DS1 (aged 16) has been described as "ridiculously bright" by his school teachers.
He says he ultimately want to join the navy. The marines, he says. I don't have a clue about any of this kind of thing and I suspect he doesn't either but it appeals to him.
He does bugger all work and got very average GCSE grades after the school flagged to us that he was heading to get all 3s and 4s so he actually did a bit of work.
He's now started A levels. He sometimes goes in, he sometimes doesn't. He's already missed quite a few language lessons and I've had an email from the school telling me they're already concerned about his attendance. He's just not going to do well at A levels, however bright he is. He can't be arsed.
So, what is the deal with joining the armed forces at 16? I mean, for a clever lad, is it better to wait until after A levels or will he be able to develop and progress in the armed forces regardless?
It's just that he's going to do poorly in his A levels because he doesn't work, sometimes doesn't attend school if he doesn't feel like it etc. He chose A levels that he isn't that keen on because he narrowed his choices by doing poorly in GCSEs.
Can anyone please give me some advice? It's all very new territory for me, this armed forces arena.