Okay, haven't read all the thread so maybe you've reached a decision/conclusion/idea. I think WAAAAAAY too many people poo-poo the military (not that anyone was in this thread) or simply just don't/won't consider it as a real, viable possibility. I don't know how many times I've heard that recruiters will lie to you, you'll get killed, etc. Not that either of those things can't happen, but that's neither here nor there. She likes computers? So does the military. Likes to cook? Well, the military needs to eat, too. On a personal note, I went to college right out of HS. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had no idea what I wanted to study. I was in the Career Development office or whatever it was called all the time, taking their tests to help narrow down and ultimately determine a major, and I got everything from the military to the clergy to teaching to nursing to psychology and everything else you could imagine. In other words, it didn't help a damn bit. And so I continued to struggle in college with no real sense of purpose or direction. I was called "lazy", "unmotivated", and everything in between. To make it worse, I was at a Christian school, so I had to live with people praying for me all the damn time instead of offering any real help or advice. At some point, kids who feel that they are lost and unable to be helped develop a very real sense that they will stay that way because being 'lost' is the only thing they know how to do well. Though it embarrasses me quite a bit to admit it, I'm absolutely speaking from experience. To keep this from getting too long, I graduated after six years of being a full-time student with a degree I didn't give two s**ts about and a mountain of debt. Here's what I wish I would have had done....scratch that....here's what I wish someone would have pushed me to do because I was a dumb kid who didn't know any better: Join the military: Live my life a little and grow up. I'd have had health care, gobs of money for college, and perhaps most importantly: some discipline and some sense of who I was and who I wanted to become. So my advice is this: do some research on the military yourself and start talking to her about it. They'll give your daughter gobs of real-life training, job training, and any further training she could possibly want. They will educate her to the Nth degree if she wants it. During her time in she will always have a roof over her head, three meals a day, health care, and a paycheck. On top of all that, should she decide to stay in for a full career, she could retire after 20 years (making her only 39...and RETIRED) with full benefits including keeping her health care and a full military pension. All I'm saying is do some research it and consider it if you're at your "wits end," or however you described it. I just turned 34 last week and I'll graduate nursing school in May. To be 39 and retired....I just couldn't imagine how ridiculously awesome that would be.
I couldn't disagree more. A 19 year old is NOT an adult, despite being able to vote and buy p*rn. A 19 year old is in late adolescence, still developing mentally, and still VERY much a kid. Best post in this thread. What he said. Any branch of the service, really, but the Navy would certainly be an excellent choice. Do some homework yourself and go talk to a recruiter yourself. If you don't like him/her, find another one. A female recruiter might even be a better choice.
When I asked my buddy who was in the Army about job training, he said, "Yeah I got job training. Job training for something I will never do outside of the military." He repaired helicopter engines or something.
NNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDD PPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I reckon that, if you can't cut her off because you feel guilty about it, you probably feel a deficiency at your end in your child's development.
See, this is exactly what I'm talking about re: the perception that the military isn't a viable option. When I enlisted after 9/11 I went radar/fire support (then I got hurt in Basic and they found I had spinal arthritis and sent me home), I CHOSE MY OWN JOB!!!! I picked my specialty as part of my contract. I can't imagine it's not the same re: picking your job with the military stretched thin today, at least in the larger branches such as the Army and Navy. Your buddy was a mechanic. Good for him, if that's what he wanted to be. He could have been something else. He could have stayed in. He could have gone to college on the GI Bill, stayed in, and become an officer. Or he could have just had college paid for. The point is that there is a million different options for Nero's kid. Do you think him considering late-night infomercial work-from-home scams or working retail or waiting tables is a better option? None of those things offer health care, a pension, or give veteran status for future hiring preferences. None of those things will pay for college or post-graduate degrees. None of those things will offer the self-discipline training the military provides. Just sayin'.
when i was 18, fresh out of high school, planning on attending HCC, i got a job as a cashier earning 6.5/hr i took classes at HCC since i didnt want to admit that my education is over and not be qualified for anything and i got a job because i felt bad for my single-parent mom your daughter needs to want to excel, or at least be competent, not much you can do, imho
I was in pretty much the same position as your daughter. I had no direction in life.. didn't really go to school.. and just kinda hung out at home with no motivation.. then I joined the Navy and it completely changed my life. The military taught me discipline, teamwork, camaraderie.. and made me a more motivated individual. I've been out of the Navy for more than 4 years now, and I can't even imagine how my life would be now if I didn't go. I think you should send your kid to the military. You will see after boot camp graduation that you have a brand new kid.
So you are saying the Military is there to clean up the mess a parent should have fixed? I flick my boogers at that idea. The problem with the perception of the Military today is exactly what you said, many of the people I am around think that the military is full of social leftovers and the unintelligent who know how to aim. I just dont like the idea that the military is here for our last resort if nothing else is put in our path.
There is always retail and fast food. There is also temp staffing, if she can type and use Microsoft Word. If she can take an HCC class for Microsoft Office, it will help her get an office job later.
I don't know where you got that (the bolded part) from his post. He is clearly advocating for the military, which you seem to do after the bold. Am I missing something?
Whether or not its a last resort, the military is does wonders for young people who are in those kind of situations. Some kids just need to go off on their own for a little while, and be away from the comfort of home.
This is my point as well. The military does this while ensuring that they are cared for re: leadership, health care, shelter, food, and a pay check.
If your daughter likes to travel and is smart, she can be a Cryptologic Technician. As a CT, you spend two years in beautiful Monterey and get extensive training in a language such as Chinese or Arabic. You get a high security clearance, and get to travel all around the world translating documents and decoding messages. Your daughter just needs to get a super high ASVAB score.
Culinary school ain't no joke. I heard its about 50 K after its all said and done. About the same for a college tuition. I don't know how good her communication and people skills her but maybe you should look into sales for her. She "Could" her like 1 or 2 K a week saleing cars. They are always looking for people. Just a rant. Some of you guys are heartless man. You guys are basically saying you fail at life so go get yourself killed or raped by going to the navy, marine or army. Heartless
Maybe an off the wall suggestion, and may not be fesible due to finances. But she should do what i did and go out and see the world for a year. Not sure if the US has the same VISA options as Australians do with the UK, but i was in the same position as your daughter unmotivated, living at home, unsure of what to do.. Went to the UK for a year when i was 21, came back with a clearer picture and a lot more motivated to get out and stand on my own 2 feet.
How is this possible if she has no money? Going to a different country with absolutely nothing? Not such a great idea.
Can't even get a job at MCDs? I see them hiring everyday, everyone of them. She's a bad student? Find her a tutor. She's lazy? Find her a mentor *since you obviously are not one and probably doesn't really give a s*.
