My son is joining the army in a couple months

Well, my oldest is all grown up now and has decided to join the army to get his life kick started and to begin his road to becomming a cop.

I am a bit incomfortable with it since I am not a Bush supporter and disagree with being in iraq, but he has assured me that he is going in as an MP and not infantry/combat.

According to his recruiter, he may (MAY!) go to Iraq, but only to guard prisoners or other thing, but not to kill anyone.

I raised my boy to be honorable, honest and keep integrity. He would be a respecting cop and not a pig. He wouldn't kill anyone unless he had to. He has compassion for others and is strong - both physically and mentally.

ATS is the best place for input along these lines, so I ask (especially other army folk), good move, cautious move or bad move?

First of all, congrats on your son choosing an honorable carrer. Secondly, as an MP he will be in "the #" and he will probobly get a chance to kill someone. Being an MP in Iraq is one of the more dangerous jobs out there due to the fact they are the guys in convoys and checkpoints. That being said, being an MP is one of the better "combat" jobs you could get just because you live better than the grunts. All in all, he is making a great choice and I think I speak for all of us at ATS when I say, we support your son are all very proud of him!

Here are some Army MPs in action:



Also, what does YOU being a Bush supporter have to do with anything? I wasnt aware you had to like the predident in order to support the military.

[edit on 30-12-2005 by Dronetek]

Well I just want to say that I wish him very well. I hope it does accomplish his goals of kick starting his adult life and helps he become a cop. I come from a large military family. So I would support this decision in my own family.

I too am against the war and the President's decision to take us there. With that said I absolutely hold each person in our volunteer army in high regard. It is such a sacrifice they make on our behalf and I hope the rewards exceed any danger he may face.

It does seem a logical step though since he desires to spend his life serving and protecting others. This will hopefully give him skills to help him succeed. I have two uncles who followed the same path and both are highly decorated police officers.

Whether it helps or not I pray for these brave folks every night. So he will have one more supporter pulling for him and his safety.

I wish your son all the best and God willing he will be fine. If this is calling to him, by all means.

I have had many military in my family and they are very proud to have served our country.

Good luck to your son and yourself.

Originally posted by Dronetek
Also, what does YOU being a Bush supporter have to do with anything? I wasnt aware you had to like the predident in order to support the military.

[edit on 30-12-2005 by Dronetek]

It has a lot to do with it, since he is my boy.

I DO support the military, I was there in my beginnings too.

Not supporting the president does not have anything to do with military support, but it does make a dad worry from bad choices made by a president who has much control over the military.

...and yes, I am very proud of my boy, for much more than just this. He's a good spirit going into a [mostly] bad world.

You know, it would be nice to wish Godservants son well, instead of getting into the politics of it.

Just once.

My father, brother, sister, and I were all in the military, although none of us made it our career. I consider the profession of arms an honorable one, and do not think that whether or not you like a president and his policies has anything to do with being in the military. If I remember correectly the last chief of state who required a personal loyalty oath was Adolf Hitler; subsequently, his army did not do all that well.

I hope your son does not go to Iraq, and I hope that if he does, he returns unscathed; but I hope you would tell you love him, are proud of him, and want him to be careful, change his socks regularly, and write often.

That's all we as parents can do.

A another parent I feel the same giddiness about any kind of danger for my kids. Granted they are young, but I hope their choices will be good ones and safe ones.

I served for 18 years and got hurt, then medically discharged. It was the Chair Force (lol, as we call ourselves or the big blue corp) and not the fighting sister services (no offense to my bretheren in AFSOC or the pilots intended). It was time well spent. I came under fire a number of times even as a computer nerd, but as long as you hope, pray and have confidence your odds are good of surviving almost anything that comes your way. Suicide missions (dangerous duty) are mostly hyped or almost non-existant anymore [minus EOD ]. He should be fine and I know he will make you proud.

My parents were VERY proud of me when I went in. They worried as you prolly are now if it was a good choice. Rest assured that it was. Make sure you give him the things the Army won't though. Ask him often if there is anything you can buy to make his job easier and safer. I recommend the ranger books by ranger rick. Great series and very helpful from someone who has been there done that. They are chocked full of sage advice on how to make field life better (or more palatable sp?).

The other thing is make sure you keep the care packages coming (and do not mark them "goodies" or anything to give away the contents. The AOR mail clerks steal like Ali Baba and it will never make it there. Also don't send alcohol or porn to him in the field, he will get in trouble if some uptight guy in charge finds out.

Anyway, I for one am proud of him for such a commendable choice. I am proud of you too for giving him the chance to serve the greatest cause of our times, freedom.

I hope your son will make the right decisions while there. You described him as an honorable man, which will take him far. If he can stand out from the crowd by not inflicting sensless harm, violence, and humiliation on his fellow man, then he will do well, and be well. If you raised him right, you won't have to worry about seeing pictures of him in the NY times standing next to a pig-pile of naked prisoners.

Best, and good luck to your son.

Originally posted by dgtempe
You know, it would be nice to wish Godservants son well, instead of getting into the politics of it.

Just once.

I appreciate that very much. Wishing him well is good thing as well as hearing the support.

I would also like to hear the concerns as well, from all, and from military parents - what if your child was joining?

Just try to Deny Ignorance. For example, my son was at the mall a few days ago with his friend that just got out of boot camp a couple weeks ago. He was wearing his camo unform. Someone came up to him and spit on him and called him a baby killer. He kept his cool. Now THAT is mixing politics and ignorance.

Those kinds of opinions comes from blatant ignorance, but grew out of bad choices from a president and/or his staff. While it is a bad opinion, it is an opinion that would not be the same if they had just saved the lives of millions of americans from an advancing army on our shores. They are there because they were told to go.

So while politics plays a role in my concern for the safety of my son and what is honorable to die for, I would like to hear concerns, as I am going to have him read this is a few days, but as dgtempe said...

...can we not make this a political debate?

Thanks again dgtempe. Nice to see care.

Originally posted by godservant
Well, my oldest is all grown up now and has decided to join the army to get his life kick started and to begin his road to becomming a cop.

I am a bit incomfortable with it since I am not a Bush supporter and disagree with being in iraq, but he has assured me that he is going in as an MP and not infantry/combat.

According to his recruiter, he may (MAY!) go to Iraq, but only to guard prisoners or other thing, but not to kill anyone.

I raised my boy to be honorable, honest and keep integrity. He would be a respecting cop and not a pig. He wouldn't kill anyone unless he had to. He has compassion for others and is strong - both physically and mentally.

ATS is the best place for input along these lines, so I ask (especially other army folk), good move, cautious move or bad move?

godservant, go to Your son, grab Him firmly by the shoulders and shake the sh*t out of Him. Your son can 'kick start' His carreer by joining the police academy. Where the recruiter says 'he may' go to Iraq, insert 'most likely'.
In the armed forces everybody's in infantry/combat. As an MP He may serve as border control or checkpoints and may be put in a position where He has to kill someone. It's hard to remain honorable and keep integrity in a war based on lies. This war is the complete opposite of honor, compassion & integrity. After shaking the crap out of Him hold Him and love Him just as hard. Do it for You, for Him, and the memories of all who were just as honorable. I wish the best to You and Yours in all that You do and Your boys safe return.

BTW~ very bad move.

Peace. K*

Lord knows I wouldn't be an MP ... but that just me. I wish your son well, I hope he enjoys it.

I leave for the USAF on 1/31/06 myself. - electronics

My little brother also joined the army back in Sept. and just got back from basic training for a few weeks leave before being shipped out. None of us truely understand his decision as it does not go with his personality at all. He said that he just felt like he needed direction in his life; it's just not the direction that any of us thought he would go in.

I was a mess at first, but learned to deal with it. My parents however...well...have pretty much been in a constant state of anziety since they first heard.

If you care about someone (as you seem too) all you can do is support them that let them know that you are there for them, even if you disagree with their decision.

Originally posted by godservant

Originally posted by Dronetek
Also, what does YOU being a Bush supporter have to do with anything? I wasnt aware you had to like the predident in order to support the military.

[edit on 30-12-2005 by Dronetek]

It has a lot to do with it, since he is my boy.

I DO support the military, I was there in my beginnings too.

Not supporting the president does not have anything to do with military support, but it does make a dad worry from bad choices made by a president who has much control over the military.

...and yes, I am very proud of my boy, for much more than just this. He's a good spirit going into a [mostly] bad world.

I still dont see how your political leanings have anything to do with your sons choice to join the military.

Originally posted by dgtempe
You know, it would be nice to wish Godservants son well, instead of getting into the politics of it.

Just once.

Ah, but She's asked for opinions and that's what She's gotten. She didn't ask for a bunch of well wishers but I see that the fine folk at ATS have wished Her & her son all of the best as well.

Peace. K*

Originally posted by Dronetek

Originally posted by godservant

Originally posted by Dronetek
Also, what does YOU being a Bush supporter have to do with anything? I wasnt aware you had to like the predident in order to support the military.

[edit on 30-12-2005 by Dronetek]

It has a lot to do with it, since he is my boy.

I DO support the military, I was there in my beginnings too.

Not supporting the president does not have anything to do with military support, but it does make a dad worry from bad choices made by a president who has much control over the military.

...and yes, I am very proud of my boy, for much more than just this. He's a good spirit going into a [mostly] bad world.

I still dont see how your political leanings have anything to do with your sons choice to join the military.

It doesn't have anything to do with his chioce, it has to do with my concerns. If we didn't have this war in Iraq, I wouldn't be so concerned. If we were fending off soldiers on our beaches, I'd join him.

I hope that helps you understand better?

I am proud of him beyond words, but I am still concerned. If he wants this path, it is his to follow. I will voice my concerns, but will support his choices.

Personally I am sorry. Having a son being used as a pawn, an expendable unit to the US military/Gov't for uses only he will witness is just awful.

I hope he will arrive home safely, good luck. By your name I can see you are a religious man, I don't normally do this but I hope God will guide your son back home.

Originally posted by the_renegade
Personally I am sorry. Having a son being used as a pawn, an expendable unit to the US military/Gov't for uses only he will witness is just awful.

I hope he will arrive home safely, good luck. By your name I can see you are a religious man, I don't normally do this but I hope God will guide your son back home.

He isnt a pawn and any suggestion that he is will probobly offend quite a few people on these forums.

Originally posted by Dronetek
He isnt a pawn and any suggestion that he is will probobly offend quite a few people on these forums.

Amen.

People who have a: never served, b: aren't understanding the concept of service before self, or c: are haters and won't understand that it is a CALLING and opportunity that many cannot afford. To use a quote:

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country"
Words from the inaugural address of President John F. Kennedy, delivered in 1961.

There you go ya haters. From a Dem no less.

Hey cool. Noise, you coming in as open electronics? I am in the Air Force right now, as computer/network administrator. The title is Computer Communcations Systems Controller. You should check it out.... You are entitled to be investigated for your TOP SECRET clearance. I have mine...