My son told us this morning he's joining the Marines

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There’s this great PBS documentary on the US Marines that will give you some idea of the history and culture. It may not answer a lot of your immediate questions, but I think you’ll come to understand a bit about why your son may have chosen that branch of military service, and the sort of meaning he may get from it.

 
I feel for you but I also salute your son. He is doing a good thing.
 
I will pray for him that he changes his mind. And if he doesn’t may God protect him always.
God bless.
 
Why must he change his mind? I understand the danger of enlisting but it is a very brave and honorable thing for him to do. And it is right. He is going to be defending our country, our citizens, and in a way; the world. I’m not firing shots here (in case it seemed like I was) I’m honestly just wondering about your reasoning.Of course, this is coming from a future enlistee (that is, if my stickler syndrome doesn’t worsen much) so my opinions can be considered bias in a way but I honestly believe that he is doing a good thing by joining. I will, of course, pray for his safety.
 
If he doesn’t he then will I hope get complete protection. I pray for yours too.
This post here comes from his mother who wishes he would do otherwise. I am not reasoning he being wrong but rather than in that which is right he chooses a path more soothing to his family. If this does not happen then so be it. But the post here is from his mother so I pray for her intentions.
May God bless him and you too.
 
I am sorry, but you are wrong. This mom did not come here asking for prayers that her son not go. She asked for prayers for herself, that she is able to accept and support her son’s decision. That is quite different.
 
God will mediate this as I have always placed my prayer. Of course any mother wants her children happy but here she seemed very upset even if tries to cope with it. God doesn’t really fulfills my prayers don’t worry too much. I am nobody. If anything I just managed to put it all once more in God’s hands.
Lately I do feel I am usually wrong about many things so don’t be sorry.
 
Hi Mary,

I appreciate your prayers very much, thank you. I just want what’s best for him even if it hurts, which it does. BUT, I’ve spent way too much time these past days with this narrow focus so this morning I went to Mass and said the rosary with my husband and when it was time for the gifts to be brought up I asked my Holy Angel to please bring up my prayer intention and I, in my heart, placed my son before the altar and asked that God watch over him as I handed him to His care.

Also yesterday I was sifting through St. Therese book for some encouragement and came across these words…“God does not extend His had to take without offering something, He gives strength and courage to endure”. I have to believe that was a heavenly nudge.

I’m not saying this to you directly, I’m just talking (typing) out loud! I appreciate you and everyone else here, I appreciate all opinions that are well intended.

God bless you!
 
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On a personal note, my Godfather and Confirmation sponsor is a US Marine and Vietnam veteran, and one of the best men I know. He is also my uncle, by marriage, and I considered his own mother to be a third grandmother to me, a wonderful woman and a devout Catholic perhaps much like yourself. I hope that gives you comfort knowing that your situation is not so unique, and that many members of the Church go through it and come out just fine, perhaps even better for it.
 
Ah ok. I’m sorry, I geuss I got kinda off the point. You know us teenagers, we do that a lot.
 
I am so sorry for your heartbreak. It is something most parents go through, to one extent or another. Something to consider though is that even going to college is fraught with dangers to one’s soul, which is arguably worse.

If my son tries to do this, I am going to encourage him to go the route of ROTC, or military academy, though I know that is not for all.
 
Ask yourself if he’s the kind of guy who will likely avoid trouble, or if he’s likely to make errors due to not following instructions properly. If he’s in the first camp, I wouldn’t worry about him going.

Move on to the next issue.
 
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It’s ok, I lose the point quite often too when something that gets me emotionally involved is being discussed. You didn’t lose the point btw, off topic I think has to be only vaguely hinting at the subject.
 
Now my husband just learned of the term ‘Reserve’ from his Marine friend. His friend suggested he do reserve after boot camp and since he has tuition remission for a college I work at he could finish his degree, do reserve and then go to officer training(?). I wonder if reserve will help him pay for books.
The college where I work there is an ROTC program but I’m not sure if that’s for someone who already did boot camp. Plus he didn’t do great in high school but will have a diploma and I wonder if being a marine my college will accept him easier than if he was straight from high school.
My son is super excited but he’s not seeing past boot camp which is why my husbands Marine friend told him to get the degree while he’s doing reserve versus what he did. He said for him the hardest was the 4 years after bootcamp.
Anyway, I am much better emotionally thanks to the Lord’s strength and Him sending each of you to help me. I just wanted to add this post because I never heard of this and thought someone may know more about it and whether they agree it’s a good idea for an 18 year old with no focus. I was hoping the right MOS will get him a good job without having to do college since he struggles academically but my husband states college is necessary even after boot/MOS if he wants a higher salary.
Thank you for any (name removed by moderator)ut, thankfully we are at a good place and more informed. Hope you have a blessed day.
 
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momof2angells said:
His friend suggested he do reserve after boot camp and since he has tuition remission for a college I work at he could finish his degree, do reserve and then go to officer training(?). I wonder if reserve will help him pay for books.
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That’s exactly what my brother did: Marine reserves, college/two deployments to Iraq, officer training after college, then service as an officer. He also had issues in high school, mainly with organization. I forget the exact sequence of events, but it definitely did him some good not to go directly from high school to college.

By the way, has your son been evaluated for possible ADHD?
 
Thank you Xantippe. We never did, we probably should have. My husband wants him to do the officer route too, Im sure my son would wonder if he could rise in rank as an officer without 4 years of college.
 
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momof2angells said:
We never did, we probably should have.
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It’s not too late–I would look into getting him evaluated as soon as you can get a solid referral.

My sis has a senior, too, and last we talked, she was planning to get him evaluated for ADHD. If nephew does have ADHD it’s important to figure that out while he’s at home, while there are things that can be done for him. (Nephew is plenty bright, but disorganized.)
 
momof2angells said:
ow my husband just learned of the term ‘Reserve’ from his Marine friend.
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The reserves are a good option. He’d have to check with the recruiters on the details on what education and other benefits are available. Most likely he will have to spend one weekend per month and two weeks a year drilling and training and will will receive a monthly check for that. I have no idea how much that would be either.

Have him ask the recruiter for the details on this. I think you mentioned a recruiter was coming by too and I’d bring that up if it were me if he doesn’t.

On a side note the “Toys For Tots” program you see are Christmas is ran by the USMC reserves.

Viva Christo Rey!
 
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