Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

would you kick an Army recruiter out of your home?

Recruiter hangs around HS. Goes up to your 16 year old..your kid indulges him. Recruiter takes down kid's number to speak further with parents.

Would you take the call?
Invite recruiter over?
Allow 16 year old to participate in PT activities on weekend mornings and such?

BIL is the most successful recruiter in any city he is assigned to. He gets transfers often to stations with low numbers and he is the guy who comes in and changes everything making it super productive.

He has tried to recruit his own brother during wartime, his neighbor's kids...anyone who will listen.

He says to not take the call as a parent is unpatriotic. Everyone wants freedom, but they don't want their kid fighting for it. He says he will encourage his kids and mine to join.

I said come around when they have college degrees in their hands, not a moment sooner.

thoughts?
he says as parents we are grooming then to be scared-where we should be telling them we would be so proud if they served their country.
please no drama. just thought it was interesting.

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

In my opinion, I would not want an Army recruiter (or any "recruiter" for that matter) hanging around and nagging on my kid. If my kid chooses that path in life and approached a recruiter first, I would be all ears. I want the decision to come from my kid, not pressure from any outside source.

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

Well, if it's unpatriotic to dodge the call, then I guess I'm no patriot. I don't want to see my son maimed or killed in a conflict I may not even feel our country should be involved with.

So yes, I have to say that fear for my children outweighs my love for freedom/country. I wish I could be more noble about it-- DH considered the military himself when he was younger and I know he wouldn't try to stop our kids from enlisting. But I can't

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

I find his approach to be unprofessional. The appropriate place for him to "hang out" would be at college fairs. Talk to the guidance department of any HS in the country and get yourself a table at their college fair as an alternative option for kids that may or may not be college bound. Hanging out in the school yard and asking kids for their phone number is not appropriate IMO

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

Unless they are going to be talking about ROTC, they are wasting their breath on me. (This is my future vision for my kids, but by the time they are 16, reality might be different)

My nephew is someone who would have benefited from the military. (he tried to enlist in the navy, but they now require college credit - he ended up in jail before he got the credit )

For some reason, the Navy doesn't scare me as much. My dad was in the Navy, so I would hope that I could sway them that way.

My problem with military recruiters/ment is that they set up shop in low income neighborhoods.

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

It's hard to answer because I told my son he can't be a soldier until he never misses while peeing on the toilet. If he can't "shoot" straight in the bathroom, he's certainly not allowed to go fight in a war.

I suspect I would pick up the phone & tell the recruiter if he ever contacts my underage children, I'll have a restraining order against him for harassment. Again, if my son comes to me & asks to be a solider, I'd *try* to support it. Right now I resist getting involved in his petty frenemy arguments so I can't imagine supporting him in fighting a war.

As for being patriotic, I love my country. I support the soldiers but I DO NOT support war.

Message edited 5/11/2011 9:19:17 PM.

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

Oh, boy, Janice!!! "every one wants freedom, but they don't want their kid fighting for it" I, as a Mother, am probably guilty of this!!! I didn't like my kids being approached in HS by the recruiter. Why? Because I don't want my children to die. Am I abnormal? Mary

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

I would pick up the phone and decline. My children will be going to college first. If they decide AFTER then to enlist in the military, then I will be supportive. I do NOT like that recruiters are hanging around high schools soliciting 16 year olds who do not know what they want to be when they grow up. They promise them the world, money for college, and make it sound like roses and fun. I had 3 friends from high school enlist right after graduation, and none of them made it back home again

These recruiters should be hanging around college campuses and the unemployment office.

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

See the hanging around the HS never bothered me.

BIL said it is very hard to find guys in their 20's who are physically fit, no criminal record, willing to go. It also costs more to enlist a man with a family rather then just a singleton.

Re: Weird question...eps for this age...but let's say kids are 16..

For me i would feel like i would have to listen - one because i saw what the air force did for my cousin - my cousin would have been in jail but instead he grew up to be a great guy - he was not destined for college even though he was smart enough

also because my dh went to college on a ROTC schlorship - so i know that they don't have go in right away and it sets some limitations on college experience that may be good for some kids

but i would prefer if it was my kid seeking it out- but the military can do a lot for kids - in ways i wish we had a mandatory service period like othe countries (miltary or other volunteer work) i think it would give kids a chance to grow up a little more before college