What do you think about that - daughter wanted to go to the AF , teacher talked her out ?

Question

My daughter wanted to join the AF after College , one of her teacher talked her out. I'm happy in a way, but on the other hand it is none of his business. What do you think?

(btw my daughter is still a senior in hs , had this AF plans since 2 years)

Answer 1

We need more teachers like that. Some of these posters need to join up instead of b.s.ing around here.

Answer 2

Isn't it the teachers; job to teach the young ones how to think for themselves??.

   My compliments to you!!!   I know it's very difficult to admit your little girl is now a young woman, but you seem to know the time has come when you're job is done, and it's up to her to live her own life.

Answer 3

I disagree with the previous poster.  I very much doubt that the teacher instigated the discussion.  Or even if the teacher did, I would think it was in an acceptable way (e.g. everyone sharing plans for future, etc.) Secondly, if the teacher had a more compelling perspective than the Air Force, then so be it. Teachers need to be able to express their opinions and not be constantly censoring themselves for fear of reprimand. Supposedly they earned their position, thus they deserve a certain level of faith and trust in their self-evaluation of conduct.  Especially in borderline cases such as this, I think one should err on the side of the teacher and move on.  If there's one thing our educational system needs its dynamic, thoughtful, opinionated teachers.  Tragically, war is murder.

BTW- That is not a judgment upon our brave sons and daughters serving over seas.  It IS a judgment upon those ultimately responsible for sending them.

FINAL - Realize, that all said and done, "those" may very well be you and me.

Answer 4

Well give her a chance.  She may still change her mind during or after college.  I'm sure she asked for an opinion and she got a different point of view.  If she was totally set on joining, she wouldn't have changed her mind.  And better to rethink it now, than after she is sworn in.  

Answer 5

It is unprofessional to impose your personal opinions to your students, this so-called professional needs to be counseled on this.

Vet-USAF / college tutor

@dded : Expressing your opinion is totally diff than imposing your opinion.

Answer 6

Yes, this is definitely wrong. The teacher should not have said anything. The Air Force is not anything to be afraid of either. Not only can a woman not be in combat, being in the Air Force keeps you away from the battlefield even more.

Answer 7

I think the teacher should be disciplined for that.  His job is to educate, not make career choices for kids.

Answer 8

If the teacher was speaking from a base of experience of having served in the military, I see no reason why that teacher should not give an opinion as to your daughter's future plans. But, if the tone of the discussion came from the leavings of some academic discussion at the local Starbucks where all of the participants were musing over some move on dot org or Code Pink press release, then the teacher is way out of line.

FYI the Air Force is the branch of the military with the highest percentage of females in its enlisted ranks and officer corps. One in every five airmen is a female. If your daughter wants to expand her horizons by joining something larger than her and gaining experience in working with adults who are well-grounded in their careers, then the Air Force is certainly one of those choices. However, if she wants to become a creature of insularity and narrow her focus like the teacher seems to have done, she may regret it in later years when she considers what she passed up.  

Answer 9

CC,

I agree wholeheartedly with Earthling above.

However, teachers are human and have opinions. It very well could be your daughter asked his opinion.

The unfortunate thing is many teachers are liberal and push their agenda. When they get called on it the NEA or state variation of NEA backs them up. The NEA is liberal, to the point they are vehemently against the Iraq War, and thus against the military. I know - I live in a military town. My kids tell me what they say in schools.

BTW - the NEA is a union for teachers. It is NOT a pro-education organization. It is a teachers union.

"Ranger"

Answer 10

if i had a child that wanted to go to the military,it would the air force.its kind of like a civilian job.after boot camp you are almost able to come and go as you please as long as you do your job.as for that teacher he needs to keep his mind on things that only means teaching.

Answer 11

I disagree with this. I decided to join the Army after two years in college I had multiple teachers try to talk me out of it to include my own parents. I disgarded everything they said and decided to follow through with it. I have been in for the past 5 yrs and will continue to strive for the 20 yr retirement. I have completed my degree and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. I am extremely happy with the decision and my parents are now on board with the idea. I visited some of my old teachers a few years afterward and almost wanted to punch them in the face for their effort in trying to push their own personal ideas on me. I have absolutly no respect for someone who tries to talk a young person out of military service. Please sit down with your daughter and explain to her that it's her choice not anyone elses. If she feels she wants to serve her country she has all the right in the world to do so, and who is this teacher to tell her otherwise. Good luck!

PS if I were you I'd have a good long hard talk with this teacher and his boss. If for nothing else why is this teacher prying into the personal life of a HS student without the permission of her parents.

Answer 12

You're daughters teacher had no right to talk her out of joining the AF. Actually, the teacher should have encouraged her dreams. Take your daughter to a base or recruiter so she can get a sponsor to "show her the rope." Then allow her to make the decision on her own. BTW, the Air Force is the best way to go. Huah

Answer 13

I think it is the greatest honor in serving in the United States Armed Forces. I really don't know why anyone would persuade someone not to do it. You should talk to your daughter one on one and ask her what she would do right now if her teacher said nothing.

Answer 14

Inform the principal if you want the teacher to stay out of this sort of situation in the future.

Answer 15

It hinges on something only your daughter knows. Was she looking for someone to "talk her out of it", or did she just change her mind? As a 17-18 year old, she has PLENTY of time to decide that military service is for her ( as long as she's not a mommy).  

Answer 16

It is none of his business.

I know a kid who had a teacher talk him into joining the military and he wholeheartedly regrets it.

Teachers should stay with the curriculum and keep their opinions to themselves.

Answer 17

The education system is full of left-wing idiot teachers & professors who believe the military is evil without ever having any experience with the armed services other than what they read on the huffington post or any number of anti-military websites.

On the other hand, if your daughter truly wanted to enter the Air Force she wouldn't allow to someone sway her decision.

Answer 18

I agree with VERBAL's answer.

Answer 19

I have to get in on this discussion. I'm 24 and this past year I worked as a high school teacher. Let me just say that most teachers I have come across are pretty liberal and anti military/government. There was on teacher who told kids the Geneva convention was made because soldiers were killing and raping Iraqi citizens. And she was an ex- Marine!!! Another one said she felt sorry for a girl that was joining the Army. I  always respected the military, and after high school I went straight to college because we are taught that is what we're supposed to do. I graduated college with a bachelors degree and entered the 'real world'. I worked for a while and realized that I still had this desire to serve. I leave for the Air Force shortly. What i'm saying is if it is meant to be, your daughter will still have the desire to join one day. You know your daughter, and the type of person she is. Teachers can hold a tremendous amount of influence over students, unfortunately this teacher probably scared her into changing her mind. I personally think the only ones that should be able to talk someone out of joining the service is someone who has served themselves recently, and even then one persons experience cannot account for all. Ask your daughter why she really wanted to join in the first place, and she will make the best decision for herself.

Answer 20

The responsibility for making life decisions rests on the shoulders of the individual..... When I recruited for the military I advised high school students to get as much education as they can....

Your daughter should get advice from everyone.....analyze it and make her own decision..... it is her life......her future.....and she will have to live with those decisions.....

The military has what is called the "decision making process"....... you define the problem.....in this case..."Should I join the Air Force"......you gather all relevant information ..... identify the positives and the negatives for either choice..... then make an informed decision......and implement that decision