Am I stupid for wanting to join enlisted?

First don't listen to what you're father says, you being out on the front lines is the reason he is sitting down watching TV and not digging through junkyards. It is a very honorable thing for you to join enlisted and be infantry. When I get out of high school, I'm going to enlist with a 11x option 40 contract. This will guarantee that I get to become a Ranger as long as I make it through the pipeline (BCT, OSUT, Airborne, Ranger School). You can also get a contract to become Special Forces. Lots of people become Rangers then apply for SF (you will not be guaranteed entry into SF school though). If you are Special Forces you certainly aren't stupid, SF isn't about kicking down doors and shooting people, they train foreign militias, thus they must know how to speak a foreign language. They will teach you that language in a year long course. You must be able to map out an entire area and bring back intelligence. Plus you must know how to think on your feet quick and make intelligent decisions. If you really want to fight I would recomend enlisting with a Ranger or Special Forces contract. Even if you aren't good enough to make it to Ranger or SF, you will still be an Airborne Infantryman which is a respectable job. Good Luck and make the decision for YOU, don't follow a map follow your dream.