[Papa2]

My wife and I have always encouraged our son to go to college first before moving ahead with his life plans. He's always had a goal of becoming a Navy SEAL for as long as I can remember (which we've supported as long as he went to college first). He's now a high school senior, and he said he's no longer interested in college; after high school graduation he plans to go straight into the Navy with a SEAL contract. As parents, we know the importance of a college education today. How can we help him understand that he'd be better off going to college first THEN joining the Navy with a SEAL contract. He said he'd have more chances of trying out for SEALs as an enlisted person, so he wants to do that first, rather than "waste" 4 years at college. He said he's known all his life that he wants to and will become a SEAL no matter what it takes. He's not interested in ROTC and any information we gather and present to him seems to fall on deaf ears. When we spoke of the SEALs' failure rate, he didn't have a solid backup plan which worries us. He didn't seem concerned about where he could end up, he said he'd just bide his time and wait for another opportunity to try for the SEALs again. Please help.

[JudyKayTee]

I know why you are for your plan that he finish college and then join the Navy.

Why are you so against his plan to join the Navy right out of high school and finish college later?

He appears to know what he wants and at that age all you can do is make suggestions. You cannot force him into college (of course).

Have you talked to a recruiter with him to find out exactly what he is being offered/promised?

[Papa2]

Our fear is that if he doesn't go to college now while he has the chance, his chances of going later in life diminish significantly. We have not talked to a recruiter yet - that's on our to do list. We realize that we can only make suggestions. We want to make SURE that he has all the information from us that we can possibly give him.

[JudyKayTee]

If his mind is made up and he is 18 you are saying, "This is what is in your best interest" and he is hearing "Wah, wah, wah." I would not be sure that he won't go to college after the Navy.

I don't know what other information you can possibly give him. If he DOES go to College, what will be his major? Maybe he wants to be in the military until he reaches retirement age.

I'm not on either side here. I'm just pointing out that at his age if he's dug his heels in the best you can is support him.

[Fr_Chuck]

He can always use the GI bill to go to college after the navy, unless he makes it a career of course.

You can only advise him, and most likely this was HIS plan all along and college was what he just agreed to.

With that said, while I hope he makes it, many many wash out of the seal program and end up having to serve other duties, but at 18 he will not consider that.

Next he does not have to be a officer if he went to college of course.

But the big question has he talked to a recruiter about even getting a contract for a seal s program.

[ITstudent2006]

(this is from a Marine Corps. Point of view [ie: may vary])
As long as your son passes the requirements set forth by the USN, he should be able to sign a SEAL contract. Does this mean he will succeed? Nope, I have seen many Marines not make Marine Corps. Recon and I imagine the SEALS are no different.

If he doesn't make it in his SEAL contract, he would continue his contract within a different occupation. Please note that certain occupations SEAL & others require different contract lengths...

This is his choice to make and it sounds like he made it. I encourage you to advice and teach as much as possible but when the dust settles it's his decision. You just have to be comfortable with the fact that you informed him as much as possible and be confident you raised him right to make the best decision for himself. Not for you, not for anyone else.

I got my degree before I joined the Marine Corps. But in my Platoon of 71, I was the only one with a college degree. Upon an honorable discharge the GI Bill is a great tool to motivate USN's and other service members to continue education for beyond their service days.

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A SEAL
-U.S. Citizen (Not waiverable)

-18-28 years old, 17 with parental permission. Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

-Males only (Not waiverable)

-High school graduate or equivalent. Be proficient in reading, speaking, writing, and understanding English.

-Uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200 in both eyes. Both eyes must be correctable to 20/20.

-Minimum ASVAB Score of: General Science (GS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Electronics Information (EI) = 165 or Verbal Expression (VE) + Mechanical Knowledge (MK) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Coding Speed (CS)=220.

-Pass the SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST).
1. Swim 500 yards in 12.5 minutes or less, followed by a 10-minute rest
2. Do 42 push-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
3. Do 50 sit-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
4. Do six pull-ups, followed by a 10-minute rest
5. Run 1.5 miles in boots and long pants in less than 11.5 minutes

Good luck to you, your family and mostly your son. I guarantee you he has no idea what's in store for him.