Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 15:01     Subject: High School to armed services?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why? My husband did it. No way I’d encourage my child. Pay is low and often enlisted are not treated well. My husband did not get his degree till close to retirement as it took many years to do while working. Jobs don’t align with outside world so without a degree the job experience for work is not helpful. We worked hard to save for a state school to make sure our kid has a different path.


I don't quite know why, but a relative who had the Marines pay for his college and then he served as an officer was adamant that he would never have his own kid just enlist, nor advise anyone to just enlist if college is the goal.


Worked out OK for the current vice president.

In addition to getting the GI Bill to pay for degrees after leaving active duty, there are huge opportunities for earning college credits and degrees while on active duty, with the government paying for most of it.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 14:45     Subject: High School to armed services?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think it could/would be great and would encourage it. I disagree that he has to “really want to be in the military.” That isnt true. You don’t know what you don’t know. He only has to be agreeable enough to commit 4 years. Then he can walk away. You can do anything for 4 yrs. There are valuable lessons to learn in the military; team work/collaboration, leadership, work ethic. No one teaches these things as well as the military. As for college, so long as he doesn’t do anything stupid like get married or make a baby while enlisted, he has a lot of options. There’s what’s called the Green to Gold program. He can apply while still serving on active duty, after the first 2 yrs, for a college scholarship through ROTC. If selected, he will transition to a full time student on a college campus, while still receiving active duty pay and benefits. Then commission as an officer when he gets his degree. This is perfect for the student that isn’t ready for college right out of high school, yet doesn’t want to spend several years as an enlisted solider either.

I did the traditional 4 yr ROTC scholarship (and active duty following) in college and knew these Green to Gold students. I never thought I’d go into the military either, and anyone that finds out I ever served is totally shocked. I joined ROTC halfway through my freshman year in college when my financial situation drastically changed and it was the only way I could figure out how I could possibly pay for school in full. I loved my time in the military and truly believe they have something everyone can benefit from.


Thx for the thoughtful response! I didn’t know about the Green to Gold program and will look.

To the loons who over-reacted with psychotic notes about forcing in a kid who didn’t want to go, that is obviously NOT what I am asking about. Asking about how the idea was introduced without the stigma of not going to college straight when all your friends are.


Absolutely recommend you have your child talk to some recruiters about green to gold, GI bill, service academy opportunities for former enlisted servicemembers, etc. - plenty of kids who could go to college choose to enlist to get some $, grow up a little, learn a skill, or have an adventure. As for your concern about the stigma - just present it as another option - every HS, even in Northern VA, has kids enlist each year - and they are typically singled out at graduation.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 14:32     Subject: High School to armed services?
I can only give my experience that i joined in 2004 and learned I was good with Computers. The Army paid for my Associates in CS and then I got out and worked in Computer Army stuff for 58k a year (doubling salary basically). Then finished my Bachelors and now I am up to 150k 16 years later. So it really worked for me but my only advise is to pick a job that they can build on after they get out. Medical, Veterinarian, ect. A lot of people choose combat arms for the adventure aspect and then are relatively starting over afterward.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 14:29     Subject: High School to armed services?
Anonymous wrote:I think it could/would be great and would encourage it. I disagree that he has to “really want to be in the military.” That isnt true. You don’t know what you don’t know. He only has to be agreeable enough to commit 4 years. Then he can walk away. You can do anything for 4 yrs. There are valuable lessons to learn in the military; team work/collaboration, leadership, work ethic. No one teaches these things as well as the military. As for college, so long as he doesn’t do anything stupid like get married or make a baby while enlisted, he has a lot of options. There’s what’s called the Green to Gold program. He can apply while still serving on active duty, after the first 2 yrs, for a college scholarship through ROTC. If selected, he will transition to a full time student on a college campus, while still receiving active duty pay and benefits. Then commission as an officer when he gets his degree. This is perfect for the student that isn’t ready for college right out of high school, yet doesn’t want to spend several years as an enlisted solider either.

I did the traditional 4 yr ROTC scholarship (and active duty following) in college and knew these Green to Gold students. I never thought I’d go into the military either, and anyone that finds out I ever served is totally shocked. I joined ROTC halfway through my freshman year in college when my financial situation drastically changed and it was the only way I could figure out how I could possibly pay for school in full. I loved my time in the military and truly believe they have something everyone can benefit from.


Thx for the thoughtful response! I didn’t know about the Green to Gold program and will look.

To the loons who over-reacted with psychotic notes about forcing in a kid who didn’t want to go, that is obviously NOT what I am asking about. Asking about how the idea was introduced without the stigma of not going to college straight when all your friends are.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 13:55     Subject: High School to armed services?
Anonymous wrote:Why? My husband did it. No way I’d encourage my child. Pay is low and often enlisted are not treated well. My husband did not get his degree till close to retirement as it took many years to do while working. Jobs don’t align with outside world so without a degree the job experience for work is not helpful. We worked hard to save for a state school to make sure our kid has a different path.


I don't quite know why, but a relative who had the Marines pay for his college and then he served as an officer was adamant that he would never have his own kid just enlist, nor advise anyone to just enlist if college is the goal.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 13:52     Subject: High School to armed services?
I think it could/would be great and would encourage it. I disagree that he has to “really want to be in the military.” That isnt true. You don’t know what you don’t know. He only has to be agreeable enough to commit 4 years. Then he can walk away. You can do anything for 4 yrs. There are valuable lessons to learn in the military; team work/collaboration, leadership, work ethic. No one teaches these things as well as the military. As for college, so long as he doesn’t do anything stupid like get married or make a baby while enlisted, he has a lot of options. There’s what’s called the Green to Gold program. He can apply while still serving on active duty, after the first 2 yrs, for a college scholarship through ROTC. If selected, he will transition to a full time student on a college campus, while still receiving active duty pay and benefits. Then commission as an officer when he gets his degree. This is perfect for the student that isn’t ready for college right out of high school, yet doesn’t want to spend several years as an enlisted solider either.

I did the traditional 4 yr ROTC scholarship (and active duty following) in college and knew these Green to Gold students. I never thought I’d go into the military either, and anyone that finds out I ever served is totally shocked. I joined ROTC halfway through my freshman year in college when my financial situation drastically changed and it was the only way I could figure out how I could possibly pay for school in full. I loved my time in the military and truly believe they have something everyone can benefit from.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 11:22     Subject: High School to armed services?
Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the military is a good choice for anyone resistant to going into the military. It would be a miserable experience for anyone who didn’t want to be doing it.


It’s good for getting away from parents like this.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 11:22     Subject: High School to armed services?
Why? My husband did it. No way I’d encourage my child. Pay is low and often enlisted are not treated well. My husband did not get his degree till close to retirement as it took many years to do while working. Jobs don’t align with outside world so without a degree the job experience for work is not helpful. We worked hard to save for a state school to make sure our kid has a different path.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 11:03     Subject: High School to armed services?
Agree that your child has to be on board, or they will not succeed.

Highly recommend you have your child talk to recruiters - especially from the Coast Guard. Coast Guard has a very different mission - law enforcement and humanitarian - compared to DoD services. Also, Coast Guard is known for giving more responsibilities to junior enlisted. Finally, great locations to get assigned - always on the coast, but not huge bases like the Navy.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 10:56     Subject: High School to armed services?
If they aren't ready for college, that's ok. But there are plenty of ways to build college readiness skills that don't include the military (for someone who doesn't want to join the military).
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 10:14     Subject: High School to armed services?
If it is a hard sell, then no way.

Instead, focus on them getting college done and out of the way. They may be a different person in four years.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 10:13     Subject: High School to armed services?
I don’t think the military is a good choice for anyone resistant to going into the military. It would be a miserable experience for anyone who didn’t want to be doing it.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 10:10     Subject: High School to armed services?
Nobody should do this if they do not want to do it. Two of my ds's friends are doing it, but with eyes wide open, after doing CAP, encampment, and really wanting to join the military.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 10:00     Subject: High School to armed services?
Why do you think this is a good idea despite your child not wanting to do it?
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2025 09:57     Subject: High School to armed services?
Anyone have any non-academy, non-ROTC stories for their dear child that graduated from high school and went straight into military service? I think it would be a benefit for my son to serve and do college later. Gonna be a hard sell so wondering what/when/ how the idea got into your kid’s head and how it all happened/ panned out.