DS18 just signed ROTC papers

[Aisling]

My DS18 just finished his first year of college, political science major, 3.8 GPA. He has political/FBI/CIA aspirations. He is also interested in the military, and has always been a kid with a strong sense of patriotism; he carries a pocket constitution in his wallet!

Well, yesterday, we went to speak with the ROTC person on campus, after DS has been talking about wanting to do this for the past year. And he has enrolled in ROTC starting in Sept. They said he's not obligated into making a decision until his junior year, and if he agrees to a 4 year committment to the Air Force, he'll graduate with a BS in PolySci , and as a 2nd Lt.

I feel very strongly that he needs to follow his dreams, and I encourage him to do so. But I'm worried about him being in the military. My worries are unspecific, not necessarily safety, but...I'm not even sure what I'm worried about. Maybe just the word "military" scares me. I don't know.

Does anyone have any experience with their children in ROTC leading to officership in the military? Please tell me about your experience.

Thank you.

(It's so weird posting something so serious for me. I'm usually on the parks and resorts boards planning trips and being light-hearted!)

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi--im 19, and dont have direct experience, but my brother is looking into joining the military--he turned 18 next thursday....Ive seen many people i know join the military, because we are close to a base and they see it alot--it is scary to think, but if thats something he is going to want to do, thats great --congrats to him ..and good luck

 

[poohbear1029]

I dont have kids yet, but I can tell you that I met my husband when he was in his junior year of college and he went thru AFROTC. He will have been on active duty 10 years this fall, as long as we have been married - He'll pin on Major this winter. His career field is civil engineering, but his current role is an AFROTC instructor at the college he is alumni of. In fact, as we speak, he is probably somewhere in Georgia driving home from 6 weeks of training ROTC cadets. (if you see a gold Chrysler 300M with Mass plates give him a honk of your horn!)

My husband has always said that even if he got out of the USAF he would do something to fulfill his civic duty. Being in the military has given him a place to display his integrity, honor and devotion to serving his country.

Any mother would worry about their son or daughter in the military. So much is unknown, where they will be in the next few years, etc. While your son's career field is probably still unknown, I can tell you that many members of the USAF make their sacrifice and service without actually being in harm's way and it is an equally fulfilling career as being on the "front lines".

It sounds like you have the right balance of emotion going on here. You sound like a strong enough parent to support and encourage your son to follow his heart, but wise enough to worry a suitable amount. I would say that this is an opportunity for you to seek out others to support you and help your fears. Check out the United We Stand section above and someone recently posted www.support4life.net Experienced military moms and spouses can be a good network for times when you are worried or just want to know what the heck your son is talking about. (they have their own lingo, I swear I am still learning it after 10 years!)

Feel free to PM if you want to chat. DH & I have a interesting perspective as he is an ROTC instructor)

BTW - what college is your son at?

 

[Lisa F]

My husband had a 4 year AF ROTC scholarship and graduated as a 2LT, and it was the best thing for him! His specialty was computer science and I'm convinced that the leadership experience that he gained while in the AF is a large part of why he's successful today. In these times of huge layoffs of programmers, someone with leadership skills to run a project and deal with people (customers and people higher up in the company alike) and do more than just write code makes him more valuable to a company than someone who can only write code. It's amazing how much confidence giving briefings to generals can give a young person (and how that carries though later in life). Even if he ends up not making a career of it (my husband didn't) it looks really fabulous on a resume and you learn lessons there that are very hard to pick up anywhere else.

 

[mbb]

but had to say to you...and..

you're a mom - you worry
Doesn't matter where they are, how old they are,
or what they're doing.

You're raising a wonderful young man - please send some of whatever you're doing my way Our twin boys are six...and I worry now about what they're going to do !!

 

[airhead]

Be proud of your son. He sounds like an incredible young man.

 

[JimB.]

I was a Naval ROTC midshipman, Graduating in to a commission as an Ensign in the US Navy.

ROTC is a bit of a culture shock for some, if they have had no prior military exposure. You are obligated for about a month during your summers off from school.

I found ROTC & my subsequent career to be richly rewarding, richly frustrating, terribly fun, a terrible bore, tremendously challenging & at times downright stoooopid.

In short, it's pretty much like the "real world", except you can't quit, and a fair amount of chpoices are beyond one's control.

I understand your trepidation, especially in these uncertain days. It may not be the "safest" line of work around (after all, I came within inches of dying (twice) while flying off aircraft carriers.........), but neither is driving down the street.

One interesting thing I felt about my time in the service.

I felt special. I was doing a hard job that not many ever get the chance to do. It sounds corny, but I felt proud of my efforts. To quote a line from "Pearl Harbor", we were "the tip of the sword", and with that, in spite of the negatives, comes a nice sense of well being that you are actually contributing something worthwhile to those around you.

Whatever your DS chooses, be proud of him. Fear & worry are natural, but take pride that he has the courage to take the difficult road less traveled.

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I don't have any direct experience with it but have had some people in my family enlist.

You have a right to be worried...I think any mother would. But I would hold my head up and be proud.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think that is great, Aisling. Good wishes for your son, comfort for you. 's He'll do fine, and I do extend my thanks to him and you also.

 

[powellrj]

my DS is regular Army, now in Iraq but my cousin was ROTC. It was a great experience for him. I can't believe how much it helped him grow. As a mom, you want whats best for your child, but you still worry about them even when they are grown. It sounds like he has really given this a lot of thought. Good luck in whatever he decides to do!

 

[Aisling]

Thank you so much for the encouraging words. And especially for pointing out the United We Stand board. The support here on the Dis is tremendous.

And Airhead, yes indeedie, that's your Segway team-mate Chad I'm talking about!

 

[Serena]

I don't have any advice, just .

 

[Stimpy]

As someone who completed the Army ROTC program in college, I can tell you it is an incredible experience. I was going through the program during Desert Storm, so my parents and boyfriend (now DH) were worried but supportive.

Now, that I'm a mom, I know how worried you probably are. Would I encourage my son or daughter to join the ROTC? Yes, if that's what they really want. Would I be spending alot of time worrying about them? Absolutely, it's a parents job!

Best wishes to you and your son!