The deed is done, and he's made his decision. You can't undo it, and he's becoming a man and will have to make his own choices and live with the consequences. I would probably not bother expressing my doubts to him, I would try to wish him the best, express my love, and ask him to return home in one piece. Good luck to you both.

you should be very proud.Tell him your proud and support him.

If you want my honest answer I would hope to injure him so he couldn't pass basic training, I wouldn't want my son in Iraq

As a parent myself my first reaction would be....scared and numb. Then I would remember it was his decision and wouldn't want him going off without him knowing I was proud of him and have him tell me all about the corps and all about basic and let him tell you about why he chose it. He will appreciate the interest your taking in his decision. I wish him luck and you the strength to back him up.

Beat his ass and then wish him well.

"I hope you learned to pick up your feet!"

Boot camp is a mind game, always remember that. He will be spend more time waiting than doing, learn patience. If/when he goes into combat, remember to breath steady at all times. If he has to shoot, do not question your judgement and keep your shots controlled. Accept pain and move forward, there will be time to heal later. Biggest thing to remember is that other people's lives depend on your actions and reactions. If he sees death, move on and grieve later. And there will be a lot of grieving.

I would be very proud of him. The Marines will provide him with the tools that will prepare a solid foundation for him for the rest of his life. If every young man went into the Marine Corps, the world would be a better place. Semper Fi!

I had to sneak off when I was 18. I didn't break the news for another two months. My mother tore up my birth certificate. I come from a very war-like family. Every single one of my forefathers fought in combat, and my great granfather cried when he saw me in my bassinet. He cried and told my mother that she was raising "Cannon Fodder"... She took it to heart. She was saddened when I returned home from bootcamp, having gained 30 pounds. It made her feel like a bad mother. She exclaimed "why couldn't I raise you that way?". She soon got over it with a little fibbing on the recruiter's part. He told her that I would never deploy, because I was the only son of an only son. (He didn't know that I was signing the waivers... After all, I joined to fight, as was my birthright and personal expectation)... When I was in Panama for Operation Just Cause, she saw the recruiter in the store, and dorked him in the head with a can of greenbeans. She beat on him, calling him a "lying sonofabitch" "My son is fighting, and your chicken shit ass is still here"... I felt so, so sorry for him... She honestly thought he had lied... (It's a good thing I never ran into him again, he would probably have beat me down).. Long story short. You will feel a mixture of emotions. The emotion you need to share with your son, is that you are proud of him. He will be well trained and well cared for. Far fewer people get killed each year in combat, than get murdered in the United States. You don't have to like it, but please, for you son's sake, accept his decision. And for what it's worth, tell him I'm proud of him too!

nothing, phone his officers and tell them he is gay. Failing that break his legs so he can't go.

I would be pissed that I wasn't kept in the loop, but at 18 he is able to make his own decisions. I would also want to know why Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, what MOS, and other details. I was a Navy "Nuke" (propulsion, NOT weapon) so I was E-3 right off the bat and E-4 within six months; something a Jarhead is lucky to do in 4 years. If he couldn't get as good a deal, I might disown him for stupidity.

Be proud of him. My mom was scared when I joined the Navy, but I'm proud of myself for going and I'm such a girly girl. Some words of advice for him…Learn the ranking structure and his general order. If he does not learn this, he will stay on the deck doing pushup!!!! Oh also learn as much as he can about the Corp. history. He will get tested on this stuff.

Confused. I don't recall the prenancy or giving birth to a child 18 years ago.

Tell him you are proud of him. Wish him luck and tell him to write you every chance he gets. Finally, pray to God that he'll be safe. While you're at it, pray for all the other peace keepers who are risking everything to keep us all safe. BTW, I'll be joining you in that prayer every night.

Tell him that you love him, tell him to be safe and that you will pray for him. Tell him that you admire his courage and bravery. Write to him. Send him 'CARE' packages from home Hold him close and smell your child, let that sense memory become a part of your soul. And lastly, tell him that you are proud of him and that you understand his courage, his sense of duty and honor. Semper Fi Marine parent.

As the widowed bride of a proud Marine I would be bursting my buttons with pride that my Sons would want to follow in their Father's footsteps and become part of The United States Marines. After all what btter way to learn how to become a man then in the most Honrable, Disciplined, and best trained of our Armed Forces? I would tell them I am proud of them and so is their Father. And with tears of Joy in my eyes.

Tell him good luck. That your proud of him and remind him that nothing lasts forever. Whether its good or bad.

dispite the reason, can you kill by the order of another? and further more, can u kill sum one else who is only killing by the order of ANOTHER? do either of you deserve to die?

i love you, be safe and think of GOD and family when scared, he'll be fine...he's a brave, brave young guy, i'm in the Navy myself, it's hard, but pray and ask GOD for guidance and strength

I would feel worried and afraid. Please just tell him you Love him, that you are there for him, and that you are proud of the man he's become. PRAY! Keep an open door for him to run to when he has seen things that cause him grief, an open heart to hear his thoughts and a flowing pen to keep him in loving letters from home (even if he doesn't write back often). E-mail and myspace is a great way to keep in touch. That's how I keep in touch with my soldier :-). Type to me if you need an open ear.

My son is in the Marines. He enlisted right after high school. He has been in over a year now. He had talked about it since he was a child and when 911 happened, he was about 12, he looked at me and said Mom, thats what I want to do, I want to be a Marine. We made him take a college Act test, we wanted to be sure he knew and considered all of his options. He did well on the test and could have gone to college. He is also quite musically gifted, but he wanted to be a Marine. He has always been a high energy kid, with a quick wit and an answer for everything. He was a handfull to raise, not in any trouble or anything but just sort of had his own ideas about life. Sort of marched to a different drum you might say. We always raised him telling him there are some things worth dieing for and when we reminded him of the real possibility of that, that he might go to Irac, that he might not come back, that he might get hurt etc... he said he understood that and that he wanted to be a Marine. From that point on we told him we were behind him, that we will worry every day, but that ultimitly if this is what he has desided then we back him 100 percent! He is now a lance corporal, he spent boot camp in California, went to school in Maryland and is now in Washington DC. Though he volenteered to go to Irac that is not where they sent him, (yet anyway.) I have seen him, in a year and 3 months go from boy to man. He still marches to his own drum,(unless an officer tells him other wise of course!) lol. Boot camp was harder then even the stories you hear, but watching him at graduation was one of the proudest moments of his Dads and my life. (Besure to go to graduation!) I know there is alot of controversy about the war and all of that and of course, only a fool wouldn't worry about their child when he is away from home let alone in the military. But with out these brave men and woman where really would we be? My son is growing and flurshing in the Marines. He takes his honor and responsibility seriously, this man/ child, (who at home could barely keep his room clean.)Now jumps to commands and takes great pride in himself, his service and his country. I am proud of your son, and all the sons and daughters like him. They could have made a million choices of what to do with their life but they choose defending this county, it is hard, (putting your natural fear aside of course) to find fault in that. And welcome to the club. Now when you hear them refer to military families they mean you. God Bless, you and your son will be in my prayers Another Marine Mom

Mate he has just joined a club of brothers who will depend on him and expect the same back. The honour the excitment the challenge, he will return to you with experiences and stories of his new life. my best advice would be to give him the stamp of approval and shake his hand, give him a man hug and tell him that you are proud of him when he gets on that bus.

Tell him, "Son, I fully support you and look forward to the day I can tell our friends and family that MY SON IS A MARINE." Then give him a huge hug and tell him that you love him.

If I had an 18 year old son, proud that his life has direction. I would wish him well.

I wish I knew. My older brother, age 19, is going into the Army TOMORROW. I tried so hard to convince him to join the Navy or even the Air Force. Either one would be a little if not a lot safer than the Army. He's going straight to Iraq, I just know it...

Thank God you have a man for a son. Do not discourage him. Do not scare him. Complement him for his courage.

My son put me in this situation. At first I was dead against it, but collegues at work told me how their mothers refused to sign them into the army at an early age. I took a look how unhappy they were in a nine to five job and knew then that I should not stop him from leading his own life. Now I know I have made the right decision and am very proud of him.

He's a man, tell him whatever he does in life you support his decisions and respect him for it. Be prepared for when he comes home, he will not be the same person who left.

I'm 17, a high school junior, finishing up high school in Europe (my parents are of foreign origin and they decided to leave America roughly two years ago and they dragged me along with them), and I am going to do just that; I'm gonna tell my parents not two weeks before I get on the bus, but no more than a week before, that is if I'll be in a merciful mood (Not to come off as an immature asshole or n e thing but I have my reasons). First they're gonna have to digest my decision on moving out of their house and moving back to America, which is thousands of miles away from where me and my parents (unfortunetly) live at this time, but that's a different story. Now it will probably take my folks several months to accept the fact that their son will be (and later,hopefully, is) a United States Marine. So judging by how things look now, my moving-out experience won't come off on good terms with my parents. It will be a long road of recuperation for them. But it seems that you haven't really complicated your son's life while you were sharing a roof with him so if I were your son I would like to hear that you support me in my decision, and that you are proud of me, and that whatever may happen to me, you will keep me in your thoughts and your prayers. I'm probably (60% chance) joining the Marines in a year as Enlisted if I won't get into/through college; I have already began my physical training for boot, don't wanna leave illprepared (even if I do make it to college at least I'll be really fit to prepare for Officer Candidates School that will await me after college, so the excercise won't do me no harm ha ha). Gonna be 0311 Infantry, Enlisted or Commissioned, I'm hoping my ASVAB score will let me. Peace. And good luck to your son.

Tell him how proud you are of him wanting to protect himself. Being in the marines will give him many ouportunities to succed in life. Also a cool thing you get to do is when people say "well what does your son do?" Then you get to tell them that he is risking his life in the most noble ways, he is a United States Marine. I've always wanted to do that because I would be so proud of my son. But I have to wait quiet a while since i'm still only 16, lol.

I would feel very proud of him and give him all the support he might need. SOunds like you raised a responsible and unselfish young man.

I would be disappointed and try to help him somehow to get out of his enlistment.I would tell him to find ways to flunk out of the marine boot camp somehow.I can't speak for you but am giving you an idea what I would do for I do not look favorable to any military services and have been fortunate not to be around it.

don't make us look like terrorists or anything while you are over there!

Incredulous... Scared... Worried... Proud... He's 18 and signed a contract to be a member of the Armed Forces. He didn't ask your advice or permission before, and there's no backing out, now. Tell him, you're worried, but proud of his making the decision. Tell him you will support his decision. Tell him you love him. Give him a big hug and tell him to watch his back and come back alive. [NOTE: I realize this was a few months ago. I hope all is going well with him and you. My answer is for those who come to this question later, then. ;-) ]

THE TRUTH. I LOVE YOU START THERE.

I can't blame him for wanting to get on that bus...

Be proud of him and hope and pray you turned him into a fine American who will lead and defend his country as a future Marine. Support him from this point on as he made his decision and now has to live it. Guess what, he needs you more now than anytime as he will be physically challenged, emotionally alone, and he will come to grips everyday asking himself whether he made the right decision. Help him through his daily struggles through letters, emails, photos, and by all means tell him you will always be there for him. God keep him safe and bless you. Take care.

I did the same thing to my mom. the only difference is she asked me, rather than my telling her. Just support him. That's all the Military needs, is to know that no matter what, you are behind them.

"Good luck, son."

I would tell him I was proud of him, give him a hug and tell him to be careful and to write often.

First of all, no offense i know you care for him, and I do believe that you could voice your opinion, but in the long run he is a grown man and his decision is his not yours. Tell him you love him and wish for the very best. Second the military will pay for his college so even if he doesn't want to stay in the military for his lives career, he can use it to get him up on his feet, and give him options in his life. Third; As long as he works hard for the military, they will work hard for him, and treat him well. If he is not a hard worker, and respectful person to others then the military is not for him.

TAKE CARE AND GOOD LUCK.

I would let him know that I love him and am very proud of him and that if he needs anything that I would be there for him. I would pray every night that he and all of his comrades in arms of all branches be safe through their everyday lives and combat situations. Worry not, whatever will be will be. I am a former US Army Infantryman and OIF veteran, whether or not we held personal religious beliefs over there, we all felt that there is a destiny for us all, and that there is little that can change it. I'd rather meet my maker trying to make things better for others than sitting on my couch watching the History Channel, personally.

Good Bye!:(

... Marines are a great group ... watch their backs, and they will watch yours ...

Words I wish my mother had said to me. "I'm so proud of you. I'll miss you, and you can count on seeing me in three months when you graduate boot camp!"

Regardless of how you feel, be *supportive*!

im proud of you son

do your best, I love you, and write/call as much as you can!

i would so good job, be careful ,and i love you.

You can support him I have 2 sons in the military 1 in the air force he has been there 9 yrs and my 19 yr old was just deployed to alfganistian I do not like it but that is the path they choose in life and I just pray that the made the right decision and come home safe I will keep your son in my prayers

I would say to my son I couldn't be more proud of the choice that you have made although as your mother I am scared to death...but I believe in you and if you are strong enough to become a Marine you are strong enough to protect the world and I know that the son I raised is that strong. I have never been so proud or scared in all my life! I love you and I can't wait to say "I may look harmless, but I raised a Marine!!!" Ooh-Rah!!!

You can tell him that you are proud of him, don't think that joining the usmc it's a free ticket to go to war, only very few marines get sent to a combat zone, either iraq which is real quiet right now, or afghanistan which is a hot place right now but the president sent the selected battalions to go there already, don't worry, I have been in the marine corps infantry since 06' I have been praying to go see combat but instead I have been training with armies all over the world which is boring. Your son will be ok.

i'd be proud. i'd tell him he's doing good for his country. i'd be worried night and day but at least you know he's protecting his country

He cannot turn back so give him as much support as possible. i distracted soldier is a dead soldier. Semper Fi

My son did exactly that. Although I was very much afraid particularly in these times I told him I was very proud. He made a very difficult decision at an early age and he has grown up very quickly. With so many kids today looking to sit on the couch and play video games and live off Mom and Dad, he was looking to make a difference in his life and the lives of others. You have to be proud of that.

GOOD LUCK AND MAKE THE BEST OF IT, BUT USE YOUR BRAIN LOGICALLY WHEN IN TIGHT SPOTS.