Does Military School Improve Teen Behavior?

You and your family might be considering a treatment center for your teen for a multitude of reasons; from behavioral issues and substance abuse to a lack of discipline and disrespect for authority, treatment can present itself in many different forms. 

Getting Started With Military School

One of the top factors to consider when contemplating military school for teens is whether or not they need medical assistance or care from a psychiatric standpoint. That is a big caveat in deciding on a military program – there are no medical professionals on staff that are available for therapy sessions or outside care. Outside of the standard chain of command, who are present in order to provide guidance and discipline, there isn’t access to outside staff that might be required or needed for your child. 

Types of Teen Behavior

Teen behavior can look different for each child; from angry outbursts and disrespect of authority to using and abusing drugs and alcohol, you might feel as though you are at the end of your rope with your child. With that in mind, is military school good for troubled youth? Social media and movies have us picturing military boarding schools as super strict officials yelling and screaming at cadets, working them to the bone each day. While utilizing a strict schedule is critical for those in military boarding schools, the guidance, respect, and teamwork that are implemented each day with the students serve to benefit your troubled teen tenfold. 

There are many factors that a military boarding school focuses on in order to help your child achieve and reach their goals. For one, many teen military schools will not accept participants that don’t actually want to make forward progress. This includes those children who don’t like to attend class, further their education or interacts with their peers. Instead, many military boarding schools want to enroll those teens that are underachieving but need a bit more academic focus or those who need a bit more guidance when it comes to making smart decisions regarding lifestyle choices like eliminating drug use. 

What Teens Face at Boarding School

Your teenager will have a very structured environment at a military boarding school. Strict times for waking up, going to bed, and academics will be enforced. However, there will also be set times for physical activity, preparing for inspections, cleaning, and study halls. Speaking of physical fitness, your teen will have at least one session a day of exercise and training, if not more. Exercise has multiple health and wellness benefits, and these benefits will correlate with their everyday lives. Improved sleep quality, increased mental performance, increased physical strength, and improved self-confidence are just a few of the many rewards your child will reap with the addition of physical activity in a military boarding school.

In preparing his/her bunk for inspection each morning, your child will be responsible for making their bed and keeping their area neat and tidy. While this might seem cumbersome to your child day in and day out, it is installing a sense of respect for themselves, as well as discipline, as they get older. In correlation with this level of discipline, the same will also need to be applied in the classroom. Military boarding schools heavily focus on academics, praising success when your child moves forward and works hard. Many programs will have your child prepared for either a career in the military or will give them the skills needed to seek employment outside of the ranks. Either way, they will be ready to enter college if desired or onto their career of choice. 

Scared Straight Military School

Don’t be fooled into thinking that military boarding schools are just another version of “scared straight” teen programs; in reality, it’s the opposite. Your child will build character and self-esteem and develop a solid work ethic while engaging in personal growth and teamwork. If your teen needs a bit more guidance and direction, then military boarding schools can be an excellent outlet to help them grow into a productive adult.

If you need more guidance or have more questions regarding placing your teen in a military boarding school, reach out to the team at Help Your Teen Now. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly when it comes to the future of your child. Speak with the team of specialists today and see if a military boarding school might be the right fit for your teenager.