I know we have some military folks here. I’ve never served, so I wondered what folks’ perspective is.
I’ll be clear this isn’t really my concern, but it’s one o those things that’s come up in family gossip, and so I thought I would solicit thoughts here.
I have a relative who will be turning 18 soon. He’s been raised in a household that I consider crazy. Really fringe religious beliefs, home-schooled, the family is extremely suspicious of all outsiders (meaning those not in the family or the church). Beyond normal fringe evangelical beliefs*, they argue, among others, that we can’t know the earth revolves around the sun. The boy has completely taken up all this crazy. The family believes college is just an extension of the government indoctrination programs
But here’s the really concerning part. He is very vocal about his beliefs, and has an absolute melt down if challenged about them, no matter how politely. Regarding the sun around the earth, I once saw him devolve to hysterical screaming at a family party because the people he was speaking with didn’t agree with him. He was once allowed to go to a Christian camp, but didn’t make it a week because he was getting into arguments with everyone. There’s significant portion of the family in the union building trades, and he once told a group of them that they needed the union because they wouldn’t be able to hold their jobs otherwise. This is a (then) 16 year old telling this to a bunch of relatives 10-30 years his senior.
I think it’s fair to note that I don’t see any violence in him, just the kind of conviction that comes from living in a carefully maintained bubble of crazy. Also, anyone who disagrees is actually out to get them.
So, he’s decided that he wants to join the Navy. Normally I’d say great. But, will the Navy take him, mold him, help him see the world is larger than the 2 bedroom apartment he’s spent his life in, or will they see his crazy and decide he’s not worth it? Will the other recruits torture him? How is this likely to go?
*I’m not calling evangelical beliefs fringe, I am saying that they are fringe among the evangelicals I know
Oh, they’ll likely take him, but I doubt that he’ll make it all the way through boot camp if he continues to be vocal. Boot camp is for weeding out misfits, and he sounds like one. Not to mention that he would likely get his ass kicked by others in his boot company.
What Chef said, I don’t know what the procedure specific to the navy is or is even called, but for the army he sounds like a candidate for “Failure to Adapt”, which while having a specific group it is aimed at, was/is used as a general catch all to weed out undesirables (which your relative is based on your description).
ETA I’d be surprised to see him actually get recruited to be honest. Recruiters want recruits but they ain’t dummies and they ain’t lacking candidates these days
I reckon the Navy has seen this shit before. Maybe, somewhere deep inside, is a creature yearning to be…something else? And the Navy was his best/only shot to escape the family possibly? Give the Navy their shot, molding strong, disciplined men out of raw material is what they do, after all.
That young man will have a short and difficult military career.
My dad’s last duty assignment (before retiring) was First Sergeant of a Squadron. He represented the enlisted men on the base and assisted the base’s commanding officer. Handled routine questions, paperwork, leave and discipline. He hated that part of the job. I can remember him commenting about a few Gomers that made his job difficult.
Guys that can’t fit in will have a tough time in the military. I never joined because I got too much discipline growing up. I can say “yes, sir” and keep my mouth shut when I have to. But thankfully the draft ended and I didn’t have to join.
I agree with the above posters. He’s likely to be sent home wearing his uniform inside out. The military is for people who are good at saying ‘Yes sir’ and putting the priorities of others above their own.
I recall a young man who found religion and who liked to bring his bible to morning quarters and proselytize in ranks. The platoon commander, a senior E-6, warned him about it once, and when it happened again told him: “Sweeney, if you bring that fucking bible to quarters again, I’m going to shove it up your ass!” Life got worse for Sweeney, as nobody other than other God-squad members would speak to him or work with him. He ended up doing shit jobs for his entire enlistment, learning nothing, and leaving as soon as possible.
Those who had strong beliefs and kept them to themselves did fine, for the most part, although I recall one man who, while normally circumspect in his belief, told me that it was too bad my kids would all be dead in a few years because end-times were upon us. We had words.
It was also my experience that when bible thumpers decided that religion was no longer of interest, they became the worst discipline problems I had.
USAF officer: In general I agree with the perspectives of most of the folks above. This probably won’t be pretty or easy for him for however short it lasts.
But …
This is *extremely * perceptive.
What is going on in this kid’s head? If he’s desperately seeking a new brainwashing to replace the crap he’s been filled with since birth this has a chance, admittedly a small one, of succeeding for him. While providing the excuse to his family.
If on the other hand he wants to deliver The Word to all those confused swabbies out there he’ll probably not even make it *to *boot camp, much less through it.
Now I will say this is a kid, brought up in a crazy family, perhaps a dose of reality will make a real difference here, and I hope so. The military has straightened out a lot of screwed up people. So my sentiments are really directed at the kind who turned him into this and I hope that he can find a new path in life.
I hope so. We weren’t disagreeing though. If he sticks to his batshit beliefs he’ll get what’s coming to him. I do hope in reality he gets just enough to change his mind, or even figures it out before taking a literal or figurative beating. Doesn’t sound good for him based on the OP’s description though.
We have more than enough such loons in politics, thanks.
What he needs is a way out of the cult he’s in, and to grow up a bit. This will hurt a lot most ways you try it. College seems to work for some people, and maybe a little less painfully; but from what you say, he’s been indoctrinated to resist that.
I figure the Navy is worth a shot. I also expect he’ll wash out really fast, but I could be wrong.