My son leaves for Basic Training tomorrow

[Sniper John]

Great respect for your son. Godspeed

 

[KOPBET]

I'm not questioning your son's desire to be in the USAF Security Police, but I would offer this advice. He should follow his heart but do so making an informed decision. If he doesn't decide to make the AF a career, then choose a career field that will serve him well as a civilian if he gets out. If he doesn't like the Security Police job (it has its downsides), then having something to fall back on as a civilian is golden. When I was in, it was common for those who failed in tech school to transition to either the motor pool or the SPs. I chose basic electronics (I was good at it) and it served me well after I got out. I got a job with a major mainframe company and later moved into information security making 6 figures in income. It was a lifelong career that got its basis from my experience and discipline in the computer maintenance field in the USAF. I really do wish though I had worked on a degree and had completed my education while I could. Take advantage of any college benefits that are available while they are available. For me, the GI bill was available for 10 years after separation. I have no idea what is available today. Good luck to him and I wish him well.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

I'm sure he'll make you more proud than you already are...
The military service is a great opportunity to mature, instill leadership qualities, learn a skill and plan a life journey.

 

[gerhard1]

Prayers sent, Be proud of him.

BTW, in my story, The Pale Horse, the air force security forces play a very prominent role.

 

[Judi]

Best of luck for your son....May God protect him.

 

[RETOKSQUID]

May God bless and keep him safe all his days.

 

[Osage1978]

Prayers. Does he understand that the Security Police stand outside in extremely cold weather guarding aircraft as in Minot aFB ND? And the heat of the day as in Altus AFB, OK? Tell him to go into intelligence and it's a day job, he can go to college at night and prepare for a medical degree in medicine. He's smart and can probably take 2-3 courses per semester and by the time he finishes four years he'll have his BS. I heard of a guy that had no high school diploma, joined the USAF, got his GED, went to night school and obtained a BS and Masters and was studying for his PhD. All paid for by the military, don't know where the guy is now but he did good...well.

He understands, I've tried until I'm blue in the face, He's made up his mind so I'll respect his decision and just support him

 

[Osage1978]

I'm not questioning your son's desire to be in the USAF Security Police, but I would offer this advice. He should follow his heart but do so making an informed decision. If he doesn't decide to make the AF a career, then choose a career field that will serve him well as a civilian if he gets out. If he doesn't like the Security Police job (it has its downsides), then having something to fall back on as a civilian is golden. When I was in, it was common for those who failed in tech school to transition to either the motor pool or the SPs. I chose basic electronics (I was good at it) and it served me well after I got out. I got a job with a major mainframe company and later moved into information security making 6 figures in income. It was a lifelong career that got its basis from my experience and discipline in the computer maintenance field in the USAF. I really do wish though I had worked on a degree and had completed my education while I could. Take advantage of any college benefits that are available while they are available. For me, the GI bill was available for 10 years after separation. I have no idea what is available today. Good luck to him and I wish him well.

His plan now is to join the National Park service after his four years in the Air Force & be a park ranger at one of the National Parks. As a dad obviously I'd like to see him go into something more lucrative but it's his dream and has been for a long time. We'll see what 4 years does & if he still wants that if so I'll support him wherever the Lord leads him

 

[SMS]

Congrats and best wishes to your son. He’s got a challenging experience ahead of him.

We saw our daughter off to USAF boot camp back in July. She kicked it in the ass and is now a few weeks away from graduating from the DoD firefighter academy at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo TX.

 

[Schlafftablett]

This has already been covered, but SECFO sucks. I was a USAF firefighter myself for 13 years and honestly think its the best non-combat job in the military. In the USAF, the best combat job for enlisted is without a doubt TACP. At the end of the day, he really should talk to someone other than his recruiter.

Regardless, I really wish him the best of luck and tell him not to worry about BMT. Like everything else, things have changed at Lackland too making things a bit kinder and gentler than previous generations. I second trying to go to his graduation, it'll mean a lot.