military-type opportunities for kids

[maize]

We're headed to the Air Force Academy to watch my little brother graduate this week, my kids were looking up youtube videos from the Academy and thought the cadet training looked like a lot of fun. They want to march and do the obstacle courses and get yelled at :D I remember thinking the same thing when I watched my older brother's Basic Cadet Training video from the AFA, I didn't apply to the Academy but it did play a role in my decision to try ROTC in college--which I loved.

 

I'm going to look into Civil Air Patrol and maybe JROTC in our area, what else in there that might give my kids a bit of the military training experience? I have one or two who may eventually be interested in a military career, but others who I think just want to have a taste of the experience.

[gypsymama]

:lurk5:  My son is military obsessed so I'd love to hear this as well. So far the only idea I know of is JROTC. I am even considering letting him go to the local high school when it's time if he's serious so that he can get that experience. I'd love to hear other ideas. (Side note: If you don't get anything here it might be worth a call to your local recruiting office. They will have info on any available programs and they are awesome to work with. Our local guy had a "meeting" with my 8 year old that wanted to ask questions. :) )

[lllll]

When they're a little older (college), they can do this course.

 

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/marinetrng/a/marineplc.htm

 

One of my dd's is at the 10-week course this summer.  She says she's not planning to go into the military, but she was very excited about doing this.  We're just hoping she makes it through the entire 10 weeks.  (The kids can leave at any point if it gets to be too much for them.  She wants to work for the FBI or something similar.)

Edited May 31, 2016 by _ ?^..

[OhioMomof3]

How much does the Marines Platoon Leaders Course cost if she doesn't take the tuition assistance (with the requirement to serve in return for that assistance)?

[Tita Gidge]

I was a military wife for almost 20 years, and it was the life most of my kids grew up in. We'll be in CO this weekend, too!

 

Only one of my boys has expressed an interest in going that route, but all of them have spent at least one summer at a marine military camp in south Texas. The son who is pursuing a military career has attended multiple times. They get a taste of the life, and everything you mentioned - marching, obstacle course, and getting yelled at :D - plus more (set sleep/awake times, scheduled meals, the beauty and the ugly of rank hierarchy, etc.)  Even those who were hesitant to attend came back glad to have had the experience. All came back taller, way more fit, and making their beds LOL (something I don't personally do and have never required of them).

 

The son who wants to join the military almost attended public high school for the JROTC program. It was a tough call, and one he made on his own, but I'd have been fine to send him for that experience. I'd have sent him for sports, too. Either way he knew I'd do some after schooling with him to keep atop my educational goals for him.

 

There are other military camps, but you have to weed out those designed for 'at-risk' youth because it'll be a slightly different experience. We went with the Texas camp because of others we know who have sent their boys there.  I wish there was an equivalent for girls, but I've yet to find one.

[brehon]

I think CAP is your best bet for near your home (unless you live near Harlingen which is where the MMA that TG mentioned is). Maybe JROTC for those old enough.

 

Just know that not all CAP squadrons are created equally - the one my eldest is a part of is fantastic. They have lots of activities and meet once a week. My son is going to a week long communications school in June. The other squadron in the area isn't nearly as active and they only meet once every month, I think. If you have a choice of squadrons, be sure to check them out.

 

Your kids would probably be interested in Basic Encampment, if they want a taste of military life. :)

[lllll]

How much does the Marines Platoon Leaders Course cost if she doesn't take the tuition assistance (with the requirement to serve in return for that assistance)?

 

Nothing.  We didn't do the tuition assistance.  The only cost was getting her to the seemingly endless physicals (or whatever they called them).  The kids have minimum times ( or reps) for running, push ups, or pull ups (?) - can't remember all of it - in order to qualify for the program. 

 

So it's basically just travel/gasoline.  Dd lived about 2 hours from the recruiter's office, so she drove up there.  And we all drove her to drop her off.  They had transportation to Quantico, which is where they stay for the course. 

 

Dd said there was a good bit of bookwork, too.  She was printing stuff out and memorizing it, studying things, etc.

 

ETA:  Actually, I think they'll pay for travel expenses - food, gas, etc. - but not sure exactly what.  And the kids can get college credits for it, too.  But they don't have to take the credits if they don't want or need them.  ( My dd didn't want the college credits because she has all her majors and minors all mapped out and she doesn't want to go over the limits for college credits.  I think the school makes them graduate after a certain number of credits?  Or something like that.)

Edited May 31, 2016 by _ ?^..

[OhioMomof3]

Thanks;that is good to know. I was confused by wording on the website.

[Wabi Sabi]

There is a military style summer camp Indiana that attracts children from all over the world. It is a military academy during the school year and a camp by summer.  Although it is a military school, it is not a military school in the sense of being a place to send troubled children. They do not accept students with behavioral problems. It has an extremely high price tag, but they are generous with financial aid, IME. I went there as a child alongside children of the very wealthy, and when my sister was a camp counselor in college she had the child of a very high profile political figure in her cabin:  

https://www.culver.org




 

Edited May 31, 2016 by Wabi Sabi

[Wabi Sabi]

 

There are other military camps, but you have to weed out those designed for 'at-risk' youth because it'll be a slightly different experience. We went with the Texas camp because of others we know who have sent their boys there.  I wish there was an equivalent for girls, but I've yet to find one.

Check out the link I posted in the post just before this. :) 

[lllll]

Oh, I forgot about the military schools.  This same dd of mine also went for the overnight visit at Virginia Military Institute.  It's for high schoolers.

 

http://admissions.vmi.edu/visit/

 

 

Here's a quote from the above page:

 

This overnight program for high school seniors and juniors offers a taste of life at VMI. Prospective cadets sleep in barracks, eat in the mess hall, and talk with faculty, admission counselors, and cadets.

 

 

 

You have to make reservations.  And Lexington is a beautiful town, if you want to do some sightseeing while you're there.

[PinkTulip]

Each of the service academies (Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, West Point, and Coast Guard Academy) have a week-long "Summer Seminar" for rising seniors in high school that give a small glimpse of what it would be like as a student there. The price is quite reasonable : around $500-ish for 6 days, which also includes tons of gear.

 

My son attended three summer seminars last summer, but ultimately decided not to pursue an appointment. He absolutely loved his time there, and came home with practically an entire new wardrobe (polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, jackets, etc)

[*lifeoftheparty*]

..

Edited December 18, 2016 by *lifeoftheparty*

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Young Marines. My 11 year old is a YM Private, and my 15 year old is a YM recruit (just joined).

[wendy not in HI]

We have friends who have attended space camp - looks so fun!

 

http://www.spacecamp.com/

 

We are apparently the least exciting military family ever, and our kids have had very little military-like adventures... Not the same experience that you are talking about, but we have enjoyed going to Air Shows and touring airplanes and talking to Airmen and watching the air show!

 

Someone was talking to me recently about their son attending a Seal Training camp like this: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/americas-best-adventures/navy-seal-camp/

 

looks very intense and very expensive!

 

[dtsmamtj]

Civil Air Patrol - my son has been in for 5 years now.  Leadership, leadership, leadership!!  

 

T

[iamonlyone]

This one has a Christian component: http://www.alertacademy.com/iaa/

 

We know a family or two that have children who participated, and they all thought it was beneficial.

[*lifeoftheparty*]

.......

 

Edited December 18, 2016 by *lifeoftheparty*

[maize]

There are two civil air patrol groups within a reasonable distance, I think I will check them out when we get home. 

 

Dd12 asked me tonight as we were walking across Academy grounds: "how old do you have to be to come here?" When I said at least 17 and a high school graduate she thought for a minute and said "I think I could get through high school in the next five years."