advanced degrees.

It chapped my @$$ earlier when someone ripped on the enlisted and in my interpretation of their post... insinuated that the enlisted couldn't get a job anywhere else.

Totally hate that myth and the stereotype.

 

[Briarmom]

Don't let *******s get to you sweetie. I know that myself and AT LEAST 99% of the DIS are so proud of your husband and those that selflessly protect our country. Also, of the sacrifice YOU make to our country.....I know it can't be easy to be a military wife.

Thank you. That means a lot.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I have written a few posts and hit the back button a few times today with regard to this thread.

I would just like to take the time to thank the military members and their family who proudly serve and support.

And for the ones who look down on such people who make such sacrifices, shame on you.

If DD or DS decided to join the mililtary I would support her and/him 100 percent, no questions asked. Sure some jobs are inherently more dangerous, but every day we wake up could be our last.

 

[jenm2878]

I don't have kids yet, but I hope that I will follow the same line of reasoning my parents had. They told me that they would always be proud of me because they love me, and that as long as I was happy in my decisions they would be too, even if they didn't understand.

If your child is happy in their decision and is doing something with their lives, how can you not be proud of them?

 

[shirleyb]

I'm just astounded to know there are people out there that really think like this. I don't know why I am, but still, to see it in black and white is pretty shocking.


To all those who serve, thanks for your service.

 

[JunieJay]

Sorry guys...I answered the question the OP posted as honestly as I could. My opinion on the matter. Maybe the Army needs a better PR firm.

And I was not posting on professionals - I am aware of the many in the service. I took the question to be "would you be proud of your child if they came home and said they were joining the Army". Period. Not they wanted to go to med school and then work as a surgeon, not they want to build bridges as an engineer. Simply that they wanted to go into the Army as a private.

I know no one in my workplace, family, or friends who was or is in the military. My high school forbade recruiters from coming on campus. My parents made it clear I was not to join the services when I was an engineering student and ROTC wanted me.

Its a little ironic that almost any other profession can be poked at and their supporters do not spew diatribe.

If anyone wants to join the service, great for them. They deserve better pay, and certainly better health care. They deserve not to have their tours extended, or be stop-lossed. No one in the military should be on food stamps.

But I would still be appalled if that was my childs choice. Love them yes, wish they had chosen differently, of course.

I guess I don't understand why you would be appalled. I can understand feeling disappointment that your child chose a path different than the one you had in mind for them, but to say you find it appalling (but in the same breath concede its o.k. for people less affluent than your children), well, thats just more than a little uppity. You say you have respect for people who serve, but your posts on the subject say otherwise.

 

[lyeag]

Sorry guys...I answered the question the OP posted as honestly as I could. My opinion on the matter. Maybe the Army needs a better PR firm.

And I was not posting on professionals - I am aware of the many in the service. I took the question to be "would you be proud of your child if they came home and said they were joining the Army". Period. Not they wanted to go to med school and then work as a surgeon, not they want to build bridges as an engineer. Simply that they wanted to go into the Army as a private.

I know no one in my workplace, family, or friends who was or is in the military. My high school forbade recruiters from coming on campus. My parents made it clear I was not to join the services when I was an engineering student and ROTC wanted me.

Its a little ironic that almost any other profession can be poked at and their supporters do not spew diatribe.

If anyone wants to join the service, great for them. They deserve better pay, and certainly better health care. They deserve not to have their tours extended, or be stop-lossed. No one in the military should be on food stamps.

But I would still be appalled if that was my childs choice. Love them yes, wish they had chosen differently, of course.

Sorry is right.

By the way, my husband did enlist as a private. Right at the very bottom. Soon, he will be a major, gee, I guess he must be the only one! NOT.

 

[DawnM]

Amen sister! I agree!

Dawn

Don't let *******s get to you sweetie. I know that myself and AT LEAST 99% of the DIS are so proud of your husband and those that selflessly protect our country. Also, of the sacrifice YOU make to our country.....I know it can't be easy to be a military wife.

 

[FSUGrad97]

My dh went to college. He has his Masters Degree! He serves in the Air Force and his family is very proud of him.

We're so glad you're 'grateful to all who serve' even if they're people you look down on.

Yeah, my kids are complete messes. They've lived all over the US and Egypt. They're on their way to Belgium this summer. Plus, their POS Dad goes on deployments so that people like you can live free.

It's amazing that those lowlife scum neighbors of yours could afford to live near your perfect self! I hope you didn't let your kids spend too much time
with them. That military stupidity might be contagious.

My family and I thank your husband (and your family as well) for all of the sacrifices that military life entails.

Please ignore the ignorant posters who are showing their ***** in this thread.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am now considering this thread a Public Service Announcement with regard to knowing what some DIS people really think. It is not pretty, huh?

 

[Pembo]

I would be very proud if any of my children chose to join the military.

 

[FSUGrad97]

I am not considering this thread a Public Service Announcement with regard to knowing what some DIS people really think. It is not pretty, huh?

No joke!
I'm in shock that there are people here who hold ACTORS in higher esteem than soldiers.

 

[mickeyfan2]

If your child is happy in their decision and is doing something with their lives, how can you not be proud of them?

Because it would be a black mark on them. So much for unconditional love.

 

[6TimeMomma]

I would not *want* my kids to join the military for the sole reason that I think I would be terrified for their safety. That being said, if they chose to do that, I, of course, would be proud of the choice they were making and just hide my fear for them as best I can.

I am so shocked that someone would admit they they feel the persons serving in the military are *beneath* them. And then to turn around and say they are "grateful" that there are people willing to serve in that *low* of a capacity is amazing. Comes off like "I am grateful to the people in the military, so that my children don't have to sully their hands to maintain the freedom that we are too good to fight for."

 

[KerryCM]

I don't usually reply here, but I just have to! My youngest daughter was a confused 18yr. old when she decided to join the Air Force. My husband served in Viet Nam and was proud of his service. Suzanne joined the Air Force and went to Germany. She worked at USAFE Headquarters in intelligence. After 9-11 she served 2 tours in Afghanistan, we were not aware of her deployments until she returned to base. Suzy married a member of the Air Force ,and my oldest daughter is also married to a Tech. Sgt. in the Air Force. Suzy and Josh are stationed at Lakenheath in England and Josh is on his 3rd tour in Iraq as a firefighter. He has also been deployed to UAE, Saudia Arabia and Kuwait. I am extremly proud of both of them. Jason and Amy are stationed at Space command in Colorado Springs. They have a 6 yr. old son who wants to attend the Air Force Academy.
I am so proud to say both of my daughters are married to military men. They work hard for very little pay and manage to raise their families. I respect any high school graduate whether they choose going to college, working or joining the military.