Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you react as a parent today when your kid says they are thinking of joining either the Marines or the military.

Absolutely not.

Do not make me shoot you in the foot.

Members of the military are honorable people who are horrifically exploited by our government.

I mean, sure but my husband makes more than a GS15 and has a much better pension at 43 and healthcare for life. There is a LOT of sacrifice for it, but we're good with the trade off.

The health care is complicated as once you hit medicareyou go on tricare for life and have to pay for that and it's a few hundred a month. Tricare is not exactly good either if you have complex needs. And, your pension may be good as an officer but it's not very good as enlisted. I'd support my child choosing military after they got a college degree we paid for and as an officer. Most military are enlisted, not officers and everything is not so peachy.

We have children and I, as the spouse, have complex needs. We've never had issues accessing excellent care

I definitely need think the care varies depending on the duty station. Luckily, Walter Reed is phenomenal and can meet just about any medical need- as long as you can find a parking spot there. If you were stationed at Ft.Polk, Louisiana, yea you would have more limits and complications with advanced care. But the military has a program you can enter if you or a dependent has complex medical needs; where you are only stationed at places that can meet your medical needs (major medical centers)

Don't give bad advice. Walter Reed is a ghost town lately. It takes weeks to get a primary care appointment and months for specialty appointments and often you are referred off base. Few people take tricare so the ones that do are bad.

If you get good care, you are lucky. I haven't been. I have been getting a huge run around and it's been a nightmare.

Parking is easy as long as you go to the top of the lots and know the patient parking for arrowhead is closed and park at the one across from the america building.

Pro-tip: change your PCM. Some PCMs are only available on a very limited basis and they don't tell you that. You can also see a next-available provider that isn't your PCM.

For specialists we've been seen very quickly. Which one are you unable to see for months?

Not sure how you get in so quickly but we don't. Then, once you see the specialist it's at least 1-2 months for any testing beyond blood and urine. Things like MRI's are often 3 months.

I've been through few PCM's and none are very good. You can only see another provider that is on that "team" and not any provider at the facility. The only way to get quick care is to use Doctors on Demand, which at least they pay for with a co-pay. But, they are limited on what they can do.

When I need to I do imaging at private facilities that take Tricare prime e.g. Washington Radiology and INOVA. No need to wait for one at Walter Reed.

In general, as someone with special medical needs, I've never found PCMs helpful outside of facilitating referrals.

Anonymous wrote:I'm in my 50s and watching people my age and younger struggle to hone any type of true leadership skills. Anecdotal only, but the only people I know who are good leaders, service leaders, are ex military. I'd support my son with whatever career path he chooses. But would be happy to see him learn what a true leader is.

What about scouts? I feel like my kid is learning a lot of leadership skills in scouts. By 11 he already went to weekend planning events where they planned out the entire year, including all events, what topics they would discuss at meetings, what skills they would learn. Then he has to lead topics and discussions and assign jobs. He even has to deal with personnel issues between members of his patrol. And scouts also teaches many other skills (survival, cooking, etc). There are other ways to learn to be a true leader that don't involve the military.

I would prefer my child not go into the military. When it comes down to it, I do not want my kid to ever be comfortable with the idea that his job may involve killing someone someday or worse I don't want them to WANT a job that has the potential for killing someone as part of the job description.

I'm in my 50s and watching people my age and younger struggle to hone any type of true leadership skills. Anecdotal only, but the only people I know who are good leaders, service leaders, are ex military. I'd support my son with whatever career path he chooses. But would be happy to see him learn what a true leader is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you react as a parent today when your kid says they are thinking of joining either the Marines or the military.

Absolutely not.

Do not make me shoot you in the foot.

Members of the military are honorable people who are horrifically exploited by our government.

I mean, sure but my husband makes more than a GS15 and has a much better pension at 43 and healthcare for life. There is a LOT of sacrifice for it, but we're good with the trade off.

The health care is complicated as once you hit medicareyou go on tricare for life and have to pay for that and it's a few hundred a month. Tricare is not exactly good either if you have complex needs. And, your pension may be good as an officer but it's not very good as enlisted. I'd support my child choosing military after they got a college degree we paid for and as an officer. Most military are enlisted, not officers and everything is not so peachy.

We have children and I, as the spouse, have complex needs. We've never had issues accessing excellent care

I definitely need think the care varies depending on the duty station. Luckily, Walter Reed is phenomenal and can meet just about any medical need- as long as you can find a parking spot there. If you were stationed at Ft.Polk, Louisiana, yea you would have more limits and complications with advanced care. But the military has a program you can enter if you or a dependent has complex medical needs; where you are only stationed at places that can meet your medical needs (major medical centers)

Don't give bad advice. Walter Reed is a ghost town lately. It takes weeks to get a primary care appointment and months for specialty appointments and often you are referred off base. Few people take tricare so the ones that do are bad.

If you get good care, you are lucky. I haven't been. I have been getting a huge run around and it's been a nightmare.

Parking is easy as long as you go to the top of the lots and know the patient parking for arrowhead is closed and park at the one across from the america building.

Pro-tip: change your PCM. Some PCMs are only available on a very limited basis and they don't tell you that. You can also see a next-available provider that isn't your PCM.

For specialists we've been seen very quickly. Which one are you unable to see for months?

Not sure how you get in so quickly but we don't. Then, once you see the specialist it's at least 1-2 months for any testing beyond blood and urine. Things like MRI's are often 3 months.

I've been through few PCM's and none are very good. You can only see another provider that is on that "team" and not any provider at the facility. The only way to get quick care is to use Doctors on Demand, which at least they pay for with a co-pay. But, they are limited on what they can do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your teen says they are leaning toward the military…~ I would object to it with every bone in my body

And I would support it with every bone of mine.

That’s good. They will always need to pad their numbers with kids like yours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s with all of the parents saying “no” to the military? I understand that it’s not appealing to some- it’s probably not something that appeals to me, but isn’t this your child’s decision? We can guide, make suggestions and help, but I would never think it’s my decision to make.

They think they are too good for the military, but have no problem living in a free country and relying on less fortunate people to serve in it.

Aww you still think the military “makes us free.” How precious. Are you in middle school?

Anonymous wrote:
I would wait for Trump to be running things again. It’s too disorganized and foolish right now. Too much of a chance to perish for no good reason. They are having a horrible time recruiting now that the conservative warrior types are totally checked out.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I’d be proud of them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you react as a parent today when your kid says they are thinking of joining either the Marines or the military.

Absolutely not.

Do not make me shoot you in the foot.

Members of the military are honorable people who are horrifically exploited by our government.

I mean, sure but my husband makes more than a GS15 and has a much better pension at 43 and healthcare for life. There is a LOT of sacrifice for it, but we're good with the trade off.

The health care is complicated as once you hit medicareyou go on tricare for life and have to pay for that and it's a few hundred a month. Tricare is not exactly good either if you have complex needs. And, your pension may be good as an officer but it's not very good as enlisted. I'd support my child choosing military after they got a college degree we paid for and as an officer. Most military are enlisted, not officers and everything is not so peachy.

We have children and I, as the spouse, have complex needs. We've never had issues accessing excellent care

I definitely need think the care varies depending on the duty station. Luckily, Walter Reed is phenomenal and can meet just about any medical need- as long as you can find a parking spot there. If you were stationed at Ft.Polk, Louisiana, yea you would have more limits and complications with advanced care. But the military has a program you can enter if you or a dependent has complex medical needs; where you are only stationed at places that can meet your medical needs (major medical centers)

Don't give bad advice. Walter Reed is a ghost town lately. It takes weeks to get a primary care appointment and months for specialty appointments and often you are referred off base. Few people take tricare so the ones that do are bad.

If you get good care, you are lucky. I haven't been. I have been getting a huge run around and it's been a nightmare.

Parking is easy as long as you go to the top of the lots and know the patient parking for arrowhead is closed and park at the one across from the america building.

Pro-tip: change your PCM. Some PCMs are only available on a very limited basis and they don't tell you that. You can also see a next-available provider that isn't your PCM.

For specialists we've been seen very quickly. Which one are you unable to see for months?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you react as a parent today when your kid says they are thinking of joining either the Marines or the military.

Absolutely not.

Do not make me shoot you in the foot.

Members of the military are honorable people who are horrifically exploited by our government.

I mean, sure but my husband makes more than a GS15 and has a much better pension at 43 and healthcare for life. There is a LOT of sacrifice for it, but we're good with the trade off.

The health care is complicated as once you hit medicareyou go on tricare for life and have to pay for that and it's a few hundred a month. Tricare is not exactly good either if you have complex needs. And, your pension may be good as an officer but it's not very good as enlisted. I'd support my child choosing military after they got a college degree we paid for and as an officer. Most military are enlisted, not officers and everything is not so peachy.

We have children and I, as the spouse, have complex needs. We've never had issues accessing excellent care

I definitely need think the care varies depending on the duty station. Luckily, Walter Reed is phenomenal and can meet just about any medical need- as long as you can find a parking spot there. If you were stationed at Ft.Polk, Louisiana, yea you would have more limits and complications with advanced care. But the military has a program you can enter if you or a dependent has complex medical needs; where you are only stationed at places that can meet your medical needs (major medical centers)

The care received nationwide has little to do with the military and more to do with the care in that particular state.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s with all of the parents saying “no” to the military? I understand that it’s not appealing to some- it’s probably not something that appeals to me, but isn’t this your child’s decision? We can guide, make suggestions and help, but I would never think it’s my decision to make.

That's where we differ. There are some things where parents know best, especially when those parents have served and understand more fully the downsides and the opportunity costs. In my case, I am starting from early age encouraging other paths, and hard studying to get to those other paths.

PP, here. I like to think my spouse and I know best, but neither of us served, so we don’t have that perspective. In our son’s case, he was adamant about not going to college. He certainly could have gone that route- great grades, smart, state college funded, but the military has always been his dream. He scored well on the ASVAB and got the rate he wanted. Hopefully it works out for him. College, military, trade school… there are no guarantees.

Anonymous wrote:What’s with all of the parents saying “no” to the military? I understand that it’s not appealing to some- it’s probably not something that appeals to me, but isn’t this your child’s decision? We can guide, make suggestions and help, but I would never think it’s my decision to make.

That's where we differ. There are some things where parents know best, especially when those parents have served and understand more fully the downsides and the opportunity costs. In my case, I am starting from early age encouraging other paths, and hard studying to get to those other paths.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s with all of the parents saying “no” to the military? I understand that it’s not appealing to some- it’s probably not something that appeals to me, but isn’t this your child’s decision? We can guide, make suggestions and help, but I would never think it’s my decision to make.

They think they are too good for the military, but have no problem living in a free country and relying on less fortunate people to serve in it.

How many years did you serve? I'd prefer my child not. We are a retiree family. If they do, I'll support them but its a hard life and you basically need a second career and its very hard to start over at 40 and have to work your way up again.

This is so true. The way I see it, I served and did my part, and from my sacrifice I am in the position now to give my child expanded opportunities.

I would be happy with my child being the do-er and not the planner or mid level micro manager.