what benefits if I sign for my son to join at 17

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Permalink Reply by Steve's Mom on October 24, 2008 at 8:23pm

Barb, when my son signed (under 18) both parents had to sign the paperwork. Was that your case?

Shell

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Permalink Reply by Kristen - Maryssa's mom on October 24, 2008 at 7:47pm

My daughter wanted us to sign for her the day after her 17th birthday. She was in the DEP program for her senior year and had the opportunity to be an E-2 or E-3 early (this requires getting referrals for other recruits and passing a test based on the DEP handbook he will be given, it is not automatic). We agreed to sign with her once she was happy with her contract. She had to sign again this September when she left for boot camp. There were others that had signed and had been in the DEP program that ended up not joining (one dropped out of school and another changed his mind). Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by terri on October 24, 2008 at 8:04pm

my son is in boot camp now and only has two weeks left before graduation. He will not be 18 until this coming April. I too had to strugle with that decision of signing. We were also told that he could change his mind up until the time he got on the plane. Well he is really enjoing boot camp and has made alot of new friends. My advise is to get as much info as you can. I learned alot just searching around on this site. You can also have power of attorny signed over to you so you will have access to any medical things that may happen at boot camp. Lots of kids tend to get very sick. My son was lucky and stayed healthy so far. He did say that some kids couldn't handle it and they got sent home. Make sure your son watches the videos about boot camp on the recruit training command web sitet o see exactly what boot camp will be about each week. I don't know if I could of handled it if my son hated the navy and I signed for him at such a young age. They will be o,K. the navy wants them to succed and really do take good care of our young men and women. Good luck with your decision and do as much research as possible.

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Russell on October 24, 2008 at 11:10pm

I signed for my son when he was 17. For him, the benefit was being able to go in right after high school, and get the A school he wanted. If he had waited until he was 18, then he would have had to wait to get the school (and rate) he wanted, since there was a wait for them.

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Permalink Reply by Julie on October 25, 2008 at 1:16am

Hi, my daughter was 17 at the time she wanted to sign. I think it was the best thing she did. I was so proud of her. She just turned 18 in sept and is do to go to bootcamp oct27 this weekend. She is so excited to leave and start her life. Good luck and God Bless.

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Permalink Reply by Johnna,Lynettes Mom on October 25, 2008 at 3:26pm

Recruiters lie all the time, they are glorified used car salesmen, My daughter joined the navy at 17, she is fine now, but it was hard on her during bootcamp she felt she went from the cradle straight to bootcamp, nothing in between, but like I said she has adjusted and is doing well, your son will be fine, just needs to be strong while in bootcamp, thats the hardest part.

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Permalink Reply by Anti M on October 25, 2008 at 5:02pm

I respectfully disagree ... in my experience, boot camp was the easiest part of my Navy experience. You show up with a smile on your face, keep your mouth shut and do precisely as you're told. No decisions. That's what made it easy. Sure, there was yelling and loss or privileges and PT, but so? You just do it and laugh if you can. No, the hard parts were making the right decisions for myself as I progressed in the service. Being strong in bootcamp is easy, they tell you how. Yes, the Navy tells you how to succeed at your career, but you have to pick yourself up and make sure it happens. So many decisions, so many temptations and choices.

No experience between the cradle and boot camp? Whose fault was that? Surely not the recruiter ... up to the parent to give their children experiences as they approach adulthood, no matter what road they choose.

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Permalink Reply by BarbaraJane on October 25, 2008 at 10:46pm

I know from what my son told me at BC that many recruiters take the easiest way out - used car salesman like - anything that will get a recruit on the bus - no preparation.
My son's recruiters in Bloomington, IL, were the kind every mother would want. Answered all the questions, got the recruits in shape, got tutors for the ASVAB for those that needed it, got the recruits the knowledge they needed fro BC, helped recruits get credit for bringing in others. And have been supportive since.
Also were happy to work with the recruits to extend their first leave - RAP. I understand some recruiters won't even cooperate with that program.
I hope your daughter continues to do well.

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Permalink Reply by lynda n on October 25, 2008 at 10:17pm

I see you have a bunch of responses, but I would just ad that my son was 17 and a senior in HS when his recruiter contacted us about signing for my son to be part of the DEP program. The recruiter came and sat at our kitchen table with my son, myself and my husband. There was no question in my son's mind that he wanted to join the Navy right out of HS. We did sign for him and he was able to attend monthly meetings in the DEP program until he graduated. It gave him additional motivation and structure as well as information as to what to expect in boot camp and A school. It was exactly what he needed to prepare, and he did NOT belong to the Navy until he signed his enlistment papers after he turned 18. He finished boot camp as an E2. He officially joined the Navy July 19, 2004, and is doing well. He is now a Petty Officer 2nd class.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara on October 26, 2008 at 11:01am

Again thanx for all the replies :). This has been very helpful and helping in my decision. Like I said before I was already onboard to sign. I was the one who actually brought the signing up not the recruiter. It was my husbund who was freaking out and not listening to the facts. But reading everyones replys has helped him in realizing the facts, and hearing about those who have been thru this as a good experience.

When I called to tell the recruiter about my husbund not wanting to sign and that I was sorry for him not to come out. He wasn't pushy, he didn't go into any car salesman mode, he simply said OK. And if I had any questions to just call.

Actually the recruiter referred me to this site, or he told my son about it before he even came out to talk with us.

I sound like a broken record, but really "thanx" everyone for being helpful and sharing your experiences with me.

Barb

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Permalink Reply by Chris A. on October 26, 2008 at 6:54pm

It seems as though some of you have had a bad experience with recruiters. I just wanted to say that not all of them are like that. My son's recruiter was absolutely wonderful. He has stayed in touch with us and has asked me to tell my son to call him and chat anytime. Greg felt that he was more a friend than a recruiter and trusted him to tell him the truth about the Navy (which he did). Greg went in with no illusions, totally prepared for the journey ahead, thanks to his recruiter. I wish they were all as good.

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Permalink Reply by Laura Person on October 28, 2008 at 9:34am

Being a recruiter is a very very very hard job. Long hours, doors being shut in your face all the time. They are
under tremendous pressure to get the numbers in. My son was a recruiter for 3 years in Wisconsin and he said it was awful. Please stop bashing recruiters. If you have questions you need to go with your child to the recruiting offices and ask all these questions. If the recruiter does not answer your questions ask to speak to
his Chief or CO.

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