This week on HSHSP Ep 102: Preparing Teens for Military Careers, Interview with Gretchen Mahoney.
HSHSP Ep 102: Preparing Teens for Military Careers, Interview with Gretchen Mahoney
Some homeschool highschoolers would like to join the military after graduation. What do teens need to accomplish if they want to serve our country in the Armed Forces?
Join Vicki and her homeschool mom-friend and colleague, Gretchen Mahoney. Gretchen’s 2 sons both joined the Air Force after graduation.
Photo courtesy of Pike Creek Psychological Center
Her son, Thomas, enlisted and served in the Air Force. Thomas’ goal was to fly as a career, although he wasn’t interesting in the military. However, when he discovered that when the rubber met the road he really did want to follow in his grandfather’s military footsteps. In order to join after high school, Thomas learned he needed to:
- Finish well in high school, with good academics and extracurriculars
- Visit the recruiter
- Take the ASVAB test to find your best fit career (although the military will choose a career from what they need)
- Work out, get physically fit
- Join Civil Air Patrol
- The recruiter will work with you through graduation, checking on your fitness
- Graduate
- The recruiter will let you know when it is time to head to testing and other preparations
- Then will be the swearing in!
Her son, Christopher, was accepted at the Air Force Academy and will graduate May, 2018.
- Find leadership opportunities
- Find service opportunities
- Network, develop
- Be up on current events
- Show initiative, start things/events
- Show a well-rounded involvement in extracurriculars
- Take high-level courses and learn the skills for academic success
- Create a clear, top-notch transcript
- Join Civil Air Patrol
- Seek a nomination from a US Representative and/or US Senator (meet with them)
- Prepare to work hard through the Academy!
If you become a military mom, Gretchen shares some feelings you might experience:
- The pit in your stomach every time they leave
- The need to pray at lot
- Christmas over Skype
- The sense of pride when hearing the national anthem or the American flag
- Keeping your phone handy all the time
- Knowing their education was free
- Joining the military moms Facebook groups
BTW- Gretchen is author of 7SistersHomeschool.com’s popular Introduction to Psychology Lesson Plans ($2.00 and well worth it)!
Join Vicki and Gretchen for a discussion about becoming a military family! In the meantime enjoy these related posts!
Is Psychology Biblically Okay for a Homeschool High School Subject?
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HSHSP Ep 102: Preparing Teens for Military Careers, Interview with Gretchen Mahoney
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