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. =)

[AF Airman]

To all you Moms who supported me and helped me when i needed with your advice. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciate it and you all helped me alot. I know its been a while but I wanted to fill you in on my status. I finally joined. But not the Navy i decided to go with the Air Force. My parents finally came around and though the dont exactly agree with me joinin the service they are supporting me and hoping for the best. Today i swore in and signed my contract so its finally official. I will be a Dental Assitant. I am beyond excited and super happy im finally doing something i been waiting for and something i really want to do. I dont have a leave date yet hopefully I get it soon. It will be between june and august. Again Thank you all for your support.  

[dmarie]

Congratulations! Thanks so much for the update. It doesn't matter to me which branch you joined, just that you are following your heart. It is wonderful that your parents are supporting your choice, even if it is with some reservations.

You must have applied yourself to your studies, in order to have been accepted. You are to be commended for making a plan to accomplish your dream, and sticking to it.

As Blondie has said, you'll ALWAYS be one of "ours". Please keep us updated with your progress.

Again, Congratulations! You are a bright young woman, and will be successful in life.

[Anna]

CONGRATULATIONS HopingForTheBest!!!!  I am so happy for you!!  I agree - even tho' you are not going Navy you are still one of ours and we will still help you any way we can.  I truely wish you all the best and hope you come back on here and let us know how you are doing!!!

Not sure what the Air Force slogan is so you will have to educate us!!  But fair winds to you anyway!!!!

Thank you for your service to this wonderful country of ours!!!

[JM-ISmomx2]

Yeah, congratulations. We are all so happy for you. Good luck in the Air Force I hope you achieve your dreams.

[Parrothdgal]

Number one ... join because you want to serve your County!  Number 2 if you are in college and your parents are helping with the cost ...stay in college and join after you graduate!  Take you time sweetie.  There is not easy fast career that you can get w/o college that will get you where you want to be in life.  You need college.  There are a lot more people that jobs you need a great resume to get a good job these days.  You need your degree and then the Navy.  You will be an officer also and that will get you better pay in the Navy.

 

My daughter left yesterday for boot camp...she has her degree in dental assistant.  She could not land a job and is off you serve out country now and expand her resume!

 

Good luck!

 

[christmas2006]

join because thats what your heart tells you to do , its  your country too. our oldest daughter joined 6 years ago and she wasn't sure she wanted to, she  went to college first, 6 years, didn't  find her dream job. found a  husband  who was in the navy,  fell in  love with the  navy and that was it, she just  got back from her first deployment, we could not  be prouder , she  is  serveing  her  country, and has  a life time career. i'd  say talk to them, they'll understand. good luck  may god  bless you

[lindalav]

First off, congradulations on whatever decision you make.  My daughter enlisted in August and it is the best thing she has done for herself.  My advice is to take the asfab- see how you rate and what is open for you.  Talk at length with the recruiter.  Have your parents talk to the recruiter with you so they are comfortable with the decision and he or she can answer any questions they may have.  This will not put off school since you will be able to take classes even when enlisted towards your degree.   My daughter is an EN (engineman) and loves it.  She is now on her first deployment and missing home is a bit of an issue but I will guarantee your parents will be supportive and will help in any way they can.  I just put minutes on her card so she can call home - i send her care packages(even in a school i did)  and I am here whenever she needs me for anything.  Please direct your mom and dad to this site also to show them there is a support for them also during the transition to becoming a sailor and serving.  Take things slowly and make sure this is the path you want to go on before signing up- we talked to the recruiter 5-6 times over the course of 2 -3 years before she made the decision to go when she did she went and signed and came home and said I did it!

[AF Airman]

Thank you so much for the support. This is a decision i thought about for over a year. I joined the Air Force in March and I am currently waiting for a spot to open for my job so that I can leave to Basic Training. I am not completely in but I can honestly say I am more than happy with my decision. I choose the reserve so that I will be able to have time to finish my bachelors then I will apply to an officer program and then just hope for the best. If not I know once I finish my bavhelors I will most likely switch to active. But there is still time to think about that and decide what I will do. Thank you again for the support. And Thank your daughter for serving our country. My parents are still adjusting but they are happy with my decision and my plans they just want me to prove to them that I will go through with them.

[jwship10div268]

Hi hopingforthebest, as the mom of a daughter in bootcamp I was at first shocked when i heard navy. But as time goes by I realize that this is a wonderful experience and the beginning of her adult life and a great choice for her. Every time i hear from her she has grown and strengthened and is learning. I feel like they are showing and teaching her things I wasnt able to provide. I miss her and yes she is homesick but as she grows I understand her decision and am proud and honored to be her mother. i guess what i am saying is .... your parents love you, and even through their fear and missing you they will too begin to understand that this is a great choice for you  to blossom...and a responsible choice on many levels. be honest with them, listen to them, but begin your journey and do what you must for you and your adult life. May you be blessed on your journey and thank you for being enthusiastic, brave and concerned enough to ask us all for input and for your possible service:)

[Diana(PO3/IT3)]

Hi Hoping....you sound a lot like my daughter. She always had a focus of sorts but wasn't sure exactly how to go about it. She spent 2 years after high school pursuing a degree in enviro science at the local junior college. She also picked up a student hire job with the national park service as a ranger which she has done nearly 2 years as well. Since probably her junior year in high school, she was entertaining the Navy route - talking openly about her interests. I assumed it was talk until one day, she came home and said she had signed up and was leaving for MEPS in a hour to go through all those hoops. What?!?! I had to stop and realize this was no whim decision. She researched it, talked with friends in the Navy, and hounded the recruiter up here with questions. It all felt right to her. Now, with boot camp looming only 9 weeks away, she is getting excited - and so I am - with mixed emotions - for her. I KNOW she will continue her schooling with all those experiences the Navy has to offer her behind her. Plus, she loves to travel and meet new people which all this will offer her as well. I can see my daughter doing well. The Navy is an excellent branch of the military. It will do you well if you trust and work with the system. Think of it this way - it may not be for only a 4-6 year term and either that's it or you will so love it that the Navy becomes your career. A win-win. You have to fly eventually. It's what we parents have worked hard to do - prepare our babies to make a difference in this world.  Have you brought your parents with you to the recruiter? My daughter wanted me to talk with him - listen to what was what and ask my questions and concerns. The Navy encourages family participation. And, from what I am learning, your parents will have a TON of supportive moms and dads to bond with and share concerns and experiences as our young'uns grow into their Naval careers. Hope that helps you a bit. Only YOU can make this decision and sometimes you need to step back and think of YOUR outcome and desires. Don't worry about your parents. They will love you no matter what.........I'm sure of it.

[AF Airman]

Hello. I'm back. I just wanted to update you ladies on what I have been doing. I graduated basic training for the Air Force o. Feb 10 2012. I am really happy with my decision and I am loving it so far. I am now waiting to start tech school for Dental Assistant at Ft Sam. My parents are happy and they are being very supportive. Things are going pretty good. Thank you for all your help. Any questions feel free to ask :)

[Anna]

Congrats AF Airman!!!  So happy to hear that everything is going so well for you!!!  Best of luck to you and your schooling!!!  And THANK YOU for serving!!!!