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I apologize in advance for the length of this post but I am in need of some serious advice for my son.

I have a 17 y.o. son who will be graduating HS next year. He wants be in the Corps at A&M and then be
a Marine after he graduates. At this point, he is not sure about making a career of it, but has held that open as a possibility.

First off let me clarify that I have no military or A&M Corps of Cadets experience or background so this is all new to me. Forgive me in advance if I stumble using incorrect military jargon, nomenclature or
terminology.

He and I have met separately and together with his local Marine recruiter who as of last week was putting a lot of pressure on him to sign on enlisted right away. In fact, when we met up earlier this week
he had the papers ready for us to sign. I had to back the good Sgt. off a bit as we are both new to this and still learning. He was just doing his job which I certainly understand.

No doubt this is ultimately my son's decision but feel it is my role as his father to make sure he fully understands all of the options available to him so he can make a wise decision with no regrets.

The biggest decision in all of this of course, is whether to go enlisted or seek the officer commissioning route and how that all coincides with his time in the Corps @ A&M. This has been by far the most confusing aspect to us both.

As his father, I'd like to see him go the commissioning route b/c I feel it may ultimately offer him the broadest range of opportunities down the road. That is purely an assumption on my part and in no way
based on personal experience or knowledge.

My son made it clear to me that he wants to have the infantry/combat experience and possibly pursue special operations which I could see him excelling at. When I asked him which MOS he seemed most interested in...without flinching he said "infantry". I then asked him "as a shot-caller or as a trigger-puller?" to which he quickly responded by choosing the latter.

He's a smart, tough young man and in great physical condition. He earned (unanimous) 1st Team All-District honors in football as a Soph and again as a Junior as a smallish but fast LB. He's also made the
All-District Academic Team both years he's been on varsity.

He's a natural born leader...not in a rah-rah type of way but rather by quiet example. Kids flock to be around him and he is very well liked by coaches, school staff and admin, parents and students alike.
In other words, I think the boy is cutout to be a Marine.

So I guess my primary questions to start would be:

1. What are the career advantages/disadvantages/limitations to going enlisted vs. commissioning?
2. What are the payscale differences between commissioned vs. non-commissioned officers?
3. What are the primary differences in combat responsibilities of each?
4. If he chose the commissioning route, does that hurt his chances of making a spec ops team if he wants
to go that route?
5. If he decides he wants to go enlisted when should he sign on? Now? Before/during/after A&M?
6. How do these decisions fit in with the Corps at A&M?
7. What would his likely timeline be for each path starting now until he starts active duty after graduating
from A&M?
8. What deadlines, if any do we need to be aware of?
9. He's just outside the top 10% of his class but is most-likely top 15%. What scholarship opportunities
might be available to him and what does that process/timeline look like?
10. What would his starting rank be coming out of college going each route?

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Now comes the career/ getting out part. I got out in '09. I was a wounded combat decorated infantry veteran....with zero job skills in the civilian world. This is a point I feel I must point out. Being an infantryman gave me the greatest pride imaginable, but unless your son gets incredibly lucky and attends some decent schools while he is in(which he won't) career wise it is a black hole in his life. Sure he'll get handshakes and many thanks for his service but only the fact he is a veteran will help him out. Which every veteran gets regardless of MOS. A lot of jobs offer veteran incentive points which is absolutely great but if your son is wanting something outside of civil service, or construction, etc he won't have any help and will be starting off at the bottom along with everyone else. I know enlisted mechanics that got hired the day they got out into starting $40-60K jobs. I struggled to find a job for 4 months and finally got hired at a gunstore making minimum wage. No one is looking for the ability to drink a 30-pack before a 25 mile hump and survive or the fact you can hit a target at 600 yards with iron sights. Officers are far more better prepared with a degree and crucial leadership experience. Many job fairs that are veteran friendly are looking only for officers.

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It's 4 years of free college with $1200 a month in his pocket. No student loans to worry about.

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• 68% GI Bill benefits exhausted prior to graduation
• 65% two or more semesters beyond benefits for graduation
• 50% have spouse or partner; 31% have additional dependents
• 58% benefits, financial aid inadequate to cover family household expenses

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It's 4 years of free college with $1200 a month in his pocket. No student loans to worry about.

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I interact with many Aggie students who are veterans and have learned the GI Bill helps, but is definitely not a financial easy street. That seemingly large monthly stipend covers housing, utilities, insurance, vehicle, food, all incidentals, and unplanned problems. There is not a lot left in the pocket by the end of the month. Periods of time not in classroom do not receive the allowance so it has to come from somewhere - either saving ahead of time from the monthly stipend, student loans - somewhere.

A survey of TAMU veteran students reflected:

• 68% GI Bill benefits exhausted prior to graduation
• 65% two or more semesters beyond benefits for graduation
• 50% have spouse or partner; 31% have additional dependents
• 58% benefits, financial aid inadequate to cover family household expenses

The all expenses paid education is a great marketing tool to 18 year olds, particularly those with meager if any means. No doubt getting in the higher education game with an assist from the GI Bill changes lives. It is the exception rather than the rule that debt is not incurred.

It is unfair to characterize it otherwise.

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Pursue education first. The USMC will be there if and when you want it.

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