Son's new career path, pretty proud father

[Sigarms]

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!!!!!

Eddie

I think we could have been twins in high school LOL

What's ironic is that on my fathers headstone, it states "Vietnam". The reality is he never set foot or flew into Vietnam during the Vietnam war.

He never gave me info on what he did in SE Asia other than he never had to wear a uniform and it was the ONLY time he grew facial hair (my mom made him cut it off when he came stateside and it's ironic because I've had a beard for the last 20 years LOL), but from what he had in his possesions as far as what his buddies gave him along with some polaroid pictures, he was involved in project 404 with the Air Force.

My father was PISSED when I told him I enlisted in the Army.

Thing is, you got out and made a life for yourself, just like my dad did after 20 plus years. My wife's cousin spent 20 years in the Army, got out, he's gotten way fatter than myself and it seems all he does is spend time playing video games and bitchen about the government on facebook.

I've dealt with some Marines, and honestly I told my son I wouldn't have any regrets if he enlisted in the Corps (his uncle who lives near us met my wifes aunt that way), but my wife wasn't so keen on that.

That's why my son son surpised us (for me good, for my wife bad) when he said he could see himself jumping out of an airplane.

 

[Sigarms]

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.

In my fathers obituary it was stated "he traveled the world twice over to marry the girl next door" because that's what he said about my mom.

One thing my parents instilled in me was to marry when I was older. They knew each other when they were 18 or so, but didn't marry until they were around 30 years in age.

Given my history of growning up and my emotional state as a "yungin", best advice I could get IMO.

We all change growing up. Throw military life into the mix, may seem like fun for a wife at the moment, but then reality kicks in when you're all alone because your husband is away. My mom knew about the pics of my dad in France in some of the woman after he left Korea, but she married him anyway LOL

 

[Sigarms]

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.

My son knows that my dad got out when he was in his 40's.

Dad held 2 long term jobs after age 44 after he recieved a military pension.

Although my father wasn't a wealthy man by any means, he lived within his means and spent on things they (him and mom) only needed.

My parents didn't have any bills other than taxes and utilities when they hit age 60, and if you spend your money wisely when your older and save in your youth, you'd be amazed at how much money you have to enjoy life and travel the world together seeing sights.

My wife is talking about retiring in the next 7-12 years after she gets with a financial advisor. She knows I'll be working until I'm at least 70 doing something.

End of the day, I think my son understands the way my parents lived their lives beats owing 100K plus for college loans at age 22 when you're only making 50K a year.

 

[riptides]

Congrats to your family and you. Job well done. Service to others - a noble cause. To the country - the highest of honorable commitments.

 

[Sigarms]

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.

My wife and I struggle with each other on "hereditary vs environment" discussions.

Our son was brought into foster care into our home at age 7. We adopted him a year later due to the local courts determination as why he was in foster care in the first place, and removed from his biological family.

The reality is we never pushed the miltiary as an option, but did give it as an option when he was in high school as to a career goal.

My honest belief is after spending so much time with my father, he decided it would be his best option when he became an adult.

We had a going away party for him. He's kept in touch with his biological brothers as he's gotten older, and they both were at his going away party, and they are just as proud of him as we are.

My cousin flew down for the party as well from Jersey. I found out my cousin was more in the know about how my dad taught my son to drive because they would talk to her on my dads car phone system in the car. Honestly, if I knew then (when he was teaching him to drive) what I know know, I would have given my father a butt chewing for some of the dumb stunts he pulled with his grandson.

That said, it was my fathers own car...

 

[Rockbadchild]

My wife and I struggle with each other on "hereditary vs environment" discussions.

Our son was brought into foster care into our home at age 7. We adopted him a year later due to the local courts determination as why he was in foster care in the first place, and removed from his biological family.

The reality is we never pushed the miltiary as an option, but did give it as an option when he was in high school as to a career goal.

My honest belief is after spending so much time with my father, he decided it would be his best option when he became an adult.

We had a going away party for him. He's kept in touch with his biological brothers as he's gotten older, and they both were at his going away party, and they are just as proud of him as we are.

My cousin flew down for the party as well from Jersey. I found out my cousin was more in the know about how my dad taught my son to drive because they would talk to her on my dads car phone system in the car. Honestly, if I knew then (when he was teaching him to drive) what I know know, I would have given my father a butt chewing for some of the dumb stunts he pulled with his grandson.

That said, it was my fathers own car...

Touching story, he his lucky to have you all.

 

[Sigarms]

Touching story, he his lucky to have you all.

It's not a bad story, but life sometimes isn't easy.

As fondly as I speak of the one boy, I have feel pain as a failure as a parent with another. I believe any parent would feel the same even if you know you tried your best.

 

[Rockbadchild]

It's not a bad story, but life sometimes isn't easy.

As fondly as I speak of the one boy, I have feel pain as a failure as a parent with another. I believe any parent would feel the same even if you know you tried your best.

When it comes to people, the same method can result in different outcome. I am sure you did your best at the time. We don't have to go there lets focus on positive.

 

[Gator6x4]

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.

Be happy he choose the Air Force. There is huge difference between three hots and a cot and C-or-K Rations and a sleeping bag. The Army also operates up close and personal. The Air Force operates from many miles away, unless in a special Recon Unit.

The Red Flag you need to be attuned to, is Fort Liberty or Fort Moore. The Air Force Special Reconnaissance Units Train at these location. And yes he would be jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

SR

 

[ultrarunner]

Someone (Eddie) mentioned persistence…

Persistence – A Quote by Calvin Coolidge​

Nothing in the world
can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not;
nothing is more common than
unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not;
The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination
alone are omnipotent.
The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved
and always will solve
the problems of
the human race