ikubak
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2007
- Messages
- 482
As I was lurking around the site, I remembered all the great input I got from you guys when I asked for input about my son wanting to join the Marines.
As an update, he graduated from HS a semester early and right now he is in boot camp at Parris Island with a scheduled boot camp graduation date of April 25th. I think the first few weeks are probably the hardest. It's a big adjustment for young people today to go from cell phones, texting and having instant access to everything your friends are doing to letter writing (what's that?) and having NO wifi, NO cellphone, NO television, NO video games, NO time to yourself.
He scored high on his ASVAB and his MOS will be avionics. He tried to go infantry but I just didn't think a 17 year old could fully grasp how demanding that would be and I drew the line. I told him to learn what the Marines is all about and learn a skill that could be used in civilian life. If after three or four years in the Marines he wanted to do infantry then I would support his decision.
I feel a little unprepared to talk to him about his benefit options, but I told him to start saving early, and sign up for the retirement savings picking equity funds with low expenses. He also signed up for the Montgomery GI Bill and can switch to the Post 9/11 Bill if that turns out to be more beneficial. I was surprised to find a lot of information and books written by ex service members about benefits and options.
For you ex military, you'll appreciate this....he said the DIs are a pain in the rear, and Marine Corps boot camp is not as fun as he thought it would be.
As an update, he graduated from HS a semester early and right now he is in boot camp at Parris Island with a scheduled boot camp graduation date of April 25th. I think the first few weeks are probably the hardest. It's a big adjustment for young people today to go from cell phones, texting and having instant access to everything your friends are doing to letter writing (what's that?) and having NO wifi, NO cellphone, NO television, NO video games, NO time to yourself.
He scored high on his ASVAB and his MOS will be avionics. He tried to go infantry but I just didn't think a 17 year old could fully grasp how demanding that would be and I drew the line. I told him to learn what the Marines is all about and learn a skill that could be used in civilian life. If after three or four years in the Marines he wanted to do infantry then I would support his decision.
I feel a little unprepared to talk to him about his benefit options, but I told him to start saving early, and sign up for the retirement savings picking equity funds with low expenses. He also signed up for the Montgomery GI Bill and can switch to the Post 9/11 Bill if that turns out to be more beneficial. I was surprised to find a lot of information and books written by ex service members about benefits and options.
For you ex military, you'll appreciate this....he said the DIs are a pain in the rear, and Marine Corps boot camp is not as fun as he thought it would be.