Barb,
Back in '68 I saw the writing on the wall relative to the draft and I was lucky enough to get into the Navy. IMO Charlie has made an excellent choice, and if nothing else he will learn to be responsible for himself and will have the opportunity to learn skills that can carry him into a career later. My oldest son followed me into the Navy as an Aviation Machinists Mate, learned jets (F-14's in Japan), then B School for the big minesweeper helo's where he learned turbo's and finished out in Corpus Christi. He chose to get out after 6 and now works flight ops keeping a fleet of a dozen planes going for a corporate fleet. Not sure I would like subs, personally, but Charlie will learn things there that can't be found in other places. Give him a hug, and tell him we appreciate his service to the country. I'm proud of him, too.