Son says he is "considering a career in the military." Help me work through this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd tell him I'm considering disowning him. I know it's not a popular opinion here, but I feel just as strongly that no child of mine will have a job that involves guns or the military.

OP, have you talked extensively with your son about your two friends who died?

Please! Most military careers have nothing to do with combat. My son enlisted and served as flight crew. Who do you think is going to defend us in case of attack? It is necessary to have trained military and it's an honor to serve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally missed that OP's son has ADHD.

This conversation is moot now since you cannot join the military if you take meds for ADHD or exhibit symptoms.

Plenty of kids who've taken meds for ADHD go into the military. You have to take a 12 month break from the meds before enlisting or becoming a commissioned officer.

[Anonymous]

Would he consider Coast Guard? They can deploy to war zones but it is less common and much of the work is critical to protecting the homeland.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm let's see....

Already in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq...now Syria and probably Korea? Fighting senseless wars where the US army is fodder because we have morons running the govt?

[Anonymous]

So is your son a freshman in high school? At that age, my son was completely set on going to the Coast Guard Academy. I didn't know there was a Coast Guard Academy! As a first year in college, those plans were left far behind years ago. He is now studying physics and has no interest in anything military.

let it rest. Maybe he'll lose interest. Things change a lot in four years. Be informed about the military but remain neutral on the subject.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd tell him I'm considering disowning him. I know it's not a popular opinion here, but I feel just as strongly that no child of mine will have a job that involves guns or the military.

OP, have you talked extensively with your son about your two friends who died?

Go slam your head in a door.