I want to enlist...but my family isn't thrilled...HELP?

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

So, I want to enlist as a Navy Diver..I've talked to recruiters, i'd be leaving for boot around decemeber of 2012...but the thing is..i've brought them SO much info, i've been looking into this for MONTHS...at LEAST 8 months..I want to do this..this is EXACTLY what I want..they know of the benifits, and college, and all of that..but they aren't very encouraging...They kinda just say "okay"..

Also..my friends keep saying it's a waste of my life..and time....is there any ideas on how to get a little bit of support??

[Jo Griffith]

I am a proud Navy mom. This experience has been so great for my son. Like you, it was what he wanted and he did the research. He has done an outstanding job and has just recently changed commands, but I was able to tour his last ship and was amazed at how comfortable he was with his situation, how well he has handled a long deployment and how many friends he has all over the world. He has seen and done things he would never have been able to do and made it clear to me that college right after high school was not in his plans. I had to accept that, but I am so proud of what he's accomplished. Show your grandmother this discussion and let her ask us questions. I would be happy for her to ask me anything and I promise to tell the truth. You are lucky to have someone in your life who is concerned for your future. We, as a nation, will be proud to have you serve. I will start looking for a "Proud Navy Grandma" shirt for your grandmother. I wear my Navy Mom shirt all the time and it has become my uniform.

[sarahw1961]

I have a Proud Navy Grandmother t-shirt - my mom outgrew it - I will be glad to send it to your Grandmother Nicole! Send me a private message with all the info & I will ship it out!

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thanks Sarah! I'll ask her if she'd be interested in it!(:

[Mamajoey]

Nicole: I am the mom of 3 kids - two of whom are in the military. My son is a Navy pilot and my daughter joined the Air Force. My daughter (22yrs old) had always wanted to go into the military but didn't tell us because she thought we would assume she was just following in one of her brother's footsteps. She tried college twice. Not so great! Ha. She did all her homework, talked to recruiters, and had a recruiter come to the house from both the Air Force and the Navy. A lot of her friends just didn't "get it" .. and many of her girlfriends still don't. I think that is true for lots of women. You have to be wired a certain way to want to have a military career. Unfortunately, you are not surrounded by people who are encouraging you. While I feel badly, I would also tell you, as if you were my own daughter, that this is a choice only you can make! Find your passion in life and then give it all you've got! Tell the people you care about, family and friends, that you would like to receive their support, but you understand if they cannot give it. Give them room to disagree and question just as you want room to make the decisions that are best in life for what you want to achieve. In the end, Nicole, it will be only you doing the hard training, the studying, and the sacrificing required to do this honorable job. So it's all up to you. I totally get that it feels a hell of a lot better when you are surrounded by the people you love and they are totally psyched about what you are doing. I wish you had that in your life, but sometimes that just isn't in the cards. Do not let that deter you from your goal! Sometimes the best, and only, way to convince the nay-sayers is to have success at your chosen field. My daughter is now "living the dream" - she was an Honor Graduate from Basic Training, and is currently #1 in her training!!! For all the people who said she would quit, just like she quit college, she proved them totally wrong! It's all about listening to your own heart. This is your life.. these are decisions that, in the end, only you can make. I suggest you calmly and quietly tell the people in your life that this is your passion.. this is what you are going to do, and ask them for their support. Some will give it. Others will not. But let them know, that as much as you would appreciate their support, you are totally capable of finding success as a Navy Diver with or without them. I am getting on a plane in a few hours to go visit my daughter. Let me tell you something... she is my HERO! That little girl who went off to basic training is now a focused, successful young woman doing EXACTLY what she believes in!! She went from being lost in college to being a huge success at what she has chosen to do. In the military you will absolutely need to have a deep, unwaivering belief in yourself and be willing to be pushed beyond what you now believe you can accomplish. If you have that inner strength, then you will come to a point in life where you do not need the encouragement of others... you have enough all by yourself. I wish you all the success in the world!!! Go get 'em kiddo!
Take Care - Joey

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

thank you both, it truely is awesome having the input from people being RIGHT THERE.
i'm considering making her a account..and letting her go at it to ask questions.

[karen p]

Dear Nicole, Joining the Navy is a great idea and whatever friends told you that its a waste of your life and time, well they are not very good friends. My son joined right out of high school and is now in his 16th year. He has traveled the world, met wonderful lifelong friends, and hasn't regreted joining for a minute. Follow your heart and do what makes you happy. Everything else will fall into place. Good luck. A very proud navy mom.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you Karen! I'm just hoping all goes well. I talked to her about it again today..I think i've begun to aggitate her so much that she may cave...hha. I'm trying to get her to meet with my recruiters!

[Craig]

Nicole.
Another little sneak attack you can do, is go to your recruiter and ask for any extra Navy posters they have. Slowly add to your bedroom wall decor. That way when your grandmother comes it, she can't miss the Navy stuff. You'll be sending her a subliminal message, and she won't even see it's coming.

Make sure you try to get some of the new posters that actually show women doing the job or stuff with ships or plane's. Try not to get any with guys in it, since it might reinforce her feelings that "that's a man's job", which is the old attitudes of some seniors.
Again, You Go Girl!

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Shes very pro-woman! She's very high in beliefs that women can do ANYTHING a man can do, and better.
I think i'm gonna start printing stuff off my computer..and add...and add...and add...maybe leave them around the house...or substitute navy photos into old picture frames..see how long it takes to have her figure it out...
I think i might get a NAVY hoodie..and start wearing it alot. My aunt is getting me sweats, because I requested it for my birthday present..My room is already blue..maybe I should get gold streamers?! Hahaha.
Go Big or Go Home!

[Craig]

Nicole - I bet when nature calls, she can't write her name in the snow better than a man.... j/k
Can you imagine if her name was Deliliah or Mackenzie she'd only get "the letter i" done correctly...before the snow was went everywhere....


Man, I just know I'll be hammered for that comment. But it's the only one I could think of.....
So I say: "Now hear this, Now here this, Stand by for heavy rolls, secure all gear adrift… I repeat… stand by for heavy rolls."

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Hhahaha...it gave me a good laugh!!!(:

[Corie]

Nicole- I support you 100% Go for it, I am proud of you, you are an amazing girl and a great friend, You will be making the Navy Proud by joining, and give me your address and I will write you in boot, those letters help alot and You will get the most mail (from me) hehe, I will send you tons, I really think it would be great for you to join, Hope this is encouraging, talk to them about it and give them all the info and tell them that this is what you really want to do!