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

[cardaway]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that the comment about cowards and people who don't serve is for those who said they would leave the country should a draft ever happen.

Nope. Had nothing to do with that. Please check out the post I quoted a page or two back and show me if I missed something.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I was referring to those who just join the army Not officers.

In February, the Baltimore Sun wrote that there was "a significant increase in the number of recruits with what the Army terms 'serious criminal misconduct' in their background" -- a category that included "aggravated assault, robbery, vehicular manslaughter, receiving stolen property and making terrorist threats." From 2004 to 2005, the number of those recruits rose by more than 54 percent, while alcohol and illegal drug waivers, reversing a four-year decline, increased by more than 13 percent.

In June, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that, under pressure to fill the ranks, the Army had been allowing into its ranks increasing numbers of "recruits convicted of misdemeanor crimes, according to experts and military records." In fact, as the military's own data indicated, "the percentage of recruits entering the Army with waivers for misdemeanors and medical problems has more than doubled since 2001."

Hi there, I'm going to invite you to come down to Ft. Campbell, KY to meet some of "those people that join the army." You would be amazed at the variety of people you would meet but all have something in common. They are so proud of their job and service to this country and they do not need this better than thou attitude. Some of them may have came from humble beginings but there is no shame in finding a way to better yourself. There is shame on looking down from the pedastal because your family has a different way.

I would also like to introduce you to my husband Matt. Apparently he comes from your family. The kind that say it's just a job with their name on their shirt and that a large piece of paper from a university makes them better than others.

My Matt has been enlisted for 10 years now. He has been approached more times than I can count to go officer or even warrant. He won't and I'm not going to bug him to do it because an officer's wife sounds better than an enlisted. He stays enlisted because he cares about his soldiers. He has 42 people under him in his platoon. He wants to make sure they grow and becomes soldiers with solid lives and understand how the army works. He wants to be there at 3am when someones wife goes into labor or at 6pm as dinner is going on the table and someones car breaks down.

Oh yeah, Matt comes from a very wealthy family and Matt scored extremely high on his ACT. Isn't that interesting? He also has a degree in accounting and working on another in economics and then will begin to pursue a graduate degree. All these big pieces of paper to amaze people with and he is still "just one of those people in the army." BTW none of his family with their attitudes were invited to graduation nor to any of his welcome home parties.

 

[Lionqueen2]

I would not be proud. I would be appalled. It is expected in my family to go to college. You can be anything you want - artist, actor, accountant, but you will not be a soldier.

No one in immediate or extended family is in or was in the military (unless drafted). It would be looked down upon, I consider the service as something that other kids do ... those without the desire for college, without money, without other options. (How many kids of US senators, representatives, CEOs etc are in the services?)

I am grateful to all who serve.

I am stunned by this comment. I think this attitude is so sad. I don't know how anyone could dishonor our men and women in the military in such a way.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I am stunned by this comment. I think this attitude is so sad. I don't know how anyone could dishonor our men and women in the military in such a way.

Well come on we're just poor , stupid, unedumicated people... What do you expect?

 

[Fitswimmer]

I don't see how the chicagodisneyfan posted is worse than the post about people who don't serve being people on the run or cowards. Maybe people agree with that.

I certinaly don't agree that we with his/her comments, but the others were much worse.

Since we're keeping score..BOTH make me sad and BOTH are valid opinions even if I don't agree with either.

 

[inaminute]

I would not be proud. I would be appalled. It is expected in my family to go to college. You can be anything you want - artist, actor, accountant, but you will not be a soldier.

No one in immediate or extended family is in or was in the military (unless drafted). It would be looked down upon, I consider the service as something that other kids do ... those without the desire for college, without money, without other options. (How many kids of US senators, representatives, CEOs etc are in the services?)

I am grateful to all who serve.

Nevermind. I simply cannot respond, except to say that I find it remarkable that actors are acceptable to your family but soldiers are not. An actor over a soldier in the family? How funny!

 

[sha_lyn]

I would not be proud. I would be appalled. It is expected in my family to go to college. You can be anything you want - artist, actor, accountant, but you will not be a soldier.

No one in immediate or extended family is in or was in the military (unless drafted). It would be looked down upon, I consider the service as something that other kids do ... those without the desire for college, without money, without other options.

What an ignorant post.
Do you realize that there are many members of the armed forces with college degrees? Many of those degrees earned before joining the military.

as for your comment about "something that other kids do".... Do you realize you reap the benefit of "those other kids" every day of your life? Oh yes but the military is only for those beneath you apparently. Too bad we can't withhold freedoms from ingrates like you. Freedoms won for you with the blood sweat and tears of those you feel are inferior to you.

 

[transparant]

Hi there, I'm going to invite you to come down to Ft. Campbell, KY to meet some of "those people that join the army." You would be amazed at the variety of people you would meet but all have something in common. They are so proud of their job and service to this country and they do not need this better than thou attitude. Some of them may have came from humble beginings but there is no shame in finding a way to better yourself. There is shame on looking down from the pedastal because your family has a different way.

I would also like to introduce you to my husband Matt. Apparently he comes from your family. The kind that say it's just a job with their name on their shirt and that a large piece of paper from a university makes them better than others.

My Matt has been enlisted for 10 years now. He has been approached more times than I can count to go officer or even warrant. He won't and I'm not going to bug him to do it because an officer's wife sounds better than an enlisted. He stays enlisted because he cares about his soldiers. He has 42 people under him in his platoon. He wants to make sure they grow and becomes soldiers with solid lives and understand how the army works. He wants to be there at 3am when someones wife goes into labor or at 6pm as dinner is going on the table and someones car breaks down.

Oh yeah, Matt comes from a very wealthy family and Matt scored extremely high on his ACT. Isn't that interesting? He also has a degree in accounting and working on another in economics and then will begin to pursue a graduate degree. All these big pieces of paper to amaze people with and he is still "just one of those people in the army." BTW none of his family with their attitudes were invited to graduation nor to any of his welcome home parties.

Tina - Matt is an extremely honorable man. Saying "Thank you" seems so small sometimes for these men and women. The amount of respect and admiration I have for our men and women who wear the uniform is immeasurable. God Bless each and every single one of them - and YOU too! I always say the wives, parents, and family who support our service members are the heroes behind the scenes!

 

[Laura]

I wouldn't be able to or want to stop a child of mine from joining the military. As long as my kid's not dishonorably discharged, there would no reason not to be proud.

 

[Database]

My Matt has been enlisted for 10 years now. He has been approached more times than I can count to go officer or even warrant. He won't and I'm not going to bug him to do it because an officer's wife sounds better than an enlisted. He stays enlisted because he cares about his soldiers. He has 42 people under him in his platoon. He wants to make sure they grow and becomes soldiers with solid lives and understand how the army works. He wants to be there at 3am when someones wife goes into labor or at 6pm as dinner is going on the table and someones car breaks down.

Oh yeah, Matt comes from a very wealthy family and Matt scored extremely high on his ACT. Isn't that interesting? He also has a degree in accounting and working on another in economics and then will begin to pursue a graduate degree. All these big pieces of paper to amaze people with and he is still "just one of those people in the army." BTW none of his family with their attitudes were invited to graduation nor to any of his welcome home parties.

PM me his address and I will send him a good ole care package!

 

[Database]

I was referring to those who just join the army Not officers. ."

I'm going to refrain from my favorite First Cav response to that remark.
Keep it civil. Freedom of speach. Breath. Count to ten. Breath.

10....9....8...7....6....5....4....3...2...ONE!

My mother always told me it was better to remain silent and be thought of as an idiot, than to open my mouth and prove.

 

[cardaway]

Since we're keeping score..

Keeping score, no. Noticing what causes outrage, sadly yes!

 

[katerkat]

I was referring to those who just join the army Not officers.

Gee, I guess that whole commissioning ceremony was really just a big show, not the actual joining of the Air Force! And before that, the joining of ROTC wasn't really a decision or anything. DH had a bachelors degree before he commissioned, he's going to be starting his master's soon. He spent 18 months in training to fly some VERY complex and expensive vehicles. He's licensed to fly Cessna-type planes, corporate-jet-sized planes and airline-sized jets. This cost the military approximately $2 million. Yeah, we're poor enough to not be able to afford that. Personally, I think he's pretty smart for letting the Air Force pay for it.

BTW, we're on a base where officers and enlisted are fairly close. I wouldn't call any of our booms "those without the desire for college, without money, without other options." Most of them are using the military for money, college and other options.

 

[Art Vandalay]

Seems a rather odd question to me. Of course I would!

 

[lyeag]

I would not be proud. I would be appalled. It is expected in my family to go to college. You can be anything you want - artist, actor, accountant, but you will not be a soldier.

No one in immediate or extended family is in or was in the military (unless drafted). It would be looked down upon, I consider the service as something that other kids do ... those without the desire for college, without money, without other options. (How many kids of US senators, representatives, CEOs etc are in the services?)

I am grateful to all who serve.

Hmm, so what about all those accountants, doctors and other college graduates who are in the military? Dh has an engineering degree and is an officer, but started out as an enlistee.

You make me sick.

 

[sha_lyn]

chicagodisneyfan...

Ever heard the phrases
Starving artist?
Actor, another name for a professional waiter/waitress?


Note.... I am not belittling either profession. I just find it odd that those 2 professions are acceptable, but being in the military is not. I'm just playing along with chicagodisneyfan's notion that all enlisted personnel are uneducated, poor unmotivated losers.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I wouldn't want my children to join, simply because I would be afraid for them.

I will, however be proud of who and what they are until the day I die, regardless of their choice of careers.

My dad the doctor was in the Navy.

 

[hydster]

WOW some of the comments on this thread amaze me.

I have 3 kids 14, 12 and 8. If and when they are of age to serve in the military and make that decision to do so I would be proud of their desire and scared ******** for them at the same time! No one WANTS their loved one put in harms way but someone has to do it! I have no one in my family who has served but I would be darn proud that my DH/child/grandchild wanted to do so. It would freak me out but I would be proud of them! Thankfully there are those who will do the jobs that others won't or can't do! That includes soldiers and their families who love them!

There are MANY pilots, doctors, cops, FBI, and the list goes on and on that were trained as "just" soldiers in our armed forces! Give me a break! Thankfully my surgeon was "just" a soldier as he saved my life after a car accident. Thankfully the list of "just" soldiers applies to those in civilian life otherwise we'd be royally *******!

To those who have/had loved ones in the military God bless you and them!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I just sat and read through all the responses..i do not have a child, but my brother considered going into the military. We live in an area in which the "base kids" went to our high school and throughout the years we have gotten close with many of their families..As we got older, we have had friends join the military and deploy. I am so proud of my brother's best friend, who is currently on his 2nd deployment in Iraq-yes, i get scared and worried but i am so proud. If my brother decide sto go into the military, i would be proud of him too.. Dont know how i couldnt be..

 

[Nancyg56]

My husband is one of those brainwashed people. I don't know how or why I'm proud but I guess it's because he isn't my child. He has been in 10 years and been to Iraq twice and getting ready for a third tour and still has all 10 toes and fingers and all his head parts. He is a college educated man who is choosing to stay in. No, he doesn't go around killing babies and maiming elderly people.

Over one million soliders, sailors, marines, and airmen have rotated in and out of Iraq since 2003. Yes the 3000+ casualities are horrible but you take the number compared to number of people roated in and out and you find statiscally that you are more likely to die in an automobile crash than in Iraq.

BTW, lets talk about a little forgotten war in Afghanstain. Is that a just war? A reason for someone to be proud of the child serving in a war? I don't get the idea that some believe that a war can be picked or what reasons are just for war. What would happen if there were not brave, selfless people willing to protect this country and our freedoms?

One last thing and I'm done with this. My husband's family isn't that thrilled or proud of his service. They do not send him cards or goodie boxes when deployed and can hardly be bothered to talk to him on the phone when he calls from 10k miles away. His job, to them, is a job with the name on the shirt and just not good enough. I wonder if they ever wonder why my husband can't be bothered enough to go see his family or pretty much has dropped all contact. I guess I was raised weird. I was raised that family is family to the end and you are proud that they are productive adults doing the American Way as long as nothing illegal is involved. Some of these mighty additudes are going to get a major wake up call some day with out when their child realizes that unconditonal love and support only happens if done they way the parent wants.

You have me in tears, Tina. I can't understand and have no words to express how I feel. I have followed your posts regarding your Goofy, and it is appalling that your brave DH is not supported by those who should be his most active advocates.

OP- Yes I would be proud. I have two nephews serving in the USMC and I can assure you, they are not brainwashed. Both have minds that work for themselves and both would have been able to choose their path, whatever it was. Their mother, my sister would have done anything in her power to keep them safe. their choices were their own.

Chris has served three tours in Iraq and has reenlisted. He is a sergeant. His brother, a Lance Corporal, is due to be deployed next month. As a family we do everything in our power to show support, care packages sent, letters, email, anything that we can do that will lighten the burden of being away from home.

Freedom is a wondrous thing. It allows you and me to have discussions about our government, taxes, public figures and our service men and women. We can be critical of the President, threaten to leave our country if we are not satisfied, sleep well knowing that someone else's child is standing watch. Your child is not forced to serve, and neither are you. Yet you and I both reap the benefits of men and women who enlist and believe that they are making a difference in our freedom and safety. You do not need to appreciate the gift of their life and sacrifice, but I would beg that you do not diminish it by making comments that indicate that each man and woman is less than what you would have for your child.

If for some reason your child decides that your plan is not their own, I would also ask that you show pride in the choice made. A family support system is the best gift you could give.