I want to enlist...but my family isn't thrilled...HELP?

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

So, I want to enlist as a Navy Diver..I've talked to recruiters, i'd be leaving for boot around decemeber of 2012...but the thing is..i've brought them SO much info, i've been looking into this for MONTHS...at LEAST 8 months..I want to do this..this is EXACTLY what I want..they know of the benifits, and college, and all of that..but they aren't very encouraging...They kinda just say "okay"..

Also..my friends keep saying it's a waste of my life..and time....is there any ideas on how to get a little bit of support??

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I've researched these jobs time and time again, diver is what i want. The only thing that would hold me back is something medical...which I can't off hand think of anything, never really had medical problems. Thanks(: I'll talk to my recruiters about it.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thanks Kate! You are awesome girl! It's been absolutely great getting to know you through all of this! Thank you soo much. I am hoping and praying they come around..Just praying and praying. I'm hoping to take the pre-ASVAB next week..everytime i've gone in last week cheif wasn't in! >:l darn him and his erronds. After that i'll be taking my grandma in...I'm gonna force her. Even if I have to drag her in there!

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you girl! It means ALOT.

[Vanessa]

Nicole, I will tell you what my Navy Son when he advised my Friend's Son if you don't do it you will always wonder "what if" and you
will never know, but when it gets right down to it this has to be your decision and I agree with you the benifits and College, my
Son went in because he had a hard time figuring out what he wanted to do after High School now he works on Jets and he is over
seas on the USS Harry Truman and seeing things he would never be able to have seen without joining.
So good luck dear and I am sure your friends and family will come around and be very Proud of you once they see how happy you are and Praying about it will help too.
God Bless

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you Vanessa, that's a very good piece of advice!

[CaliMom (Maryann)]

Nicole,
My son joined the DEP program as a senior in high school, went to boot camp in August and just graduated. When he first told me a year ago that he was going to join the Navy, and be in spec ops, I wasn't opposed to the idea, but I wasn't overly enthused. Not that I didn't think he COULD do it, it was more a matter of WOULD he do it. As my son began applying himself to getting into shape so that he could pass PSTs to get a contract, then once contracted, continue to work out to get stronger for boot camp, got himself to his DEP meetings on time, his dedication to his decision was clearly being shown. The more he showed me he was serious about his decision, the more "behind" him I was. By the time he left for boot camp, I was one of his biggest supporters, and so incredibly proud of him. Hopefully, the same will be true of your grandmother; that the more she sees your dedication to your decision, the more she will support your decision.

[Helen, T-man's mom]

Nicole,
It sounds like you've done a lot towards getting yourself ready to go into the Navy. My son went in almost a year ago and I wasn't thrilled at all. His dad was okay with it, but I wasn't. He'd bring me info from the recruiters and make me sit with him while he showed me everything and explained it IN DETAIL. After a few months of this, I knew he really wanted to do this. He had tried college for a few years and it wasn't for him. College isn't for everyone. He wanted aviation mechanics but in the end, he didn't get it. His entry got delayed a couple of times for reasons unknown, at the time. His father got cancer and he was able to be here as he went through treatment. He left for BC six days after his father was declared cancer-free. He ended up with a job different than what he had originally wanted but it's so much better and he loves it.

When we saw him at graduation, I knew the Navy was the right thing for him. He was so proud of his accomplishments and position. Things don't come easy for him and he works extra hard to get what he has and wants. We visited him last weekend, where he's going to school, and he is happy and content but ready to be out working his rate and not going to class. Typical. He has made some great friends and I love hearing the stories of what they do on the weekends.

You have to do what your heart tells you. You don't want to have regrets in lifed because you did something someone else wanted you to do. No "what ifs" is what I tell my kids. If you tried and fail, at least you know as opposed to never trying.

Good luck to you. You have the right mental attitude and mindset to do well and go far.

I'd go ahead and take that Proud Navy Grandma t-shirt and give it to her. She'll wear it. :D

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you, so much. It helps hearing how other moms feel..since I can't exactly put myself in that position completely..I mean..I understand she'd be scared and all that..I have a niece and she's kinda like a child to me..I help raise her..and take care of her..so I somewhat understand. She's kinda getting the idea that I REALLY want this..i've never been SO dedicated to something as I am to wanting this. I carry around this little memo book I prepared, with alllllllll this information, and I read it daily..it goes everywhere with me..I've begun memorizing the general commands. 6/11 are memorized. As well as the Creed. I think by her seeing me dedicate myself..shes getting a bit better of an understanding..I asked if she would be willing to sign me at 17, so I don't have to wait a year for nothing. I graduate in may 2012. I'll be 18 december of 2012..but being that there's a waiting list, i figured DEP for the 5 months until I graduate would kill some of that time..y'know? So i'm DEFINITELY hoping she agrees to it!

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thanks maggie...good advice(:

[cody423]

ill throw in my 2 cents and hopefully it will help you. first off, its the best decision i have ever made to join. i had friends and family that wasnt really for it. but i did the same thing you are doing and explained the benefits to them and they finally came around. this is the most challenging and rewarding career that you can have in my opinion. while people are out struggling to make ends meet, you will have a good job and a steady paycheck. not to mention all the other benefits that go with it. and as far as not being offered the job you want at MEPS, i would stick to my guns and wait on the job you want. it might delay leaving a little bit but it is definately better to know you will have a job you will love rather than getting a job you may not like. i knew i wanted anything on submarines so when i went to MEPS i just said i want submarines and i was in great lakes 2 months later. im now an STS and love it. so be stubborn if you have to. lol. but just know that there are alot of people out there supporting you. and another thing you can tell your friends that say its a "waste of time".... if it wasnt for people in the military "wasting their time" then they wouldnt enjoy the freedom they have. that usually works too. but i hope everything goes well for you.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

thank you! defintely was of help. i'm probably more scared of MEPS than anything else. I'm kinda worried that i'll get confused and not know what to do/say if they offer a job i do, or don't want. I guess it's all a learning experiance!

[cody423]

the way id do that is if they offer ya somethin you dont want then tell em you will wait on a job you want. and make sure you ask about bonuses/advancement for the job you take. and if they offer that then make sure its in your contract