my son droped out of collage

I'm glad to hear he's on a good path.
My brother and my cousin are both in the Navy.
My brother is doing pretty well. He enlisted for 6 years only beacuse of the job he wanted. He is working his way up the ranks. He's enjoying life. Buying his toys and having fun.
Not a bad way to go!

But Iam real proud of him I think he will be ok 

That's what matters the most

For your information I will be 53 in a few days and I have 4 grandchildren and one due on my birthday coming up. There ages are 11, 8 , two at 3 yrs and the one almost here.

Dont worry about being a grandpa if it happens, embrace it I get the feeling you will love it. Its a new adventure

At 21 with a new job his health insurance for both his new wife and himself, he has a retirement package being put togehter for him, he has a chance to get a college degree for free right now while he is in (tell him to check out FTA=Federal Tuition Assistance), his new wife can use his GI bill benifits, he will get supplemental funding for housing, sea pay if he is ona  ship, and learn a trade that will give him expierence and possibly college credits.  He will now be able to stay at some very famous places for less than what ever you will pay for the same privilage, not to mention cheap airline flights.  Compare that to a kid at McDonalds, or the one in college struggling with no idea what to do?

Sounds like he is growing up. The read I get from this is being "left out" of his life decision(s). I know as a parent of very little ones that would be hard not being included (or aware) of major life choices they are making. You never stop being a mom or dad...In the end he's making good decisions (so you must have done good raising him). I bet in a few years he'll reflect back and say...sorry dad for not "including" you. I think at his age the difference between "asking permission" and just communicating with family/parents is really hard to understand.

Just my .02 sense.....

that sounds like a better life choice that taking on huge amounts of debt to study "cultural anthropology" and coming out and being unemployed.  Had a "winner" relative do that.  The "loser" relative went straight to the restaurant trade, makes good money, and doesnt let the lack of a diploma interfere with her very cool life 

He's making choices, that alone shows spine, you done well Dad!

yes I'm very very proud of him I just wish you woulda finished college and then join the navy he coulda been a lot better off.
 it's not like there would a been a job waiting for him when he graduated anyway. but with a college degree he coulda made officer a lot easier in the navy:)

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I had a similar path.  Had too much fun in college and didn't want my parents to pay if i wasn't giving it my best. I have a very good job now as a result of my training. It will give him disipline and a reality check. The military lets you know in no uncertain terms that they don't tolerate f***ups. Keeps you on the straight an narrow. I'm sure his new wife and the responsibility will also help.
Is he a bosum's mate. I see the anchor on his sleeve. It's a tough job. He may have to serve out his term as such. If he gets a chance, even if it means signing up for a couple more years, he should try for one of the Navy's technical schools (anything except Corpsman) The Navy's a pretty safe service, excepting corpsman / medics who are assigned to the Marines for combat Ops.

yes I'm very very proud of him I just wish you woulda finished college and then join the navy he coulda been a lot better off.
 it's not like there would a been a job waiting for him when he graduated anyway. but with a college degree he coulda made officer a lot easier in the navy:)

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After 30 years, I can say some of the best officers I ever knew were former enlisted men.  No shame in being a Mustang!

I think he's an Undesignated Seaman. I think two crossed anchors is a Bosun's Mate.  Either way, deck seaman or bosun's mate is a tough, dirty, inglorious job. Tell him to make the best of it and remember, it's only four years and the benefits that come after an honorable discharge are really nice. Having a positive attitude when faced with weeks of being on a boat doing shitty work is the most important thing ever. Serving in the Navy taught me lessons that you can't learn in any college. And like I said, the benefits are pretty awesome afterward.

Jeff

PS. Being a Corpsman in the Fleet Marine Force is one of the most respected, honorable jobs in the military.   

Being a Corpsman in the Fleet Marine Force is one of the most respected, honorable jobs in the military.

Absolutely right.

Hey, at least he didn't decide to become a construction worker.

I totally agree with Squidder K- mustang officers are generally much more compentent as a whole and easier to work with. There is no reason at all not to expect to earn a comission from enlisted status if you are wiling to put in the work to become a leader.

Some of the best Marines I knew were Corpsmen that for some reason had different rank insignias. The Doc's gotta carry his med kit and combat load as well as tend to all the Marines whiny little complaints in the down time. Not to mention their duties as first responders when the SHTF as well as riflemen when everything is going well. Much respect to all FMF Corpsmen past and present.     

I think he's an Undesignated Seaman. I think two crossed anchors is a Bosun's Mate.  Either way, deck seaman or bosun's mate is a tough, dirty, inglorious job. Tell him to make the best of it and remember, it's only four years and the benefits that come after an honorable discharge are really nice. Having a positive attitude when faced with weeks of being on a boat doing shitty work is the most important thing ever. Serving in the Navy taught me lessons that you can't learn in any college. And like I said, the benefits are pretty awesome afterward.

I truly enjoyed my time in the Navy. I joined my ship as an undesignated Fireman and became an engineman as soon as i qualified to take the test. Going the apprentice route is a little harder but it does allow him to make choices once he joins his base assignment. Even though i was in the engineering department all my friends were Bosun's Mate's. They really know how to party! Good for your Son. I wish him the best.


ShellBack- I take it that's where the name came from. I'm a shellback myself.

Yeah, that's where the name comes from. It sounded good at the time, nice and nautical, but I've been thinking of changing it lately But shit, 1,000 posts later and it might be too late.

Duane,

Been a while...a grandpa at 43!!!!! Good for your son being in the Navy. Hopefully he picked a good career field. He can go to school while in too if he so choses.

My son just finished his last year of apprenticeship and now is finally a journeyman commercial plumber. 5 years of schooling along with work. Proud of him as well as my pride and joy daughter who is starting her junior year in college studying to be a nutritionist/dietician. She got her first 4.0 semester. Smart and disciplined fart she is. She works part time too as well as going to school.