Would you sign for your minor son to go into the military?

Question

If he was barely 17 and able to graduate early, would you sign? I just feel like the recruiter is lying to him, telling him that he has to do this now in order to qualify for the "good jobs".

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Your age has very little to do with what jobs you qualify for in the military. The most important thing is his ASVAB score. The higher the score, the more jobs you qualify for.

In other words if you’re a dumbass you’re going to be on gate duty. You’re not going to be working in military intelligence translating communiques and code breaking.

I was in the military and went to war. I qualified to do any job in the military because I scored so high. Now you still have to get through tech school for your job, but your ASVAB score is what they use to see what your options are.

The library actually has ASVAB study guides you can check out. I got one and spent a few hours every day studying it just to make sure I scored high.

You NEVER should feel rushed by a recruiter. He’s bullshitting you and trying to pressure your son. You are literally making a decision to sign away your life, and this motherfucker is like “hurry up, you don’t want the good jobs to be gone.”

Fuck that guy.

Each branch of service is very different. I actually met with an army recruiter first but I really didn’t like the guy. I ended up going into the Air Force. It’s much harder to get into than the Army, but it’s waaaay better in my opinion.

BCA6010 · Accepted Answer

No.

I'd support my hypothetical son's decision as long as he is grounded in reality and understands what he's getting into (I've been there and done that and know bullsh*t when I hear it), but he gets to make that decision for himself when he turns 18.

Each branch is a little bit different in terms of how you qualify for and select jobs, but in the Army for example, a major perk to their recruiting system is that you can take the ASVAB, receive your scores, and then lock in a ship date for any job you qualify for, even if it means waiting several months. Your son can do pretty much everything up to that point and back out at any time, so there's no reason whatsoever to give in to recruiter pressure. Other branches don't typically offer guaranteed slots that way, though things may have changed a bit over the years.

WhatTheHeckkkk · Accepted Answer

He’s lying. My boyfriend enlisted when he was 17, he turned 18, graduated, and went to boot camp a week after graduating high school. He didn’t get a better job by enlisting early. His ASVAB score was high, thus, qualified him for better jobs. When the ASVAB score is high, you have a better chance at landing a good job with lots of training that is useful civilian jobs (engineering, for example, is a great civilian and military job).

I don’t think anything good or bad happens if you sign/enlist early, besides literally starting and shipping off to boot camp early before those who enlist later. So, just remember that Recruiters are just smooth talkers who try to get you to sign up, not everything they say is true, just like car salesmen… They tell you all the best, with a dash of sugar coating, just so you can buy it.

KatherineJ · Accepted Answer

No. I pride myself in both my father and my husband being veterans. But I would not agree to any child of mine joining the armed forces before they are a legal adult. It is an adult decision, and should be made by the kid who wants to serve. Naturally, I would support his or HER decision to either enlist, or serve as a commissioned officer.

OldWorldOrder · Answer

If he wants to end up in little pieces scattered around the Zagros Mountains or ground into sausage by a Chinese tank in the near future, sure, go ahead and join the US military lol.

The US military is subordinate to a bunch of warmongering psychopaths and managed by inept morons. Our economy is tanking and our rulers are desperately lashing out against the rest of the world. All of the honorable and competent men are getting out of the military before President Harris can start World War Three and send them all to their deaths in a vain attempt to delay the inevitable and keep the American Empire afloat for just a month or two longer.

Anonymous · Answer

His job has nothing to do w the “good” jobs. His ASVAB score will determine what job he qualifies for. I think if this was my son I’d have a few prior service men talk to my son first, including me. But chances are like most kids feel you don’t want them to do it so there’s a good chance they will listen consider what others have to say. College would be ok too but it’s not for everyone. I didn’t attend college till after I spent about 10 years in the military. I’d try to get him to understand that there’s an agenda here. You’re told that you’re fighting for your country’s freedom but there’s more to it than just that. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized a lot more about things like this. I don’t think I’d be too worried about him as this is one of the greatest families you could ever have if you let him go.

maximumpower · Answer

does HE really want to go NOW? is HE emotionally and physically ready NOW?
if not, don't sign. let him wait until he's 18 and make his own decision. the "good jobs" will still be there.
think of the recruiter as a car salesman. they're under an incredible amount of pressure.
he needs to "sell" as many as possible to meet an established quota so is employing hard-sell tactic.
i don't really blame him but also don't agree that your son MUST do anything NOW to qualify for the "good jobs." based upon my 28 years of experience in uniform, that's not really true.
BELIEVE ME - if he qualifies now, he'll qualify later, as well.

i was 18 when i joined and, tho my mother hated it, after 28 years i never regretted it.

Kaneki05 · Answer

As if I would ever sign such a thing. He is his own person but that means he will have to wait a year to sign himself up for it. Myself as my own person would refuse such evolvement and advise him why it's a bad idea though I would never tell him cannot do it. Because he can once he can go off and do it himself.

Zenit93 · Answer

My parents signed for me to enlist in the Marine Corps at the age of 17. If I waited till 18, my ship date would have been much later. I wanted to ship off as soon as I graduated. Sooner I go, the sooner I get out and go to college. The recruiter could be lying. Recruiters are salesman. Your sons MOS will likely be available when he turns 18. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Sour-rose · Answer

Nah. I don't have kids myself but I done saw kingsman the prequel? Aaand the dude's kid really wanted to be in the war. He went to war all right... and he was almost home... almost. :) And he did get back home. In spirit.

Whatever2929292 · Answer

Well this is your choice to make as a parent. Other people can't tell you what is right for you and your child. You need to do this.

If you don't feel it is a good idea then don't. If you do then go ahead

exitseven · Answer

No, I am glad none of my kids expressed any interest in joining the military. The government sends you to A fghanistan and they get their legs blown off and then the government doesn;t want to know them,

altdbob · Answer

recruiters need to meet their quotas and do not give two shits about the kids

Now that being said, I think everyone should have to serve in the armed forces for two years for enlisted and 4 years if they want to be an officer, once they turn 21 or as soon as they finish and get their college degree. If they drop out of college then into the armed forces they go.
This would give all these kids some much needed life experiences and discipline, many have never gotten and sorely need.

Dinklex3 · Answer

If that's what they really wanted to do. I'd attend their meetings with the recruiters though to make sure they were being truthful though.  Also, yes. Recruiters do lie, lol.

Guy13 · Answer

Who knows… Could be retired by 37 and straight into Post Office with federal retirement already. I know Navy guys who have done that. By 62 both of them could have 2 federal retirements.

Uannoyme · Answer

The military will still be there when he turns 18. I'm pro military, but they don't need to be coming for children.

OddBeMe · Answer

Recruiters do lie, a lot. Disregard what the recruiter said and try to get actual facts about benefits.

Will your son get tuition reimbursement?
Would he benefit from the discipline? My brother in law did.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Absolutely not!! If there's a war to be fought, let the people in charge of the warring countries do all the fighting!

HighValue · Answer

No, and I wouldn't encourage them to join when they are of age either.

mrkdvsn · Answer

If I had kids, I would never approve of them going into the Anti-Christian, Anti-Conservative military. They are deliberately purging good people out of the Armed Services

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I probably would not. I'd make him wait until he turns 18.

slatyb · Answer

The recruiter is lying. No.

JohnK123 · Answer

No let him go to college first

fred_durst · Answer

i will let him make his decision , it is his life

ManHater · Answer

Yes! show the fucking punk how to be a real man.

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