Son will be going to the Navy

I'm happy to help put your mind at ease.

 

Did he ever go to MEPS?

 

Academically, my time in the military was the best thing I could have done. I graduated HS fine, went to a state university and was mediocre at best. I could have returned the next year but joined a National Guard unit, went to basic and AIT for 4.5 months and then came home. During my next 3 years of college, I made 3 "C's", everything else was "A's" and "B's". I was Deans or Presidents list the rest of my college career.

I think some people just need time to mature a bit and that may be the case with your son. If my grandkids seem a little lost when they graduate HS, I will be pushing them to do an enlistment in one of the branches of the military. There are some good careers available in the military, not everyone is a grunt sleeping in the mud, not that the grunts aren't just as important, but not many transferrable skills to civilian life as a M-60 gunner.

 

Had a long talk with an electrician friend who is a Marine about this as well. A Marine rifleman has a lot of skills, but not a lot that he was able to use directly as a civilian.

To the OP, I have seen a lot of boys go into the military and come out as men.

The only caution I would have is just an understanding that they sign up for the years, not the job. My best friend in HS signed up for 6 years in the Navy to go into the nuke program. He wasn't able to keep up in the nuclear engineering program and got bounced to another job. The 6 commitment (required to go into the nuke program) didn't go away when he washed out of that school. He was fortunate. They dropped him into ET school which he successfully completed. Finished his 6 years and got out with an honorable discharge. It worked out fine.....just not what the way he thought it would.

One more data point. Kid down the street is as sharp as a tack. He could have gone to college no issues. Decided he wanted to prove himself so he joined the Marines. All he wanted to do was spend 4 years as a grunt blowing up whatever needed blowing up. Kid was so smart, and the Marines figured it out, that he got assigned to the divisional HQ and spent 4 years helping officers keep their email working. He finished his 4, came home and signed up for the reserves. Again...worked out fine. The lesson being, nothing ever works out exactly like you think it will going in.

 

After spending 24 years in the Navy, I realized I had no clear direction before enlisting. I simply raised my hand and joined, despite having a low ASVAB score. My home life was decent, but I craved change and adventure. I needed guidance! Communication with my family was minimal, typical for a kid in the 70s and a teen in the 80s. Joining the Navy was intimidating, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed.

I found myself among diverse individuals, with leaders encouraging me to work as part of a team, regardless of my initial thoughts. Being part of a cohesive unit, all striving towards the same goals, was eye-opening. Back then, I was a dreamer, and I can only imagine how challenging it is for kids today to make life-altering decisions. Your son seems to be seeking a change too; he may not articulate it well, but he will have the chance to do something many shy away from—enlisting to serve our country voluntarily.

Regardless of what the recruiter says, his ASVAB score and job options will only take him so far. I hope he finds what he’s looking for, but even if he doesn’t, I trust he’ll make the most of his experience. I started as a deck seaman on a frigate, at the bottom of the ranking chain, having joined without much thought or preparation. I sometimes wish one of my three kids had chosen the same path, but everyone has their own journey. Now, I enjoy the benefits of military retirement, something I never considered at 19.

I remember telling my mom years ago not to inform my brothers about my enlistment, fearing they might discourage me. It makes sense, as others often have opinions that don’t reflect my own reasons for joining, whether it was for education, job opportunities, training, stability, or simply the thrill of adventure.

I currently work in the VHA, focusing on healthcare. Recently, I had a patient who, unbeknownst to him, inspired me and reminded me of my purpose here. He was a Medal of Honor recipient—so humble. After receiving his care, we shook hands, and he continued on his way.

The respect for service to our country should positively influence your son.

 

He was at MEPS about 4 weeks ago for the physical and the following day he was suppose to sign his contract but he was told he needed to get a couple of things cleared. Medically recent shoulder xrays as he broke his shoulder twice when he was a kid and the other being some rash he had at the time of the physical. The doctor that was doing the physical said he needed to get that rash diagnosed and cleared by his primary care physician. Im not sure why they dont do this for these recruits. Any way they required a report of the recent xrays along with the actual copies of the images. Took us over a week to get a hold of these copies.

Anyway I had one of the doctors I work with clear him for the rash he had and ordered the xrays. My son sent all this information a week ago. Now he is just waiting to see what happens.

I do think some people take time to mature but my son graduated HS over 4 years ago and I just dont want him to waste anymore of his time trying to figure things out. The future is unknown and things happen that can make things more challenging for him to want to something. Trust me ive been through that and I regret not taking care of business at a much younger age. Thanks for your input

The last conversation I had with him he seemed well aware of the time commitment and expected dedication thats required for him to make this happen. I really hope this works out for him. All you want as a parent is to see your kids have goals, accomplish them and succeed in life. I think regardless of how his military career turns out IF he does join it'll be a positive experience for him. Thank you for you input.

 

I don't know the exact details. From memory, the paperwork was pulled to avoid getting a formal medical rejection.

 

My boy graduates basic next week at Fort Jackson. Going to the family day and graduation and taking him to his training at Fort Greg Adams.

 

Congratulations! Thank him for his service. Ours came home the other night and shared that he received another commendation this weekend. Super proud of him. The Air Force has been a great decision on his part.

 

Congratulations.

 

Was super hard on my parents and hard for them to understand why I wanted to join. It might not be something that can be explained. But as a parent you can do a lot for them.

- Make sure they’re not signing a long commitment. In Canada you can join for 1 year and see if you like it. Not sure what it’s like in the states.
- Offer to help read the documents, take him to appointments or supply him with some good gear (maybe a good digital watch and leatherman). It’s going to be okay!

Much better than finding your kid at a drug den.

 

These new names are killing me. I had to go look up wtf Fort Greg-Adams was since I’d never heard of it before.

 

My story is very much like yours, 1 yr on Delayed Entry followed by 22 years active. I went from a poorly paid mechanic with few prospects to a lower paid sailor but I stuck it out and it provided a rewarding career, good personal and professional growth, a nice retirement and some technical skills that paid well up until I retired the second time.

 

Thank you all for your sharing stories.
Salute to your services!

 

Lots going on at Fort Lee. MOS?
Fort Gregg-Adams = Fort Lee