I have a 17-year-old son. He's a Senior in high school. Yesterday he met with the Army Band recruiter during his first period band class. First a little background on my son.
On September 11, he called and asked me to pick him up after school. Somehow, although the school had sheltered the students from the details of the news of the day, he'd guessed right that I would be home from my job in Chicago's financial district. As he climbed in to the car, after I assured him that all of those near and dear to us in NYC were fine, he told me that when he was old enough he was going to join the army and defend our country against those
who attacked us. I sighed and told him I hoped our response would be all over by the time he was old enough to serve.
I hope you'll follow me to the other side...
Needless to say, as he's gotten older, and our involvement in the GWOT shows no signs of abating, I go back to that conversation and my eyes well up with tears. Fortunately, my son is well informed and realizes that what we're doing in Iraq is not something that he supports. He'd written a paper about how the administration misled us into Iraq and cited the Downing Street Memo before it ever made the MSM media--and lost points for lack of a "reputable" source.
My son plays the bari sax in his high school jazz ensemble and is the drum major in the marching band. The Army Band recruiter comes to the high school every year and tells the band students about all that is great about the Army band. My son listened to the presentation. Then came time for the Q & A.
My son asked the first question. "So, if I sign up for the Army band and I don't make it after the audition, do I have any commitment to the Army?"
The answer was an emphatic No. You are under no obligation.
That didn't sound right. My son read the brochure he'd been given which outlined how he could be all that he could be in the Army band. Step One, enlist. Step Two, sign up for an audition. Step Three, audition. He pointed this out to the recruiter and again asked about whether not making the band left you with a commitment to the Army. The recruiter hedged this time...well technically you do, but it's pretty simple to get out of it. Sure, after four years of active duty and 4 more years in the reserves, they might let you go.
While I can't say I'm surprised at the response my son received I'm wondering just how stupid the recruiters think our children are. I'm proud of my little guy for asking the question and for pressing the issue when it didn't make sense to him. Maybe I should encourage him to become a journalist and join the White House Press Corps.
In honor of my son, my parting gift is this list of questions to ask military recruiters which I found
here
Before You Sign a Military Enlistment Agreement:
* Do not make a hasty decision by enlisting the first time you see a recruiter or when you are upset.
* Take a witness with you when you speak with a recruiter.
* Talk to veterans.
* Consider your moral feelings about going to war.
* Get a copy of the enlistment agreement.
* There is no "period of adjustment" during which you may request and receive an immediate honorable discharge.
* Get all your recruiter's promises in writing but also remember that the military can change the terms (such as pay, job, or benefits) of your work.
* There are no job guarantees in the military.
* Military personnel cannot exercise all of the civil liberties enjoyed by civilians.
* Many opportunities exist for you to serve your community and enhance your skills.