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My son graduates as Valedictorian of his high school this June. When he started making plans for after HS, the first thing he decided on was time in the military. We talked about West Point and Annapolis, but he decided he wanted to go to college and ROTC. He got an early acceptance into the program, then he selected a school.

His mother and I went with him to the Navy recruiting office at Fort Sheridan, and I actually made a little speech to him before I let him sign the paper. "You realize that with 4 years of college, 4 active and 4 reserve, you'll be 30 before you get the DD214. And the purpose of the military is to kill people and break things. That's what you're signing up for now, because the Navy may let you change your mind in the next few years, but I won't."

He agreed that he knew what he was getting into, and then he signed. A good friend of his from school is working on West Point, where his older brother graduated a few years ago. The older brother has been in Iraq since the deployment last year.

I haven't heard much from other parents in the senior class about all this, but what I have heard is positive. When our son leaves this summer for his first summer training and then off to college, it will be hard to not worry about him all the time, but I've found that you worry about your kids all the time, regardless of how old they are or what they are doing.

We don't live in a rich Volvo neighborhood like the author of this article, but there is still a sense that only a selected few will step up to defend this country. As long as we have leaders who use the military wisely, and as long as we decide that we want to be the greatest country in the world, we will have to watch our children take on the big jobs and hope for their safe return.

We talked about West Point and Annapolis, but he decided he wanted to go to college and ROTC. He got an early acceptance into the program, then he selected a school.

At ease!

That soldier of yours better put his knees in the breeze while or after completing his commission.

Then head straight to Ft. Bragg, NC. Is that understood?

Carry on.

;-)

"You realize that with 4 years of college, 4 active and 4 reserve, you'll be 30 before you get the DD214. And the purpose of the military is to kill people and break things. That's what you're signing up for now, because the Navy may let you change your mind in the next few years, but I won't."

We need more fathers like you, your lessons will be invaluable to his success. Please thank your son for his service. God bless.