How To Get Your Child Ready For Military Basic Training   

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How To Get Your Child Ready For Military Basic Training 

If you have a son or daughter who has been dreaming of life in the military then once they are near the age of 18 you have to start preparing. It’s likely going to be a bittersweet time and there will be many tearful moments. It’s also inevitable as they grow up and fly the nest one way or another.  

The best way forward is to prepare for it so both you and them are ready for what comes next. Once you have everything ready and they ship off for basic training, you can proudly display your Marine Corps decals on your car and enjoy knowing your child is doing their part for the country.   In this article, we will go over several tips to get prepared for the next step when they are ready to join the military.   

Look into youth programs  

Many branches of the military have youth programs that take place on weekends so your child can get an age-appropriate taste of what life is like in the military. It’s a good alternative to military school which can be quite intense for both child and parents.  It offers up a small taste of what regimented life is like and how discipline in the military works. They get uniforms, do physical activity and develop a lot of skills that will help them in the military and beyond. It’s a lot like the Boy or Girl Scouts but with a different flavor.   

If there isn’t a youth program nearby then joining the Scouts is a great alternative as it can help them develop a lot of similar skills. If they can have the discipline to reach Eagle Scout status then they can carry that over to life in the military when they are old enough to join.  

What to do in high school  

In high school, there are programs that are more advanced than the youth programs run by the various military branches. ROTC is a popular program that has branches run by the Air Force, Navy, and Army that will give them the discipline they will also face in military life. It is a good primer to see if they will like that type of regimented life. Of course, the real experience will be much more intense when they join but ROTC is a good first step into what it’s like.  

If they don’t join ROTC then make sure that they are involved in activities that will give them discipline and a sense of a high purpose. Volunteering and community service is a great way to get this experience and will look great for recruiters.   

Wait a year  

Getting some real world experience prior to joining the military as soon as they turn 18 is going to help immensely. A high school graduate going in with no life experience will have a harder time than somebody who knows how to be responsible.   This also gives them time to consider the things a recruiter has told them. Many recruiters will be on the pushy side and make a lot of false promises. Taking time to think about things is also a very wise move.