still not sure, need advice...

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am Chanda, I'm 21, married and a mother of 2. My boys are 4 years old and 10 weeks old. I have always wanted to get into Criiminal Justice and am seriously considering going into the Army as an MP and then, after getting out, getting my degree and working in Criminal Justice. I have spoken to a recruiter and now know that it would be 21 weeks total at Ft Leornard Wood. The only thing holding me back are my boys. I know that doing this will, in the long run, be what is best for my family but am not sure if I could make it through these weeks not seeing my babies. If I do go in, I want to do this asap. I think the Army will give me the training and disipline I need. My husband is very supportive and that helps but I just need some advice from you who have been through this. Any advice?????

Thanks!! ~Chanda

chanda9600@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

I am also worried about ever having to go to Korea without my family. How likely is this???

chanda9600@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Chanda, this is going to seem hard, but I'm going to say it. If you have qualms about leaving your babies now, then DO NOT join the military.

The military is a 24 hour a day job, not 9 - 5. BT and AIT are not the only times you will be seperated from your children. There are field problems, TDY, and various other reasons to be seperated. You are subject to be called up at any times. You must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

When you join the military your focus must be on the military not on the familiy you will leave behind. This is not just a job or a stepping stone for education. This is the real possibility that your life at some point will be in jeopardy.

Your life is no longer your own when you join, you belong to the military lock, stock, and barrell. There is no getting off if you child is sick or possibly sick, there are many missed school functions, and most of all, much time spent away from your children.

As for Korea, no one knows, that's the luck of the draw that is a calculation that nobody can pinpoint. The only thing that is for sure is that at some time you will probably serve there.

Again, if you have problems leaving your children now, then the service is not the place for you.

[Anonymous]

: Hi Chanda!! I think you are so smart for thinking about your family before evtering the military. I joined in 1999 and love it, but im single with no kids, but alot of my Army friends do have kids! It is great, after training, See you need to e-mail me personally and tell me a little bit about you, because there are ways around things, like where you are from, because if your on the east coast, get it in your contract to have your training at Ft. Jackson, SC and your kids can visit you at night and on the weekends when you do training, now in boot camp, that depends on your unit, but if not , thats still only 8 weeks away from your family, and the benefits from the army outweigh that 8 weeks. also, heres a bit of advice, you should really think about the job 71D which is a legal specialisst, its better for you than MP if your looking into getting into law. The hours of being a MP suck if you have family too. but hey, give me a e-mail and i will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!! Serena serina42@hotmail.com
:
: I am Chanda, I'm 21, married and a mother of 2. My boys are 4 years old and
: 10 weeks old. I have always wanted to get into Criiminal Justice and am
: seriously considering going into the Army as an MP and then, after getting
: out, getting my degree and working in Criminal Justice. I have spoken to a
: recruiter and now know that it would be 21 weeks total at Ft Leornard
: Wood. The only thing holding me back are my boys. I know that doing this
: will, in the long run, be what is best for my family but am not sure if I
: could make it through these weeks not seeing my babies. If I do go in, I
: want to do this asap. I think the Army will give me the training and
: disipline I need. My husband is very supportive and that helps but I just
: need some advice from you who have been through this. Any advice?????
:
: Thanks!! ~Chanda


serina42@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Chanda, You are right in thinking about your kids before joining, I have kids to and know that there is nothing more important than them, but on the other hand, some of Paula's response to you is purely her own opinion and in no way should reflect what your decision should be. When you join the army you are getting a JOB nothing more. Of course there are rules and regulations and there will probably, not definetly, be times when you have to leave them for the field or temporary duty, but you should Never eat, sleep, and think ARMY. You shouldn't have to. You will have a regular life just like any other working mother. THe only difference between you and them is that you are deployable and subject to going away at times. I must also agree with Serena in that an MP job could be rough at times for a mother. I know that there are MANY women who are mothers and MP's and I do not know the entire specifics of there job, `but I would be willing to bet that getting a job in the 71 series would be better for someone who does not want to be away all of the time, if any of the time. We have tons of Army friends who haven't been to the field or even to Korea. Good luck to you.

agtmat5@aol.com

[Anonymous]

: Hello,
:
: I am Chanda, I'm 21, married and a mother of 2. My boys are 4 years old and
: 10 weeks old. I have always wanted to get into Criiminal Justice and am
: seriously considering going into the Army as an MP and then, after getting
: out, getting my degree and working in Criminal Justice. I have spoken to a
: recruiter and now know that it would be 21 weeks total at Ft Leornard
: Wood. The only thing holding me back are my boys. I know that doing this
: will, in the long run, be what is best for my family but am not sure if I
: could make it through these weeks not seeing my babies. If I do go in, I
: want to do this asap. I think the Army will give me the training and
: disipline I need. My husband is very supportive and that helps but I just
: need some advice from you who have been through this. Any advice?????
:
: Thanks!! ~Chanda


Hi my names Jacinta you sound like you have a real dulema on your hands. But seriously i think your boys will be very proud of there mum that has gone through basic you will how ever feel like you have really acheived something by finishing basic. Just think they will be there on your pass out parade seeing their mum all dressed up it will be the one of the most prodesed days of your life. i think you have real guts to even consider doing it, because i'm only 16 and I'm considering going into the Army not in the USA but in Australia. I hope you decide to go through with it I'd like to hear if you do. Bye from Jacinta

da_spider_jazz@yahoo.com