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Message
Getting an 18 year old started in life & military
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:10 pm
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:10 pm
Our 18 year old is about to graduate and talks going military for training and to help start up his life.
We agree with his choice with the fact that he signs up into a military MOS that's also relevant in civilian world.
He's a good kid, he listens well, been working since 16 and saved up a decent amount.
Only problem is he struggles with school and studying, and cant find motivation to hit the asvab studying hard enough to get into any sort of decent military job.
I think he feels pressure of having to make a life decision to leave home and go out on his own, when he's comfortable to what he's accustomed to living at home and being with family.
This pressure and uncertainty... combined with his struggle with studying is stalling his progress.
I dont want to push him too hard and basically kick him out at 18 into a job or situation that may not be right for him...but also I cant just sit idle and just wait around for an unknown amount of time living off us until he feels comfortable getting out on his own.
What have you all done in similar situations?
We agree with his choice with the fact that he signs up into a military MOS that's also relevant in civilian world.
He's a good kid, he listens well, been working since 16 and saved up a decent amount.
Only problem is he struggles with school and studying, and cant find motivation to hit the asvab studying hard enough to get into any sort of decent military job.
I think he feels pressure of having to make a life decision to leave home and go out on his own, when he's comfortable to what he's accustomed to living at home and being with family.
This pressure and uncertainty... combined with his struggle with studying is stalling his progress.
I dont want to push him too hard and basically kick him out at 18 into a job or situation that may not be right for him...but also I cant just sit idle and just wait around for an unknown amount of time living off us until he feels comfortable getting out on his own.
What have you all done in similar situations?
50
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:11 pm to BurningHeart
People study for the asvab?
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:13 pm to BurningHeart
Wait till they are 20, maturity comes fast at that age. Get them into a trade school as a preliminary ed till they know what they want to do
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:13 pm to BurningHeart
He’s a product of his generation. Nothing out of the ordinary compared to most of his contemporaries. Good luck!
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:14 pm to BurningHeart
quote:
We agree with his choice with the fact that he signs up into a military MOS that's also relevant in civilian world.
As hard as this will be...it's his life at this point.
It was good for me but it's something I'd never do multiple contracts on. I think 1 contract is alright.
Regardless of choice of MOS, military will be underpaid if you're looking long term.
This post was edited on 2/13/24 at 1:26 pm
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:14 pm to BurningHeart
Unless he is going for special forces or something with an age limit, he shouldn't rush a decision IMO. If he needs time to figure things out tell him to get a job locally for a while. If he is having issues with having enough discipline to take time to study for a test that isn't that complex then he will struggle in boot camp.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:14 pm to BurningHeart
Firstly, sounds like you raised a good kid. Society thanks you.
Perhaps get him in touch with a current serviceman you know who can help mentor or motivate your son to get serious about studying for the Asvab.
Maybe learning about the different types of roles in the military will spark his interest in a few specific areas, and in turn motivate his studying and prep to enlist.
Best wishes to him and you.
Perhaps get him in touch with a current serviceman you know who can help mentor or motivate your son to get serious about studying for the Asvab.
Maybe learning about the different types of roles in the military will spark his interest in a few specific areas, and in turn motivate his studying and prep to enlist.
Best wishes to him and you.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:17 pm to BurningHeart
“The world needs ditch diggers too.”
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:23 pm to BurningHeart
ASVAB isn’t hard if you’ve passed high school algebra and chemistry.
To be honest, going into the military straight out of high school because you don’t know what else to do isn’t always the best decision. Going to college, getting a bachelors, and going to OCS to become a CO is a much more rewarding path.
To be honest, going into the military straight out of high school because you don’t know what else to do isn’t always the best decision. Going to college, getting a bachelors, and going to OCS to become a CO is a much more rewarding path.
This post was edited on 2/13/24 at 1:31 pm
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:25 pm to BurningHeart
What’s his current ASVAB score? The scoring is a hundred point scale, but it is unlike a typical “Hey, you got an A” test grade.
Get a list of jobs he qualifies for from each of the branches he wants to join, and sit with him while you go over how applicable they will be post-military. (This includes looking at jobs online.)
Identify any certifications he may need to survive in the civilian world, and make sure he understands that the military will make you work and study to not only attain those goals, but to complete upgrades prior to any of his promotions.
The key is to find something he ENJOYS and let him start there. The military offers cross-training opportunities if he ends up not caring for his job, but his patience will be required, as well as his ability to keep working hard somewhere he may not be currently enjoying his job.
Hope all that helps!
Get a list of jobs he qualifies for from each of the branches he wants to join, and sit with him while you go over how applicable they will be post-military. (This includes looking at jobs online.)
Identify any certifications he may need to survive in the civilian world, and make sure he understands that the military will make you work and study to not only attain those goals, but to complete upgrades prior to any of his promotions.
The key is to find something he ENJOYS and let him start there. The military offers cross-training opportunities if he ends up not caring for his job, but his patience will be required, as well as his ability to keep working hard somewhere he may not be currently enjoying his job.
Hope all that helps!
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:26 pm to BurningHeart
quote:
talks going military for training and to help start up his life.
Good idea. They’ll prepare him well for the DEI training he will receive in corporate America.
quote:
Only problem is he struggles with school and studying, and cant find motivation to hit the asvab studying hard enough to get into any sort of decent military job.
Tell him to wear a dress and identify as a woman. They’ll give him whatever job he asks for. Competency is no longer a requirement
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:26 pm to BurningHeart
I'd push him to national guard instead of full time military right now. Still get the basic training and MOS training, but gets their school paid when they get back home. Still gets GI bill and VA home loan rights which will help him later on in life. The only MOS that businesses care about are construction/mechanical/medical related. Most companies just look for military background to see that they are disciplined, structure/chain of command oriented, and may posess leadership qualities.
This post was edited on 2/13/24 at 1:48 pm
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:27 pm to BurningHeart
The electrical trade school or something like that and join the reserves. If he wants to go to college, then join the reserves and get the GI bill to pay.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:29 pm to BurningHeart
quote:Maybe. Having started as combat arms before later transitioning to one of those jobs that are "relevant in the civilian" world, I'd tell him to do something fun and go blow shite up.
We agree with his choice with the fact that he signs up into a military MOS that's also relevant in civilian world.
He can always use his GI Bill to learn one of those other jobs later.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:30 pm to Trevaylin
quote:
Wait till they are 20, maturity comes fast at that age. Get them into a trade school as a preliminary ed till they know what they want to do
This is good advice. He’s MOS will be determined by how he tests. Let him find his interest before he tries the military. He doesn’t seem mature enough yet to know. It will come quicker than he thinks. Shoot for the Air Force, better training options for civilian life later and they have the funding other branches lack.
Good luck.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:31 pm to BurningHeart
I have one that's 17 and can barely wipe his own arse.
Guaranteed he couldn't make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if he was starving to death.
We are in DFW, he has a golden opportunity to attend any college (in Texas) he can get in but looks at me like I'm speaking Japanese when I try to discuss his future.
I've got this bad feeling he will be living upstairs until he's 45 or so.
Guaranteed he couldn't make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if he was starving to death.
We are in DFW, he has a golden opportunity to attend any college (in Texas) he can get in but looks at me like I'm speaking Japanese when I try to discuss his future.
I've got this bad feeling he will be living upstairs until he's 45 or so.
This post was edited on 2/13/24 at 1:54 pm
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:42 pm to BurningHeart
quote:Did he say what branch he is interested in? This goes a long way toward what AFSC or MOS he could be. I'm partial to the Air Force, but only because that's what I was in.
Our 18 year old is about to graduate and talks going military for training and to help start up his life.
quote:There are a lot of options, but he really needs to figure out what his interests are. The medical side of the house (medical assistants, lab techs, x-ray techs, etc.) in the Air Force is great for giving you the skills that translate to those fields, electricians, HVAC, etc. would be in the civil engineering side of the house for the Air Force and could be a great trade for him. Contracting specialists in the Air Force could be lucrative for him also. Others can chime in on some of the career fields in the other branches.
We agree with his choice with the fact that he signs up into a military MOS that's also relevant in civilian world.
quote:I mean, you shouldn't HAVE to study for the ASVAB. What did he score? There are minimums he has to score to qualify for specific career fields. Also, if he qualifies for a specific career field, he needs to stand fast on going in that career field. Don't be in a rush and sign up for any job the recruiter tries to get him into. He'll get offered bonuses for some jobs that really won't translate well to the civilian world. He has to be patient.
Only problem is he struggles with school and studying, and cant find motivation to hit the asvab studying hard enough to get into any sort of decent military job.
I'm an advocate for active duty because it forces you to be on your own. But the reserves/guard can train him in the exact same thing, and they can pay for schooling/trade school. It really depends on what he wants. One of the drawbacks of active duty Air Force used to be that if you got out prior to 20 years, you left with nothing (except your GI Bill). Now they have the blended retirement system where they match your Thrift Savings Plan contributions up to a certain percent. It's like having an IRA with company matching so you can do 4 or 6 years, get out, and roll that IRA over to something else.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:43 pm to BurningHeart
Talk him out of it.
Any possible way you can.
Do whatever you need to.
Don’t let him join
Any possible way you can.
Do whatever you need to.
Don’t let him join
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:46 pm to The Torch
quote:
I have one that's 17 and can barely wipe his own arse.
I was 17 when I joined the military, and was still 17 when I graduated Basic. You learn fast. Probably the best decision I ever made. Learned some discipline and was a lean bowed up little fricker instead of a soft pudgy little fricker headed into college.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:48 pm to jmarto1
quote:
People study for the asvab?
I took mines hungover... recruiter and my mother practically dragged me out the house...
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