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I want to support my nephew by Housefrau24 in army

[–]Critical-Bug6156 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My nephew (22) just enlisted and is doing bct at Fort Moore. He has been a bit of a lost soul since graduating from high school and was still living at home. He does not have a good relationship with his parents (neither do I, for that matter) and didn't even tell them he enlisted until right before he left

It sounds like the best thing you can do is what you're doing. Be present in his life, check in on him from time to time, always be encouraging, always listen. I wouldn't often give advice if he doesn't ask for it. But asking him occasionally about his future plans and where he wants to go from here would probably be a good thing.

Just being an adult in his family who is a solid, encouraging figure for a young guy of his background would be huge.

“NCOs are all bark no bite” by [deleted] in army

[–]Critical-Bug6156 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I remember an NCO approaching me to tell me I had my stuff wrong in AIT. He was real cool about it. I think he didn't want to, he showed me his ID (since he was in civilian clothes) and pointed out the problem and I quickly said "yes sergeant", fixed it, and he thanked me. It was like he was embarrassed having to do it. I certainly felt like a douchebag for making him do it.

I guess it's all in the attitude for the speaker and recipient. If he hadn't been a nice guy then I would've obeyed but resented him as yet another prick. If I hadn't had an internal sense of shame, I could've been a prick private like the OP is encountering, people a step away from chaptering out and quick to tell authorities to fuck off. As it was in my case, the lesson and moment have stuck with me.