I Adore My Daughter

My boys (10 & 6) both want to be Marines - well they're undecided between Marines and Air Force. Yes the idea of deployment is scary but I will always support their decisions.
If they're dead set on the military I will make a plea for the Air Force as combat is less likely in this branch and the pay grade and educational opportunities are much greater in the Air Force. I don't have girls but women do get up to 3 years of paid maternity leave when they have a child - this is new... (contracted time must be made up after maternity leave)

My mother is an Air Force Veteran I have an uncle who is a Marine Veteran
One cousin who is in the Air Force- currently stationed in Germany (was able to bring her family with her)
One cousin who is in the Army that just came back from being stationed in S. Korea
And one cousin who is Retired from the Army.

My boys have talked to them about serving and the hard work and sacrifices that are made. They still want to do it though. They've stated if they don't go to the military they want to be Police officers (also have 3 of them in my family) or aspire to work for the FBI, (also have one cousin who works for them)

The youngest wants to get into Architecture and or Civil Engineering and the oldest into the Science field (hopes for NASA) if they go the Military route.

Of course they're so young that these ideals will change and as much as my oldest likes to argue I see a future for him as a lawyer lol
Maybe it's because they're surrounded by these amazing people in my family that they aspire to be like them. They understand the sacrifices to a certain degree and despite all this they still think it's what they want to do (for now)
I've got a long way to go.
You're daughter is older and arguing with her on what she should do with her life is only going to push her further to make that choice and may cause a rift between the two of you or she may leave you out of her decision and sign a contract that she doesn't really understand once she's of age.
Sit her down and ask her why she want to join the military and what her career goal within the military is- go with her to get informed on her choices and options, explore other branches and the types of contracts being offered, what the expectations of work within the military are and what she plans to do once she enters civilian life after the military.
Maybe once it becomes real she might change her mind.
Don't make her feel like she doesn't have a choice if she doesn't want to go to veterinary school there's hundreds of other choices she could be passionate about.

Good luck.

She'll be 15 soon, she's been talking about the Marines since she hung out with one of her cousins on her father's side, the woman is a Marine. I think all the medals and pictures got to my daughter. I also think it's the memories I have of my grandfather and great granddaddy, pictures in their uniforms. She must think she's "destined" for it. I always tell her she can be anything she wants, but always come "back home" and give to your community.

I don't know, I'm just worried some I guess.

i raised 5 girls...and am raising a granddaughter now. its best to offer advise and give solid informed reasons FOR that advise. pros and cons...and have her do the same......dont make it a screaming match......grab something to drink and sit at the table calmly and talk....i DO know the harder you bristle against it and condemn it...the more youll push her to DO it outta spite and even though its something she wants at the moment, doing it for the wrong reason, she will hate it. Kids will do wht they do........be understanding and patient.....she just might see your way is best in a couple years

It sounds like you are doing a great job. Raise her to make good decisions and then trust her to make them =) Good luck.

She's very stubborn. All me, but I can't register the thought of her possibly being deployed.

@Curvy I understand the concern. Especially as someone who's life has been greatly affected by the military, but ultimately she is her own person and as a parent it would be better to encourage her, not force her. So yeah you can give her your opinion of why she shouldn't be a marine that's good but you have let it go if she rejects your advice.

Stop worrying. She is still a young teenager, and she will change her mind more than once before the end of high school. You pushing the issue will make her push back, so try remaining as neutral as possible. It can be tough raising a teenager. When she gets older you can discuss your concerns, but for now you won't help your cause by bringing it up.

She is a volunteer at our local shelter. She's also a volunteer at our local library. She's taking AP classes, English Lit and Government & Politics United States. She's well aware of everything going on at school and our community. Hopefully you're right though, and she changes her mind sometime later.

Some of my best friends were/are marines

@BE, here there are many opportunities in that field. My thought for her future would be her opening her own clinic and offering free or low cost vet services on special city events when she becomes an established and respected Vet.

I can pay for Vet school.

Have you thought about seeing if she wants to volunteer at an animal shelter? Is she taking honors and AP classes? You can give her opportunities that will at least show her other options.

I was reading , the problem with Vet school is the amount of debt students incur and then ... No jobs or very low paying jobs .

Maybe advise her to get her bachelor's first. Then if she decides to go be a Marine, she can be a Marine officer. 😀

Nothing wrong with wanting to be a Marine.. as long as it's what she wants.

i think often when kids are in the early teens they get caught up in the shineys and the glitz of certain jobs and stuff........they dont see the work and the blood, sweat and tears, they see the finished project. maybe have her cousin explain what basic training is like and all of that....and the fact that you lose a lot of freedom and are expected to do far more then just wear a cool uniform

what's wrong with her being a marine if that's what she wants?

@mic, nothing in all honesty... I'm just A CONCERNED mom.

@Laiful, she'll come into my room talk to me about "her future", talks about traveling while serving. I say "that's good, but I think things will be better if you went to college any where you like, and take care of animals like you always do?" Then she'll shrug and say "but I really like my thought", and I just say OK.

my 2nd oldest daughter wants to be a astronaut

You'd be proud. Scared, sure, but proud.

She might make a hell of a Marine.

Marines would pay for school...

.

Thank you @Laifu1, I appreciate that. Trusting her... I'll try. 🙈

How old is she and what is she good at?

Right, but I can too.