Trying to save my son from making a big mistake......

[Shelly Sowell]

My son continues to fail in school and has an iq off the boards. he hates school, doesn't apply himself at all, and has basically told me he uses school to see friends and pickup girls. recently he told me he was interested in joining the navy. i am all for it. all my uncles are or have been in the military. i am backing him all the way. about a week ago, he's talked about quiting school and just going to work. i do not want him to quit. he's a junior now and should be a senior. he is going to fail again this year so that will make him 20 when he graduates. he just doesn't want to be there. i wish he would at least get his ged and join the navy than quit and end up living in a box somewhere without an education. at least by joining he could get an education and i feel like he could learn a whole lot of responsibility that he needs. any advice on what you would tell him. he's 1 1/2 month shy of turning 18 and i'm afraid he's going to quit before i can talk him into joining and doing what's best for him.

[Tatiana]

Both my son and daughter decided to join the Navy together. The recruiter came, explained the whole process to them and then took then to get take their ASVAB. They both passed it and went into the DEP program. This let's them have a perspective of what the Navy can offer them. After several months my son left to boot camp, graduated and is now in Pensacola Florida for school. He has changed so much it is unbelievable. He came home for X-mas and went to see his old friends. When he came back he said he realized the mistake he was making with his life, and could not believe how these kids are ruining their lives. He says he now sees everything I used to tell him he was doing wrong. The Navy has been a blessing for us but specially for him. His life changed completely in a very good way. My daughter decided it was not for her and did all the paperwork to get out of it, of course she had not done the final swearing in which is the definite one. Call your local office, talk to the recruiters and have them do all the convincing for you.

[Kelly **gunnerJ's mom**]

hi tatiana
is this final swearing in when they go to MEPS station to leave for boot camp? i know my son has to do another contract before he leaves, i was told my another mom. i know what you mean about our kids thinking they "know everything, and parents don't" my husband and i are encountering this with our 18 year old he's still in high school. were hoping that once he gets thru boot camp and school he'll have a diferent outlook on some of the "friends" he hangs around. he does have a good buddy that is also going to boot camp this summer.

[Debby]

I know how you feel... My middle son dropped out then headed down a path that scared me... I am proud to day today he's in the military (Army) and excelling... All military branches will take a GED but some (Airforce and Navy) require some college with it... Have him check into some alternatives to finish his high school.. some states offer an online alternative or even an adult evening high school that has much less pressure... Good luck

[Diane]

I feel for you. I worried the last 3 years of high school that my son would drop out. His cousin dropped out (removing the stigma) and hasn't done anything with his life (He is almost 25, lives at home, and doesn't work). My son hung in there and barely graduated. His school was a big help. They knew his plans and were a little lenient with him. He left for boot camp in May and it has been a Godsend. He has matured and is much more responsible than most of his friends that went the college route. I hope your son stays in school and graduates. The Navy does wonder for kids like your son if you can get him there. Maybe you could talk to his school, tell them your son plans to join the Navy. Maybe they can work something out with you. Does your school district have an alternative high school for at risk kids? If so, you might look into that too. Hang in there.

[Tracy]

Your story sounds like I am the one who wrote it. Completely the same thing with my son. So stinking smart but cant pass class. Doesnt want to be in school, all his friends 2 years older. Junior year we sit down & talk about other options. If he quit school he must immediately get his GED. Next he must go with me before dropping out to the recruter office & talk to them. Then he must go to college, get a job or join the Navy. He went to college for a quarter then decided to work instead & then came home & said I am joining the Navy. He is now almost done with hospital corpman school. It is very very fast paced so no time to get bored which is great for him. Having a GED did make it a little bit tougher to join the Navy so make sure to talk to the recruiter about it. Good luck & let me know if you have any question.

[Diane Iocco]

My son has been in the Navy for 1 year now. At first I was terribly afraid of his safety. Now after seeing him graduate from bood camp, tell me stories of his everyday stories. I can't be any prouder of him. Yes you will cry. Probably every time he comes home, when he leaves , when he is out on the ocean where you may not hear from him everyday , wondering if something has happened to him. But remember one thing. The heart of a volunteer is the strongest thing in the world. Especially if he is serving our country. When he leaves you will see your baby boy but when you next see him, he will be a man.Now he is stationed ijn Pearl Harbor, HI and loving every bit of it. In the next few months he will go to China, Guam, Australia. Just imagine if you could do it over again. I would do it in a heartbeat.
GOOD LUCK AND BE PROUD OF YOUR SOLDIER

[Skysmom]

Yes Navy does except GED, I know a mom who's son had a GED. But she had to call every month to get him in, becuase it is true they only take a certain amount per year.

[chicky]

your son sounds like the schools failed again if his iq is high he should have graduated already and taking college credits in high school, like our county so students are buses to the college . and brought back to the high school before bell.
your son is bored because he is soo smart , check with your school board office and get him into one or more of the programs they have . they should have a drop out program also. but they have to know to help. all parents have to get involed in the school system to get the best for there kids.

[Madonna Long]

Have him take the GED, my son Josh did that. His iq is way up there to . Most people with high IQs have some sort of depression you may want to have him looked at. Josh took his GED scored in the top 2% of all the people who take the GED.

I am sure he will pass his GED and totally just wiz by it.. Best of luck. I know where you are girl.. Madonna

[Linda E. Fitzgerald]

Have him sit down with you and a Navy recruiter. Explore all of his options WITH him!

[Kelly **gunnerJ's mom**]

my son doesn't like the three R's in school though he does well in his electives. He enjoys the social aspect and the career classes. He's been wanting to join the service for many years but i've tried to talk him out of it until he talked about the Navy. The good thing I though about the service is that when they leave, if they are like my son, you worry they may go a little wild if they went to college. In the service, they will have a lot of structure, need to be diciplined and learn a lot of habits(neatness) that has always been a challenge at home. Since my son does well academically(though he's a smart kid)in his elective classes, if he doesn't like it, he doesn't always try. In the Navy, he can choose a job he wants and hopefully can accel at. They can also re train for another job in a couple years if they choose. My husband talked to his recruiter about my son's grades and he had a talk with his during the last DEP meeting. If the recruit wants to get into a tougher field in the Navy they need to work hard, not slack off. This info got to my son and hopefully this last semester of school will be a good one. Hope this helps someone else.

[Linda E. Fitzgerald]

My son was ROTC in HS, barely got through, but, did pass. Do to his IQ, and Athletic ability made it into college on a great Scholarship. He went away, lived in a 4 bedroom house with other members of the football team, took his/my dog, Alize`, AND his girlfriend. Unfortunately, his new found freedom, his girlfriend, the guys and a few other things caused his GPA to fall off and he lost his scholarship. Quit college after 3 yrs, because I refused to pay anymore tuition. Came home and got a job in a gym. THEN hit me with "I'm going into the Navy" I was dumbfounded, but didn't say a word, hoping he'd change his mind. Several days later, he told me he qualified as a Seal.