Kid is in military, wants to eventually be a cop

[fastback]

Long story short our kid was not doing well in attendance at high school. After trying everything we gave him an ultimatum. Get a job and pay rent or go to school.

He decided to join the military. We had mixed feelings about this (because of being deployed to Afghanistan etc) but knew the training would be great. He was only 17 y/o so we had to give permission.

It's turned him around, plus it's what he wants to do. So he's done well. He's a good shot apparently (90% +.)

He's a great kid, never been in trouble. This seems to be his calling, so despite our fears, we support him 100%.

The armed forces will supply him with the opportunity to continue his education, should he show interest. First he will have to complete his high school. What other things should he be looking at?
He is starting to show some signs of maturity, so we want to plant a few simple seeds in his mind. I'm not sure yet, if he wants to be RCMP or civic or municipal police force. He's always talking about special sforces too, but I think if we can "help him along" in restoring and completing his education sooner rather than later, that will be a good thing for him

Thanks.

[Roger Dat]

Educatiom will of course benefit him regardless of waht it is in as long as he completes a degree program. As far as what he wants to do I doubt you will be able to steer him in any direction. If he has matured as you stated then its ok to give him positive feedback toward education and such but ultimately he needs to make his own decisions.

[DeltaV]

He MUST complete high school. That's just a given. No department would consider him for hire without at least a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. Any sort of college degree will also be helpful.

[Taxx]

Educatiom will of course benefit him regardless of waht it is in as long as he completes a degree program. As far as what he wants to do I doubt you will be able to steer him in any direction. If he has matured as you stated then its ok to give him positive feedback toward education and such but ultimately he needs to make his own decisions.

If this isn't a cry to have your son further his education, I don't know what is . A good buddy of mine was a hellion as a teenager. He didn't receive good marks, partied too much and lived life very fast. He went to the Army, Scout Recon, and was deployed to the sandbox. He came out and went to school for two years and joined the department. He is one squared away guy. He is 10 years younger than me, but I look up to him in many ways.

[Firecop203]

Long story short our kid was not doing well in attendance at high school. After trying everything we gave him an ultimatum. Get a job and pay rent or go to school.

He decided to join the military. We had mixed feelings about this (because of being deployed to Afghanistan etc) but knew the training would be great. He was only 17 y/o so we had to give permission.

It's turned him around, plus it's what he wants to do. So he's done well. He's a good shot apparently (90% +.)

He's a great kid, never been in trouble. This seems to be his calling, so despite our fears, we support him 100%.

The armed forces will supply him with the opportunity to continue his education, should he show interest. First he will have to complete his high school. What other things should he be looking at?
He is starting to show some signs of maturity, so we want to plant a few simple seeds in his mind. I'm not sure yet, if he wants to be RCMP or civic or municipal police force. He's always talking about special sforces too, but I think if we can "help him along" in restoring and completing his education sooner rather than later, that will be a good thing for him

Thanks.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're in Canada, so I don't know what the Military service is like there.

The other things he should be looking at is getting in shape as well as he can. Running and pushups especially. Basic training is the first challenge to come his way. The rules are to keep your mouth shut, ears open, pay attention and follow commands. They will teach him what they want him to know and his schools after basic will add to that knowledge for the specific job he selects.