United States Armed Services and your kids!!!!!!

My Grandmother was an Army Nurse during World War I. All four of her boys served in the Navy during World War II. My father served in the Army during the 50's. I served in the Air Force during the 80's. My ex-husband served in the Marines and was deployed to Iraq during the first war there. My oldest son also served as a Marine and was deployed to Iraq during this current war. Obviously I have a pro military bias. That being said I'm not a big fan of grooming children towards or away from any career choices. It is noble to serve your country this way. And serving can be very valuable to the individual serving. Discipline, leadership, travel, career training, college opportunities are just a few of the many benefits of serving. But not all are suited to service. Other that are suited have career, hopes and dreams that just don't include military service and there is no shame in not serving in the military. There are plenty of other ways to serve your country and to serve mankind besides joining the military. My advice would be just to let your 8 year old be 8. It's fine to let him know your admiration for your brothers service and for the men and women he serves with. But pay attention to what his interests are now and foster those things, create teachable moments. When he's sixteen or so and really thinking about what he wants to do with those interests and with his life, that's the time to lay options in front of him as to how to get there, and military service is one way to do it.

Hi - just throwing my two cents in - I am also in the armed forces and almost eligible to retire. Although I love the military and honor my country, at this point in time I would not encourage my son to join. Perhaps 10 years ago, yes. When we werent taking children straight out of HS and throwing a weapon in thier hands. I am proud of the people I serve with, but its sometimes frightening to think that some of these kids couldnt even remember to turn in a homework assignment 6 months before joining. Not all young recruits are the same, however, in my opinion, the age limit should be raised for enlistees. Again, I am proud to serve, and proud of the people I serve with, but I am living it from the inside, and would not at this time recommend the military. Please dont send me hate mail in response :-)

My son who just turned 11 looks up to my baby brother who is in the US ARMY. My brother went to the Citadel (military college in SC) and signed a contract with the ARMY while at the Citadel. When my brother was going to school up in SC we would take alot of trips up there to see him and spend time with him on the weekends, and my son got to see the school grounds and is sooo in love with the military. He now wants to follow in the shoes of my baby brother and I am proud. My brother is still getting his education through the ARMY, as he is almost done now and he is a doctor. My son has hopes and still talks ALL the time about going to the Citadel and joining the ARMY and he wants to be a Cardiologist. He is now reading books about the military, and he reads books about the heart....he is again only 11 but I encourage him on his decisions and when he is old enough and if he does choose to serve our country I will support him 100%. We have to remember that it may not always be safe for our men and women in uniform, but we also need to remember that it is the choice that they made to serve our country and that when they made that commitment to serve they are aware that unfortunately there is that possibility that we could loose them. God bless our men and women who serve our beautiful country!!! Shihtzumama

If I could award you with more than one + I would have, believe me! I live in America, but I wasn't born here. The story of my beginings couldn't have ended with me sitting here without the help and aide from the United States military. For that, I applaude each and every one of them...and thank God, I'm able to love one in particular. He's in the Army serving in Iraq right now. I have four boys, but I only talk about three of them. It's not that I don't love that one any less, he just doesn't live with me. I'm lucky to be able to see him every month and that's good enough for me. Now, the two older boys are 12 and 8. When my youngest was born, I looked at him and deemed him worthy to become a USAF pilot. I don't know why. The 3 year old will probably end up being a fire fighter and the 12 year old has stated he wants to be a sniper. But, it's my darling 8 year old that this answer is dedicated to. The other month while driving around in the city, he tells me he wants to be a pilot for the USAF as well. That's a good thing because my father was also in there as well. Between all the men in my life, I have all branches covered. My boy was singing a song in his childish voice of how it would be like to fly in the sky with his jet. As I was listening to him, the thought of him being shot down occured to me and just then, he sang about that too. My reaction? I laughed and cried at the sametime. If any of my boys...(and I'm trying to convince my daughter to go into the Navy and become part of the NCIS) wants to join the military I will be so proud of them. My car will be full of those bumper stickers and what not. But, if they ended up giving our country the ultimate sacrafice...then... "No greater love than someone to lay down their life for someone"...the soldiers love their God, their country and their own...Amen! *Pleiades

Personally, I would be proud of them and stand beside them. With joining the military any branch there are a lot of choices for your son. He can also benefit by the military paying to send him to college to study what ever field he wishes to. My father was in the military so growing up we did receive some advantages by being able to travel to different destinations all over the world. That is a benefit that not many people can say. I also received the experience again later on when my husband had joined the military. It isn't an easy life but when you consider they are protecting our lives and helping to keep us safe. That is admirable. I would stand with someone no matter what who is willing to give their life for mine.