Parental Consent

[Cee81]

We're trying to get my 17 year old son officially signed up for the Navy and I'm told both parents' signatures are required. My son's father has never been active in his life and has never done anything for him.

My son and his recruiter tried to meet with my son's father today but he was being highly cooperative and was saying bizarre things like the government was out to get him, that he was being investigated and that my son was a puppet for the government. I'm pretty sure he was high. Needless to say, he refused to meet with them and to sign the paper.

Has anyone ever experienced this? Was your child able to join without the other parent's signature? Worst case scenario, we have to wait until he turns 18 next summer which we REALLY don't want, but it really upset my son that his "father" refused to do this for him and is trying to control the situation. Thank you.

[BunkerQB]

Tell your son to check out the NavyDep.com site. You can send a message to Craig and explain your situation and ask if your son can join his site to get a "jump start" on joining the Navy. Craig is a great guy and the NavyDep.com site is incredible.  You should definitely stay on and read, read and read. This is just a bleep on road. That a$$H%e is burning whatever chances he had of ever having a relationship with his son. Too bad. It sounds like you have done a wonderful job as a single mother.

[jen1305]

Depending on what state you live in and whether you have court document stating you have sole custody - then only you need to sign the papers.  Otherwise, I would encourage your son to train and act as if he was in DEP and wait for the date.  Why the hurry to be in the DEP program?  Despite what a recruiter tells you (we were told some stuff that I knew wasn't true and we called him a liar to his face) whatever jobs are available when he goes to MEPS and is qualified for is what he gets...end of story.  They use to train with DEP's but now they kind of hook you up with each other and just follow your progress...so, I'd get him a gym membership, tell him to study, study, study the ASVAB book (you can by it on Amazon- cheap and used).  His ASVAB scores and physical abilities will be more important than signing in before 18...then he signs at 18.  Also, my step-son was EOD until he started acting stupid in school.  Once you are in DEP they meet with you every week and you agree to tell them EVERYTHING that goes on, but had he waited until he was out of HS and signed on they never would have found out about dumb stuff and he wouldn't have been kicked out of EOD. Not to say your son would ever do anything dumb, but we all make mistakes eventually, I'd hate for a Sr. in HS horsing around to lose his dream job because of being....well, a Sr. in HS.

[Cee81]

I guess the "hurry" would be that I thought there would be more to it than the recruiters just "hooking" them up with other DEPers (no fun).  I thought it was something where he'd get a chance to be around Navy guys and just see how they are.  

My son did well on the practice ASVAB (the online test) and is in great shape; he runs cross country.  I guess it wouldn't hurt to get the book and look it over.  

Thanks, Jen!