Family Disapproval - what do I do?

[Lobster]

Hello. I am a current high school senior and have recently applied for the NROTC scholarship. My goal is to become a Naval Aviator one day and it is being discouraged by my father. He claims the military is full of high school drop outs and kids who would have gone to prison (on the enlisted side) and guys who can't find jobs who are officers. I find this very disrespectful and just would like some feedback on what to tell him. My grandfather was a retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel who flew in WWII and Korea. He was like a father to me (I'm not close with my father). I just don't know what to tell my father because every chance he gets he tells me that I'll just be among ex-convicts (I'm not sure if he's trying to make me look like I won't be successful or what??). Thanks.

"A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do"


To go off of what the other guys said its your life, live it the way you so desire. If you want to join the military and become a naval aviator then do it, personally I'd tell your old man to stick it but that's just me and I don't have a full scope of the situation. Clearly you're in a tough spot with your old man but live your life how you choose.

"And fuck the naysayers cause they don't mean a thing" ~311

 

[KCOTT]

Alan Shepard
Gerald Ford
John F. Kennedy
Donald Rumsfeld
George H.W. Bush
Richard Nixon
Lyndon B. Johnson
James Stockdale
John Kerry
Ross Perot
Jimmy Carter
John McCain
John Glenn
(Your Name Here)

these are a few guys who couldn't find jobs I suppose and decided to become "officers"

 

[Lobster]

Can anyone comment on waiting a couple years and doing BDCP instead of ROTC? And don't say avoiding OCS, because that was a good time.

I can't really comment on ROTC other than the fact that I didn't get accepted anywhere for ROTC and I didn't get into academy but, I was accepted into the BDCP program this year and its unreal. I'm going to go through hell at OCS but to have a career as an officer and an aviator is a dream come true and 13 weeks is well worth it. There are plus sides to both though, I've got MIDN buddies that tell me to "f#$k off" on payday but at the same time I've got to pay tuition out of my pocket, and they don't. On the other hand my financial aid went through the roof so I can pay off loans and put some money away in savings. But with both things you're independent from your parents which is a great feeling when they don't bear the burden of your tuition. Best of luck to you whatevery you choose.

 

[flyeagle111]

Thanks for all of the great advice and support gentlemen. I will end up doing what I want to do. Personally, I want to tell the old man a few words as well, but I figure I better be out of the house before I do that. I think he is bitter at the world for some reason I just don't know of. He is a business consultant who works in a cubicle for 70 hrs a week. If my Grandfather (my Mom's Dad) was still alive and he heard what he was saying, all hell would break loose as a former Marine. Atleast I know I have my Grandfather's support.

 

[m0tbaillie]

I can't really comment on ROTC other than the fact that I didn't get accepted anywhere for ROTC and I didn't get into academy but, I was accepted into the BDCP program this year and its unreal. I'm going to go through hell at OCS but to have a career as an officer and an aviator is a dream come true and 13 weeks is well worth it. There are plus sides to both though, I've got MIDN buddies that tell me to "f#$k off" on payday but at the same time I've got to pay tuition out of my pocket, and they don't. On the other hand my financial aid went through the roof so I can pay off loans and put some money away in savings. But with both things you're independent from your parents which is a great feeling when they don't bear the burden of your tuition. Best of luck to you whatevery you choose.

OCS is 12 weeks dude.

 

[Spekkio]

Hello. I am a current high school senior and have recently applied for the NROTC scholarship. My goal is to become a Naval Aviator one day and it is being discouraged by my father. He claims the military is full of high school drop outs and kids who would have gone to prison (on the enlisted side) and guys who can't find jobs who are officers. I find this very disrespectful and just would like some feedback on what to tell him. My grandfather was a retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel who flew in WWII and Korea. He was like a father to me (I'm not close with my father). I just don't know what to tell my father because every chance he gets he tells me that I'll just be among ex-convicts (I'm not sure if he's trying to make me look like I won't be successful or what??). Thanks.

It's no secret that the military is a dangerous line of work. Your dad is most likely afraid that you're going to get hurt, but he's unable to say it that way. So, he's just bashing the military in general in hopes that he'll convince you not to join.

You should try to talk to him and explain that while the job may be dangerous at times, you'll be working of some of the finest men this country has to offer.

 

[A4sForever]

.... I just don't know what to tell my father because every chance he gets he tells me that I'll just be among ex-convicts ...

Tell your Dad that you love him.

Tell your Dad that you respect him.

Tell your Dad that you value his input.

Tell your Dad that you hope he'll support your life decisions.

Tell your Dad that you want to serve your Country in the military.

Do it.

 

[Lobster]

OCS is 12 weeks dude.

Roger that I was just fired up from reading the OP and the "2" and "3" are pretty close on the keyboard...12 weeks of hell

 

[Birdog8585]

Stay the course bro - Picklesuit beat me to the regimental 10 from the gunline but I'll check fire until someone else decides to crush a young man's dreams cause they are too pissed that they didn't follow theirs and it caused them massive anal leakage (ok so I fired a few rounds).

Bottom line - it's been about 8 years in the making (18 if you count boyhood) and it has been worth every second!

Good Luck, Keep your head high and if anyone tells you you wont make it, sling load their faggot Minivan and pickle it into the Grand Canyon.

 

[The Chief]

Tell your Dad that you love him.
Tell your Dad that you respect him.
Tell your Dad that you value his input.
Tell your Dad that you hope he'll support your life decisions.
Tell your Dad that you want to serve your Country in the military.
Do it.

Excellent advice, no outstanding advice. Burn no bridges, remember he is your father, good bad or indifferent. That said it is your life, not a dress rehearsal. You must follow your dream. Do it.

Full disclosure: I retired from the Navy at 20 years (kiddy cruise and constructive time), know a whole lot about the Navy. I did not want my son to attend the USNA, several reasons, all of which were wrong headed. On his own he obtain a nomination, got accepted and graduated top of his class. Now, I feel kinda stupid, given what he has done, has accomplished and the future ahead of him. I am glad he did.

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

Hello. I am a current high school senior and have recently applied for the NROTC scholarship. My goal is to become a Naval Aviator one day and it is being discouraged by my father. He claims the military is full of high school drop outs and kids who would have gone to prison (on the enlisted side) and guys who can't find jobs who are officers. I find this very disrespectful and just would like some feedback on what to tell him. My grandfather was a retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel who flew in WWII and Korea. He was like a father to me (I'm not close with my father). I just don't know what to tell my father because every chance he gets he tells me that I'll just be among ex-convicts (I'm not sure if he's trying to make me look like I won't be successful or what??). Thanks.

If you want to be in the military it IS YOUR DECISION. Don't let your father keep you from doing what you want to do for your career. It's one of the most important decisions of your life when deciding a career path. I say buck up and tell him how it's gonna be. If you're not close to him then that should reinforce you decision to not take his advice. Good luck.

 

[HeyJoe]

My parents weren't thrilled either. My mother especially. They thought I was completely nuts when I announced I was joining the Navy. About a year ago Dad finally told me he understood why I did what I did and thought I made the right decision. In the end it was my decision and I don't regret what I did for a second.

And what was their reaction when you brought home a Marine?

 

[exhelodrvr]

Hello. I am a current high school senior and have recently applied for the NROTC scholarship. My goal is to become a Naval Aviator one day and it is being discouraged by my father. He claims the military is full of high school drop outs and kids who would have gone to prison (on the enlisted side) and guys who can't find jobs who are officers. I find this very disrespectful and just would like some feedback on what to tell him. My grandfather was a retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel who flew in WWII and Korea. He was like a father to me (I'm not close with my father). I just don't know what to tell my father because every chance he gets he tells me that I'll just be among ex-convicts (I'm not sure if he's trying to make me look like I won't be successful or what??). Thanks.

Suggestions:
You can get statistics that will refute his points, i.e. the education level of the officer corps vs the population at large, the crime level of the military vs the population at large, the public approval level for the military vs that of the Congress. It's probably not going to change his mind, but it will at least give him something to think about, and will strengthen your own arguments in your mind.

You can also tell him that accepting the scholarship doesn't incur any obligation yet.

 

[exhelodrvr]

Dude, there is no greater feeling in the world than strapping on a Navy aircraft, getting shot off the bow, doing a mission, and finally trapping aboard a carrier.

Yes, there is. It's call hovering.

 

[armada1651]

Richard Nixon

Doesn't really help in the "military isn't full of convicts" counterargument.