Son's new career path, pretty proud father

[Sigarms]

Proud moments. Hope he does well.
Hmm, 5, now which 5? Does the garage count as part of the house, lol?

When we downsize, I've alreayd been informed that the larger and heavier safe will remain in the basement and come with the house when we sell

 

[jyoutz]

Our younger son just completed his 6 years as a Marines reservist. Hr joined while in college as a way to pay for his school and took a semester off to do basic training and MOS training. He never intended to make it a career, but did have some great life experiences while training and doing his monthly drills and one tour in Okinawa. It definitely changed his attitude and approach to dealing with life’s challenges.

 

[Sigarms]

Our younger son just completed his 6 years as a Marines reservist. Hr joined while in college as a way to pay for his school and took a semester off to do basic training and MOS training. He never intended to make it a career, but did have some great life experiences while training and doing his monthly drills and one tour in Okinawa. It definitely changed his attitude and approach to dealing with life’s challenges.

THAT'S EXACTLY what I'm hoping for.

My cousin's son just finished up 4 years active 2 years reserve in the Air Force (he was giving my son advice from time to time). He's now in college in the medical field and liking it. Best part for him is those 6 years gave him job training and maturity, and the government is paying for his college. THAT'S my idea of a college loan

Reality is no ones future is written in stone, but he's (son) is at a ripe age where any military branch will do him wonders IMO.

 

[Torvy]

He's covered his Mercedes in the drivway. I have been given explicit rules on when I can start it up to run the engine LOL

Please don't take this the wrong way, but unless you have money to burn, a Mercedes should never be your primary car when it comes to service parts LOL My son even mentioned that aftermarket parts (on what he can find) for the car cost more than the factory parts. As I've admitted, never into cars like he is at his age.

Being he is our only son now, we've told him to settle down anywhere out west or down south. Anything remotely bordering Canada will be a struggle on our end.

Besides that, even if it is Cali, my wife has told me there is no reason to have more than 5 guns in the house when we move.

She means 5 of the same type of gun, right?

 

[newbury]

any parents who child choose a military path would be how do you feel and prepare him for the risk and potential repercussion of that life? are you pushing for him to opt for a safe career path within the army ?

A military path is often a safe path. The US Military goes to extraordinary lengths to protect the individual, even in combat. Having spent 37 years with the military our preparation for engagement minimizes repercussion. With the present structure there seems to be no sign of the Russian meat grinder method of fighting. They train well, often and go in prepared when they go in.

 

[Sigarms]

She means 5 of the same type of gun, right?

I'm hoping she just wants it to the point where she can actually count them LOL

My ownly betrayal as a husband has been sneaking purchases in the house over the last 20 years of marriage. Even one gun a year can add up LOL That said, I new the gig was up a LONG time ago.

 

[Torvy]

Military retirement is so good that I highly recommend to anyone who serves that they stay in for at least 20 (unless they really hate the life). My brother retired after 20 (O4) at age 42 with 24 years credit (Academy grad). Lots of life to live after 42 and a constant paycheck is nice. Dad did 22 years active and has been retired for 50 years. He made more as a retiree than when he served (even adjusted for inflation). Not for everyone, but the life can be rewarding on many levels. USAF is about as safe as service is going to be.

 

[Yander]

Pretty sure my youngest would have made a career out of it but he got out in 2021 after 5 years. His wife left him and he needed to move back home so he could help raise his son and where he had family to help him. He liked it and they liked him and tried to talk him into staying. My son is the last person who you will ever hear brag but he told me I was good at what I did in the military. He was security forces and was starting to get to a point where he had a few guys under his command.

He said he wants nothing to do with being a cop in the civilian world though he thought about it before the George Floyd/BLM sham. It's too bad, he would have made a great cop. He cares about people, probably too much.

 

[Rockbadchild]

At some point in time, you need to make your own decisions and live your own life.

No matter what path you choose, there could be repercussions even in the civilian world.

I've honestly believed my entire life that the military is a great opportunity for people if you can contribute (no different than the civilian world IMO).

I was diassapointed in that my son chose the Air Force and not the Army, but I can live with it because he wants to follow my father.

My father grew up in a dirt poor family that were coal miners that came off the boat in the early 1900's. After 20 plus years in the Air Force along with working as a civilian for another 30 years plus (only part time after age 76 LOL) he made a good life for himself because he and my mom knew how to save.

End of the day, I also honestly believe in madatory military service for our country, but I know that will never happen. I'm just glad I never had to sell my son on it.

All very true but every parents want what is best for his/her kid(s) there is careers that are more dangerous the others physically and/or mentally. I didn't know you where in the military as well, then it is ingrain in him and he probably have a very honest view of the world and that has a impact on how he was prepared. so that answer a lot of my question.

here is a few example from my career,

I took a mining and one of my teacher said, I forbit every single one of you to work in a coal mine... if the only job availably is in a coal mine then go work at McDonald.
I had friend who he wanted to work in a mine but his dad forbitten it (very strongly discouraged him) because it is too dangerous in his opinion I though it was very odd since he is a police officer.

 

[EddieWalker]

Congratulations to you and your son. I think that going into the Marine Corps was the biggest life changing thing that I ever did. I don't think I was a bad kid, I didn't get into trouble with the law, but I wasn't one of the good kids either. I wanted to party all the time and just barely passed high school. I had to cheat to pass one of my tests or I wouldn't of gotten my diploma!!! The Marines showed me that if I just stuck with what I was doing, I could get it done, and that pain is only temporary. Physical or mental, if you stick with it, you get it done, and then you can move on. My entire life has been about sticking with what I'm doing and moving forward!!!

I only dealt with Air Force people twice when I was in the Marines. Once when I went to Davis AFB in California. They had the very best chow hall that I have ever been in. The food was so good that I really questioned my choice in joining the Marines. We had OK food, I'm not saying it was bad, but it wasn't anything like they had there!!!

The other experience was at the US Embassy in Jakarta Indonesia. They Air Force ran the post office there (APO). They had two enlisted guys that drove to the air port every morning, picked up the mail, brought it back to the embassy, and distributed it to everyone that worked in the embassy. They each got their own house to live in, extra pay for meals and living over seas, and they worked about 4 hours a day, five days a week. I never heard of a better deal then that!!!!!