Son signing up for DEP in a few weeks

[Nicole]

My son is signing up for the DEP in a few weeks. I'm not sure I was ready for this to happen already. He's a Junior in high school so would be leaving right after graduation next year. Worried they might change his graduation date and he won't be able to go to the ceremony (new school and disorganized).

But mostly I'm wondering what all is involed with signing up for the DEP. Is this something I should ask other family to attend. I'm assuming it's something I should go to when he signs up. Is it a ceremony or just a basic "sign here" your done type of thing. I'm really not finding that much info on the DEP here.

It was just 2 months ago he got his drivers license - I thought that was a big deal and now this!

ANY info and advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Nicole]

My son has already taken the ASVAB - he took that at school. His recruiter said something about classes (he has a meeting with him tonight so I would know more but I have no patience - was very glad to see a quick reply)

They said that they can set the jobs they are going in for. So are the bonus's set then too?

[Nicole]

The recruiter wants my son to go into nuclear engineering also. I have to wonder if some of what he says on the $$$$ front is bull tho. Guess we will find out. So, the bonus's will be set when he signs up for the DEP? What if they go up in the year? Will they get the raise too?

Thanks for all your help!

[Nicole]

Right now he is only 16. He was just 15 when he took the ASVAB but a Junior so they offered it to him. I'm not sure at the time they realized he was only 15. At first they said he would need to retake the ASVAB but now I think they just decided to go off of what he had. Maybe they are just assuming he won't do worse.

Glad to know that they seem to be honest about everything. It sounded fishy at first - and made me wonder why I didn't join! LOL

Making me think of another question but I will start a new topic for it.

[Cynthia (#410)]

These ladies have given some great info. I'm all for joining the Navy so don't get me wrong here. But, I have to say as a 16 year old Junior in high school, I would want him to wait at least a little while. A lot can happen in a year. He could change his mind or get interested in something else, etc. I would want to discuss all options with him before deciding on the Navy. Once he's signed up as DEP, he belongs to the Navy. Be aware that he will be drug tested multiple times while on DEP, have to meet once a month with his recruiter, keep in touch with them about his movements (to a small degree), work on his physical fitness and learn info in the DEP guide. If he does decide to join military service, the Navy is the place to be!! :)

[diane {Shawns mom}]

Whew..I am glad you started the dicussion...My son 22 now, went to a recruiter @ 16-just to check it all out. But @ 16 he was NOT ready..I would suggest to live life a bit out of HS

[Nicole]

Everything I have been reading is that they can get out with a DEP. And I personally liked the idea of him going thru a little bit of Navy stuff so that he can know what he's getting himself into.

But, from what I've been reading - a DEP doesn't mean he HAS to no matter what go.

I do want him to make sure he wants to before signing tho. 100% wants to. He says he does. So far he hasn't ever changed his mind about anything he has set his mind to but I'm not 100% sure. He will be going after high school no matter what - I would like for him to wait til the END of summer tho if possible. Which I can probably convince him of since he's Vice Pres. of the church youth group and they have a lot of stewardship trips planned for that summer that he's been helping plan all this time and would hate for him not to be able to go.

[Cynthia (#410)]

Does your high school have a JROTC program? If your son, could get into a progam like this, he would get a feel for military expectations without actually having to commit to service.

[Jamie]

Nicole,
my son also took his ASVAB in school but when he went to Buffalo to take his MEPS he also took his ASVAB again. He leave July 15th for Great Lakes. Then he goes on to A school in Penscola Fla. Jamie

[Nicole]

He was looking at it for the job - not the money. I'm the one asking about the money. Just seemed too good to be true. He feels it would be something he would enjoy and when he enjoys something - he doesn't care about anything else. I personally think he would enjoy the schooling - his problem with public school is how slow and repetitive it is.

I think I will go look up the nuke group. Thanks!

[Marybeth]

I had a question about the day they enter bootcamp - James already went through MEPS when he signed up as a DEP... then I saw another posting that said when "they pick them up for MEPS"...

I'm hoping that since he's already been thru MEPS I will be saying goodbye at the airport... don't want to cut that apron string until the very last possible moment... prom next week, HS Grad on 6/7... then on July 11 off to Great Lakes... WHERE DID THE LAST 18 YEARS GO!!

He also applied for the nuclear school but was turned down due to his history of poor math grades... at least I got to tell him "I told you so!"

[Nicole]

I think my son might be the same because of this semester. Which I'm kinda glad about because I'm not sure I was comfortable with him going into the nuclear program.

His grades depend on how much homework is assigned compared to tests. And this one seemed to be a semester with lots of homework - very few tests. So unless these last 2 weeks are packed with tests, he's screwed.

Course, he DID start finally doing his homework a few weeks ago but then she got around to grading them and gave him zero's for every single one of them for not showing his work. Argh.

[Nicole]

He was going to talk and explain last night but didn't get a chance. They keep thinking he's 17 because he took the ASVAB so early and when they remembered he's still 16 they said they can't do anything now anyway. So...he's supposed to go in when he's 17. Which I'm glad about cause didn't want him leaving right after graduation anyway. So this way maybe he has a little more time to make sure this is what he wants. (Even tho he insists this IS what he is doing - and personally I think it's the best choice in his life)

He has the same thing with grades. They put him in all the hardest classes. Sometimes I think that's a hindrance because the kids in the easier classes have higher GPA's and class rankings. Of course, the teachers say he knows the material inside and out - just doesn't do the notes or homework. Which he would get bad grades in any class - easy or hard - with that problem.

It's been a big frustration for us which seemed much better when he started talking about the Navy. Even if he's not in the nuke program there are so many great things he could do. I personally don't care if he's in the nuke prog or not. In fact, even accepted, I don't know if I would do it. Especially so young.

So...since he has quite awhile to go before he joines the DEP I think I will be a listener more than a questioner for awhile on here.

I really appreciate everyone's answers and help.