Would you consider joining a branch of the military? (why or why not?)

I would not join the military due to the fact that I am a new mother and it would break my heart to be away from my son and husband. I support all who join though. God Bless our military.

I would not join. I looked into joining the Coast Guard when I was younger but then I found out that Coasties can be called up under the Navy in times of war. And I have a thing against killing for the State. Not to say there are not exceptions to the rule, but I have a strong reservation to killing people. I wpould rather not have the State making the decision of wether I will kill another human.

Today at 10:31 AM Chuck_Darwin said this in Post #3

I would not join. I looked into joining the Coast Guard when I was younger but then I found out that Coasties can be called up under the Navy in times of war. And I have a thing against killing for the State. Not to say there are not exceptions to the rule, but I have a strong reservation to killing people. I wpould rather not have the State making the decision of wether I will kill another human.

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It's rare that any Coasties are put into a position that they would have to "kill for the state." The only time a Coastie fires a gun, it'usually in self defense, and that's rare.

I don't know a single Coastie who has fought in a war. I know Coasties who have been in support positions and escorted humanitarian aide vessels and merchant vessels into hostile areas.

Also, you can pretty much choose where you want to be. If you want to shoot guns and fight in wars, you go choose a rating that will do that. As for me, I had a particular interest in Search and Rescue, so that's what I do.

Then there are some that specialize in marine science and environmental positions.

Where do people get the idea that everyone in the military kills people??
Sure, the purpose of the military is to defend our freedom, but that doesn't always mean war and killing. The vast majority of servicepeople are in non-combat rated jobs. Cooks, musicians, clerks, doctors, nurses, air traffic controllers, interpreters, artists, secretaries, computer programmers, auto mechanics, ......virtually every job that exists in civilian life, exists in military life.

It can be a good life, and contributes to the good life that everyone in our country enjoys.

lynn

p.s. my reasons for joining the Air Force was to get away from home, to learn something and to experience a different way of life. I accomplished all these things, PLUS I met the man I've been married to for the past 28 years.

Especially in the Army... "212 ways to be a soldier" I think is their current mantra... or is it "a Soldier of one"? Ah, who can keep track anymore?!

Anyway, as a Coastie, I've only shot guns at the range, and even then, the targets aren't always shaped like humans.

I would not simply for the reason that the Canadian military is woefully under-funded. If our military received more funding then maybe.

It's the nature of militaries to grow in size before gaining funding. For some that's an inescapable catch-22.

Today at 12:31 PM Chuck_Darwin said this in Post #3

I would not join. I looked into joining the Coast Guard when I was younger but then I found out that Coasties can be called up under the Navy in times of war. And I have a thing against killing for the State. Not to say there are not exceptions to the rule, but I have a strong reservation to killing people. I wpould rather not have the State making the decision of wether I will kill another human.

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The state alraedy makes that decision for you. If you are a member of our society, then you are guilty of putting criminals to death, for everytime one is excuted it is WE THE PEOPLE who do it, and congratulations, YOU are WE the people!

I did think about joining the Air Force when I was a newly minted high school graduate. But I like to be able to do what I want to do and go where I want to go. I don't like being told what to do.

I think I would be a poor candidate for the military. The recruiter at my high school knew my name and what I liked, and always had an interesting idea of how I could serve, though. Maybe it was my high ASVAB (?)scores.

--tibac

Especially in the Army... "212 ways to be a soldier" I think is their current mantra... or is it "a Soldier of one"? Ah, who can keep track anymore?!

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I'm ancient enough to remember the slogan "Today's Army wants to join you", which was followed closely by "Be all that you can be!".

That was way back in the early 1970's, right after the draft was abolished, which was.........ye gods, two or the wars ago now????

Ouch!
Not one metnion of service to country, duty, loyalty...

ouch! (Wols and coastie excluded from the ouch!)

VOLAR
Volunteer Army was initiated right after Viet Nam...
it was supposed to alleviate things that still are isues today, such as a good number of NCO families being on welfare

We have always had a "volunteer Army", it's called the Marine Corps...
..the ooponents of the volunteer Army were concerned that it would establish an Army of lower income class sodliers led by a "W.O.C." - white oficer corps.

of course I'm from a different generation, but see it as a sad fact that without a draft most people don't consider serving...

I'm further perplexed by flag wavers like Rush Limbaugh, O'Reiily, and Hannity (although I like the latter two) who talk duty to country and never served.

luckylindy78

I went through Army recruiter school at Ft Benjamin Harrison but never got an assignment (turned out for the best, too many that did got drummed out, sent to remote places, or the stockade- this was 1977)... make quota or else and the only way to make quota was be corrupt- counterfeiting GED's, test scores, etc...

anyway, as far as propecting they taught if a kid mentions Navy just don't pursue it, it's usually a heritage thing and you won't overcome it.  

Except in my case!  

 

I did consider joining the military, a few years ago, and I would have proudly served...but my lack of trust in the government kept me from enlisting.

I considered the Navy or the Airforce, I had recruiters from both calling me. But the bootcamp scared me. I also scored really high on my ASVAB test, in highschool

i would love to join the united states army but i am not a citizen, i did take rotc classes for a while, anyway if i ever get to be a citizen, i would join the army, i just like the dedication and the responsibility and i dont know, its just appealing to me (not killing people

I joined the Navy for a variety of reasons. Tradition, as my dad, several uncles, and both grandfathers were sailors. Experience, as I knew the military would provide opportunities I would never get as a civilian. Direction, as I had kinda wafted through a couple years of college without much headway towards anything but debt.

There were many things about the Navy I didn't like, but looking back I can't imagine not having served. The friends and experiences the Navy provided me were life enriching, and I saw countries, people and things that make me exponentially happy to live in America.

Today at 10:11 AM luckylindy78 said this in Post #1

I just wanted to get an idea of some of the reasons that people decide to join or decide against joining a branch of the Armed Forces.

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Hmm… good question. Actually I’m on my way to Navy boot camp this summer. From there I’m going to pursue placement as an IT or as an electricians mate. I look forward to it since we got that bum (Clinton) out of office; he was destroying the capability and moral of the armed forces.

Peace




 

I was in the Army for 5 years active duty and 1 year National Guard. I worked in an office and only had to qualify with a weapon once a year. Combat Arms MOS's are in the news right now, but someone has to get them there, and support them with air support, and keep the Apaches flying and maintence done, ect, ect. There are many ways to be a soldier, but the hazards of the job are there obviously as most of the POW's including PVT Lynch were in support MOS's (she is a supply clerk). Freedom isn't free.

My Hubby is a Chaplain who is former infantryman. I am relieved he isn't over there holding an M16 right now. He is there in Kuwait, but in a transportation unit, and is safe. There is sacrifice in the military lifestyle, in both the soldiers and their family members. If you don't mind moving every few years, to some place you didn't or wouldn't chose that your kids absolutely hate because they didn't want to leave, the other place they hated when they got there, its not too bad. Actually, we love the Army, its not just a job its an adventure, oops thats the Navy slogan, LOL.

It has its pluses as well as its minuses. A few of the benefits are: job security, free medical care, college money, getting to see the world, (we have lived in Hawaii twice).

AAAAAAAhhhhhhh.... the military!

I used to dream of going to Anapolis and then one day working my way up the lines... just like much of my family has done.

But I have had Asthma all my life... so I had to put that on hold

Now my life is on track and going wonderful places...maybe one day I will feel the need to join up; but for now I will support my troops however I can ...

hey hopeful... you don't have to be a citizen.

I had a shipmate who was a Canadian citizen and a shipmate who was an australian citizen.

it just makes it a little tougher to get your security clearance, that's all.