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

[JPN4265]

Ok I am wearing my Flame suit Proudly !!!!!! The commercials I see on tv mostly for the Army you know the ones ( Mom, Dad can we talk......... or the Next time your asked if you have any leadership experience........) make me sick. The only thing there doing is brainwashing kids to go give there lives in a meaningless war. I wouldn't let any child of my join anything thats going to cause them harm.........With all do respect the army is one of these places. I am work with a co-worker of my who every time she hears the word "draft" she freaks out thinking its finally going happen and they will take her only son. Honestly if there was a draft wether I have a son or not "Canada here I come". If you fought for this country and your a veteran "Thank you" I honestly mean that. However I personally wouldn't fight (unless is against aliens like in "War of the Worlds") and I wouldn't want any child of my giving there life away like that. I don't want to change this into a "Is the war in Iraq meaningless" topic but since its the only current war Is the war I will speak of. Thousands on innocent sons, daughters, husbands and wife's have died for no reason (and no freedom isn't a reason). I blame it on the brainwashing from our government that teaches Kids that if you Join the Army,Marines,Navy and whatever else there is "You'll be a better person". I blame it on how these institutions can start recruiting kids while still in High School. If my son or daughther want to be a heroe there lots of institutions that they can be a part of which more then likely will consider them Heroes. There is no need to go commit suicide half accross the world in the name of America.......Call me un patriotic I dont care.......... I am just saying I wouldnt want or condone any child of mine or myself to go join the Army. I am sure I am not the only one to feel this way ...........

I can only say that you are full of yourself. The military is by far the most honorable profession we have. You don't join to just fight in a war, you join to serve your country. Sometimes a war comes along and you must fight. I really wish it was possible to weed people like you out, where you did not receive the benefit of what our military is doing for us. (but its not possible) So we live with people like you and hope you just don't get in the way. I shudder to think, what you would say to and about your children if they decided to join the military. You would be considered the ugly American. No honor, no loyalty, and no respect.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I am not a true pacifist, but I don't believe in the way our government or military currently operates, so no, I don't think ANYONE should participate in the way it's run now. That's JMO, and I don't have control over anyone else, obviously... My point is that I don't want YOUR sons or daughters blown up, either. It has nothing to do with me thinking my kid is worth more than yours. I do not for one minute think we are fighting this war to protect our freedom. Sorry.

I don't think we are fighting this war for that reason either. But my personal feelings have nothing to do with it. If my son or daughter wanted to join and was willing to go over there, yes I would be scared and worried but that is THEIR decision. Not yours. And for that reason alone, I would be immensely proud of them. For doing what so many are scared of.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Well, my grandson is a United States Marine Corporal and will deply to Iraq in the very near future. I am very, very proud of him even though I do worry a bit. When I asked him how he felt about it he simply told me it was his job.

He has a better chance of survival in a war than he does at home where he has more of a chance getting killed or hurt in a car accident with friends.

He could have chosen not to go into the military and that would be okay with me, but I would be ashamed if he chose to run away like a coward. Perhaps Canada doesn't mind cowards. You can cry all you want about what you think is an unjust war, but a coward is a coward just the same.

Oh, yes... I'm a Vietnam veteran.

Hmmm, I didn't realize it was cowardly to stand up for what you believe in. If that doesn't include joining the military, it would cowardly TO join. I'm pretty sure you will refuse to see it that way, but I wanted to point out that type of hypocrisy, anyway.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Absolutely. Half of my family is/was military... My brother and I are Marines.. My siblings father was career ARMY..My middle child wants to joing the military, AF most likely.. It will scare me and hopefully this futile war will be over... I don't feel most or even many who join are brainwashed. I mean come on, if someone is niave enough to not realize that joining the Military might put them in harms way then they probably have more serious issues than brainwashing.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Absolutely. Half of my family is/was military... My brother and I are Marines.. My siblings father was career ARMY..My middle child wants to joing the military, AF most likely.. It will scare me and hopefully this futile war will be over... I don't feel most or even many who join are brainwashed. I mean come on, if someone is niave enough to not realize that joining the Military might put them in harms way then they probably have more serious issues than brainwashing.

Well said Jenny!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I'm so glad there are parents out there who "allow" their children to volunteer for the military to defend our freedom so that you can have a different opinion.

 

[helenabear]

After knowing family and friends who both enlisted straight into the Army as well as went through as officer (ROTC and the like) I would say no to any of them who straight enlisted. Even my family who enlisted said they would never do it and would want to whack anyone who did. They've seen how royaly screwed you get by doing it that way. Not one who enlisted straight (w/o college) said they weren't lied to about their futures in the Army. I'm not speaking of safety, I am speaking of what career paths they would go and what positions they would be allowed to have.

Any other branch of the military I don't hear the same things about so nope, wouldn't bother me. I wouldn't be bothered by those going through college to get there as well. I would be proud of those. I know this isn't totally straightforward, but it is how I feel. I would be very proud of someone taking charge of their life and doing something important like that.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I don't think we are fighting this war for that reason either. But my personal feelings have nothing to do with it. If my son or daughter wanted to join and was willing to go over there, yes I would be scared and worried but that is THEIR decision. Not yours. And for that reason alone, I would be immensely proud of them. For doing what so many are scared of.

It has nothing to do with not loving or being proud of my son. I think it's the wrong thing to do. Just like I think doing drugs is the wrong thing. NO, I am not equating joining the military with doing drugs. I am merely pointing out that although I would respect his right to do whatever he wanted with his OWN life, I would not be proud of THAT decision. I would still love him and try to support him as best I could. Like I said before, he will grow up knowing my position on the military and war, so it's not like he wouldn't expect me to have strong opinions and reservations about his career choice. I don't expect anyone else to agree with me. I DO expect to be called names, and probably even receive a few nasty PMs. I haven't shown that disrespect to others...I've simply said I do not agree with the way our military operates currently and the war we are fighting. It's not considered okay to voice a dissenting opinion anymore, but it IS okay to be rude and abusive to those who are not 100% gung-ho about the military and its operations. I find that sad and contrary to what the US is all about, personally.

 

[Amlee]

I wouldn't let any child of my join anything thats going to cause them harm................

I can think of a few parents who would like to know the secert to stopping thier ADULT children from doing stuff that would cause them harm. My mother is one of them. So if you have that secert pass that alone!

If I understand your post above, then they will not be joining the rest of us in driving, walking down the street, flying on an airplane and many other things in life that could cause them harm.

 

[disneynutt1225]

While I'm not a parent, I would like to think that so long as my children were happy and successful I would be proud of them no matter what career path they chose. By successful, I don't necessarily mean money-wise; each person has their own definition of success. I would be scared for my family in the military, but so proud that they chose to serve their country in this capacity.

I applaud the men and women of our country who have chosen to serve in the military; and I pray for safe travel home to their loved ones.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

It has nothing to do with not loving or being proud of my son. I think it's the wrong thing to do. Just like I think doing drugs is the wrong thing. NO, I am not equating joining the military with doing drugs. I am merely pointing out that although I would respect his right to do whatever he wanted with his OWN life, I would not be proud of THAT decision. I would still love him and try to support him as best I could. Like I said before, he will grow up knowing my position on the military and war, so it's not like he wouldn't expect me to have strong opinions and reservations about his career choice. I don't expect anyone else to agree with me. I DO expect to be called names, and probably even receive a few nasty PMs. I haven't shown that disrespect to others...I've simply said I do not agree with the way our military operates currently and the war we are fighting. It's not considered okay to voice a dissenting opinion anymore, but it IS okay to be rude and abusive to those who are not 100% gung-ho about the military and its operations. I find that sad and contrary to what the US is all about, personally.

Well I haven't been rude to you (or at least I don't think I have) but you're right in that you probably will get a few nasty responses. I won't be one of those people. I may disagree very much with your position on this issue but I respect your right to voice that opinion and I don't judge you for it. I was only responding with my own feelings on the subject. I guess I just can't understand why you are so against the military itself. The administration, yes. I can understand that. I know there are some bad people in the military but isn't that true of every organization? I feel that overall, they are an honorable group of men and women.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Well I haven't been rude to you (or at least I don't think I have) but you're right in that you probably will get a few nasty responses. I won't be one of those people. I may disagree very much with your position on this issue but I respect your right to voice that opinion and I don't judge you for it. I was only responding with my own feelings on the subject. I guess I just can't understand why you are so against the military itself. The administration, yes. I can understand that. I know there are some bad people in the military but isn't that true of every organization? I feel that overall, they are an honorable group of men and women.

Let me clarify: I don't think YOU were nasty to me (yet! lol, j/k!), but I expect others WILL BE. I know it's very hard for people who support the military to understand why others of us don't. No amount of explanation seems to do the trick. They just can't wrap their minds around it. Anyway, I do think the men and women in the military are largely honorable folks who are very brave and honestly feel they are defending my (and your, and their) freedom. I don't feel the same way, but I can respect them for wanting to help. I feel the same way about public school teachers, too, and people think I'm nuts. I do not support the public school system, but I think the vast majority of teachers are wonderful people who want to make a difference in the lives of their students and the world at large! I can respect the people without respecting the institution. Trust me; two of my best friends in the world are military spouses. We could not be as close as we are if I were disrespectful to their husbands as people, simply because I don't like their jobs!

 

[jimmalru80]

YES. I would be very proud. I may be very nervous, but proud of my child.

 

[crzyred]

Ok I am wearing my Flame suit Proudly !!!!!! The commercials I see on tv mostly for the Army you know the ones ( Mom, Dad can we talk......... or the Next time your asked if you have any leadership experience........) make me sick. The only thing there doing is brainwashing kids to go give there lives in a meaningless war. I wouldn't let any child of my join anything thats going to cause them harm.........With all do respect the army is one of these places. I am work with a co-worker of my who every time she hears the word "draft" she freaks out thinking its finally going happen and they will take her only son. Honestly if there was a draft wether I have a son or not "Canada here I come". If you fought for this country and your a veteran "Thank you" I honestly mean that. However I personally wouldn't fight (unless is against aliens like in "War of the Worlds") and I wouldn't want any child of my giving there life away like that. I don't want to change this into a "Is the war in Iraq meaningless" topic but since its the only current war Is the war I will speak of. Thousands on innocent sons, daughters, husbands and wife's have died for no reason (and no freedom isn't a reason). I blame it on the brainwashing from our government that teaches Kids that if you Join the Army,Marines,Navy and whatever else there is "You'll be a better person". I blame it on how these institutions can start recruiting kids while still in High School. If my son or daughther want to be a heroe there lots of institutions that they can be a part of which more then likely will consider them Heroes. There is no need to go commit suicide half accross the world in the name of America.......Call me un patriotic I dont care.......... I am just saying I wouldnt want or condone any child of mine or myself to go join the Army. I am sure I am not the only one to feel this way ...........

ok i haven't read all the responses however, one question. what if your child wanted to be a fire fighter, or a policeman? they are putting themselves in harms way in that profession too. do you just disagree with all professions that involve protecting others or is it just these special ones?

 

[becka]

Wow! I am not even sure how to respond. To start with I can say with 100% certainty that yes I would be very proud if either of my children joined the military. Would I be thrilled about it? No - because I would be worried for their safety. However, they would make that decision as an adult and I hope I would have enough respect for them to respect their choices.

I do not agree with this war. However, I still support our military men and women. They are doing their job. You don't have to support the administration and those making the decisions but I would hope that every American would still support our troops. I know that is idealistic of me but I feel very strongly about it.

The military is a very important part of this country during times of war and during times of peace. It is a very honorable occupation and they deserve our respect irregardless of our personal positions on this particular war.

 

[sha_lyn]

Honestly if there was a draft wether I have a son or not "Canada here I come".

Why wait for the rush. I suggest you stop reaping the benefit of our military defense and leave the country right now

I wouldn't let any child of my join anything thats going to cause them harm.........

How are you going to stop an adult child from doing anything?

As for the original question.... I would be proud and honored if either of my children joined any branch of the military.
We are trying to encourage our 18 DS to at least join the reserves or guard right now.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

I feel awe for anyone serving in the military- my DH is a disabled veteran, my father was a Marine lifer, uncle and aunt in the Navy, brother was in Air Force and Navy, cousin in Air Force, etc. The vast majority of these men and women are incredible and sacrifice so much for our country and our freedom.
I would be extremely proud.

 

[doxdogy]

Yes, I would be proud of my child if they decided to join the Army or any other branch of the military. I would have joined myself, if it weren't for health issues. My father is retired Navy and my brother did several tours in Vietnam. I am proud of both of them for serving their country. Take a step back and not look at the war issue. The military can provide a good job skill (if the proper MOS is chosen) after their tour of duty is completed. If someone retires from the military, they have guaranteed income and health benefits for the rest of their life. In today's corporate America, you are lucky if you can last 20 years at one company to qualify for a decent retirement income. If someone joins at the age of 18, they can retire at the age of 38. Move on to a second career and pull in a decent income. My father retired from teaching after retiring from the Navy. He currently has more income than I do. I just don't understand the attitude of running to Canada if the draft is reinstated in this country.

 

[profdsny]

I would be very disapointed. I thought that we taught them better than that. At least under the administration. Under a different administration I'd be better with this. At this point now they would just be cannon fodder for Bush.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I would be proud if my child chose to serve their country. It is one of the most selfless and giving acts an American can choose. I certainly give those individuals more respect than to assume that they are just a bunch of mindless fools easily brainwashed. A draft is different and I hope we don't find ourselves in that position because I wouldn't want my child fighting along side someone who was forced into service. The instinct to want to protect your child is understandable, but don't be so quick to assume that those who make other choices aren't aware of the risks. Fear motivates people in different ways.