Question about the Army Reserve

[Hydrae]

My 17 year old son is a junior in High School and has every intention of going in to the military upon graduation next year. I just got off the phone with my wife who was telling me about the recruiters being at the house and giving my son a pre-test of some kind. He had 25 minutes to complete the test. He finished in 15 minutes and only got one out of 50 questions wrong. The recruiter was rather impressed.

My question has to do with what my wife said they are wanting to do going forward. There is talk of my son "working" for the Army Reserve this summer but returning for his senior year of high school. After graduation he would then go through basic (that may be what the plan is for this coming summer, not sure), then a 3 month training period followed by college. This is a 6 year commitment for him.

Is it normal for a 17 year old to be going through basic training (his birthday is eraly July)? Is it normal for this to happen when there is still a year of HS left before graduation? Basically, is this normal at all? I have no military experience myself nor does anyone in my immediate family.

Thanks for any input, I am just being a concerned parent

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by joesomebody

Nothing wrong with a 69. I think the Air Force requires somewhere in the 40s to enlist, and they have the highest score requirement.

Basically what he will want to do is get a guaranteed job, or MOS before actually signing up. No reason to play Russian Roulette with his career/training.

With his score he should have a large selection of potential jobs to choose from.

*Edit, forgot that the ASVAB divides into several categories. I wondered what you meant by a high, but I remember now.

They tend to use those scores to decide what you are best suited for. So if his high was in Mechanical for example, there is a good chance he'll be in the motor pool, etc.

His overall score is an average. So you can look at what categories he scored well in, then get on the internet and start looking at jobs that he'll qualify for and possibly enjoy.

Yeah, I will know more when I get home tonight. Thanks for the input!