to think that joining the army at 16 is an awful idea mostly.

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My dyslexic 15 year old does combined cadets and thinks he wants to join the army at 16. He’s bright but not academic in the slightest and also doesn’t have a clue about the amount of protection and scaffolding that goes into his existence. He has an EHCP for ADHD and dyslexia.

He is quite insistent that the army will be brilliant. I think it will be disastrous. His father and I divorced 5 years ago and he says that “Dad supports this” although I doubt it. We don’t have any contact, so there’s no point trying to discuss it.

Tell me how wrong I am and that joining up as a 16 year old (a very young one at that) with probably no GCSE is a superb idea. Cheers.

They might not accept him and he might not make it through basic training. From 16-18 they go to Army college basically.

My Ds went through this and still sometimes says he will join.

It could be the making of him. I know very little about the army but used to be in the navy. I’d suggest you find out more about it. FWIW I’d be fine if DS wanted to join the services. He’s academic but very sporty (would hate an office job) but I’m not pushing it either (he’d just go in the opposite direction!)

My boy isn’t sporty either. I think he would get picked on. His twin is hard as nails and I’d feel differently if it were him. I’m horrified at the thought of it. He’s only ever been on school residentials and every time he’s called me in tears over one thing or another.

Whether it is right will be very much down to your son. Entry at 16 is different to those joining older as they will be expected to enroll in education programmes as well as military training. For youngsters who can cope with the discipline it can be an excellent stepping stone to a career in the military (they have to reenlist at 18 but can step away if they want).

my dc joined up at 16 but through a different service, very different scheme though

I think he would be better to consider it at 18. He’s y10. His school offer boarding and I think if he boarded for y11 it would help enormously too. He’s so disorganised, I think his brain would explode in the army. A year of English boarding school might give some perspective. Dunno.

I joined at 17, it was the best thing I ever did. Made me stand on my own two feet, and taught me how to cook, clean, look after myself. I still clean, and cook the way they taught me……

Things are a bit different now though. It’s a very grueling induction and it separates the wheat from the chaff.

I wouldnt discourage him, as he will want to join all the more. Just go along with it (without encouraging him), you might find that in the end his desire to join will fizzle out.

They might not accept him and he might not make it through basic training. From 16-18 they go to Army college basically.

This.👍

Saying he wants to join and then being accepted and getting through basic training (which as PP said, includes a significant amount of academic work for what in my day were termed "boy soldiers") are two very different things.

Support him otherwise neither of you will ever know how he will do.
He may fail to get in, he may not go the distance or it could just be the making of him.

It doesn't sound like A levels are going to be up his street, so what would the alternative be? I would be worried sick if my kids wanted to sign up too by the way. But it can be a great job for the less academic.

I know a couple of boys who joined up at 16. One stayed in. One lasted 6 months. However even for the boy who didn’t stay it kind of gave him a bit of direction after leaving school ( not academic and no real other ideas) , new experiences and likely made him grow up a bit and more likely to stick at his new job ( works at the docks with plans to become a crane operator). So I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad idea.

I mean I did and totally loved it, best thing I ever did. Like people have said wanting to join and actually getting in are two different things, it took months for me and lots of various tests etc. I think it’s best for him to try and let them make the decision.

My partner is also dyslexic. He left school at 16 with very few GCSEs and joined the army.

He says it was the making of him. He saved and saved his money from tours and lived in the accommodation to save money, and it allowed him to get into buy to let properties while he was still serving. He now owns a property development business and was able to learn a lot of trades through the army. Although he's not stratospherically wealthy, he's certainly sitting on a lot more capital than me (and most people tbh) and I have higher degrees and two professional qualifications.

As long as he's got drive and ambition, I don't think it's the worst idea.

It might not be for him, but I also wouldn't say it should be written off out of hand. My partner has said to me before if he hasn't joined he'd have almost certainly have flunked out of school and spent his life in trouble.

Looks like medication is not allowed https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ADHD-Pathway-Booklet-transition-for-young-people-Part3.pdf