By Paul Gunn

The lives of today’s students have been shaped by 9/11. All their lives they’ve known people in the military. ROTC groups in high schools are flourishing. With the promise of a job in a stagnant economy along with the training and educational benefits, some of your students see the military as a viable option for their futures. For years of youth ministry, I never had even one student  join the military. Then all of a sudden after 9/11 several joined. Maybe you’ve not noticed, but this is indeed a war generation.

The support system around a new recruit is very important. Encourage, do not discourage. When one of your students joins the military he or she joins the millions of men and women who have sensed a similar call throughout American history. If the student’s parents freak out, encourage them to talk the decision through with their teenage child. Then, if the student makes the decision to enlist, encourage them to get the t-shirt and the bumper sticker. If possible, work with the recruiter to have the oath tendered in front of your church congregation. Then ask the parents and veterans to surround the new recruit for prayer. I’ve done this on two occasions and it was powerful.

Basic Military Training is not designed to be easy. It is designed to rebuild the person for success. The first few weeks are rough. As time passes the drill instructors grow fine leaders who gain enough confidence to be the world’s best war fighters. MAIL (as in the old-fashioned letter with envelope and stamp) is GOLD to a person in BMT. When the parents get an address, immediately send lighthearted letters of encouragement with Scripture passages, devotional thoughts, and prayers. Share some local news and ensure the troop that nothing exciting is happening at home and all is well. Do not talk about problems back home. But, send lots of letters. No troop has ever complained about receiving too much mail. Encourage students and adults to write. Ask them to keep the letters  simple. Only send letters that fold flat and fit in letter size envelopes. Write the address exactly as it is given to you and do not put any drawings or sayings on the envelope. You do not want to do anything that creates a teasing situation. Do not send packages while in BMT. Trust me on this. Opportunities for that will come later.

If possible, attend the graduation ceremony. The trip will be well worth the effort. It will mean so much to the family. The new airman, sailor, soldier, or marine will proudly introduce you to everyone.

Paul Gunn is a full time chaplain with the Air Force Reserve and a recruiter of chaplains. He served as a youth pastor for over 22 years. In his spare time, he directs missionfever.com.