My son is turing 18 soon and announced that he wants to go into the army. Iam freaking out that is the last place I want my son god the thought of him going to iraq or any war scares the hell out of me. I tried to talk to him about the national guard but no . I guess if things were better in our country I would be OK but were undr constant threat. I don't know what to do? I want to talk him out of it I am so scared for his future let alone his life.

I'm the mother of 3 children. I'm also the wife of a career military man. He is going back to Iraq in February. As a mother, I understand your concerns and panic. Be proud of his desire to serve his country. I often get in discussions with people who say they could never be married to a military man nor would they let their children join. I always very gently remind them that without these brave men and women where would we be? Someone has to do it... right? Don't get me wrong... I am always worried when my husband is gone but what he does is very honorable and I'm proud of him. Please let me know how things turn out. This post hit a really special part of my heart. Take care and God Bless the USA

I don't think anyone here can tell you which way to go on this extremely important issue. Probably, no one knows him better than you and vice versa. I am a U.S. Navy veteran. I probably would not have joined if it hadn't been for the draft, but I wouldn't give up the experience and memories for anything. My service taught me a lot about life and about what I could accomplish. I was a Seabee on the ground, not on a ship. I never had any fear of the prospect of combat, not because I was brave, but because I was immature and had no real sense of mortality.
If it were my son I would want to make certain that he totally understood the entire situation, pros and cons. Then, I would honor his decision and support him in every possible way, whatever he decides. I have a good friend who is a retired Army Sgt. Major. He has a son who is extremely happy in the Air Force for the past 12 years. If he definitely wants to enlist, encourage him to check out some other services too. But I don't mean to demean the Army which is the backbone of the military. But all the services are different and can provide training and experience in many fields. I think your son is a patriot just for considering serving his country. Best wishes.

Thank you so much, yes ia so proud of him just worried as a mom.. I don't kow what branch he will go in he hates the water so I am assuming he will head for the army, he wants to have a career in law enforcement god that kid pushing me to an early grave ha ha... I love to death just really scared for him...

But thanks so much for your information

Maybe he should be looking at State trooper training also. They operate on a military basis too. County police, sheriffs, bigger city police forces also.

You ill mention that but he has his little heart set on the army but ill bring that up.. thanks so much I had forgotten those.

While I will not say being in the military does not have some dangers, but if you compare how many people are killed in combat each year to how many are killed driving to work in the morning, more people die from car wrecks, and dozens of other acts. So while it does increase the danger, if we start to freak on any danger, there is no real safe job

Bottomline here is that its HIS decision, not yours. You can express your concerns, tell him how worried you will be, but you cannot do anything to prevent it if he wants to enlist.

So I would express your concernes, but let him know that whatever he does, you love him and are proud of him.

Chuck has a very valid point. There are well over 40,000 people killed in traffic accidents per year compared to about one tenth that many combat deaths over the last 6 1/2 years. If my math is right, that's about 60 traffic deaths per year for every military combat death. But the vehicle fatalities occur amongst 300 million Americans compared to maybe 300,000 military in combat at any given time.

My husband enlisted in the US Navy when he was 18. We were married the week before he shipped off to bootcamp. He retired a couple of years ago and although it wasn't always easy, it was a positive experience for him and our family.

Fr_Chuck nailed it. There are dangers just getting to work in the morning. If you live your life in fear, that's not living.

Support his decision and ask him to seek out a soldier that has been in a few years to determine the best MOS and what he wants out of his military career. If he doesn't know what he wants then the recruiter will steer him towards whatever MOS he needs to fill. Encourage him to sign up for the GI Bill as well.

My nephew joined the Army over the summer and my sister had butterflies for the first few months, but is now a A-1 M-1 Army Mom.

Mishelly- you are very welcome. I truly wish you both the best. If I can help, let me know

Smearcase- my husband is a Seabee with NMCB 5 in Port Hueneme. He will hopefully retire in the next few years.