Help! My parents don't want me to be a pilot after graduation. How do I convince them otherwise?

GrilledCheese94 said:
Here’s my own story as an anecdote regarding career twists and turns:

USN enlisted (Electrician’s Mate) followed by NAPS & USNA. I had every intention of making the military a career.

Studied political science at USNA, service selected USMC Ground.

Served as a Logistics Officer, finished on recruiting duty. HATED recruiting duty, resigned my commission.

Worked in telecommunications as a middle manager for a few years and HATED corporate America.

Approaching 22 years in the fire service, positioned for promotion to Deputy Chief this summer in a major metropolitan fire department (there are less than 25 serving in this rank in our department). I have LOVED every second of my firefighting career.

The moral of the story is to take advantage of every opportunity the military throws your way. Enjoy what you’re doing in the moment. Do something cool because it’s something cool that YOU want to do!

If you obsess about planning every step of your journey and justifying it to anyone other than yourself, you run the risk of not enjoying the ride!
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It's unfortunate the situation recruiting is in. A lot of active duty Marines I've talked to before have said that recruiting was a make or break for them... it either got them out or set em up for a career. A bit worried about getting stuck in that duty.
 
bookjustice said:
It's unfortunate the situation recruiting is in. A lot of active duty Marines I've talked to before have said that recruiting was a make or break for them... it either got them out or set em up for a career. A bit worried about getting stuck in that duty.
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Recruiting duty was my “B” billet coming back from 3 years overseas. It was either that or the drill field for me. As an officer, you can be assigned as a RS OpsO (managing enlisted accessions) or as an OSO (recruiting Officer Candidates).

I’m not wired for the sales profession aspect of recruiting duty, so it was a poor fit for me professionally. Such is life, I took my ball and went home.
 
hopefulacademycandidate said:
what about drones?

My parents don't want me to fly either but they like the idea of flying drones. I would prefer to fly planes in person but I am considering drones because of computer science as well and combining the two is kinda cool.
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Unmanned aircraft systems pilot - drones. yes, that's a career path. research what they do. There certainly is value to what they do - They are more relevant now than ever with drone defense and attacks playing a role in mid-east conflicts. This UAS pilot position - glad someone is doing it, and imo, glad my DS isn't one of them. Typical UAS pilots sit in a shack in a place like rural virginia or nevada and complete surveillance missions flying above, potentially a hostile part of the world halfway around the globe - monitoring, possibly providing battle engagement to protect troops/ VIPS on the ground. or they might hover/ gather intel on an embassy, monitor bad actors, etc. Oh, and you may drop warheads on foreheads and kill people sometimes/ only when needed. It's a combat pilot position in between long periods of routine. DS is a certified drone pilot (and commercial multi-engine pilot/ cfi) and he investigated this career path and decided it wasn't for him. But if you are risk averse to being in the theater of combat but copacetic with killing people from afar, then this might be a good path for you. You're statistically safer than the aviators who are the in-person pilots of the fighting forces - If Nevada comes under attack we all have big concerns. OK, that's it on food for thought about that role.

the reality is that keeping our parents happy is something many of us have to do, even with surviving parents into their 80s, while living our adult lives. But you have to keep yourself happy to - this life isn't a dress rehearsal and your needs / desires factor in, too. Ultimately though I would say you can train to serve and learn about each community and option - you have time. You may despite your wishes not serve as a pilot at all, but as something else (sub, on a ship, leading an tank division, etc.) so step by step - train and earn a commission and in years ahead you'll have time to confirm your preferences.
 
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I was not thrilled when DS got his first choice of Marine Aviation. Regardless, it’s not my choice or path, it’s his. My father was a Navy pilot, USNA class of 61’ and was killed in Vietnam, so you can see my reluctance. Every day I am so proud of DS.
 
DMV1962 said:
I was not thrilled when DS got his first choice of Marine Aviation. Regardless, it’s not my choice or path, it’s his. My father was a Navy pilot, USNA class of 61’ and was killed in Vietnam, so you can see my reluctance. Every day I am so proud of DS.
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You have given your son an incredible gift – the freedom to choose and to be. To be himself and whatever he aspires to be. He will be a more fulfilled person and not a mere extension of your desires or what some well-intentioned parents want their children "to be." That is why I think you are proud of him. God bless him and you.
 
I went through the same stuff a while ago. I still remember how my mum was worried about dying in the plane crash, and she even said out loud that I needed to be buried close to home so she could visit me. Mums, they always be mums.
So, based on what I went through, I can say that you should tell them about how safe military flying actually is, with lots of good training that pilots go through. Talk about how this training teaches you to be disciplined, to lead, and to really understand the technical side of things. Also, I want to share how loving planes and being good at computer stuff can come together for lots of different job options. This way, they can see that flying isn't just about being up in the air; it can lead to many other cool careers.
 
GrilledCheese94 said:
Here’s my own story as an anecdote regarding career twists and turns:

USN enlisted (Electrician’s Mate) followed by NAPS & USNA. I had every intention of making the military a career.

Studied political science at USNA, service selected USMC Ground.

Served as a Logistics Officer, finished on recruiting duty. HATED recruiting duty, resigned my commission.

Worked in telecommunications as a middle manager for a few years and HATED corporate America.

Approaching 22 years in the fire service, positioned for promotion to Deputy Chief this summer in a major metropolitan fire department (there are less than 25 serving in this rank in our department). I have LOVED every second of my firefighting career.

The moral of the story is to take advantage of every opportunity the military throws your way. Enjoy what you’re doing in the moment. Do something cool because it’s something cool that YOU want to do!

If you obsess about planning every step of your journey and justifying it to anyone other than yourself, you run the risk of not enjoying the ride!
Click to expand...
I've intentionally stayed off this thread but stumbled upon it while enjoying the pre-dawn silence. I fist pumped when DS told me he escaped the abyss of recruiting. Although the Marines always get their "Few Good Men" and women, and are the only military service that met quota last year, it's still a meat grinder out there and the fight for bodies is brutal.

On another note, congrats on your successful career in the fire service. I can't think of a more honorable profession in these troubling times. Nobody hates a fire fighter.
 
Giovanny Moore said:
I went through the same stuff a while ago. I still remember how my mum was worried about dying in the plane crash, and she even said out loud that I needed to be buried close to home so she could visit me. Mums, they always be mums.
So, based on what I went through, I can say that you should tell them about how safe military flying actually is, with lots of good training that pilots go through. Talk about how this training teaches you to be disciplined, to lead, and to really understand the technical side of things. Also, I want to share how loving planes and being good at computer stuff can come together for lots of different job options. This way, they can see that flying isn't just about being up in the air; it can lead to many other cool careers.
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Welcome Aboard, Giovannny. I noticed on your intro post you said you are an academy grad. From which academy if you don't mind and what's your nationality?
 
Devil Doc said:
Welcome Aboard, Giovannny. I noticed on your intro post you said you are an academy grad. From which academy if you don't mind and what's your nationality?
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I went to AF in Colorado Springs.
Regarding my nationality, I'm a bit of a mix. My dad is half Swedish and half German, and my mum is half Portuguese and half Italian (that explains her emotional reaction). So, I never know to which nationality I truly belong. I spent most of my childhood in the US.
 
I learned how to speak scotchish a while back. It doesn't require face painting beforehand, but might happen afterward.
 
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