Preparing Teens for Military Careers Archives

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?

What Retired Homeschool Moms Tell Me

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