What to say to my parents? Please help!

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Permalink Reply by HusbandofaNavymom on October 4, 2009 at 9:56pm

Follow your heart It's your life now and you need to start making descions for your self. Once your parents see it's what you truely want they should at least be supportive of your descion. This is a great career choice. My daughter is a Nuke ET, my son-inlaw is a Nuke MM. When we went to see her graduate she bought a truck. We went and got insurance for it and her son was in the Nuke officer program. He had went to college and gotten his degree in Nuclear engineering. When he went for a job they told him to join the Navy and get the training and experiance so they could hire him. A college degree is nice but real world experiance counts alot. Good Luck with your descion.

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Permalink Reply by LynnDear on October 4, 2009 at 11:04pm

Some of my favorite teachers were ex military that taught history. When my son was discharged from the Navy, many of the classes he took in the Navy transferred to college credit, especially, computer tech. After bootcamp and A school, some take online classes. It does take some motivation but it can be done. And there is the GI bill which pays for classes later. Another option is to find out what the Navy needs, and get a degree in that and go in as an officer. I know 4 nursing students who signed a contract. The Navy is paying for their college, and they go in as an officer. I have 2 that joined the service, one is out now and in college. Another got his degree first in accounting and then joined. Because of the job situation, many are joining and the competition is fierce for who they will accept. Go to the library and get an ASVAB book to study for the test and see how you do. The score on that test can determine what you qualify for. Also, you have some college, and that will probably let you go in as an E2.
Over all you have to convince yourself that this is what you want, and then you will know what to say to your parents. Go to the group moms with daughters and ask how they are doing. It will surprise you to know, how resilient young ladies can be. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Anti M on October 4, 2009 at 11:17pm

I am ex-navy and I got a teaching certificate once I was out of the service. I loved my time in the Navy, even the parts which were difficult and made me miserable at the time. I was an ET (electronics technician) and truly enjoyed that.

The corpsman ate is taking very few females right now, as many are being sent with Marine units into combat zones. Women are not allowed to be assigned like that. Be prepared to look at other rates; be open to trying something you never considered.

I was in college, but my parents stopped paying tuition when I changed my major three times and spent six weeks knocking around London instead of heading home for fall semester. That I joined the Navy and did well surprised them to no end. Just goes to show you never know where your life can take you.

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Permalink Reply by Jessica on October 4, 2009 at 11:30pm

I'm doing good in school, I just wish I had some sort of direction, it's driving me crazy!!!! There are times though where I get discouraged and think that because I'm kind of timid and afraid of new situations that I'll be a big screwup in the Navy, which I've been told is a ridiculous way to think. Maybe it's just me overreacting. But my parents want to see me get my college degree because jobs these days require one more or less, I can understand their concern. I just wish they had more faith in me and didn't cut me down on the idea left and right. And yes, I was told by my recruiter that to females are having to look at jobs not regularly taken by females. I actually thought about ET, can you tell me a little about it? Like what you do and such?

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Permalink Reply by Anti M on October 4, 2009 at 11:58pm

As an ET, I repaired and maintained communications electronic gear. That's about it, along with the basic military stuff like standing watch and eventually being in charge of a work center or three. We didn't have as many computers as now, so that's changed a bit. I was in when women did not go on ships, so while I learned the basics of radar, I didn't work on it. I had a very high ASVAB score (99), but my background in math and science was a bit weak. Still, I test well and the Navy teaches a step at a time. Anyone who is focused and fairly bright can make it.

I used to be shy and scatter-brained. The Navy gave me self-confidence and the ability to focus on what I was doing. I can't say enough good things about what being in the service did for me as a person. My parents also thought I'd drop right out of boot camp, we all found out how strong I was under the little girl they'd known.

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Permalink Reply by Connie J on October 7, 2009 at 8:44pm

Anti M, I can tell you are very knowledgeable about the navy, etc. I enjoy your comments. I believe my son will be AECF - ET (maybe in the FC part of the ET), as you can tell, I don't know all the details and correct words yet. He is excited about his job (soon to be) and will be attending A school whenever that starts. They are on hold right now but he has no problem with that. He is a bright guy but I don't know about the focused part. My husband was in the Navy (30 some years ago) and saids they have a way to impress upon them to do their best. He is a quiet and laid back person and certainly will do as told but school at home seem to be a place to socialize rather than to acheive. He graduated from high school and went to Community College for a 1-1/2 before we (and he) decided that was not working out. He had no interest. What are you thoughts on this?

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Permalink Reply by Arwen on October 4, 2009 at 11:39pm

If she thinks you're being influenced by your BF, remind her that if you join the Navy chances are you will not see him again for years. It's almost impossible to maintain a relationship with another sailor if you aren't assigned to the same location.

Go for your next semester, tell her that you will finish the spring semester, if it's a passing fancy, then you will have changed your mind by then and will stay in school. If you still want to join the Navy, then it really is your decision. With some time between now and then she will not see this as an impulsive decision and be more supportive. She may never be happy with the idea, but she will have had time to deal with the idea.

The advantage to you is that if you have an AS/AA you can join at a higher rank and get higher pay as soon as you leave boot camp. It also opens doors to do some really cool stuff, and it will help you get a really high score on your ASVAB. The better your score, the better jobs you will be offered.

Also, since there are so few positions available right now, this gives you time to go to MEPS a few times and wait for that perfect job to come along. You will have time to say "no" to a few offers that are less than ideal.

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Permalink Reply by Jessica on October 4, 2009 at 11:59pm

the last time i brought up to her about joining was last spring. She told me that I will have her blessing once I try a semester at a 4 year college, (i did community college and hated it). My dad was another story. He cried for hours at the thought of me leaving (afraid of an empty nest sort of thing) which is understandable. I bring it up every so often just so they know I haven't dropped the idea. And if I do go in i want to have a job that can have a civilian counterpart just so that I can use it when i get out if my other college plans fail or I really do enjoy my job. I did not know you could wait for better jobs, that's news to me :)
I have already taken the ASVAB scored a 63 (not great, should take it again), and know the next steps i need to take to enlist. My recruiter has all my info and such, so there's not much more to do than say yes or no.

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Permalink Reply by Anti M on October 5, 2009 at 12:04am

Do get an ASVAB study guide, it will help immensely. Most people do better the second time around on such tests. A higher score gives you more choices. Yes, you can hold out for something which you feel will suit you best.

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Permalink Reply by Angela on October 9, 2009 at 8:50pm

Look into IS (intelligence specialist)...my daughter is shy...but strong...you can do whatever you set your mind to doing...you just have to be dedicated.

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Permalink Reply by Angela on October 9, 2009 at 8:51pm

Forgot to say..that this is the area my 21 year old daughter went in to...

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Permalink Reply by Laura on October 13, 2009 at 9:46pm

Remember that you are his "little girl" and always will be. Empty nest is hugh. I can't believe how devistated I was/am. My youngest will be leaving this coming year. I always thought it would be great.....not always. Parts of it are good, like seeing my sons become men and good people. They will get over it and may want to be part of every decision on what is going on between you and the Navy. Letting go is hard. My oldest just left to go back from leave. One of the firstthing he said to my husband and I was to thank us for "leading by example" with work ethics and working with people. I knew then (as I always have) that he is where he is supposed to be. Now we will see with the youngest.

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