Hey, been looking at this forum for a little while and decided to ask my own question. I am currently 16 and will turn 17 this october. I want to go into the Marines after High School. I would like to join the delayed entry program after my 17th birthday. the problem is my parents don't want me joining. i know i dont have to join dep and can wait until im 18 but i would like them to be ok with it. ive told my dad-which was one of the hardest things i have ever done- and he wasn't too surprised but still is against it and my mom hates-well that's a strong word...Dislikes- the military and i have been hinting at my plans but she is in denial. the main problem they have is that i am smart...VERY smart, one of the smartest in my class, but all i want-and have ever wanted- is to be a grunt, a good ol' groundpounder. any advice on talking to the and convincing them would be Greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Dude I had the same problem, except my dad threatened to beat my ***. I turned 18 over spring breakand 3 days after I got back called my parents and told them I was on my way to enlist. Talk to them tell them how you feel but don't preach to them or press them about it, that's what I did and my parents got more pissed each time. Just enjoy being in high school right now.

Commando...
Your parents just want what is best for you. They see your potential and would probably like you to be a doctor or lawyer...someone making good money being an asset to society. Don't get pissed at them. It's their job to raise and teach you knowing that eventually you will leave the house and make your own decisions in life.

I'd drop the entire subject with them. Enjoy your high school and teenage years. We will still be here when you turn 18 and if you still want to join then do so for the right reasons. This is not something that you should cause worry or grief for your parents.

Get new parents.

I had a similar issue with a poolee I was working with while on PTAD. Two of the recruiters in my office actually went over to his house and sat down with his mom for a few hours, talking about the MC and other issues she had. The poolee just told his parents, he would join at 18 anyway, so he asked them to support him so he could prepare for boot camp. They didn't like it, but this approach eased their minds a bit.

Being smart and being a grunt isn't uncommon. I've seen poolees with 90's and above on the ASVAB go 03. That's a good thing, we need that sort of thing. They are going to be the Corps' leaders in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by judemarine:
Being smart and being a grunt isn't uncommon. I've seen poolees with 90's and above on the ASVAB go 03. That's a good thing, we need that sort of thing. They are going to be the Corps' leaders in the future.

Some of the most intelligent, common-sense-bearing individuals that I know are / were Grunts. Best MOS in my humble opinion…

A commando and a trigger puller, you couple of bad@sses having problems with your parents? Glad to see there is some discipline in your generation. You do what your parent say until you are in control of your own life,(e.g., supporting yourself). This is universally excepted as being the age of 18.

quote:

You do what your parent say until you are in control of your own life,(e.g., supporting yourself).

I couldn't agree more. No problem with getting their permission but if they don't want to give it, live with and respect their decision, until you can make your own decisions. If you can't respect your parents decisions, how are you going to respect perfect strangers who have power of decisions over you?

I know this is a little late to bring back this topic (um... 6 years) but I have the EXACT same problem. And I mean EXACT! I am also VERY smart (3 years ahead in math, 2 in science, and top gifted in everything else. Dont mean to brag) and I want to join the army (dont get mad at me, marines!). Actually, I want to go to West Point. My parents also STRONGLY DISLIKE the military and will have nothing of it. (like 29P said, a doctor or lawyer or diplomat). Any other tips?

quote:

Originally posted by NikolaiStrugatsky:
I know this is a little late to bring back this topic (um... 6 years) but I have the EXACT same problem. And I mean EXACT! I am also VERY smart (3 years ahead in math, 2 in science, and top gifted in everything else. Dont mean to brag) and I want to join the army (dont get mad at me, marines!). Actually, I want to go to West Point. My parents also STRONGLY DISLIKE the military and will have nothing of it. (like 29P said, a doctor or lawyer or diplomat). Any other tips?

I know you, you're the West Point hopeful!

My advice, if you don't convince your folks then SO BE IT! Yeah, you're still young, but you will learn when you get older that you have to live your life for you and not not let others choose your path for you (no matter how well meaning or otherwise they maybe).

Follow your own dreams and don't let anyone (relative or not) dream for you.

I realize that this thread is several days old but I just couldn't resist bumping it. I can relate to you, Commando. I, too, am very intelligent (not to brag; I'm actually very modest but I need to "boast" to get my point across) and I know my parents want me to go straight to college after high school. I will start getting acceptance letters in the mail in a matter of months. I want to join the Marines as a "grunt" as well, but I know that my parents would reject my decision. I am aware that this is my life and I need to make my own decisions. However, I don't want to distance myself from my parents. One of these days I'm going to need to raise the issue. I feel guilty though, because I have already spent my parent's money applying to colleges and I also spent their time and money visiting a couple universities while on vacation. I just feel a desire/passion to join the military and while my parents are both involved in law enforcement, I know that they would want me to take advantage of my God-given intelligence and attend college next year. I really don't know how I'm going to raise this issue. I just don't want to disappoint them...