Does this sound like a good plan?
Hi, I'm Sam. I haven't DEPed in yet because of my parents unrelenting ability to NOT sign the papers. I turn 18 all the way in May 25 of next year and I really want to join sooner. They can't seem to understand why I want to do this. I still go to the DEP meetings with my friend who is DEPed in. He goes here, usernames Flyboy11, or something along those lines.
Anyway, to the point. Is this following plan not a good one?
Join Reserves. Stay at my parents house (Jacksonville, not very far from Mayport). Do whatever MOS training I need. Go to college.
The thing is, Room and Board is free (since my parents said they won't charge rent). College is free (parents paid tuition AND the Marine Corps would also pay some). I don't need to work (extra money from Bright Futures [scholarship here in Florida] would go to my bank.
Yet my parents still believe I CANNOT juggle reserves and college. I go to school right now for about 35 hours a week. I also have a job and afterschool activities. Being in reserves, I'd go meet up with my unit..what is it? Once or twice a month? I'd go to college for about...12-13 hours a week? All that extra time is either spent studying, working out...or ME time...
Yet, again, my parents believe that going to college (without joining) and maintaining a regular, probably full-time job is the better way to go.
Am I being ignorant to my parents or is this really a good idea?