How to not upset a green beret

Jarhead713

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Hey all,

So, unfortunately, my SO and myself split up after over a year together. They wanted to date in college and I didn't, I didn't think it was fair to ask each other to do long distance and be unhappy when the whole wide world of college was at our fingertips. I thought the best thing for my SO would be to end it now, so they could have lots of time to heal and move on surrounded by family and friends. While I know I made the right decision, it's still been tough.

Jarhead's been a little sad these past few days. :(

BUT, we're moving past that now :)

My next thought, after a few days was "Wait, I don't have a prom date anymore." Then I was like "Shoot, where should I post my application?" But THEN, a good friend of mine introduced me to their friend, and I was like "Oh yeah, that'd be fun!" They're super fun and sweet, and I'm anticipating a fun night at prom.


Then this happened

We're talking on the phone, and they happen to reveal to me that their dad is a FORMER GREEN BERET. And that his garage resembles a "small armory"

Now I don't know much, but I DO know two things about green berets: 1. They're tough. 2. They're trained to kill.

Now, I generally like to avoid death/severe maiming on a daily basis... any advice? They say their dad is a nice guy... but again, green beret with a purple heart, who returned after injury to finish his contract. (not sure if that's normal, but sounds badass. Nothing but respect)

(to be clear this last part is a joke, but advice is always welcome :) )
 
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Tell the father a good joke. Try this one.

Three (insert any MOS or Officer type person here) passed away and went to heaven. Standing at the Pearly gates St. Peter greeted them. As he welcomed them to heaven they asked, "St. Peter, those Green Berets always give us a hard time, are there any of them up here?"

Sadly St. Peter shook his head. "I'm sorry gentlemen,” he said, "They seem to find themselves in a different place."
Happily the three (concerned people you choose) enter heaven and begin walking through heaven. It wasn't long before they come across an angel flying by with her hands zip-tied behind her back. Then they came across a group of angels with their hands zip-tied and burlap bags on their heads. They hear a commotion ahead and went to investigate. There over the hill they see a ten foot tall man with a bare chest, bulging muscles, an M-4, and a green beret on his head.

Quickly the (your chosen scared people) run back to St. Peter. "St. Peter! We saw a Green Beret here in Heaven! He was zip-tying angels and everything." St. Peter laughs shyly. "No," He says, "That's just God. He has always wanted to be a Green Beret."
 
Sorry to hear about break up with SO. It sounds as though you did the right thing, not stringing along someone just for a prom date when you knew you had places to go, things to do, people to meet in the year coming up, and your feelings had changed.

Learning how to break up/be broken up with is a life skill. These years into your twenties are your “shopping years.” You try different things, different looks, different styles, love something for a while, outgrow it or put it away when the fit is no longer right, return some things immediately as an impulse buy, wear some things once and immediately regret it and swear off that style forever.

As for Green Beret dad, “sir” is always useful, and asking for war stories, given your own plans. Ask for his top 3 tips on what makes a good junior officer for the troops. If he was prior enlisted, you will likely get some direct input. If he was an officer, it will be equally valuable.
 
As for Green Beret dad, “sir” is always useful, and asking for war stories, given your own plans. Ask for his top 3 tips on what makes a good junior officer for the troops. If he was prior enlisted, you will likely get some direct input. If he was an officer, it will be equally valuable.

Follow @Capt MJ 's advice.

Now I don't know much, but I DO know two things about green berets: 1. They're tough. 2. They're trained to kill.

I understand you are being lighthearted and there's no harm in that, but I'd suggest putting #2 out of your head. Try telling that to an 18D, who becomes the village MD/DDS earning the trust and support of the elders whose family members he just treated. Just because pop culture and the president refer to them as trained killers, doesn't mean it's an accurate description.
 
(to be clear this last part is a joke, but advice is always welcome :) )

I know that though, I have nothing but respect for anyone who has serving/is serving. :) I'm sure he's a nice guy
 
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I have a prom story. Not mine. I didn't go to mine. I was the trouble maker who hung outside doing... well, this isn't about me.

I've written here often that I teach high school and am in my 13th year. Every year creative and forward thinking students come up with ways to ask someone to the prom. This isn't about them either.

In my second or third year a male student asked me to pass to a girl flowers and an invitation when she got to my class later in the day. I said OK. The girl was the daughter of a career army officer and much to the horror of her mother, wanted to be an army medic. Great kid from a great family. She is a now a registered nurse. The boy was a nice guy who was middle of both the academic and SES scale but good to go as far as I was concerned. What could go wrong, right?

I passed on the flowers and invitation and you would have thought I had given her a bag of recently dead puppies. Still cute but hideous at the same time. I said, ohhhh, my goodness or something like that. I saw him the next day and he said he had not heard from her. I saw her the day after that and she didn't look at me or say anything. I called her to my desk which was in back of the room and apologized for getting involved but thought since I knew them both etc. that it would be cool. She told me not to worry about it but she couldn't go because "the boy had a reputation as a player and she wasn't like that." That's just great. Make me feel worse than I already do. Anyway, time passed and I learned to stay out of the business of teenagers.

One more story. Three or four years later I was standing at the doorway greeting students at the start of class when a boy walked up who I didn't know. Very nice good looking dude who stopped and politely asked if he could speak with Melinda Lou, not her real name, because he wanted to ask her to the prom. I said sure and called Malinda Lou to the doorway. I thought she would walk into the hallway but no. She stood in the doorway with me in the middle and he popped the question. I could see myself giving him a congratulatory fist bump as she said yes but no. She came right out and said no without preface or compassion. I thought he would start crying. I felt about as bad and wished the day was over. He turned and slowly walked away and the bell rang. I walked in and she was sitting in her seat with no emotion that might be expected of someone who just broke a heart.
 
@cb7893 comments popped a memory up from my own “shopping” past. I once dated a mid-grade SEAL officer back in the 20th c. He would invariably make JOs nervous; he was a physically impressive guy who radiated presence. One babbled something like “I hear you guys know 20 ways to kill someone.” My friend, with a completely impassive face and flat eyes, quietly said, “Pick a number.”
 
Hey all,

I'm anticipating a fun night at prom....Now, I generally like to avoid death/severe maiming on a daily basis... any advice?
I know you're joking, but an unknown guy for prom will be concerning since parents know there is going to be alcohol involved and typically very, very late or all night. Show both the Mom and Dad that you are responsible and thinking ahead. Explain your transportation plan that will ensure there is no under-the-influence driving. Talk about where you will be if you are going to "after parties". You and your date discuss expectations with parents about when you will have her home. This may be controversial, but consider OFFERING to share your location with her parents on your cell phones for the evening. As long as parents can see that you are where you said you would be at 4 in the morning at the Jones' house for the post-prom brunch, they will both be just fine!
 
Hey all,

So, unfortunately, my SO and myself split up after over a year together. They wanted to date in college and I didn't, I didn't think it was fair to ask each other to do long distance and be unhappy when the whole wide world of college was at our fingertips. I thought the best thing for my SO would be to end it now, so they could have lots of time to heal and move on surrounded by family and friends. While I know I made the right decision, it's still been tough.

Jarhead's been a little sad these past few days. :(

BUT, we're moving past that now :)

My next thought, after a few days was "Wait, I don't have a prom date anymore." Then I was like "Shoot, where should I post my application?" But THEN, a good friend of mine introduced me to their friend, and I was like "Oh yeah, that'd be fun!" They're super fun and sweet, and I'm anticipating a fun night at prom.


Then this happened

We're talking on the phone, and they happen to reveal to me that their dad is a FORMER GREEN BERET. And that his garage resembles a "small armory"

Now I don't know much, but I DO know two things about green berets: 1. They're tough. 2. They're trained to kill.

Now, I generally like to avoid death/severe maiming on a daily basis... any advice? They say their dad is a nice guy... but again, green beret with a purple heart, who returned after injury to finish his contract. (not sure if that's normal, but sounds badass. Nothing but respect)

(to be clear this last part is a joke, but advice is always welcome :) )
My DS once went on a date with a young lady who was the daughter of a ranger sniper. He asked for advice. My response " SERPENTINE son". Wish he'd been a bit faster.
 
Not a military dad story, but...when I was a teenager (a long time ago) I dated a girl whose father was a farmer. When I went to pick her up for our first date he was on the front porch cleaning a shotgun - not joking. He was a man of few words. I was sure to bring her home at the agreed upon time to find her father sitting on the porch. I don't think he liked me much...or maybe just didn't like anyone dating his daughter. The relationship did not last long.
 
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