last month my dd hit me with a bombshell

[Froggyswife]

She decieded after only a year in college to quit and join the marines.

 

[Praying Colonel]

She decieded after only a year in college to quit and join the marines.

I can see why that would be a bombshell. But keep in mind that joining the military doesn't mean she won't continue her college degree. Many military members do, both during service and after, through the post-9/11 GI Bill.

Sometimes people just aren't ready for college when we want them to be. We have friends whose son was very immature, didn't take college seriously and flunked out after a year. He joined the Army, grew up a lot and and came out of it with the goal of finishing his degree and becoming an intelligence analyst.

 

[Handbag Lady]

My colleague here did the same thing. She was in college and up and joined the Air Force. She did four years with them, and then found a job (here with us) and then using the combined efforts of the various GI bills and our company's benefits, she now has her BA in Marketing at no charge to her. We're so freaking proud of her.

 

[Froggyswife]

She is very mature for her age and at first I was like NO WAY, but I listened to her reasons and now I totally support her. At first though I was really upset that my baby was going to go to war and get shot at. I am still afraid but I respect her courage. It's so funny I used to be her hero now she is the hero not only mine but all of us in the usa. She is so awesome!

 

[tomthebarncat]

And your problem is??? she will get alot out of the military and will grow up real quick. I wish her all the best

 

[LuvOrlando]

I understand your fear and think its amazing of you to put that aside and support her, not an easy thing for all families to do considering how much effort we put into keeping our babies safe for so long Best wishes

 

[Froggyswife]

And your problem is??? she will get alot out of the military and will grow up real quick. I wish her all the best

my problem was at first the atomatic reaction of any parent of fear for the life of my child. It is so very hard to let go sometimes and give up the instict to protect your child. I have now and though I am still afraid for her I respect her decision and support her 100%. I'm very proud of her courage.

 

[DaParkers]

My niece is at the airport as I type. I left her less than 2 hours ago at MEPS. I witnessed her swear in this morning. She too, was in college at LSU and decided to join the Air Force. I've been fine with it the whole time. Her mother is a civilian nurse on an Army installation. My best friend was in the Air Force for 4 years and my wife was in the Army. So was my mother, her grandmother. I believe it can be a wonderful experience.

 

[tvguy]

I have been amazed at how many of my kids (who are 20 and 24) classmates either went right into the military, or went in after getting their college degree. Kid who lives in the house on the east side of our house is 24 and has been in the Coast Guard for 6 years now. Kid who lives on the west side is 28 and joined the Navy in January, after finishing up his Bachelors degree. And kid about 10 houses down is 23 and has been in the Marines for 5 years now.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

College isn't for eveyone. I can imagine your shock but I think it's wonderful that you are supporting her. She sounds like an incredible young lady. Good for her! Tell her thank you for serving!

 

[Pakey]

I did the same thing, many many years ago. I served 4 years in the Air Force, got out and started college the next semester. I got my bachelors and masters.

At 18, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Joining the military was absolutely the best decision of my entire life.

 

[crazyme5kids]

She is very mature for her age and at first I was like NO WAY, but I listened to her reasons and now I totally support her. At first though I was really upset that my baby was going to go to war and get shot at. I am still afraid but I respect her courage. It's so funny I used to be her hero now she is the hero not only mine but all of us in the usa. She is so awesome!

I know exactly what you mean. My son joined the army. He went straight from high school though. We sat with a recruiter on his 18th birthday and I cried and cried. He is finishing up his AIT training, and we are looking forward to seeing him graduate in July. I don't know if he will be deployed overseas or stay stateside yet. I'm so proud of him.

Hugs to you and your daughter. Your right, she is awesome!

 

[surfergirl602]

After just one semester of college, my DH dropped out, enlisted, worked as a paralegal for the Army, and continued his college education. The army paid for most of it. He got a 4 year degree in 3 years, was hand selected for the OCS program and will be promoted to Captain in 6 months.

 

[Froggyswife]

She knows what she wants to be and that is a practical nurse specializing in pediatrics. She said she thought she would learn more about nursing by being in the military than being in school.

 

[surfergirl602]

She knows what she wants to be and that is a practical nurse specializing in pediatrics. She said she thought she would learn more about nursing by being in the military than being in school.

Can you pick your "job" in the marines like you can in the army?

 

[Froggyswife]

Can you pick your "job" in the marines like you can in the army?

According to the recuiter you can.

 

[monkeyboy]

I am sure she will be fine. Tough choice for her but she seems like she really wants it

 

[minkydog]

She is very mature for her age and at first I was like NO WAY, but I listened to her reasons and now I totally support her. At first though I was really upset that my baby was going to go to war and get shot at. I am still afraid but I respect her courage. It's so funny I used to be her hero now she is the hero not only mine but all of us in the usa. She is so awesome!

Congratulations to both of you. I know as the mother of a college age daughter i would have been shocked. It sounds like you're handling it well, though. My hat is off to you. Thank your daughter for us--you're right. She's a hero to all of us.

My SIL joined the Air Force right out of HS. Her parents were furious but the deed was done. SIL retired from the AF and went to work for Civil Service. While she was in the military she got her BS degree gratis. She has since then retired from both, so she's sitting pretty at 57.

 

[Stephanie218]

According to the recuiter you can.

She might want to look into that further if she wants to go into the medical field. All of the Marine Corps' medical needs are served by the Navy, to my understanding. I get seen at the Naval Hospital, and they have Navy Corpsmen who deploy with the Marines for their medical needs. Thus, if she wants to do something in the medical field, she should join the Navy rather than the Marines.

The military can be a wonderful way to help pay for college. My husband went in as an Officer, but is now using his GI Bill to get his MBA while he's still Active Duty, and will be getting his Lean Six Sigma certification paid for as well. I know many enlisted Marines who have either going through MECEP to become Officers, or used their GI Bill to go to college after their enlistments were done.

 

[VAfamily1998]

She might want to look into that further if she wants to go into the medical field. All of the Marine Corps' medical needs are served by the Navy, to my understanding. I get seen at the Naval Hospital, and they have Navy Corpsmen who deploy with the Marines for their medical needs. Thus, if she wants to do something in the medical field, she should join the Navy rather than the Marines.

Yes, that is true. There are no Marine medical or chaplains. The use navy.