Thanks in advance for reading.
Anyhoo, here's my problem. I've reached the ripe ol' age of 19. Nearly 20, in fact, but that's besides the point. I've come to a rather odd path, and I'm really not sure what I should do.
I've been speaking to a marine recruiter, and the entire thing sounds great and all. Go to the basic trainings, then I can do the whole mission thing after those, then come back and finish up my 6 years. The mission would take off the 2 years of inactive duty they'd tack onto the end, which would be nice, and I'd get the money from training and the enlistment bonus to help me out. Training would also help me with my confidence, discipline, self esteem, as well as a handful of other mental/emotional things that I've had problems with over the last few years.
Now, while this sounds good to me, I've talked to a few others, and most of them have been really negative about the whole thing. My dad, especially. His main argument is that boot camp and training aren't good for spiritual growth and the like, and is otherwise not a good place to be if I'm prepping for my mission. On the other hand, I don't see how I could possibly be a good missionary without getting some of the aforementioned skills before I get out there.
I'll still be able to go to church, and read my scriptures, and stuff like that... It's just that I would be in boot camp, rather than at home with them.
I've gotten a lot of opinions, and some other fairly sound advice... it's just that... I don't know what's going to happen over the next 8 years, and as such... I'm hesitant to pick either one.
I'm still kind of leaning towards going through the start of the marine's program first, and then going through my mission, and returning and finishing up.
Any thoughts would be highly welcomed!
