Hong Yu It is the same spirit that will guide, in part, our children’ s desire to serve in the military. Whether it is tradition, idealism, heritage, spirit, or just a dream—a hope—our children may wish to join the profession of arms, their success will be dependent on their education and training while in military, as well as the support of parents, family and friends. Our personal example and steadfastness in standing by our children, If they should choose the military, will go a long way to ensure their success. Military service opens our children to the opportunities for intellectual and professional development. If they chose the military, let us remember how we once served with pride and dignity; then let us honor and respect them for their service to our country. Wang Ao Military life does not bring some material benefits, so perhaps you don’ t intend on making the military your career. But, for the young person just out of high school, who does not really know what they want to do, the military offers other benefits.., non-material benefits that even Congress cannot touch. I’m talking about self-esteem, self-confidence, learning to be a team player and leadership training. Chen Juan I am a father of three men, all of whom have chosen the military as their first adulthood experience without pressure from me. I simply showed them the pros and cons to military versus civilian life. We analyzed their objectives and determined what they needed to do to obtain them. No, not everyone is cut out to be in the military or has the military as a career. But my advice to parents is to let the young man or woman decide, not you. Don’ t steer them away from the military because we have lost some material benefits. Li Shu Parents who maintain that the military today is one of eroding pay and benefits and steer their kids from this opportunity ought to re-evaluate their own career. The civilian job market is not the same one as our parents had. Look around, and you don’ t see people staying with the same company for 25 or 30 years (with vacation and sick pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits intact.) A military career offers stability and opportunity that isn’t available to the most talented of individuals in the civilian job market. Spending 10, 15 or more years in the military and then embarking on a civilian career can be very rewarding, financially and otherwise, for the well prepared. Peng Xue A college education is no longer the guarantee of a middle-class lifestyle. Today’ s middle managers are entrepreneurial souls who are contract employees. Union jobs, with their associated benefits, are very few and far between. The military is still the outstanding value it is advertised to be. A three to six-year enlistment period before attending college or entering the job market will put the average youngster head and shoulders above his or her peers. Now match each of the persons with the appropriate statement. Note: there are two extra statements. Statements [A] Let your children make their own decision. [B] The situation today is quite different form before. [C] Do as I say, not as I do. [D] Parents’ attitude will play an important part in children’ s success.

[E] As a veteran, I can not bear the thought of my own children’ s serving in the military as I did.[F] Military experience can be very valuable to young people.[G] Young people will gain many non - material benefits from military experience.