raf

[theleeroy55]

I want to join the RAF

my family will disagree

It will be the best thing that has happened to me

How do I tell them i'm joining

[johnlambert]

How old are you?
When I annonced at 16 1/2 that i wanted to join the Army, my dad went nuts, his words were "You will go to Northern Ireland and get blown up you fool, anyway, you cant join without my permission as you are too young". When I told him that I would wait until I was 18 and join without needing his permission he saw that I would join up no matter what, and it would be better with his blessing than without. for trhe first time in my life (and the last) I had a grown up conversation with him, he was ex national service and hated every minute of it. I told him about all the fantastic careers that the Army had to offer, and the opportunity to travel.
Try telling your family all the positive aspects of Service life, good pay, conditions of service, better food than most 4 star restaurants (honest, especially in the RAF). Emphasize that you will learn a trade, self discipline and that you will be putting something into the community that will keeop on growing when you leave the RAF.
Good luck with your future career

[B00]

Well the first option would be going along to your local recruiting office and speaking to them. Then you'll sit exams and providing you pass those along with a medical, then you just simply tell your relatives "I've joined"

[johnlambert]

Also, go to your Armed Forces Career Office and ask one of the recruiting staff to come to your home to put your parents mind at ease, they have had lots of training to answer anxious parents worried questions about service in dangerous places, which is why I think your family don't want you to join up

[Goodsoulette]

In my second year at college I wanted to join the navy. My mum was really for it, my dad was dead against it. He talked me out of it, so I decided against uni and went and worked in a pub. I regret not doing it desperately.

Go for it. it might be a struggle getting them to back you but once you are joined up I am sure they will support you.

[jackthehat]

That is irresponsible advice, Boo.

My son, and only child, announced at 16 1/2 that he wanted to join the Army. With a heavy heart I signed the papers for the same reasons as JohnLamberts Dad did...........He did his training a couple of hundred miles away from me. The not being able to see him was dreadful. I cried after every 'phonecall, and wandered round the house like a ghost..............

Seeing him 'pass out' was one of the proudest days of my life. He's now 21, a lance Jack and has a trade that even if he goes to a 'hot-spot' ought to see him removed from any danger. He's a young man of whom I am very, very proud.

Do your research thoroughly. Show your family that you have reached this decision with a maturity that shows how committed you are to joining up.

Expect tears; we Mums are very good at tears. I tried never to use mine as a blackmail tool, though.

Make sure that you are prepared to make and receive many 'phonecalls and texts.........and e-mails...........and letters.

You'll have to help your family to 'let you go gently'........

Stay firm.........don't get angry.............accentuate the positive.

wishing you lots of love......

[B00]

Why is it irresponsible?

If the lad is old enough to make his own decisions in life then he should be allowed to!

From the initial walk into the recruitment office to actually joining takes a while, plenty of time for him to talk to his relatives.

[johnlambert]

without taking sides BOO, I think he should talk it over with his family first, this is a life changing decision for all concerned, however I do agree that the final decision rests vwith theleeroy

[B00]

I sort of agree john, however with that there's always the danger that they'll talk him out of it, for whatever reason, and they'll end up as goodsy did, regretting it.

I just think, that if he talks to the recruiting office first, gets himself armed with the facts and figures, he'll stand a better chance of them coming round to it.

[johnlambert]

If his mind is made up BOO I doubt his family will talk him out of it, however, I can only go by my own experience, I was 110% sure it was what I wanted to do, I hated my step mum (still do for trhat matter) and never had a decent relationship with my Dad.

[Mammar]

Surely there's a middle way here.
Leeroy, go get all the facts you can about the life first. Explore it all so well that you can broach the subject with your family and show them how serious you are. Perhaps they'll come round when they see how committed you are.
If, despite all your preparation, they don't see how important this is to you, follow Johnlambert's advice and patiently wait till you are old enough to make the decision for yourself.
Most parents just want their child to be happy and if they see how much you want this they should back you up in time. My daughter was Army mad from the age of 13 and last year I had the privilege of seeing her "pass out" at Sandhurst and it was one of the proudest days of my life. She wouldn't have been happy if I had thwarted her dreams and I didn't give her life to then dictate to her what to do with it.
I hope you realise all your dreams.