Soooo....

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

I thought they required at least that? I have a nephew who is trying to get into the Army right now. He's had some issues in the past and is having to jump through hoops. For him, at least we hope, it will be a positive change.

I know the worry and wondering is very stressful, I hope you have answers soon to whatever he works out.

I don't think it is required- they can issue a waiver. However, it is better to have it than not.

So I hope he stops long enough to do that.

Thanks-this is all new for me. I was married to the Army once- but this is my kid.

[blueerica]

Yes, let's just hope they have him get his GED at least!

[Alex]

Has he said what his motivations are for wanting to join the military?


Unless things have changed recently, the Marine Corps has a cap of no more than 5% of new recruits in a year being high school drop outs (this includes both no degree and GED).

Since the number of applications in this category generally exceed your physical fitness and ASVAB scores generally need to be much higher than average. It'll also limit his education and occupational choices.

If he does have a GED, then taking 15 college credits will get him bumped into the same category as regular high school graduates.

If he really wants to be a Marine (and isn't just viewing it as an immediate escape route) the best path really is to complete high school.

[Alex]

Oh, and at least as of 2 months ago the USMC was blowing through its 2008 recruitment goals so I don't know that they'll be bending over backwards to get every single person through the door.

[Morrigoon]

Nephy, if he's excited about a career in the military, maybe he can get excited about ROTC? They'll help him cover college AND he'll get to start in the military as an officer.... later.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by JWBear

Oh, btw.... Just as i predicted. All week, Bill has been talking about how we would spend all day today working on the garage.

We were out there exactly one hour before he got tired and wanted to stop.

Tell him he missed a fun swanking!

Originally Posted by Moonliner

The man [me - KB] has his standards after all.

Even if they are pretty low.

And the word that you were looking for was segue

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Alex

Has he said what his motivations are for wanting to join the military?

Get out of the house
guaranteed flow of income
money for school
travel
- and frankly he thrives in severely structured enviornments

Unless things have changed recently, the Marine Corps has a cap of no more than 5% of new recruits in a year being high school drop outs (this includes both no degree and GED).

Since the number of applications in this category generally exceed your physical fitness and ASVAB scores generally need to be much higher than average. It'll also limit his education and occupational choices.

If he does have a GED, then taking 15 college credits will get him bumped into the same category as regular high school graduates.

If he really wants to be a Marine (and isn't just viewing it as an immediate escape route) the best path really is to complete high school.

Which he will not do. He wishes he had- but he won't. Fact is- it's the GED or nothing and he plans to get the GED- but the chances of him sticking around to take college classes first- also nil.

I really do appreciate the info-

Originally Posted by Alex

Oh, and at least as of 2 months ago the USMC was blowing through its 2008 recruitment goals so I don't know that they'll be bending over backwards to get every single person through the door.

Ah- well, we shall see what the meeting today yields. I want him to get the GED first- will slow him down enough to make a better thought out choice.

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Nephy, if he's excited about a career in the military, maybe he can get excited about ROTC? They'll help him cover college AND he'll get to start in the military as an officer.... later.

Where can I find info on this? Just google it?

[Alex]

And the boards largest segue would be the

Spoiler:

The giant California Segueia

[Morrigoon]

ROTC

According to the wikipedia article:

ROTC produces officers in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces except the U.S. Coast Guard: 56 percent of U.S. Army, 11 percent of the U.S. Marine Corps, 20 percent of the U.S. Navy, and 41 percent of the U.S. Air Force, for a combined 39 percent of all active duty officers in the Department of Defense.

And this gem:

With the exception of the U.S. Coast Guard, each of the U.S. Armed Forces offer competitive, merit-based scholarships to ROTC students, often covering full tuition for college.

Mind you, successful service in the military will also result in money for college, if he chose to go after the fact.

I also agree with what you said about him thriving in heavily structured environments. And in that respect, he could probably do very well for himself there.

Here's probably a more specific one, since he's thinking of joining the Marines.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

- and frankly he thrives in severely structured environments

When I first started reading about his desires, that was the first thing that came to my mind.

Parental concerns aside (and they are valid concerns!), I think that the military would be a great environment for D.