My son announced that after his upcoming 21st birthday he would enlist in the army. His reasons solely for the chance to complete school, wanting to be a U.S. Marshall. The recession has made it even harder to get a loan now that Pell Grant is gone.
I am to say the least devastated. I could understand someone with a patriotic heart enlisting, one with the mind of a military career enlisting...but not for school.
I have shared the news and tallied. I shall list the numbers below:
27 people said 'It will make a man out of him'
11 people said 'Talk him into (Navy, Marine, etc)'
5 people said 'I know (such and such) who went in (enter any horror story here)'
4 people said 'You should be proud'
My take...by the numbers:
27 - If training to kill or possibly be killed makes one a man, may all males remain boys. If following the orders of a mixed up government and fighting wars we are lied about makes a man, may all males remain boys. If making a decision to enlist entails the only reason - school, may all males remain boys. If the military is the only way to make a man - shame on all 27 for your closed minded ways.
11 - If a person says they don't agree to enlistment, seriously? Does your simple minded opinion of which 'you' prefer make it any more enticing????
5 - Really? Really? A parent doesn't already think of the many things that could go wrong?????
4 - I have news for you. I AM proud of my son. When he is right, when he is wrong, when he makes a good or bad decision...I am PROUD. I don't need a uniform or a coffin for that. It happened the second I felt him in my womb.
As a parent I think of this guy:
http://m.digitaljournal.com/article/143830?doredir=0&noredir=1
and these:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2010-07-15-army-suicides_N.htm
and of her:
http://www.jessica-lynch.com/
You shoot who you are told and possible get this as a reward:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/25/national/main2398468.shtml
Don't get me wrong...I support my son and if after getting all real information and not the BUBBLE special the recruiters tell he still wants to enlist...then I will suck it up and see him off.
But...these young folks are told stories...not to different from the BUBBLE stories:
MaryKay and the pink bubble of bliss
Avon and the business dream turn nightmare bubble
Join the military and all this can be you bubble
Remember...bubbles burst.
I learned a few things:
People are really quick to give opinions they would rarely follow themselves
Everyone is a judge to your life and parenting
Few people really know what builds character
There are more negative people out there and they are eager to share their miseries
I really don't give a rats ass what people say; in the end; I must do and say what I can live with
This is no time for enlistment - we can't even protect our own here let alone elsewhere
When you need someone the most; you will find only yourself there
When you find only yourself there; God is carrying you
The best advice someone can give you is in the form of a hug
No one gives the best advice...no one
I am to say the least devastated. I could understand someone with a patriotic heart enlisting, one with the mind of a military career enlisting...but not for school.
I have shared the news and tallied. I shall list the numbers below:
27 people said 'It will make a man out of him'
11 people said 'Talk him into (Navy, Marine, etc)'
5 people said 'I know (such and such) who went in (enter any horror story here)'
4 people said 'You should be proud'
My take...by the numbers:
27 - If training to kill or possibly be killed makes one a man, may all males remain boys. If following the orders of a mixed up government and fighting wars we are lied about makes a man, may all males remain boys. If making a decision to enlist entails the only reason - school, may all males remain boys. If the military is the only way to make a man - shame on all 27 for your closed minded ways.
11 - If a person says they don't agree to enlistment, seriously? Does your simple minded opinion of which 'you' prefer make it any more enticing????
5 - Really? Really? A parent doesn't already think of the many things that could go wrong?????
4 - I have news for you. I AM proud of my son. When he is right, when he is wrong, when he makes a good or bad decision...I am PROUD. I don't need a uniform or a coffin for that. It happened the second I felt him in my womb.
As a parent I think of this guy:
http://m.digitaljournal.com/article/143830?doredir=0&noredir=1
and these:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2010-07-15-army-suicides_N.htm
and of her:
http://www.jessica-lynch.com/
You shoot who you are told and possible get this as a reward:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/25/national/main2398468.shtml
Don't get me wrong...I support my son and if after getting all real information and not the BUBBLE special the recruiters tell he still wants to enlist...then I will suck it up and see him off.
But...these young folks are told stories...not to different from the BUBBLE stories:
MaryKay and the pink bubble of bliss
Avon and the business dream turn nightmare bubble
Join the military and all this can be you bubble
Remember...bubbles burst.
I learned a few things:
People are really quick to give opinions they would rarely follow themselves
Everyone is a judge to your life and parenting
Few people really know what builds character
There are more negative people out there and they are eager to share their miseries
I really don't give a rats ass what people say; in the end; I must do and say what I can live with
This is no time for enlistment - we can't even protect our own here let alone elsewhere
When you need someone the most; you will find only yourself there
When you find only yourself there; God is carrying you
The best advice someone can give you is in the form of a hug
No one gives the best advice...no one
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