My son is 19, and starting his freshman year of college. He's been seriously talking to the Pennsylvania National Gaurd (Army). They came today and what they had to say made sense and my son REALLY wants to join. They'll pay 100% of his college expenses and he'll get to stay home and attend college with a gaurantee that he'll not go overseas until after graduation... if at all. Once he graduates, he'll have two years left to his contract where he'll be able to find a job and only once a month go serve on a local base.

He's really excited and wants to do it. He thinks it'll make him a more rounded person and it'll definately teach him the discipline he needs.

I'm not sure if I'm happy or not. Yes, the money helps - A LOT- and I know the whole thing is good for him mentally and physically. It'll also teach him things he'd never come across in the civilian world. BUT there's always the chance that he'll still go overseas once graduated. And I worry that even the once a month commitement might be too much on him. He's going to have a hard time in college with his learning disability... why add to it the pressure of heading to base once a month?

Sigh... why is this so difficult? I mean, its his decision, but he's looking to us to help him decide.