Activities for Teens Interested in the Military
Whether your teen grew up dreaming of a life in the Army or recently developed a deep interest in joining, the teenage years are a crucial time for her to learn about the military before making a commitment. Encourage her to learn all she can about the military and have her participate in military-related activities.
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Do the Research
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Encourage your teen to learn as much as he can about the branches of the military so that he can decide which branch he would like to pursue -- Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines or Air Force. Your teen can use online resources to learn about what is required to join each branch, what the benefits are, what type of commitment is expected and what careers he can pursue within each branch.
Join a Youth Military Program
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Your teen can get a glimpse into the dedication and discipline it takes to be a member of the armed services by joining a youth military program, such as the Junior ROTC, Navy Sea Cadets and the Civil Air Patrol Cadet programs. These programs typically require students to meet weekly wearing a uniform, either at school, a reserve or recruitment center or on a military base. Students can learn about military life, practice drills and learn skills specific to that particular branch of the military. Some programs include weekend competitions where military clubs compete in skill tests.
Meet with Recruiters
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Encourage your teen to visit with a recruiter, or multiple recruiters if she is interested in more than one branch of the military. This will give her an opportunity to talk one-on-one with a military officer and have any questions she has answered. Help her come up with a list of important questions that can help your teen make up her mind, such as what to expect in basic training, what the starting pay is and prospects for being deployed overseas.
Attend Military Camps and Bases
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Sign your teen up for a military summer camp experience that all branches of the military offer. Many offer opportunities to have fun with friends, learn discipline and participate in exciting activities such as learning to fly a plane, going through challenging obstacle courses and air rifle shooting. An emphasis on leadership, teamwork and discipline is evident in all military-style summer camps, too. You should also see whether you can get a one-on-one tour at a military base in your area, giving your teen an opportunity to see what base life is like .
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