I did 8 years in the Navy on Fast attack subs working side by side with the SEALS. The Marines are the first in on the front lines and the most expendible soldiers for the government. It's unfortunate but they are put in harms way much more frequently and unneccessarily. Whatever branch of the armed forces your son decides to go with educate him on the risk/reward and pros/cons of each area. Make sure he gets a guaranteed area/job(rate) and schooling prior to being thrown into Iraq as a grunt to die for no reason.

 

Don't beat yourself up too bad. You're just being a concerned parent and meant well.

Instead, take this time and opportunity and sit down with your son and ask him what it is he really wants to do and research together what his options are. Obviously, his heart is beating for service, so the question remains now is what is he wants to do and what does he want to do afterward. Does he want to do the more active part of service and go RECON? Does he wish to enlist a full 20 years or less? If not a lifer, does he want a position that can help him get a good job when he retires from service? These are all great questions for him to ask himself and research into. There are many options and fields out there for him to choose from, he just needs to find the one he feels he truly belongs with.

Best of luck!

 

exactly Sin... my dad as many know was career... I finished HS.. did my summer after off, working before college... in that summer my dad an I talked alot about my future.. i wanted to join the army and use my gi bill for college and so he an I went over what would do me the best... what were my skills an needs.. where did I see myself as a serviceman... now this was back in the vietnam era... not too many were walking in to the recruiters... I met so many tossed into whatever field they fit instead of what field they selected.. I had an interesting tour... take your time with your son an listen to him.. maybe he's a seal... maybe he's something else.. only matters that he makes his decision and looks like he made one at least and that is to think it over... it is a commitment... it is one of the most serious... my hat's off...

one doesn't have to fill someone elses' shoes.. one has only to fill one's own...

 

Marines are an expeditionary force, so they are the first to fight ... they are not the "most expendible" by any stretch. They are trained for that job so that they don't die. It's the equivalent of you saying that subs are more expendible than frigates.

 

I agree most expendable is an insult. There are a lot of people that make it into every other branch that couldn't make it as a Marine. They are first because they are some of the best and most prepared soliders.

 

I would argue that the more highly trained troops get put into more dangerous situations. So, does that make them more expendable? I can't tell you how many times I sat in a briefing and calculated my odds of making it at less than 50%.

 

A hitch in any branch of the military is like a shit sandwich. Every day is another bite until it is gone.

 

I wasn't saying expendible as an insult. It's a damn shame. Look at the sheer numbers in Marines killed vs. other branches just in Iraq not counting other conflicts/wars. The government treats them as expendible not me.

 

 

The Navy has numerous programs for people who are interested in serving their country. I have been Active Duty for the last 12 years and would not trade it for the world. All services are going to Iraq right now not just the Army and Marines, Navy and Air Force are there as well. So it is something to consider. I have earned my Bachelors and am 1/2 way done with my Masters and it cost me zilch. I have no student loans and never will. I also have professional certifications (CISSP, MCSE) to name a few that were also free. So there are advantages to joining. Good Luck on whatever decision you guys come up with. Go NAVY.