<p>Profmom - that worked for your son and that is great - but each kid and family is different.</p>
<p>I know kids who enlist during high school to leave for basic right after graduation and kids who enlist in the guard during high school at age 17. These choices are no less serious than attending a service academy - perhaps more so because frankly you get two years before you commit - yet somehow these kids are able to make that decision.</p>
<p>Don’t begrudge kids who just KNOW in their heart this is what they want and won’t be swayed.
Sometimes parents who push too hard for their child to look at all options and consider other offers - end up swaying them AWAY from their dream. It can backfire.</p>