I made my decision to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves as an 0311. It really wasn't a choice, I always knew this is what I had to do, the only choice was the whens, whats and wheres.

I have been talking with my parents about the military for years. They almost signed me up for the Guard when I was 17 but thankfully did not and since then I decided that it was a big mistake to not go into the Marines. Now I am 19, going to a UW school for mechanical engineering and just starting my 2nd semester of my first year.

I just tried to talk to them again and they completely shut me out. They said they firmly believed it would be a huge mistake to join before I finish college and they will not support me if I decide to join before then.

They later confronted my individually and told me just how much I would hurt the other(mom talked to me about my dad ect.).

My mom said this would put my dad into deep depression. She told me about how proud he was when i started college and now I 'drop this on them.' They both heavily implied that I was being extremely selfish for doing this against their will.

My sister also told me that she thinks it would be so hard on my mom that she would need medication/counseling, after talking with my mom in private...

Do most parents get this bad before their child enlists or do you think, given what you know, it seems mine might have some more serious issues than normal?

I know that I am 19 now and I have to do what I want with my life, that doesn't change the fact that they are my parents and it is my duty to make this as easy on them as I can without sacrificing my dreams.

I don't know how much you guys can do for me but many of you have been there/done that. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. I really don't want to have a falling out with my parents over this but more and more it seems to be coming closer to that as they push me further and further away whenever I try and make them a part of this, the biggest decision of my life.

I've described my experiences elsewhere in this forum. Suffice it to say, my parents were not happy when I enlisted.

In a nutshell, I had really good grades in school (earned a partial academic scholarship). But growing up, I always felt it was every man's duty to serve at least four years in the military.

Although my family didn't have a strong military foundation (out of a father, step-father, several uncles and three grandfathers, only one uncle briefly served in the Air Force), my parents supported me researching my military options...until three weeks after my 18th birthday, when I came home and announced I'd enlisted in the Marine Corps.

"You fool!" was what they said.

Needless to say, the familial relationships at home were strained for a while.

But when I graduated boot camp, they couldn't be prouder.

I went on to wear the uniform of a Marine for 24 years. Anytime I was at their home, and they were introducing me to their friends, they'd always manage to work into the first sentence or so of the introduction, that I was a Marine.

They were, and still are to this day, proud.

You have to do what you have to do. Your parents are afraid they may 'lose' you. But when they realize what you and they have gained...they'll be proud also.

I honestly think that your parents are concerned foremost with you not completing college. If I had the opportunity to do it over again I would have done college first. Not only will you reap the benefits of being an officer but the wait will also show a maturity to your decision of joining. If you decide that college is not your ballgame join. I agree with CWOSKI in that your parents will be very proud of you after graduation of boot. They will realize that you in a brotherhood who will take care of you. Good luck with your difficult choice.