Need Suggestions to Enhance my Son's Interest in Naval Forces

[Norene Ehrgott]

Hi!

I belong to a military family. My father was retired army personnel. He had also participated in soviet war. My brothers are also serving in US military. My husband is also stationed as at Portsmouth Shipyard, New Hampshire as well. However, my fourteen years old son really doesn’t have any interest in military. Since her birth, I have a desire to send him in US military but now I am just disappointing.

Do you moms have some better suggestions to enhance his interest in US naval or armed forces?

Serious suggestions will be appreciated!

Thankyou!

[CryptoDad]

Norene, what's up?

You say elsewhere that your husband has been in the service for 10 years. Here you say he is the Admiral at Portsmouth Shipyard, NH.

1) Nobody makes Admiral in only 10 years.

2) The current commander of PNSY is Captain William Greene.

How am I expected to take you seriously? Suggestions will be appreciated.

[NancyinParadise]

Have you tried USNavy Sea Cadets? The way I describe it is like Junior ROTC, with a Navy focus. They meet regularly, do trainings on actual military bases (learning aircraft mechanics, sharpshooter, etc). If they reach a certain level within the group they can enter the Navy rated as an E-3. My son did this and is now an MM3 on a sub. My husband is commander of our local group and has had two members in the last 7 years enter the Naval Academy. He's very proud of all his young men and women.

[SWAF]

Norene, 

Your note reads as though English might be a second language to you. If so, I understand why you might have some miscommunication.

As for encouraging your son to go into the military. My advice: don't push it. Don't suggest it. Don't let them know WHAT you want them to do. Be supportive of their hopes and dreams, even IF they come up with something that you believe is hogwash. IF it is hogwash, they'll figure it out.  I have two headstrong sons that said that they were never going into the military. One is now 36 and the other 25. 

My husband is a college professor with his doctorate. He's also a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. The Army moves their officers about every two years. My sons were sick of moving around and being told what to do.

Life has a funny way of shaping us when the going gets tough. My eldest son decided to do a two year in and out program for the Army. He went in and was out in exactly two years. He had elected to pay for the college program/deal and had the opportunity to go. When he was on terminal leave from the US Army, he signed up with the Virginia Army National Guard, which also helped with college. Two days later, 9-11 happened and he was activated full time National Guard for the next four years! 

When he finished that National Guard gig, he was bitter. He had been to Iraq, Pentagon, etc. He was tired. He did go to college but was floundering personally, in my opinion. He worked at Apple, then Best Buy while going to school. He really didn't like any of what was going on in his life.

He came over to our home one afternoon and I was straight with him. I told him that his grandfather loved the Navy, which is far more relaxed than the Army, imho. I thought our son performed better with a strict schedule and he agreed. He decided to take the Navy testing and he now LOVES WHAT HE'S DOING. He is ecstatic that his rate or MOS will transfer to civilian life where he will start out with a six figure job. He KNOWS this because civilians have called to hire him. He's almost ready to retire now! He's thrilled. He's married with a wonderful wife and a two year old daughter.

Now, the youngest son swore he would N-E-V-E-R go into the military. He didn't recognize this in himself, but he is really "all military", but fought it. He quit college, taking all monies he had saved his entire life. He left home, traveled across the country to California, got involved with a bunch of online "gamers". I mean playing computer games!!!! Crazy. I only supported him by providing a phone and a listening ear.

One day, he called me and said, "Mom, I'm going in the Marines!" I encouraged him and he told me how it all happened and I asked that he keeps me posted. I was actually freaked out and called my oldest son. He said, "He will not go into the Marines after I talk him. Don't worry. I'll take care of it." A few days later, I got a call. My youngest son decided to go into the Navy... and he loves it! He's excelling and the military is sending him back to college on their dime, in a few weeks!

So, just hang in there. Speak positively and DO. NOT. PUSH. YOUR CHILDREN.

As a matter of fact, our youngest daughter, is at the Naval Officer Candidate School right now! 

This means, three of our four children are now in the Navy. All because my old sea dog of a father, retired Chief, loved the Navy. 

God Bless.