Your son/daughter goes where???

I am trying to compile a list of questions and responses from people when you talk to them about your child. Anything from the silly to the uneducated ones are fine. 1-5 sentences preferable. Thanks.

Background story to this is that over the weekend, I found myself answering what i thought was obvious questions from "educated" people at a party. It was kinda fun and irritating at the same time. I'm sure a lot of you have been asked the same questions or gotten the same reactions before.

1) So how long is his commitment? 3 years, 4 years, 8 years?
2) Where is he stationed?

 

Will she go to college after her four years are up? (Heard last weekend).

 

The ones I get lately is:

He goes to the AFA? Can he talk to my DD/DS? She's wants to go there really bad.

 

I thought he did so well in high school? Did he not want to go to college right away?

 

Why are you dropping out of college to join the Air Force?

 

We are getting the same thing! But he is so smart, why would he want to do that? LOL!

 

"Must be nice to be getting a free education"....to which I replied that to sign off of at the very least 8 or 10 years of your own life to serve isn't really free.
"Where is that?"
"What is your job for the Air Force?"
"We thought you would be the type of kid that would go to college".

 

I am trying to compile a list of questions and responses from people when you talk to them about your child. Anything from the silly to the uneducated ones are fine. 1-5 sentences preferable. Thanks.

Background story to this is that over the weekend, I found myself answering what i thought was obvious questions from "educated" people at a party. It was kinda fun and irritating at the same time. I'm sure a lot of you have been asked the same questions or gotten the same reactions before.

*So how long is his commitment? 3 years, 4 years, 8 years?
*Where is he stationed?
*Will she go to college after her four years are up? (Heard last weekend).
*He goes to the AFA? Can he talk to my DD/DS? She's wants to go there really bad.
*I thought he did so well in high school? Did he not want to go to college right away?
*Why are you dropping out of college to join the Air Force?
*But he is so smart, why would he want to do that?
*Must be nice to be getting a free education....to which I replied that to sign off of at the very least 8 or 10 years of your own life to serve isn't really free.
*Where is that?
*What is your job for the Air Force?
*We thought you would be the type of kid that would go to college.

 

Way to clean up the post skismuggs!

 

Some random questions I have heard (and I am in no way making fun of the people who said them):

4. "It must be great to retire at age 30."
3. "I thought you had to have perfect vision to do that."
2. "How often will you be allowed to come home and visit?"

And FAR AND AWAY the most common one, for me at least:

1. "Are you sure you're not too tall to be a pilot?"



Yes, I'm sure.

 

It's not really a question but people are always shocked when I tell them I leave in late June.

 

I get the one about how often I can come visit a LOT! The most common one I keep getting is "So when do you ship?" Well...seeing as it is less than 2 hrs from my house, I don't really "ship" anywhere haha!

Another big one is "Are you sure you want to commit to all that?" In reference to basic training, the tough academic load, and, oh yeah, pretty much giving yourself to the AF for the next decade!

 

To which I reply, “Let me take you on a personal tour of the West Point cemetery. Then we can discuss exactly how free his education is.” Usually does the trick.

 

It seems like people assume the SA's are either "regular" military, or just a normal college. Most people don't seem to understand that it's a mix. And the people who think it's "just a college" don't seem to understand the sacrifices the graduates have made. It's a bummer....

 

Just realized this is the Air Force board. Ooooops, sorry. But you get my meaning. I also attempt to politely educate on what a service academy is, but many people just don’t get it.

 

no problem, appreciate the input, i just didnt know which board to ask it in LOL.
anyone from the other SAs are welcome to add to this list, please.

 

If I had to guess it's more an Off Topic post but the mods will move it if they think it should be there.

 

Oh really? My nephew just left for basic training.

 

I am trying to compile a list of questions and responses from people when you talk to them about your child. Anything from the silly to the uneducated ones are fine. 1-5 sentences preferable. Thanks.

Background story to this is that over the weekend, I found myself answering what i thought was obvious questions from "educated" people at a party. It was kinda fun and irritating at the same time. I'm sure a lot of you have been asked the same questions or gotten the same reactions before.

*So how long is his commitment? 3 years, 4 years, 8 years?
*Where is he stationed?
*Will she go to college after her four years are up? (Heard last weekend).
*He goes to the AFA? Can he talk to my DD/DS? She's wants to go there really bad.
*I thought he did so well in high school? Did he not want to go to college right away?
*Why are you dropping out of college to join the Air Force?
*But he is so smart, why would he want to do that?
*Must be nice to be getting a free education.
*To sign off of at the very least 8 or 10 years of your own life to serve isn't really free.
*Let me take you on a personal tour of the West Point cemetery. Then we can discuss exactly how free his education is.
*Where is that?
*What is your job for the Air Force?
*We thought you would be the type of kid that would go to college.
*It must be great to retire at age 30.
*I thought you had to have perfect vision to do that.
*How often will you be allowed to come home and visit?
*Are you sure you're not too tall to be a pilot?
*So when do you ship?
*Are you sure you want to commit to all that?" In reference to basic training, the tough academic load, and, oh yeah, pretty much giving yourself to the AF for the next decade!
*People are always shocked when I tell them I leave in late June.
*Oh really? My nephew just left for basic training.

 

Me: "I'm going to the Air Force Academy."
Them: "Which one?"