My 14 year old grand daughter has been talking about joining for the last year. It’s her dream upon graduation. Of course, I have mixed feelings about it.
I suppose joining the military can be a good idea if you can get into a technical field. Then you can learn a valuable skill while banking the GI Bill.
But here’s the thing. Actually, two things.
1. Too many young people are swayed by the glitter and glamor. Get to wear a sharp-looking uniform, be the tip of the spear, and all that. A young person considering joining must be aware of - and be able to resist - these superficial impulses.
2. Recruiters will shamelessly lie. A friend of mine joined specifically to get training in electronics. And he was promised training in electronics. What he became was a radio operator in an infantry unit. His electronics “training” was next to nothing, and not at all marketable after he left the service.
Don’t get me wrong. We need good young people to serve in infantry units. We need folks to be the tip of the spear. But join with eyes wide open.
Maybe suggest the National Guard? We need good people right here to defend this country.
No offense, but would you please have her parents talk some sense to that naive child?