[mystery-ak]

I am sure he will be released from his contract....WTH did he think would happen during basic!!!!...what a wuss....btw..I think 17yo is too young to make a decision like this...I refused to sign for my son at that age, but when he turned 18 he went ahead and did it himself.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I joined the Army 3 days after I turned 17, my father signed for me.
It was the best thing for me at that time.
Basic training was a breeze and much easier than the jobs I had done.

[Junior]

...btw..I think 17yo is too young to make a decision like this...

This country was wrested from tyranny and held together by men often younger than 17. In the past 17 year olds were often married and started on their families. It has only been in recent times that the minor/adult cutoff has been set at 18 (and in some cases, 21).

[proudofthesouth]

Back during WWII, my dad ran away from home and and enlisted 2 times before he was old enough to (he lied about his age). Both times he was kicked out. The third time he finally talked his parents into signing him in at age 16. During his basic training a Drill Sergent took him out behind the barracks and beat the s**t out of him. Dad later said that it was one of the best things that ever happened to him as as it knocked some sense into him. Course this was back in the days when D.S.'s could do this and nothing would happen to them.

[Zavien Doombringer]

btw..I think 17yo is too young to make a decision like this.

I signed up at 17, parents signed off the paper work and my dad inducted me in on 25 MAR 03 (He was an Army Officer)

Headlines read in the daily paper, Army loses, Air Force gains - My dad was retiring right after I solemnly swore :)

[JavaTheHutt]

I think 17yo is too young to make a decision like this.

one of the toughest soldiers I ever met while I was in service had to get parental permission to enlist, because SHE joined at 17 also.