To be upset that DS has applied to join the army?

[Mumof2NDers]

DS2 is 16 and has applied to join the army! I’m supporting him through the application process and I’m accompanying him to an event at Catterick next week but I’m scared that he won’t get in and be devastated. I’m equally scared that he might get in.
The opportunities for training and travel are amazing and could set him up for life but the state of the world at the moment is a worry.
I tried to delay the process by asking him to go to college for one year (hoping he would change his mind) but he only lasted 8 weeks because it wasn’t really what he wanted.
DM told me to put my big girl pants on and help him to achieve his dream or risk him resenting me forever for trying to stop him.

DS15 intends to join the navy after GCSES
I will support him even though I worry with the state of the world right now

You can't deploy until you're 18 and there are restrictions on the training and duties you can conduct. Also your children could join without your permission, just because it isn't what you want you don't own them.

Your DM is right on this one! Put on your big-girl pants and support him
He wants this; it may be brilliant, it may be shit, but his choice.
I think you should be proud of him and yourself; you've raised a child who has values and wants to be in a position of responsibility and trust. At 16! That is wonderful

I would be careful.

I know a couple of ex squaddies in their 40s and 50s and both do fairly unskilled jobs now they are out of the army and are years behind their civilian contemporaries in terms of career. The army does not necessarily give transferable skills that can be used for successful civilian skilled work.

If you are an officer it may be a different story in terms of career path both in and out the army so you have to ask is he officer material?

Also there is a lot bullying in the forces which is well documented and also soldiers can suffer poor mental health for a variety of reasons including being in combat zones.

Or my BIL who was a squaddie and is now a chief security officer onboard a cruise ship. Travelling the world and being very well
paid.

Or my best friends partner who is now a DCI in the police.

Haha that’s funny. I don’t know a whole lot about it, just that the people I know seemed happy with it and no major drama!

V right about the ammo tech. I thought similar tbh.

NC for this for obvious reasons. I grew up in Harrogate and must say, as a teenage girl I was always treated very nicely by the squaddies, bless them. Maybe not what you want to hear, OP but they were all very polite.

I am very proud of him. 😀
He’s a very polite kind young man.
Him being in the army is something I’d be very proud of, it’s just the state of the world at the moment that worries me but as DM says you can’t live your life on what ifs.

@dailyduel

of course there can be success stories but I do not think is always the case. We do have local teachers concerned that the army are actively marketing themselves to boys with relatively poor GCSE s as a life changing alternative to often unskilled work and not being entirely open about what life in the army entails. Obviously the marketing concentrated on comraderie , pride and career fulfilment but it can't be argued that there is a darker side.

also concerning is with falling number of recruits whether the army will try and persuade young men and women who really don't have the necessary qualities.

The Army needs recruits!

My hubby told his parents that he wanted to get signed up and they, too, were very scared. That was in 1981 when he was 18 - we were in a recession and jobs were hard to find. He learnt mechanics, working on tanks and stayed for six years. Enjoyed his time but six years was enough. Worked as a car mechanic when he got home but has done other things since.

Has he had the day at Catterick yet ?

I feel for you Mumof2NDers I felt exactly the same when DS wanted to join the army fortunately he changed his mind (phew) and decided to go to uni! The world is in such a state I am so worried these young people could be gun fodder. Good luck

One of my ds when to Harrogate then Catterick. He was flown out to Cyprus to join his regiment two days before his 18th birthday. He's been a soldier for 18months now. It's not an easy life, far from it, but his determination and dedication make me extremely proud.

I’m immensely proud of our “gun fodder” son and dil. But then we’re a military family.

I get you're scared Op but I'd be very proud if he were my son. If he does get in, please thank him for his service. (And thanks to all the military families on here also.)

No. It was all cancelled 2 hours before we were due to leave! He was rejected after they saw his medical records. He was absolutely devastated but on reflection he’s decided maybe he is a little too young. He’s enrolling into a military preparation college until he’s 18 then will
try again. We could appeal the decision which is initially what he wanted to do.

Oh ! I am so sorry. However it may be for the best at this age ? I wish him well on the college course.

Sorry to hear he’s been rejected OP. My son has just had his interview this week. Just waiting on medical stuff coming back and then fitness tests to do. I hope your DS gets his second chance.