I’m a Vokie (vocational school grad) I’m a big fan of Mike Rowe, got one his dog’s, Freddie, tee shirts. I have a HUGE blue collar chip on my shoulder, but when this discussion comes up. I’m not trying to denigrate college. It just isn’t for everyone, and some don’t have the resources to go (I kinda fell into this group). Also as has been pointed out here, one can attend college at almost any age. Some people seem to get more out of it, after they’ve tried to make a living without it.

You are all to be congratulated John. Your daughter made her own decision and no one interfered. A lot of kids end up in college only because their parents wanted them to go, and the result was a lot of partying and not much learning. My youngest daughter started college and  dropped out. She waited 2 years before going back to college until she felt it was time for her. She then worked her way thru to get her Batchelers degree and then went on to get her masters degree. She set her own goals as your daughter is doing. You can be proud of her.

College shouldn't be pushed on any teenager. It's only one option and kids should be allowed to explore as many as they can. 

At 30 years of age, it was a good fit for me. That diploma opened up a bunch of opprtunities. The main benefit was being able to choose where to work and, under what conditions. I'm eternally grateful to my wife for urging me to enroll. 

Научите ее русскому языку, как мой второй язык это было бесценным.

17 hours ago, Al B said:

You are all to be congratulated John. Your daughter made her own decision and no one interfered.

Thank you Al, it was hard, and after much thought about this, we had to let her do what she wants to do, we only interfered to the point that we wanted to make sure she was doing this for good reasons, and that she thought it through, our main concern was her going in, and then being miserable for four years. She convinced us.

Your daughter Al is incredible, the way she approached college, and it worked for her, that is wonderful!

On 7/22/2019 at 3:32 PM, JIMMIEM said:

She does have it squared away!

She really does Jim, thanks so much for the encouragement, you know, us parent need more help than the kids most of the time.

that's really good.   i didn't do well at Category 0 language

On 7/23/2019 at 10:22 PM, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Научите ее русскому языку, как мой второй язык это было бесценным.

Show Off!

My dad was proud when I graduated from OCS (in '68, right after Tet), but I never really understood how proud until my oldest son volunteered for Army (Intelligence...yes, I've heard them; he says they're partly true).  The Army made me the man I am today, but they can't take all the blame!  I was a C- student before joining, A+++* after getting out.  It was all motivation:  I just told myself that if I didn't do good in college, I could go back in the Army.  That's what you learn in The Real World:  not facts, not really skills, "just" motivation.  

 

 

*A+++:  I picked the courses worth getting an A, and the others got B+ or A-.  It was all transactional:  I knew what I needed to get a good job, and I wasn't about to do any more work than that.  What the Army gave me was the insight of what to target and how to get there.  THAT is priceless.  THAT is what no school teaches.  I feel sorry for kids who dodge public service:  they really don't know what they're missing.

Very true indeed, Pete. 

Got back from the recruiters awhile ago. Here is the low down with contract.

 

• Cryptologic Linguist (35P) for 5 years with a $30,000 bonus to be distributed in $10,000 increments over her first three years.
• Meps return trip next week for physical and another exam that she'll pass with no problems.
• Swearing in to Delayed Entry Program next week.
• Then return to MEPS September 28th for the real deal, another swearing in at which point she's a soldier in the US Army and starts getting paid.
• Next day fly's out of San Diego to Fort Jackson South Carolina for Basic Training 9 weeks and a day.
• Then after basic she fly's back to CA to attend Monterey Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center for 9 months to 16 months depending on the language and AIT to be performed at same school.
• Then assignment to her duty station.

My goodness, she actually did it!

Congratulations! 

3 hours ago, John Morris said:

Next day fly's out of San Diego to Fort Jackson South Carolina for Basic Training 9 weeks and a day.

Been there back in 1999 when I was married to ex and she went through boot camp.  Not a bad drive from where I live in Atlanta.  You are welcome to fly in to Atlanta and stay at my place when she graduates.  Even let you borrow the Tundra to drive up to Fort Jackson.  Save you some money anyway.  

9 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Been there back in 1999 when I was married to ex and she went through boot camp.  Not a bad drive from where I live in Atlanta.  You are welcome to fly in to Atlanta and stay at my place when she graduates.  Even let you borrow the Tundra to drive up to Fort Jackson.  Save you some money anyway.  

I'll remember that Gunny, thank you!

2 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Congratulations! 

Thank you Gene!

6 minutes ago, John Morris said:

I'll remember that Gunny, thank you!

Anytime, the door is always open.  if you do come maybe you can see what exactly I do wrong trying to butcher wood with a handplane….

1 minute ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

if you do come maybe you can see what exactly I do wrong trying to butcher wood with a handplane….

First of all Gunny, you gotta stop using a sharpened spoon for your plane blade.

Just now, John Morris said:

you gotta stop using a sharpened spoon for your plane blade.

I use the spoon for the lathe, the butter knife is my go to for everything else.

A very big congratulations John, all around.  What little bit I know about this girl's family, I would say the Army did good today also!

As for furthering her education, she is soon to get that!  And there will be all sorts of college available to her if she chooses to pursue those while in the Army.

1 hour ago, Cal said:

A very big congratulations John, all around.  What little bit I know about this girl's family, I would say the Army did good today also!

As for furthering her education, she is soon to get that!  And there will be all sorts of college available to her if she chooses to pursue those while in the Army.

Thanks Cal

After researching the language institute she'll be assigned too, it is college! Man do they study and study and study, with immersion into their assigned culture and language, she may even get transferred to the country of origin at some point, and study there for full immersion into the culture, we may not get back our American girl after this is all done, but a hybrid cultured girl. Well she's already hybrid Spanish/North American, now she can add another great culture to her resume.

If she decides to not make a career out of the Army, after her enlistment is up, she should have opportunities available with the CIA, FBI, and other security three letter agencies that protect our nation. At least that's what the recruiters tell us, take that with a grain of salt, but knowing how motivated our young lady is, she can make it happen if she wants too.