My One-and-Only Son, yesterday....

[Roger17]

A colleague's son recently enlisted Air Force and is going cyber signals. He's about to graduate training and get his first duty station in either S. Korea or Maryland. He chose that route due to interest in it and a huge employment upside after service. As a dad, I can understand some nerves, but also how proud of him you must be. Good luck to your son in whatever route he goes.

 

[lyle_destroys]

Does he have a girlfriend?

 

[Laelkhunter]

Does he have an idea of what he wants to do? His MOS or "job"? I wish someone had sat down with me (outside of the recruiter) and talked through my MOS choices. Might be something you can help him with...

Yea, some recruiters tell them, "Yea you can be just like Tom Cruise in Top Gun-sign right here." Then they find themselves painting rocks on the roadside. And don't forget to paint the bottom of the rock.

 

[TheGDog]

Does he have a girlfriend?

No. Which surprises me, because I was constantly "on-the-hunt" at his age.

But I figure that's a good thing he's not paired up with anybody since he's gonna go into the service.

 

[lyle_destroys]

No. Which surprises me, because I was constantly "on-the-hunt" at his age.

But I figure that's a good thing he's not paired up with anybody since he's gonna go into the service.

I was going to suggest talking to him about really thinking about what could be to come if he did, just the future in general. My old man told me straight up I should probably go in not having a girlfriend, I sometimes wish I would have listened lol

 

[RockAndSage]

But I figure that's a good thing he's not paired up with anybody since he's gonna go into the service.

Yes, it absolutely is a good thing.

I clearly remember my own ongoing gratitude in Basic at not having a GF, after seeing a dozen guys around me get absolutely crushed, brutally, with Dear John letters, one at a time over the weeks. It's a uniquely bad experience in that context, as almost everyone talks openly about their girlfriends back home, and everyone else has an idea of what that person means to them. Even the ones who didn't get a breakup letter were distracted with thoughts of that aspect of home, rather than being fully mentally present. Entering the military is a much better experience when going in focused on getting the most out of the training, and becoming the best version of yourself you can be, in that short phase of life. Mindset is everything.

 

[Loo.wii]

No. Which surprises me, because I was constantly "on-the-hunt" at his age.

But I figure that's a good thing he's not paired up with anybody since he's gonna go into the service.

Write him letters. Take all the pictures you can. Get him some good luggage and a leatherman. Remind him of his humanity, even if he is remotely extinguishing someones life from 1000s of miles away it will have an impact on his conscience. Regardless of how you touch war, war will touch you back hard.

Substance abuse of all varieties is present in the military. From dipping sanitizing swabs to clearing bottles of niquil to sleep just make sure he manages his stress and mental health in a healthy way.

 

[doc holiday13]

But, I've been trying to console myself with the thought that, he's got my genes in him, so they'll know from his ASVABS (sp?) he's not stupid, and he's on the slim, string-bean (water-polo players body type) side... so I'm pretty sure they'll see that he is of greatest use in some other kind of role besides combat.

I think its better if he knows how smart he is and is he choosing a military career path that compliments that. Lots of good opportunity if he chooses the right MOS and leverages his relationship with different guys.

 

[lyle_destroys]

Ya know man, the more I think about it, the more I see what I said was a little shortsighted. Or probably a lot. I think the advice I have for him and all men is to find a lifestyle that you’re happy in and then find someone that is more similar to that. Considerations for the other person be known, I see a lot of men my age being very unhappy with their choices and being unwilling to change their decisions.