Dad looking to Advise his Son

[Ohmess]

Hello Rangers. I am here seeking information on how to advise my son. My son is 19, fit, patriotic and a fine young man.

He's always been interested in the military. When he was in grade school, he was fascinated to learn that both his grandfathers fought in WWII. He wrote a paper about the battle of the bulge (my dad was there) and struck up a bunch of long conversations with my wife's dad about the Navy (my dad's long gone). I remember he just HAD to have a hat from grandad's ship -- the USS Ticonderoga -- when we ran across one in a store.

Throughout the course of his freshman year in college, he has thrown himself into ROTC (he's a non-contracted cadet). He volunteered for both Ranger Challenge and Pershing Rifles. In preparation for the Challenge competition he did an hour and half of PT every weekday morning at 6 to get ready and then sprained his ankle bad right before the competition and couldn't compete. He now says the normal PT is a piece of cake, and is doing afternoon workouts to supplement the morning PT. He had the second highest rifle score in his battalion the first time he was tested. His ASVAB score was something like an 86.

He is far more interested in things military than in the academic aspects of being in college and unfortunately this has shown up in his grades. He has just informed me that he may want to join the military rather than continue with college, hence the reason I am here. Based on some computerized job software on Army.com, he's mentioned infantry, engineer and/or cavalry scout.

Some have said he should look for something that will lead to a civilian job. I am not inclined to advise him to go this way. My thought is he should pick a military job he likes, maybe even do something he cannot do as a civilian.

Thoughts?

[garyedolan]

Welcome. My advice is to support his decisions and advise him to be the very best at whatever he chooses. Seems as if you have already done your job of raising a fine, patriotic, healthy young man.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Welcome. Since he started down the academic path first and now has a desire to serve he should take his time and really take a good look at what he wants from the service. Taking the wrong path in the military isn't as easy to change.

There is so much information available on the internet this should not be a difficult task. The key is to know what he wants and then to make sure it is part of his enlistment contract.

[Ohmess]

Thank you Rangers for your respectful replies.

I've seen some posts here wherein Rangers comment that young men seeking to become Rangers had better want it for the right reasons and be prepared to apply themselves fully.

My question is more basic. How does someone decide seeking to become a Ranger is something they want to do? I don't want to approach my son and say why not try to be a Ranger, but am instead thinking if my son says X and Y and Z, then maybe he should consider it. My problem is I don't know what X and Y and Z are. How do you identify someone who may be a good fit?

[Ohmess]

Thank you Ranger ZoneIV.

My son has agreed to complete the college courses he has started this semester and he has only three weeks to go. I anticipate he will then turn in ernest to his future plans. Whether he checks out this place is up to him.

He doesn't need to be a Ranger for me. Hell, it would be easier on me if he didn't. I suspect the topic will come up, however, and I'm trying to learn so I can ask the right questions.