|
|
|
Strac Trooper
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: Today @ 12:09 PM
Posts: 1,359,
Visits: 2,097
|
|
I think you should wait a year or 2 also. As which is the best to join, thats a personal decision. He has to do what he feels comfortable with. The benefits are changing everyday for all the branches. When he gets of age have him talk to all the branches and see what they have to offer.
"The sergeant is the Army." - General Dwight D. Eisenhower
|
|
|
|
|
Cherry
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 1/4/2006 9:15 AM
Posts: 6,
Visits: 49
|
|
| If your son is interested inthe Navy have him check out the United States Navy Sea Cadet Corps. The web site is seacadets.org.
|
|
|
|
|
Keep the Peace and Be of Good Behavior
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 9/8/2008 3:06 PM
Posts: 1,662,
Visits: 729
|
|
| He's 15, and like bullish said he'll probably change his mind alot between now and 17. When I was 15, I was thinking about Naval Academy...and then I got smart and became a US Army Airborne NCO. But seriously, if engineering is his thing then he'll want to go Army Engineer or Naval Seabees. If he wants to build stuff with his hands, then he should go enlisted, if he wants to design things, he should go officer. If he wants to fly Cobras, he'll probably be dissapointed. The Army has already phased them out and the Marines can't be that far behind. However, there is always Apaches. The Army has WOFTS and the Marines and Navy offer guaranteed aviation commissions for officer candidates. (visit the service's website or do a google search. The info is easy to find.) For sniping, the best place to go would be in SOF in any service, or a US Army Infantry BN Scout Platoon, but there are no promises on this angle. Even though he is only 15, I would encourage his information gathering. At least then when the time comes he'll be able to make a better informed decision.
|
|
|
|
|
Ei Temporis Vita Semper Resumo Sese
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 8:23 AM
Posts: 8,493,
Visits: 7,618
|
|
Mike's right except on one point... the marines are going to be replacing their AH-1W Cobras with the high-speed AH-1Z model. It's not as well armored as the Apache but provides a faster and more stable weapons platform. 
"The degenerative and loony should never be denigrated but, rather, thanked. In their absence, the rest of you would be obliged to fill congressional seats... positions naturally unsavory to the sane and honorable." Thorax
|
|
|
|
|
Seasoned Vet
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 10/2/2005 10:13 PM
Posts: 5,502,
Visits: 70
|
|
| The Navy has seebees who do naval construction and the Marines have combat engineers (building and blowing bridges, and minefields) and construction engineers (airfields, bases...) Regarding the Scout/Snipers, they are part of an infantry battalion and the Marines have (or at least did) to try out to be one after completing Boot Camp and the School of Infantry. They try out with other hopefuls on a tiring test of forced marches, runs, Physical Fitness Tests, memory tests, shooting and other things. Its not standardised and will vary some. After that, there is usually some OJT (On the Job Training) before a school slot opens up. There are three schools. The one in Quantico has the advanced sniper's course and is quite tough. The ones in Pendleton and LeJeune are tough also. The school is really tough with a high washout rate. In closing, your son is 15 and still has plenty of time to decide his life. Whichever way he goes, I wish him well.
Go with God, but make Him walk the point.
If you load a mudfoot down with a lot of gadgets he has to watch somebody a lot more simply equipped - say with a stone axe - will sneak up and bash his head in while he is trying to read a Vernier. - Robert Heinlein
|
|
|
|
|
Cherry
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 11/12/2008 7:48 PM
Posts: 17,
Visits: 62
|
|
| I have to agree with my fellow paratroopers, The Army Corps of Engineers is a optimal choice for a career in the Armed Forces, although if he is still convinced about Navy or Marine, then only the Navy SeeBee's will be able to offer him a backround in Civil Engineering as they are the engineers of the Navy. He wont be able to aquire the airborne identifier in the navy unless he chooses a naval special warfare carreer. Mac
"you've never really lived until you hear the words, "DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!!!""Mac Attack
|
|
|
|
|
Regular Joe
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 12/20/2006 2:21 AM
Posts: 492,
Visits: 785
|
|
Probably the best time to tell him to bust his butt on making good grades right now, along with a sport/track and maybe taking up scouting, and shoot for a USMA appointment...even if he can't swing an appointment, if he has good grades, and if he scores over 85-90 AFQT on ASVAB and does well in BASIC/AIT there's a good chance of USMAPS looking him up by the time he makes it to his first duty station in the Army.. nice degrees to be had there.. and his choice of probably 1 or 2 additional 'schools' when he graduates.. and he'll have all that taken care of in half the time.... making friends with the local representatives/senators can't hurt his chances for USMA or Annapolis either...
----------
Phantom
US Army "Cold War" Veteran
Born in the USofA on the 4th of July.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin, 1759
|
|
|
|