It has taken nearly a week to finally get in touch with the only Air Force recruiter in our area. Before you can even schedule an appointment to meet with the recruiter, you are asked a series of questions over the phone. Apparently the process of joining the military could be stopped just in that phone interview.
My son had the speakerphone on, so that I could hear as well. At one point the recruiter asked my son if he had ever had a run-in with the law. My son responded, “Never.”
His next question, “Never? You were never even questioned by the law?” Again my son responded, “Never.”
Further questioning, “You never even had a ticket?” Again, “Never.” But he wasn’t done. “Not even a traffic ticket? You have never had any interaction with the law at all?” It was almost as if the recruiter didn’t believe him. Maybe this is normal, I don’t know.
Then he told my son that the next question he was going to ask didn’t mean he would automatically get disqualified if he answered yes. But he was to answer it honestly and it didn’t mean he (the recruiter) would tell his parents…of course, the recruiter had no idea he was on speakerphone.
“Have you ever smoked marijuana?” My son, “Never.”
“Never? You never even tried it?” Again, “No, I have never tried it.”
“You sure? Because it doesn’t mean you will be automatically disqualified.” No change in his answer, “Never.”
The recruiter went on to say how good that was and to keep it that way.
By the time the phone interview was over, I felt on edge. It was as if he had been put through the third degree, but I am sure this is nothing compared to what lies before him (thinking about boot camp).
So we now have an appointment, in a week and a half to meet with the recruiter. I can hardly believe this is happening.
But I am so proud of my son. I am proud that he has nearly reached 18 years of age and could confidently and honestly give the answers he did, never to trouble with the law and never to marijuana.
I haven’t raised a perfect kid but I can say that I have definitely raised a good one. And apparently I have raised a son who is willing to serve this country.
Am I really about to become a military mom?
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