Help! Joining soon and Parent troubles.

[AF Airman]

Hello im not a mother of a sailor but i though who better to ask for help with my parents than Mohers who are in the action and have gone through this with their daughters. I plan on joining the navy i have thought about it for a while just never told anybody because i wanted to make sure it was something i wanted before talking about it. Well i have thought about it ALOT and made my decision that i want to join the Navy. I was undecided for a while between Air Force and the Navy but i feel the navy is where i need to be. My parents main concern is that i will quit school and never return to college. But that is ONE of my reasong why i want to join. I feel the navy will teach me structure and get me into a studying habit that will help me in college. I also plan on using the benefits they offer towards school. But my main reason for joining is because i want to do something for me i want a career now and they give you hands on training. I want the experience i want to explore. I want to do something special and make a difference. Im ready to grow up and leave home and see what the navy has to offer. I love being at home and i love my parents so im not joining to get away from home which is another thing my parents think. I just need advice and alot of HELP on what to do and how to go about with this situation. Also if any of your daughters have any advice i would love to hear it. Or if you Mothers can tell me how your daughters navy life has gone and how they feel and what they think about it.

 

Thank you. I would really love to hear what you have to say. =)

[dmarie]

Bravo Zulu!!! (OK, it's a Navy phrase, but you get it) So proud of you, and so happy that your parents support you. Continued good wishes for your success in your career and schooling. Thanks so much for keeping in touch with us. You will succeed, I am sure. Be sure to hug your parents for me!

[Catherine W]

Hi there future Sailor

I am the proud mom of one daughter in the navy, USNA grad, METOC officer,, and a son who is a PSU graduate and commissioned in the Army as a Chem Officer. NO matter what you do or how you get there the military is a great way to do it. You will learn so much and be exposed to so many things and can get that education that is becoming so expensive now for so many kids. What I would tell your folks is that this is a practical way to do this and who knows, the military will expose you to things that you may chose to get further education in and make a career of . My sister was Air Force, learned computer programing, came out and got her education and has a wonderful career.   The military teaches you , discipline, responsibility, hands on experience and the ability to get your education through them and determine your own course in life. If you really like it, you can think about officer school down the line and many other options. My son has grown up so much doing this. My daughter was always organized and a good student, but my son wandered a bit. ROTC through college helped him realize that he has to answer to other people and he is learning to take care of his people. He makes sure his bills are all paid and has a nice apartment and just bought furniture and he just turned 22. How any of us know 22 year olds that are still at home with no direction. Those of us with military kids see the opposite. I would tell your folks that this is a mature, thought out choice and you are investing in your future and taking all the good things they taught you and putting them to use. Please understand they are worried about you and that is why they are trying to talk you out of this. Parents worry it is what we do, but they should also understand this is your choice and what you want and respect that.

My daughter has done very well by the Navy, she got her education, her husband and a job and benefits where so many people are out of work. She says one of the toughest things is being a girl in a man's world, but you just do your best everyday and things fall into place. She also talks about making a difference, that means a lot to her. She takes care of her people and pushes them to be their best. She feels that is what she is there for.

Best of luck to you ,, fair winds and following seas

[jenn724 Ship7 Division 161]

My daughter is at bootcamp right now.  I can tell you there will never be anyone more vocal than your parents if they think you are making a bad decision, but there will never be anyone more loyal in your corner once that decision is made.  It took me a long tome to accept that my daughter was old enough, and mature enough to make decisions for herself.  I still give my opinion when I feel she needs to hear it.  I am also her biggest supporter.  She got married, and then she and her husband enlisted together before telling me.  I was shocked, but I am so proud of them both right now. She did attend college for a year with the hopes of becoming a nurse.  It is very difficult to get into nursing school up here, so her next choice, and something she thought about since highschool was the Navy.   I was an emotional mess until last night when she called and told me that she had arrived safely.  I guess what I'm trying to say is what I ultimately told my own daughter.  Make the decisions that are right for you, and the people that love you will always be there in your corner to cheer you on..  Good luckl!!