What to say to my parents? Please help!

[Jessica]

Ever since a friend of mine left after graduation from high school as a Nuke in the Navy, I looked into what he was doing, and found the Navy and the military in general very interesting. Since then, there has not been a day that goes by where I don't think about, or daydream about, being in the Navy. My parents have what I guess would be expectations, that I should stay on track with college, my mom thinking I should be a teacher. But, really, I have no idea what i want to do and my second semester of my sophomore year of college is right around the corner. I feel like I'm wasting my time and my parent's money by going to college with no career in mind. I have a different plan of action. I figured that I would enlist in the Navy as a hospital corpsmen and then, if I want still be a teacher, use my G.I Bill to get through the rest of my college classes. At the moment I'm working on an associates degree that would go towards teaching if I wanted to pick it up later. My parents have never supported my idea of the military and I'm afraid never would. They won't talk to me when I bring it up or say anything positive, just that it's a stupid idea and I'm being influenced by my boyfriend (in DEP currently). I've asked them to see a recruiter, but their convinced that my recruiter will tell me whatever i want to hear. But i trust my recruiter, he's helped 6 people in my graduating class join the military! He actually goes to bat for his soon to be sailors and has told me more downsides of the Navy than most people probably do. He started out by asking me why i wanted to join and then trying to talk me out of it (strange approach). But really, the only thing that scared me was the part of bootcamp where we get vaccinated (I have a terrible fear of needles). I really think i can do this. I am a hands on type of person, a visual learner, by no means a read the chapter and take a test person.
Any advice on what to say to ease the blow when i make my final decision?

[klevalt]

Your parent's initial reaction to your decision will likely not be the one they really want to have... the initial one will be emotional, but when they see how you have thought this out, done your research and developed a plan, they will see that you are an adult, and are ready. The only thing, as a mom, that got me when my kids told me about their decision, was the tiptoeing... I really wanted them to simply come out and tell me what THEIR decision was, and the beating around the bush indicated to me that there was indecision.... Good luck, and THANK YOU for all your considerations. I appreciate your desire to protect me and mine.

[Faith89]

Hello, My advice to you if your parents won't listen to you is to write them a letter explaining everything and leave it somewhere they will find it. Parents never want their kids to leave so it's hard for them to deal with. I myself got lucky I'm 20 years old right now and my parents were more than happy about my choice to join the Navy. My parents were so proud when I told them I was officially enlisted. Right now I'm in DEP I leave June 22nd for recruit training and I will be Master at Arms (MA) which is Navy law enforcement. It wasn't exactly the job I wanted but the Navy is soo full right now that it's best to take whatever is offered right now and just change rates later on if you don't like the one they gave you. Anyway write a letter sometimes if you write it out parents see that you acctually put some thought into it that you aren't just doing it because it sounds cool.