To ask if my son is too young for Marine Cadets

[Flippetydip]

He's 9, there is a recruitment evening tomorrow for children from 9-17. DS is desperate to go. I feel it is really young for this as presumably he'll be mixing with teens up to 17.

Has anyone had experience of a younger child joining the cadets?

I'm slightly iffy on the whole subject anyway (I think at heart I'm probably a pacifist) but DH tells me I'm worrying unnecessarily and just because he joins the cadets will not make him a trained killer. Yes, I'm overly dramatic, I realise - but I'm concerned about his age.

I did ATC (air training corps) when I was a teen, I think the ages were from 12-20 so still a big gap from the twelves to the twenties, there were no dramas at all. Everything was professional, fun, and well-managed. All the older kids were lovely to the younger ones, the staff oversaw things really well. I loved it. And I am (and always was) a pacifist, but the chance to fly planes and go on various trips (Duke of Ed, various camping trips, other excursions I'd never have gone on otherwise) was great for me. I think I'd have preferred the marine corps but there wasn't one near enough. I would be keen to send my kids to Marine Cadets (or ATC or similar) if they wanted to.

If he wants to join, go and look. They offer a wide range of activities that he might not otherwise experience.
My son joined the military from school at 18. He would consider himself a professional military officer tasked with maintaining global security, providing humanitarian assistance and acting as an ambassador for our country when overseas. In fact, his commissioning sword has a quote down the flat side of the blade “Make me a channel of your peace”. His friends don’t see themselves as ‘killers’ either.

I think there is normally a junior group for 10-12?

Iceweasel that's useful to know and reassuring, thank you. I don't know why I'm so anxious about this - I don't normally worry about this sort of thing.

DH is taking him down to the open evening/recruitment evening tonight so we'll see how that goes.

Yes you need to be 11

Metoo apparently not as they have issued an invitation to all aged 9-17