Military
Blue Chip,
I think I can give you a lot of information on your son's decision. I have been in the service for 22 years. I joined the Marines out of high school and served four years as an enlisted Marine. After the Marines, I went to college and then on to law school. After law school, I joined the Army as a JAG officer and served 10 years on active duty, including a year in Iraq and two years working on the Guantanamo Bay cases. I continue to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the reserves today.
I assume from your question and fear that you have never served in the military yourself, and therefore, you are not sure what your son is getting into. Your concern is understandable, but in my opinion there is not a better start for a young man or woman. There is a reason that Fortune 500 countries actively seek out servicemen - it's because of the character and leadership skills they have acquired.
I applaud your son for even considering the service - it says a lot about him and that you probably did a great job bringing him up. There are hundreds of jobs that your son could choose from in the military and you and I should probably have a conversation over the phone about some choices that will make him very marketable once he finishes his time, should he decide to join.
Branch of service does not matter, though the Coast Guard is less likely to be deployed overseas and they certainly perform a very valuable service.
When I was in the Marines out of high school I couldn't wait to get out. I felt like I was missing all the action at home with friends and girls. Now that I am older, I now realize it was the best thing I have ever done, and I would do it all over again. I don't know anybody that has joined the Marines and regretted it.
Even if you have college paid for, I would still recommend the service to your son. There is no place on earth where he will feel the sense of fellowship and commraderie like he will in the military. The young men that served with me in Iraq were nothing short of amazing - they played video games at night, but manned up when it was time to go outside the wire. In essense, they became men.
I can assure you that the National Guard is not cannon fodder for the regular Army. Those who think so are simply misinformed. The way the Regular Army works today is that many reserve and guard units provide support to the active military. Some types of support include water purification,, military police, and logistics. These units support active infantry Brigades. There are some National Guard infantry Brigades that are infantry, but not many. The support units follow their active counterparts to Iraq and Afghanistan and that is why so many reservists and National Guardsman have been deployed.
In a nutshell, you should talk directly to those who serve, or have served, to get solid information. I would be happy to put you in touch with as many as you like.
Lastly, I would not recommend a six year enlistment. He may decide that he has other interests after 3 or 4 years and he can always re-enlist later if he wants to. Though he is probably not concerned about retirement at this stage of his life, where else can you retire with 20 years of service and a pension for life with full medical benefits?
If I can answer any questions let me know.
Dan
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