Would you be proud of your son or daughter if they Joined the Army?

[bananiem]

smartestnumber5, can I ask how old you are?

 

[TwinMom7]

Not sure how I missed this posting for so long, but then again - maybe it's a good thing I did. I only wish I had the time to read through each and every response.

I will not stoop to "flaming" - you have your opinion.

I will only say that I have sent one son off to war and it was the hardest thing I've ever done. At the same time, I was the proudest I've ever been in my life. He joined the Marines long before we were attacked on 9/11. Did I expect him to ever have to serve in a hostile environment? Of course not. Up until this day, all of his service had been humanitarian efforts.

Is he a "better person"? In my opionion, he was always a good person, but the Marine Corp brought out the best in him and today, I feel he is a better person because of the training and the discipline he learned through the Marines.

So, as for this parent - "YES, I am extremely proud that my son chose to serve six years in the United States Marine Corp in service to his country - both in peace and in war.

 

[mickeyfan2]

To be fair, this is not entirely true. Members of the military are killed and injured each year in training. During some periods, more people were killed during training than in actual combat. DW did serve in Haiti, but other than that she saw no "action" while she was in the Army but she was still seriously injured and medically retired due to what happened in a training exercise in Texas.

Yes training can be dangerous, but they nay sayers are talking about going to the meaningless war and dying. I was just trying to point out that being shot to death was not likely while stationed in the US. Another soldier could go on a shooting rampage, but that happens in colleges too.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I think you make a good point. Many posters have seemed totally unable to understand how one could not be proud of any (legal) choice a child makes. (Personally there are plenty of illegal things I'd be proud of my kid for.) Some have also seemed to equate being proud of one's children with unconditional love for one's child. (Though JunieJay you're the only one who answered, I'm guessing by the incredulousness of most other patients about pride for one's children that ALL of them would indeed be quite proud if their child became an abortionist.)

Since I'm sure lots of posters think abortion is dispicable and murder, I suspect I must be using a different definition of "pride" than those posters are. So maybe you're right that a change in terms would help.

Long before you posted this question I state I would be proud of any legal job they chose. I would not be proud of an illegal job. If abortion was legal, I would be proud they stood for their convictions but not happy they are doing abortions.

 

[JunieJay]

One thing I can say FOR SURE, I might be disappointed if my child chose the military, especially during this war, but the saving grace for me would be that he made his own choice. I can't imagine how I would feel if my child or anyone else I loved was drafted.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Look at it this way: If it weren't for the military, other countries could invade us and overthrow our government. They could make laws forbiding us to speak our minds, woman would not be allowed to walk out of the house unescorted, media would be what they wanted. We wouldn't have the freedom we take for granted now.

And you couldnot get that abortion you wanted.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

And you couldnot get that abortion you wanted.

Exactly. Heck, you might not even be able to enjoy a Dole Whip.

 

[grlpwrd]

smartestnumber5, can I ask how old you are?

I get the feeling FishyCat25 (who posted about going back to school and not understanding student loans), chicagodisneyfan (who posts about movies and actors a lot), and smartestnumber5 may be around the same age.

I am curious to know their ages, too, and what they do for a living.

 

[bananiem]

I get the feeling FishyCat25 (who posted about going back to school and not understanding student loans), chicagodisneyfan (who posts about movies and actors a lot), and smartestnumber5 may be around the same age.

I am curious to know their ages, too, and what they do for a living.

I just think maybe sn5 is too young to remember air raid drills and people building bomb shelters. We could have become a communist country if the USSR had decided to nuke us. Well, those that were left would be in a communist country.
I remember it being a very real threat. Maybe that's because I lived within miles of an army arsenal and was told by teachers that it would be one of the first hit and we'd never have enought time to get away.

My point in this ramble is that a country taking over the US could very well mean the end of our freedoms. And yes, the security sn5's family members were talking about were most likely keeping our freedom and way of life secure.

 

[kribit]

Not sure how I missed this posting for so long, but then again - maybe it's a good thing I did. I only wish I had the time to read through each and every response.

I will not stoop to "flaming" - you have your opinion.

I will only say that I have sent one son off to war and it was the hardest thing I've ever done. At the same time, I was the proudest I've ever been in my life. He joined the Marines long before we were attacked on 9/11. Did I expect him to ever have to serve in a hostile environment? Of course not. Up until this day, all of his service had been humanitarian efforts.

Is he a "better person"? In my opionion, he was always a good person, but the Marine Corp brought out the best in him and today, I feel he is a better person because of the training and the discipline he learned through the Marines.

So, as for this parent - "YES, I am extremely proud that my son chose to serve six years in the United States Marine Corp in service to his country - both in peace and in war.

Can I just say that the photo in your sig brought tears to my eyes. What an absolutely lovely memory of your family arriving home from war. Thank you and your family for protecting mine.

 

[DawnM]

I am proud of your husband with you!

Who cares what others' think.

Dawn

Gotta jump in! I have not read every response, so please forgive me if this has already been said.

A few months ago there was a similar thread. And a lady who was affected by Hurricane Katrina was saying how she could not EVER encourage or approve of her family joining the military. Well this got me so mad, because I am SURE when our National Guard came in to help she didn't turn away their assistance. Take the help, and then dog them once you get what you want? It's messed up.

People bash the military all the time, yet have no problems taking the assistance, help, and freedoms our men and women in uniform provide for EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US!

We (as a family) do not necessarily agree with all aspects of this current war. But what I do know is my husband is doing his DUTY and his JOB to the very best of his ability. They are living in pathetic conditions, away from their families for TWO years, and yet, they still do it! People may not support the war, but they should have at least a little bit of respect for the men and women over their doing their jobs and protecting YOUR RIGHT to disagree. Maybe if more people did join the military, we, as a nation would have a greater sense of unity and patriotism.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I just think maybe sn5 is too young to remember air raid drills and people building bomb shelters. We could have become a communist country if the USSR had decided to nuke us. Well, those that were left would be in a communist country.
I remember it being a very real threat. Maybe that's because I lived within miles of an army arsenal and was told by teachers that it would be one of the first hit and we'd never have enought time to get away.

My point in this ramble is that a country taking over the US could very well mean the end of our freedoms. And yes, the security sn5's family members were talking about were most likely keeping our freedom and way of life secure.

I beleive that sn5 is in her early to mid 20s.

I too remember the air raids. I live in a "small town" but we were on the USSR's radar due to the industries that were in our town. IIRC we would bet the second round after DC and the like. So we knew we were goners.

 

[lyeag]

I just think maybe sn5 is too young to remember air raid drills and people building bomb shelters. We could have become a communist country if the USSR had decided to nuke us. Well, those that were left would be in a communist country.
I remember it being a very real threat. Maybe that's because I lived within miles of an army arsenal and was told by teachers that it would be one of the first hit and we'd never have enought time to get away.
My point in this ramble is that a country taking over the US could very well mean the end of our freedoms. And yes, the security sn5's family members were talking about were most likely keeping our freedom and way of life secure.

I remember that too. I grew up in the Quad Cities and I VIVIDLY remember the front page of the paper showing what a nuke would do if it hit the arsenal there. The big circles around the arsenal showing what kind of destruction and death that would happen within so many miles of impact. Very scary to a child.

 

[dreamergirl78]

I am proud of your husband with you!

Who cares what others' think.

Dawn

Thanks!

 

[momrek06]

First off, I'll answer your question, since I never really did. I'd be proud of my child for having the courage to commit their life to this country. I'd be proud of my child for being a cop, a firefighter or a teacher. That takes courage as well.

I also want to say that as a parent, you can always get the phone call that your child is dead. It isn't just military families who go through that.

Now, let me tell you something Fishy. My husband doesn't just go 'fight in meaningless wars.' In the past 13 years, he has worked long hours in the field with nuclear weapons. He's been chosen to fly aircraft worth millions of dollars. He goes faster than the speed of sound on a regular basis. He's trained American pilots, as well as pilots from Taiwan and Egypt. I for one, think its a pretty good idea to have as many countries 'with us' at this time as we can get. Especially in certain areas of Asia and the Middle East. Feel free to disagree with me on that, but I'm pretty sure the whole of the USA is better off having some wonderful men and women working Public Relations with other countries. He's given up months and months with his family including his two young children in order to serve the US and provide YOU with the freedom to say what you want, to whoever you want.

If all of this still strikes you as meaningless, I suggest you re-evaluate what brings meaning to your life. My freedom is pretty damn meaningful to me.

BRAVO!!!

My bro and my nephew who have both just returned from IRAQ.

Here is a photo of my bro who just made COLONEL and will be pinned on August 1, 2007. (On the right in the Class A uniform.)

Here is my nephew who is with the Ft. Carson Mounted Color Guard and my bro the COLONEL.

Can I just say I am damn proud of them!

 

[smartestnumber5]

A person in the military stationed in the US is not in any danger. A person deployed is in danger but not a death sentence, as you an others seem to think. It is far more likely that the person would die in a car accident driving to their base than being on their base.

A taxi driver is a dangerous job, but I would be proud of anybody who does it. It is a legal way to earn a living. Same for the military.

Maybe part of my confusion is that I didn't realize you were talking about only people who are stationed in the U.S. I suppose that wouldn't be a very dangerous career if one knew one was never going to see any conflict, not that one could know that.
I would think most people who are saying they be concerned for their children's safety are assuming their child would go to war. It's hard not to assume that given that in the last few years we've had conflicts in two different countries. I do, though, have a cousin who joined the army sometime after the Gulf war and never went to war; he's now out of the military and is a narcotics officer--surely more dangerous than anything he did in the military.

I think the issue isn't whether the military is more deserving of respect, but they are certainly not less deserving. People have stated they would look down on those in the military and wouldn't be proud. I can't understand that thought at all.

Why would someone hold an actor in higher regard than someone who protects them?

No, the military isn't a death sentence, but soldiers are willing to give their life for all of us. That does deserve a HUGE amount of respect.

The bolded part makes sense to me. I don't think that joining the military is a death sentence. I do think it is dangerous given what's currently going on. Hence I think it's completely normal that posters would be scared for their child's safety if their child joined--even if it was during peace time. Maybe if a kid joined Sweden's military or Switzerland's military there'd be little reason to be concerned about safety, but historically in the last 70some years we've had a military conflict in almost ever decade. I don't know how long different commitments to the military last, but it seems there is a pretty good chance that someone who'd be in the military for more than a few years might see war.

As for people looking down on a child who joined the military or not being proud for me there's an analogy to the cousin I mentioned earlier who is a narcotics officer. Now I assume he became an officer out of a desire to help people even at the expense of his own life, and that is, of course, commendable. Personally, though, I think the law's appraoch to drugs does a lot more damage than it does good. Obviously he didn't make the laws or procedures--the higher ups in the govt did that. But he has entered an insitution which--as it currently works--I feel is very problematic...especially knowing some of the tactics they use (given the stories he's told). This is not to say I am "against" narcotics officers or police officers in general--clearly, even if we had a better drug policy--some kind of legalization of some drugs--we'd still need cops and we'd still need cops who specialize in narcotics, though the philosophy and policies handed down to them from the govt would likely be very different. Rather, I'm against the overarching philosophy and policies which the government hands to narcotics officers. So I wouldn't necessarily be happy if my child decided to take part in it. That doesn't mean I would stop loving them or look down on them or wish they had been an actor (does any parent ever want that? ). Maybe by discussing our different views we could come to a common ground or maybe we'd just have to agree to disagree. And of course, I would be proud that my child wanted to help others and was willing to sacrafice him/herself if necessary.

I think maybe I see it this way because it is kind of the situation in my own family (which is large and Italian and big mouthed and they say what they are thinking). I'm half way through a 6 year PhD program, and yet every time I see my grandfather he asks, "can't you just change your major to law and be a lawyer?" . I know he's proud of my academic accomplishments but my field is not what he would have picked for me. Similarly, I've always been outspokenly pro-choice while a close cousin is outspokenly pro-life. When I was a teenager we used to have very loud arguments about this. I'm sure that my cousin was not proud of my being pro-choice or my giving money to organizations that provide abortions or going to abortion rights marches. She has said, however, that she admires (and probably is proud of) my dedication and my passion about rights and freedom, though she and I disagree about what rights and freedoms we should in fact have. Finally in college I produced and directed a version of "The ****** Monologues" two different years; we put on the play in order to raise money for charities which help victims of domestic and sexual violence. My aunt and my grandmother refused to come see the play because they heard it was graphic and sexual and used a lot of curse words for body parts and they wanted no part of that. Surely they were proud of me for wanting to help violence victims, but just as surely they disagreed with, and hence were not proud of, our method of trying to help (by putting on an obscene play) and our philosophy (of openly celebrating female sexuality). I'm also gay and have a same-sex partner. I don't think anyone is proud of me for this--nobody's shouting it from the rooftops that I can tell. In fact, deep down they might very well be disappointed about it. But they are totally accepting and supportive about it and they love me unconditionally. I don't really know that some further sense of pride is necessary. Sure it'd be great if they were all feminist, and sex-positive, and pro-choice, and thought being gay was wonderful; but they aren't and I don't expect them to be proud of my doing things that go against their values.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I get the feeling FishyCat25 (who posted about going back to school and not understanding student loans), chicagodisneyfan (who posts about movies and actors a lot), and smartestnumber5 may be around the same age.

I am curious to know their ages, too, and what they do for a living.

I am 39 years old as of last week, and do not believe I post about movies and actors.

Degreed professional in Chicago. Not wanting to say more as some people on this thread are a little scary.

 

[smartestnumber5]

smartestnumber5, can I ask how old you are?

Almost 25.

 

[smartestnumber5]

Long before you posted this question I state I would be proud of any legal job they chose. I would not be proud of an illegal job. If abortion was legal, I would be proud they stood for their convictions but not happy they are doing abortions.

Sorry, didn't mean to ignore your earlier statement. I think I pretty much think the same thing about a child joining the military, though I think I've stated it differently. (Maybe the disagreeements on this thread really are mostly a matter of semantics.)

 

[smartestnumber5]

I get the feeling FishyCat25 (who posted about going back to school and not understanding student loans), chicagodisneyfan (who posts about movies and actors a lot), and smartestnumber5 may be around the same age.

I am curious to know their ages, too, and what they do for a living.

I am almost 25. I am a graduate student in a PhD program. I have 3 years left and then I will hopefully be entering academia.

Why do you ask?