Your teen says they are leaning toward the military…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not. We aren’t poor. They have other options.

I wasn't poor either but 132K in loans from college took 20 years to pay off. My husband had zero loans for undergrad and grad school.

THIS. I’d tell her you are going to be a VERY wealthy woman. GI bill, VA loans, Tricare. It is the place for a socialist/capitalist mindset. (Meaning smart).

[Anonymous]

My response: oh well you are color blind so your choices would be limited if you joined. Find something that fits you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not. We aren’t poor. They have other options.

I wasn't poor either but 132K in loans from college took 20 years to pay off. My husband had zero loans for undergrad and grad school.

THIS. I’d tell her you are going to be a VERY wealthy woman. GI bill, VA loans, Tricare. It is the place for a socialist/capitalist mindset. (Meaning smart).

We’ve really benefitted from the GI Bill and VA loans, but Tricare is pretty terrible.

The military is also horrible at treating PSTD. I know so many people who suffer and in the end can’t use the GI Bill or VA loans because they are unable to function. Their mental health doesn’t allow them to study or have a job that pays well enough to afford a mortgage.

[Anonymous]

Only Air Force/Navy as an officer. He has expressed some interest since he’d like to be in aerospace engineering. Either academy would put him close to family which would be nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely not. We aren’t poor. They have other options.

I wasn't poor either but 132K in loans from college took 20 years to pay off. My husband had zero loans for undergrad and grad school.

THIS. I’d tell her you are going to be a VERY wealthy woman. GI bill, VA loans, Tricare. It is the place for a socialist/capitalist mindset. (Meaning smart).

We’ve really benefitted from the GI Bill and VA loans, but Tricare is pretty terrible.

The military is also horrible at treating PSTD. I know so many people who suffer and in the end can’t use the GI Bill or VA loans because they are unable to function. Their mental health doesn’t allow them to study or have a job that pays well enough to afford a mortgage.

Tell them to try TM. Not sure VA will pay for it but helps.

https://www.tm.org/resource-pages/224-posttraumatic-stress-disorder#:~:text=A%20study%20of%20Vietnam%20War,group%20who%20received%20only%20psychotherapy.

[Anonymous]

I would be surprised and not delighted. We don’t come from a military family (though my grandparents served in WW2, so I guess it isn’t something we ever thought about. I guess if they wanted to be an officer that would be ok and I would support it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d fully support it but college degree and go in as an officer. Life is much harder as enlisted. I’d also push for Air Force or navy.

+1. Exactly this although I'd add Coast Guard to the list. My nephew enlisted a few years ago and it was rough. He did 5 years and didn't wish to continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d fully support it but college degree and go in as an officer. Life is much harder as enlisted. I’d also push for Air Force or navy.

Agree with this. If they wanted to list in the Marines, yeah we need to have a long talk and I would do by best to discourage it.

If they want to apply for a service academy or do ROTC in college and then get a commission, great. Also agree on Navy or Air Force- better duty stations and better culture overall. I say that as an Army officer. I love the Army, but a lot of the stations are in less than desirable towns

[Anonymous]

You never responded about how many children you have. Only child? It’s a flat out no for me. Maybe Air Force WITH PILOT TRAINING ONLY. Have to come out as a pilot able to drive for Amazon or UPS or major airline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally unacceptable. I'd tell them to lean in another direction, and quick. (People here disagree, I don't care, we've already had this argument and we won't change each others' minds.)

+1. If he/she is 18, I can’t stop them, but we will pay for absolutely nothing related to this, including coming off our insurance (otherwise can stay on until 26 if needed).

They will have TriCare in the military, so don't need yours.

Oh yeah, we all know how great military health insurance is.

If you are on active duty and under 30, it is amazing.

[Anonymous]

How often do non military families have a child join the military? How often do military families not have a child join the military?

[Anonymous]

BATNA

What are the teen's other options to compare to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d support it wholeheartedly. We are a service-oriented family full of nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, and military officers. The expectation for our children is that you pick a college degree and career path that serves the greater good.

Elitist and tacky.

[Anonymous]

One of my sons has floated this idea. It’s a fine career path but officer route only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d support it wholeheartedly. We are a service-oriented family full of nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, and military officers. The expectation for our children is that you pick a college degree and career path that serves the greater good.

Elitist and tacky.

I think denigrating service professions like the military or those listed above is elitist and tacky. This thread (heck, this website) is full of that mindset.