He's likely to stay warmer, dryer, cooler, and be better fed. The uniform doesn't hurt with the girls either.
Good luck!
Posted on 12/26/2011 8:59:45 AM PST by PUGACHEV
I've been here ten years and this is my first post. I know many here have experience in the different services, but I have none. My son, who is 24, wants to enlist and make the military a career, but does not know which branch to enlist in. He has a high school diploma, no involvement with drugs, and no criminal record except, unfortunately, a DWI and several traffic related misdemeanors. He is intelligent, fit, athletic, and handsome. His interests are ice hockey, video games, and girls, in that order. He is a quiet person with a low arousal type personality who is very tough and self possesed. He is completely unflapable. He has good manners, no meanness in him, and makes friends easily. He has no particular work-related skills or aptitudes. His grandfather on his mother's side was in the British army from Dunkirk to the end of the war, so maybe there is some military talent lurking in his genes somewhere.
My son is looking to me for advice, and he will follow it. My questions are: (1) What branch would have him with the DWI on his record; (2) What branch would best suit his personality; and, if he had a choice, what speciality might be good for him. My first thought was the Navy, but I really don't know.
I’m told that a DWI is a mandatory “ particular work-related skill or aptitude” for the Navy! //extreme sarc (but a kernel of truth)
go Navy, that way he won’t get shot.
I am ex-Navy, but I think he might be happier in the Army ...
Navy/Air force if he wants to do technical stuff. Make sure that what ever deal he makes with the enlister he gets it in writing.
...except for the fact that I worked with a small boatload of Navy folks on a recent tour to Afghanistan...
It depends on what he wants to do, and what service he wants to be a part of.
Have him go on the services website, explore what missions they perform, and talk to others already in the service about specific jobs he might want to make his career.
As far as the DWI goes, tell him to never lie about it, but be truthful.
I am not certain, but I think he can certainly overcome that.
He's likely to stay warmer, dryer, cooler, and be better fed. The uniform doesn't hurt with the girls either.
Good luck!
Man, times have changed.
I don't believe that.
Send him to the US Sub Fleet, they will find his aptitudes.
He sounds as if he is pretty level headed, he may just need something to be proud of.
You may also see if the USN has CT ratings available. If so he could volunteer for sub service as a Direct support element.
Barring that, I would look to the Airforce or the Marines. Airforce is great for skills, Marines are great for building mental acumen.
That's my 2 cents
BTTT
2) He needs to follow his passion. For instance, if he has a love for airplanes. Then I would suggest Air Force or Navy.
Only HE can decide this.
Good luck!
,,, looking at the same issue for a bored 16 yo two years from now...have him take as many free personality/career tests which give an idea of aptitudes and then look for a guaranteed training school in that area, even if he doesn’t love it, knowing a trade will allow him to pursue what he does love in free time. Also suggest the small book Strength Finder by Gallup which helps him hone in on strengths to be sharpened and will are help him to shine as a star in an area where he has skills and interests, I think it runs $20, and the testing is online with a key from the book. I would suggest looking at Air Force and Navy and getting the most technical training possible, then you are less likely to get RIF’d in the distant future of smaller military footprint...
Good luck,
ymmv
They sure have. In the '60s, my interests were girls, roller hockey, and ham radio. In that order.
/johnny
Marines - no, if he doesn’t already want to be a marine he probably wouldn’t have the motivation to make it through basic
Army - Maybe, does he like to play in the dirt? Some good technical training in the Army but also a lot of more generic army stuff.
Air Force - maybe, although the DWI will limit his choices. Good technical training but also a fair amount of playing in the dirt.
Navy - Maybe, does he like the water? Good technical training but will be away from home a lot.
I spent eight years in the Navy and got great job training, which I used to further my civilian career and I traveled all over the world. I enjoyed every place I was stationed, I still miss my shipmates and I sometimes wish I'd stayed for the full 20. Serving my country has been the greatest honor of my uneventful life.
Tell him to investigate his likes and dislikes. (Land, sea, air, flying, airplanes, boats, etc.)
The military will give him a battery of tests to find out what field of expertise suits his aptitudes, abilities and personality. The tests, as far as I know, are pretty standard throughout the military. (ASFABS ?)
Any old boatswain’s mate will know all about that stuff.
(As far as prior DWI, unknown.)
(Good luck and Godspeed.)
What I told my nephew, who wanted to go Army like his uncle(me), be hardcore and go Marines, but your candy-behind better go Air Force, with no offense meant to the Air Force Personal, it’s just was my conception on basic training several years ago.
And on second thought I now advise the younger folks, go get a 2 year college degree, and then if you still want to go in the service, go. Then, if and when you get out you’ll only need 2 more years of college for a 4 year degree.
Good luck gentlemen, and thank God there are brave men and women who do serve!
The only problem the politics are getting real bad. Add faggotry to the mix and I think I would pass the whole deal now. I couldn't work for a CO that was an out of the closet queer. I'd resign.
Darn Good Advice.
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