My SS16 wants to join the military. While I like the boy most of the time, his mouth is running constantly, he's lazy except for his mouse/game control hands, and likes sleeping until noon.

On the flip side, if he actually joins and makes the cut, CS ends that much sooner!

Just listened to a recruiter on the radio a couple weeks ago. The military is getting more and more selective due to the dumbing down of the Western world's "educational" system.

They require good grades, no run ins with the law (not even speeding tickets or moving violations--they check into EVERYTHING) and preferable someone with college courses in math or science.

My son went into the Air Force Reserves back in January of 2012. He came from a pretty strict background (my parenting) and had excellent grades, is physically fit, college credits in math and science, no criminal record, just a couple speeding tickets and it took a loooooonnnnnnnnng time for him to get in!!

My skids would NEVER EVER EVER make it in the military. They would choose JAIL over the military anyway. The local jails around here are basically a resort. Yoga, painting, television, 3 squares, free medical, dental, eyecare, meds, etc. etc.

I'm curious as to what SD's rationale is.

And what thinkthrice said above is true. Depending on the outfit, the military has higher standards for being eligible for recruitment.

You know what? If SD15 wanted to join the military, I'd say go for it!! There have been some cases where they actually turned those who otherwise would not become productive citizens into such. Might do her some good if she can make it in. She isn't getting any structure from her parents...they just let her run the show. Structure is something some people just need. She won't be allowed to make it all about her in the the military. She will have to be responsible, no blaming things on others, no one else to pick up her crap for her (like DH eventually does when she doesn't clean her mess).

Hmmmmm...makes me think I should go pick up some pamphlets for the various branches and leave them laying around the house.

SS went in in 2012 right after he graduated HS. His grades were barely above passing and he was a very unruly and disrespectful kid all through school.

They took him in with NO problem. His boot camp was all inside air conditioned training facility's. The officers that train them at boot camp now are not allowed to curse or holler that the kids in boot camp now. It was absurd. It sounds more like boy scout training than the military.

SS has been disciplined at least 3 times since he went in. (over a year) I don't think they will kick him out. THANK GOODNESS!!!

If they will take SS, they will take almost anyone.

Recruiters are definitely becoming more selective as the military is shrinking and they will have to do more with fewer people.

My SS reported to USAF BMT in April 2011. He just completed year 3 of his initial 6 year enlistment. Getting in is not the only challenge regarding the military. Staying in even for only one enlistment is not a given any more. They have ever decreasing tolerance for bullshit. My skid has seen several of his peers booted out for a variety of stupid shit.

During his long interface with both the USMC and USAF recruiters we witnessed many kids who were rejected due to grades, school discipline issues, legal issues, physical fitness, etc.... Don't bet on a slug kid getting in and if they do get in, don't bet that their selected service will tolerate their presence for long if they don't pull their head out of their ass.

My Skid is doing well and just tested for E-5. If his test score and other qualifications are adequate he will be promoted in the Fall. So far I am proud of him. I take some of the credit. His mom and I raised him with expectations and I am sure that his Jr. and Sr. year of high school at Military School did not hurt.

Good luck with your skid.

Tell Dad to look into JrROTC.

We have a GREAT military school in Oklahoma if you are interested....