28 replies to this topic

[phalkon]

well, you were right... but i guess they just recently changed it a couple months ago. :\

[redlion]

Even if one doesn't believe in the president, serving the military is always a noble cause. Protect the country, yes, maybe fight in a war you don't like... but that's patriotism for ya. Or because you want to better yourself. The military certainly helps you do that.

A noble cause? Protecting the country, maybe. Protecting innocents, definitely. Blind faith in the military to have the interests of the nation at heart? Maybe. Blind faith in an elected official that is my most senior commander, someone that gets the highest rank without ever earning it? No. There is no honor in paying allegiance to a man like that. If you want to honor someone for their military service, say you honor them for being brave, or for having that commitment, not for following blindly.

Also, I don't disagree with you, the military can help you better yourself, but I think it is far from the only way. I practice martial arts and I'm in the best shape I think I'll ever be. Unless I totally change my body type to something I'm not comfortable with (i.e., heavy weight training for bulk and strength) the military has nothing to offer me in terms of bettering myself.

You could get lucky (or smart) and not have to participate in the war anyway. There are tons of things not involved over there. Like the Coast Guard. Or Navy. (Though this post was started so murder (Army) could get some cash flow, and he'd only get it if someone joined the Army.) But using the military as a way to further one's self is a *great* idea and use. You give 4-6 years (depending on contract, MOS, bonus, etc) they give you a free education, and employers want what soldiers and military people have. Nothing can teach you teamwork like being in the military.

Be careful in promising that certain branches won't get called into action. The National Guard is supposed to be for defense of the nation only (i.e., defensive action), but they're in Iraq right now. North Texas Ntn'l Guard shipped out a few months ago. Coast Guard was shipped out to Vietnam 40 years ago, and the Navy gets action all the time. Remember the Cole bombing? By no means does joining the navy take you out of the action.

[phalkon]

Be careful in promising that certain branches won't get called into action. The National Guard is supposed to be for defense of the nation only (i.e., defensive action), but they're in Iraq right now. North Texas Ntn'l Guard shipped out a few months ago. Coast Guard was shipped out to Vietnam 40 years ago, and the Navy gets action all the time. Remember the Cole bombing? By no means does joining the navy take you out of the action.

QFE

*every* branch can and does get called out. hell, Reserves and Nat'l Guard get deployed almost as much as active duty, it's just that when you get back, you go back to a normal job.

[Mialaca]

Generally, with the Navy, (unless you're a SEAL) you'll be floating on out many miles away from action. Pilots, yes, will get some. And unfortunate terrorist attacks will, of course, happen. I feel ... bad, for lack of a better word, for the members of the Cole. The CG was sent to Vietnam because they had experience in flushing out enemies on a river and capturing/killing. I don't think that this will happen in Iraq.

But as murder said, anyone can be pulled out, I know that many in the NG have and will continue to be, until we finally get ourselves extricated from the situation.

You listed many good reasons to join, and one present bad one. "This too, shall pass." Many stay on after their enlistment is up (not just due to Stop-loss) because of their brothers in arms, and generally a giving attitude, and don't care about the higher echelons, or who sits at the top.