Grandson Connor called this morning to let me know he graduated A.I.T. and is on his way back home to South Carolina. He is a National Guardsman. What he was trained to do:
https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/army-wheeled-vehicle-mechanic-mos-91b/
Naturally I’m proud of him. The services today are not nearly as easy as in the past despite what many think.With smaller forces, the selection criteria is much more stringent.
Connor is a 5th Generation soldier.
The call was bittersweet. He sounds so much like his late father.
Being in the Guard will give him a financial floor of around $4k a year to start.
Soon Spartanburg will have another qualified mechanic working on their cars and trucks.
8 comments:
Well done, young man!
And kudos to you both....
Thank you.
The criteria for acceptance is more stringent.
And... our services have the luxury of kicking out those that determine they "don't want to be in the service of our country" anymore.
And that's a good thing, except-
Kids today don't join because they are patriots. They join because they'll get a sale-able skill, and then they can get out.
I'm still trying to figure out if that is a good, or bad, thing.
I think it is mostly good.
GB
We will see where Connor goes. His Dad planned on making it a career. Connor spent two years as a dependent at Dugway Proving Grounds (aka Area 52) so his exposure is a bit broader. He might end up making a career of the Guard.
Motivation? How many become Air Force pilots on their way to United Airlines?
Well done to him! And yes, solid foundation for a long term career, in OR out of the military!
OldNFO
I'm proud of him and I am also, as a selfish grandfather, glad he didn't go combat arms.
Selection is pretty tough, from what I saw with my eldest. Congrats!
LSP
It isn't easy. Another family member didn't make it out of reception into basic training.
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