My son wants to join the Marines next year after he turns 18. He's already met with a recruiter who told him he has to lose 70 pounds.
But that's not the problem.
I talked to Zak today about attending a school called Lincoln Challenge Academy. It's an alternative school of sorts that is military-based and if he goes through this program, he will have his GED in June 2009. He doesn't plan on going to college, so getting a 'real' diploma isn't an issue to me.
He called his recruiter to ask about it and the guy told him that it's harder to get into the Marines with a GED. The Academy has testimonies from former cadets who got into the military and even the Marines after graduation from their program, so I'm confused.
Does the military care if you got a HS diploma or a GED, or even if you graduated at all? Or is it the Marines where it makes a difference?
We need to know, because to go through this program, he has to quit school.
If anyone has information, please share it with me. Thanks.
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My son wants to join the Marines next year after he turns 18. He's already met with a recruiter who told him he has to lose 70 pounds.
But that's not the problem.
I talked to Zak today about attending a school called Lincoln Challenge Academy. It's an alternative school of sorts that is military-based and if he goes through this program, he will have his GED in June 2009. He doesn't plan on going to college, so getting a 'real' diploma isn't an issue to me.
He called his recruiter to ask about it and the guy told him that it's harder to get into the Marines with a GED. The Academy has testimonies from former cadets who got into the military and even the Marines after graduation from their program, so I'm confused.
Does the military care if you got a HS diploma or a GED, or even if you graduated at all? Or is it the Marines where it makes a difference?
We need to know, because to go through this program, he has to quit school.
If anyone has information, please share it with me. Thanks.
My stepson joined the Marines out of high school, from what I can remember it seems like they do have a little higher standards than what the Army requires. Just going off of 12 to 13 year old memories. I know he went through a pretty stringent process to get in, but he was signing on for specific training, at least a 6 year stint.
I believe having a GED is fine as far as him getting in the Marines. But it could make a difference as far as certain programs he might want to get involved with. I think if he wants to get into certain of the more advanced or technical career training programs he might not qualify with just a GED.
I'm pretty sure that's the case, but not 100%. (I'm not in the military, but I know several people who have been.)
If I were you I'd browse around the Marines.com website to see if they have more info on that.
__________________ http://endtimeobserver.blogspot.com
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever.
I believe having a GED is fine as far as him getting in the Marines. But it could make a difference as far as certain programs he might want to get involved with. I think if he wants to get into certain of the more advanced or technical career training programs he might not qualify with just a GED.
I'm pretty sure that's the case, but not 100%. (I'm not in the military, but I know several people who have been.)
If I were you I'd browse around the Marines.com website to see if they have more info on that.
Thanks. I found this interesting tidbit:
Does one need a high-school diploma to enlist?
Yes, but on occasion there are openings for those with alternative high school credentials.
Not sure what 'on occasion' means though, or what openings they refer to.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
My son wants to join the Marines next year after he turns 18. He's already met with a recruiter who told him he has to lose 70 pounds.
But that's not the problem.
I talked to Zak today about attending a school called Lincoln Challenge Academy. It's an alternative school of sorts that is military-based and if he goes through this program, he will have his GED in June 2009. He doesn't plan on going to college, so getting a 'real' diploma isn't an issue to me.
He called his recruiter to ask about it and the guy told him that it's harder to get into the Marines with a GED. The Academy has testimonies from former cadets who got into the military and even the Marines after graduation from their program, so I'm confused.
Does the military care if you got a HS diploma or a GED, or even if you graduated at all? Or is it the Marines where it makes a difference?
We need to know, because to go through this program, he has to quit school.
If anyone has information, please share it with me. Thanks.
whooo, back up...the first line about 70 pounds and one year really concerns me.
Taking that much weight off in one year is not a good goal...really it is not. The recuiter does not really care about your son or he would not have told him that is what he needed to do without telling him to go to a Dr. I would seek medical help. Take your son to a weight lose Dr. (I can't sp. the specialty) but if I remember right you wrote about having the gastric bypass? So you should know a good Dr.
And please don't take this as offensive, I don't mean to be. But......
Why does your son want the marines? Have a heart to heart. Could it be that he just wants to go, because he knows it will demand the structure from him to lose the weight? Does he want to lose weight so bad that he is willing to go the the marines to get fit? Hard question to ask....I know...but I had those same thoughts about the Army when I was his age. Also, think about this.....My little bro. went to the Navy because he was very depressed and to get away from home. I just wish someone had convinced my Dad to get him to a Dr. about the depression. The navy did nothing to help my bro. They promised him air traffic control training, but he flunked a test so he ended up in the kitchen and 6 years later he is out and living in a homeless shelter.
Yes, but on occasion there are openings for those with alternative high school credentials.
Not sure what 'on occasion' means though, or what openings they refer to.
I would just check Google for marine recruiters in your area and give one a call.
And he might want to see what requirements are for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, just in case.
All the best with that.
__________________ http://endtimeobserver.blogspot.com
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever.
whooo, back up...the first line about 70 pounds and one year really concerns me.
Taking that much weight off in one year is not a good goal...really it is not. The recuiter does not really care about your son or he would not have told him that is what he needed to do without telling him to go to a Dr. I would seek medical help. Take your son to a weight lose Dr. (I can't sp. the specialty) but if I remember right you wrote about having the gastric bypass? So you should know a good Dr.
And please don't take this as offensive, I don't mean to be. But......
Why does your son want the marines? Have a heart to heart. Could it be that he just wants to go, because he knows it will demand the structure from him to lose the weight? Does he want to lose weight so bad that he is willing to go the the marines to get fit? Hard question to ask....I know...but I had those same thoughts about the Army when I was his age. Also, think about this.....My little bro. went to the Navy because he was very depressed and to get away from home. I just wish someone had convinced my Dad to get him to a Dr. about the depression. The navy did nothing to help my bro. They promised him air traffic control training, but he flunked a test so he ended up in the kitchen and 6 years later he is out and living in a homeless shelter.
I'm not pushing for him to lose the weight, and he's not joining to lose the weight. He doesn't care if he's fat or not....LOL!
As for the Marines instead of other branches, he wants to be something he feels is a 'somebody', and believes that being a Marine is worthy of honor.
I've been having problems with him for a while. He's a good kid for the most part, but I'm just not able to help him be a man. I've tried, but I can't do anymore than I've already done. I want him in a program that will make a man out of him, and I know the military will do just that. I don't see any other way. And he's talked about joining the military for years now. He's always played military video games and loves watching military movies and such.
He's not depressed or wanting to leave home, but he knows that it will soon be time for him to fly, and college isn't an option for him. He's just got no interest.
If the military won't take him, or if there are problems, he'll probably go to this alternative school anyway and get into an apprenticeship program. He wants to be a plumber/pipe fitter.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Zak isn't sure what to do, but at this point in time, if he needs a diploma, he'll continue struggling through school.
Thing is, I'm not sure he's going to make it. It's stressing him out really bad, and he's not even been in school for a month yet.
I was in the military. I firmly believe he should complete school. He's going to need the mental determination to succeed in the military. It's far more intense than high school.
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