Over the years I have shared personal stories and questions here as others have done and many members have been kind and generous with their replies and advice. Some may recall that my son has been interested in military service for a number of years. Well, today is the day - sort of.
Having turned 17 last week he is eligible to enlist in the Future Soldiers program (formerly Delayed Entry Program). Tonight the recruiter is coming by to sign the papers. While it was never the career choice we imagined for him, the Army is clearly his choice and has been the one thing he has remained focused on for years. He wants to be infantry - to be a warrior. He doesn't want to be an officer or sit behind a desk. There's a strong need I think to prove himself. Assuming he finishes his senior year of HS sucessfully, he will head off to Fort Benning shortly after graduation next Fall. In the meantime he will be doing various prep work in the Future Soldiers program.
Several of you have advised and encouraged us through this process and I thank you and share this now for those who may be interested and to say thanks to the BBI community for talking us through it. You have all been a great help!
Any advice that he is looking for feel free to ask.
Yes, they're the worst.
Seriously though, congrats to your son, SwirlingEddie. Obviously my promotion of the Corps didn't pan out so well...;) Good luck to your son. And good luck to you and your wife.
And anytime you have any questions, please ask JO...:)
Any advice that he is looking for feel free to ask.
Diver, sorry I messed up the timing. He will graduate next June and probably leave soon thereafter even though he will still be only 17.
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He made a great move in not choosing to be an officer. They're the worst!
Yes, they're the worst.
Seriously though, congrats to your son, SwirlingEddie. Obviously my promotion of the Corps didn't pan out so well...;) Good luck to your son. And good luck to you and your wife.
And anytime you have any questions, please ask JO...:)
Thanks Ronnie, the Corps missed out on a good one this time.
OPTEMPO? Definition please...
Yes, post-military life is one of my concerns as well, but not his so much. It's hard to get him to think more than 30 minutes ahead at this point! But he is aware of college opportunities and at least has said he wants to be able to take advantage of that later on.
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it's not a bad life if you're cut out for it. The one thing I would emphasize is that if he's not planning to do 20 (and even if he is) he needs to have an eye toward a post-military life. The OPTEMPO of most infantry units isn't going to permit any sort of serious college, but once he gets to a permanent duty station he should be able to do online/distance learning and start working toward a degree.
OPTEMPO? Definition please...
Yes, post-military life is one of my concerns as well, but not his so much. It's hard to get him to think more than 30 minutes ahead at this point! But he is aware of college opportunities and at least has said he wants to be able to take advantage of that later on.
I think I read last fall that a 30 year old ex-Army Ranger was playing football for Dartmouth. What's your son's 40 time?
Dartmouth is my alma mater, third generation. Maybe a few phone calls...
In the meantime, prior to graduation, make sure he takes advantage of the opportunity to get in shape. No worries about running as he'll be running in formation, but be sure to focus on upper body strength. Forget about lifting weights as the only weight he'll be lifting is his own.
We had a routine the DI(s) affectionately called "The Jane Fonda Workout". With Jane's political stance towards the military, it wasn't a badge of honor to be associated with the routine. Think of basic exercise movements completed in rapid repetition until muscle fatigue sets in then do some more.