Junior is joining the military
Aug 23 '00 (Updated Sep 25 '02)
The Bottom Line Our strength lies firmly in the hands of our youth
One fine day in 1986 My father queried me on my plans and proclamations. He wondered if I was ever going to leave his house.
"Dad, I enlisted in the Air Force".
I remember my Dad's incredulity at my announcement. He was in no way confident that I would succeed. Although his Air Force (Cuban Missile Crisis), and my Air Force (Desert Storm), are a little different, the very same underpinnings remain. The Air Force, as progressive as it is, remains a rigid military organization that is grounded in customs and courtesies, and is governed by military justice. The military is also a community that functions within itself and provides assistance and other benefits to its members. I thought it might be a good idea to jot down a few bits of advice for the parent of a military bound child. Perhaps some information could help the parent prepare the child somewhat for acclimation to military service. It is true that no advice will change the realities of basic training, some preparation could surely be the difference between success and failure. One thing is certain, the person who experiences the military, whether he/she succeeds or fails, will be changed by the effort for a lifetime.
Moral Support: Military service is a sacrifice, and not just on the part of the member. No mother or father wants to see their child involved in armed conflict, and many detest the preparation for such duty. The fact is that our military is truly vital to our national interest, and as citizens of a free country, we must recognize the need for sacrifice. Some citizens enjoy the freedom and prosperity of our country, but are unwilling to recognize that national defense is integral to our continued well being. Many schools now prohibit recruiters from soliciting students on school property. There is a general shift underway in our society, as more and more people are insulated from military service, towards an anti-military stance. Someone must take up the profession of arms. The point is, if your child chooses a stint in the military, be proud and support them. Our country requires their service. There is risk involved, but it is a risk mitigated by our national destiny, and it is a path trodden by many a patriot and so many great men and women. Support your child's service.
Respect: A respectful person will get so much farther in life, perhaps not in physical wealth, but surely in spiritual riches. Instill in your child not cynicism and spite, but thoughtfulness. They are not the only person on the planet. Military basic training does a good job of curbing egocentrism, but a person's true nature is at the core. In the military or private sector, respect for one's superiors, peers and subordinates will pay great dividends over a lifetime. Respecting others and earning reciprocation enriches and solidifies self esteem, and allows our civilization to function.
Fitness, physical and otherwise: Encourage your child to remain physically fit. Physical training and preparation for basic training will pay dividends. Your child's effort in attaining the physical standard will be reduced, curbing stress and allowing the person to excel elsewhere, such as in academics. A physically fit person is already at an advantage when it comes to coping with stress, so fitness pays off in spiritual and self-esteem venues as well. A side effect of properly executed physical training: a longer and healthier life.
Help them choose carefully: Help your child during the recruitment process by offering advice or exploring options. If you have specific experiences in military service, explain how things work. The most important thing your child will choose is their job or specific specialty. Try to encourage a job skill that will translate to dollars and job opportunities in the civilian realm, but respect their interests. Many jobs will also offer attractive enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses, but don't let the recruiter decide. Some elite specialties, such as Combat Control, Pararescue, Aircrew positions, Special Forces and others (definitely not all inclusive) are so intense that if your child can succeed there, they can succeed anywhere. Help them make a realistic decision on their specialty code, and encourage greatness.
Officer/Enlisted: In our two tiered system, officers command and manage, enlisted personnel labor and middle manage. The most junior Lieutenant outranks the most senior enlisted person. Yes, a 2lt that has been in the Air Force one day outranks the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, who has been in for 30 years. The difference in the tiers is a bachelor's degree. If your child is college bound, encourage the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Even better, encourage a service academy such as West Point or the Air Force Academy (you must start thinking about this option when your child is in about 9th or 10th grade). If your child is enlisting out of high school, educational benefits are excellent, and your child's chances of on duty schooling, with the service picking up part of the bill, are very good. Many of my friends began their career as enlisted personnel only to go on and secure a commission. The opportunities are outstanding.
A Pround Heritage: I will always be grateful for my opportunity to serve my country. No matter the circumstance, be it field conditions, be it fulfilling some requirement for training or other toils, I am happy to serve. The Air Force and military family has a face, we are everyday Americans like everyone else, putting our best foot forward and working hard for our national interests. If your child comes home and is talking about military service, before disparaging or discouraging, think about the honorable step that your child is considering. Just the thought alone should bring to the front a little bit of pride that you have raised a citizen, not just a resident. Service is a gesture that embraces the idea that there is more than one's self at stake. Behavior so grand as that should be rewarded with our utmost respect and admiration.
Epilogue: When I originally wrote this essay so many moons ago, things were obviously different. Still, I wanted to pass along something that is relevant to the work. On September 11th 2001 I was on a mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When the events of that day transpired, a friend and crewmate of mine grabbed me by the arm and asked me what he thought we were going to do, his big, blue eyes pierced my soul. I didn't rightly have an answer, and he really didn't expect one. Little did I know that less than a year later he would be gone. Aircraft loadmaster Technical Sergeant Sean Corlew was lost when an MC-130 crashed in Afghanistan in June 2002. 38 years young with two kids, Sean was plucked from life in his prime, doing what he was sent to do.
The month of August brought little relief. A good friend and crewmate Staff Sergeant Shane Kimmett was lost in an accident in Puerto Rico during a training mission, along with the rest of his crew. Shane was my neighbor and friend, and a kid who I helped bring up in the business. Shane had no children, but left behind a lovely wife, Shane was only 28 years old.
The loss of these two young men, not to mention others that were lost in the same incidents, reflect light on the sacrifices that I alluded to earlier in this writing. Their loss leaves a huge hole in my heart, and their families are devastated. Still, our nation needed their service, in times of peace, in times of conflict, the fact is that our nation needs people to train and to fight. Both are dangerous, both are serious business. Both are absolutely necessary if our military is to continue forward.
People are out there doing dangerous things every single day to complete the mission, and make the chips fall in our favor. Please, keep them in your hearts and minds at all times. These people are Americans, our brothers, our sisters, our kids, our neighbors. You would be amazed to see the bravery and determination of our youngest citizens. Perhaps it is unfair that they bear this weight, but they are the ones, keen of mind, strong of back, and healthy of body, they are the only ones that can do this work.
I am more proud of our youngest warriors, the 17, 18 and 19 year olds than I could even attempt to quantify with mere words.
God bless the fallen, and God bless America and her virtuous path.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Mark_A.
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: Mark A
Location: Schauerberg, Germany
Reviews written: 117
Trusted by: 74 members
About Me:
The time will come when we are no more, so let's just eat some BBQ...
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.