help please

[Solara]

Hi

Im john im obviously not a mom but i want to join the navy and i am having a hard time trying getting support from my family on doing so. none of them want me to join the navy and are trying to stop me (not letting me have access to documents i need, etc...)... i believe this is something i want to do but i want my family's support in the process. i figured this would be a good place to try and get some advice. please any help is greatly appreciated

[janieflorida]

John go with your heart. The Navy has been the best thing that ever happened to my sailor. It made a fine
young man of him. It gave him focus and direction. He is on active duty and attending college paid for by the Navy. God bless all our sailors.

[Diane]

Amen, Janie! Well said. My son is a changed person. I have said it here before, but I have to say it again. I sent my boy to boot camp. He was a new Man at PIR, full of pride for what he had accomplished (which was a lot! i was so proud of how well he did). He loved boot camp and can't wait to get his first sub!

[amhenderson21]

hi john,
the navy is awesome I'm trying to get back in. the amount of pride you get when you graduate boot camp is so fulfilling just go for it. I miss it each and every day. it may be hard at first but a little hared work never hurt anyone right. This is something to be proud of and i think you will love the people you meet we are all one big family. In boot you will become family with each and every one of the recruits always work together and watch their back

[2 in the service]

Hi John,
My daughter joined the Navy. We were surprised by her decision, but it was her decision. She would have to do the work and live the life. We have a tradition of adventure in our family and being in the Navy certainly follows that tradition! We are so amazingly proud of her hard work and her accomplishments. I can't say, as a Mom, that it is easy to see your child enter such an intense job but you get used to it and you marvel at the strength and determination you see in your child. Keep talking to your recruiter. He may be able to help your folks understand why you want this and ease them into thinking about how good and maturing the experience can be for you.
Best wishes!

[Lynda]

Hi John,

As a mom of two sailors and the wife of a former sailor, I have to say that the navy is a wonderful choice for any young man. The training opportunities are amazing, the travel is good, the discipline it installs for success in life is unsurpassed.

I understand your parents hesitation about going into a "war zone" but the navy has 6-12 month deployments and they can be any where in the world. The one thing I know is that as much as a parent wants to protect their child from harm there is really nothing any of us can do - even at home in the united states tragedy happens.

If you are over 18 then any paperwork you need (i.e. birth certificate) can be obtained through the state you were born, please check the web site. The rest of the necesary paperwork can be verified by the navy with their background check.

Just make sure that once you take the ASVAB and know which positions you qualify for that you get everything in writing, including your first duty station (yes you can do that if you pass all of your training) before you sign any paperwork with the navy.

Good Luck, it will be hard work, but rewarding

[Donna C]

Hello John,

First let me say that I am impressed, and think it is admirable, that you are seeking your families opinion/approval but as others have said if your 18 the final decision is yours to make.
You said your a cna so you must be older than 18. I believe if you choose wisely your family will honor you. They may not at first but they will come around if they truly love you and I just bet they do.
I wanted to join when I was a young woman but I didn't pursue it because I thought it would upset my Mother. Years later I told her about my desire and she said, "I think that would have been a good thing for you." Of course by then it was too late for me to join.
Do your homework and work closely with your recruiter. Make sure you are going in with a good rate and then present the whole picture to your family. Let them know that you love them and value their input but you believe very strongly that this is the right thing for you to do. It will show them that you are becoming the very man that they hoped you would be. The man that will take a stand and stand strong for what he believes in. You will make them proud.

[monty]

John, When my son wanted to join the Navy first I was so excited then the fear sank in. It is natural for your parents to be afraid. I want you to know it is very noble for you to do this. My son is in his 6th week of boot camp, he says its hard but I can tell the changes in him. In other posting i read, other parents are saying meet with a recruiter. I think that is the best way to start. It will put your parents mind at ease. My son's recruiter was great, he keep us so informed with everything. We were such a part of the process like my son was and it really helped calm fears of what to expect. Right now I am so pround of my son and I know your parents will be proud of you. If this is what you want to do, I think you will never regret it. Have them meet with a recruiter first, they can answer so many question for them and you. I wish you the best. Lets us know how everything goes. We will be thinking of you and your parents.

[Sandy ( Aaron's Mom) ship 03 Div]

I didn't want my son to join either! HE is in boot camp now and is doing well. Do Your research, ask questions like your doing, there are so many places to get answers. I had to realize that I raised a very strong and smart Man. It took me a while, But I'm on board with his decision. If you feel its best for you continue on your quest. If your old enough to do it you can get access to the doc you need. Your parents cant get answers to questions they don't ask. Good Luck!!

[Diane]

Hi, John. I haven't seen any postings from you lately, and am wondering how things are working out for you. I hope you have carefully read each and every one of these wonderful responses from wonderful moms/wives with loved ones in the Navy and what a difference it made in their lives. Please let us know what you decide!

[Solara]

hi i am currently working out trying to lose weight. so far i have lost 5 lbs and still have 20 to go! thank you very much for all your encouragement and great advice. if anybody has got some advice on this last 20 lbs it would be greatly appreciated lol

[Colleen in PA]

Hi John, I've lost 30 lbs since Jan 2009. What worked for me was joining Curves, I know women only but you can join a gym, and try eating healthier foods, cutting out most but not all of the junk food! Walking helps and getting a work out buddy does too. If a gym is too expensive, the Navy has a work out plan that you could get from your recruiter and you can work your way up to their standards. Exercise more, eat less! Use a smaller plate so it doesn't look like that much less food and eat slowly so your stomach can tell when you're full. Good Luck, you can do it!!

[2 in the service]

Congrats on those first five! You are on your way! Keep up the good work, we are all pulling for you!