Would you enlist in the military?
 

I was having a conversation with two proud parents from the midwest today. They were sooooo proud of their son who just got into the Marines. I asked them what they thought about the government and they were less than enthused about how things are being run but thought the Iraq situation was totally justified.

I just listened to them. I didn't want to suggest the thought that their son might die while carrying a bag of cement across the street in Iraq. That wouldn't be cool. But I still wondered why they were so proud of this. Isn't there something better their son could be doing? I just didn't get it.

Most of the people here are military age... Would you join the military right now?

Nope..I'm a pot smoking tree hugger living in Canada :stoned

Yep I would actually. Seems interesting, you can learn a lot, travel the world, experience different cultures. Sure there's a possibility of being killed, who cares? There's always a possibility of dying.

I joined in 90 and stayed in 7 years. And from the shit that I see posted on this board, some military experiance would benefit most of the people here. A lot of people here need some serious growing up.

A big Emphatic NO,
Never.
Under any circumstance whatsoever

hell no!!! I would move to another country first.

So, why didn't you?

sounds like something I hear from every person that has been in the military
Grow up why the fuck would you really want to do that?

Apparently they won't accept someone as sexy as myself. They're afraid all of the closet gays will come out.

Yes, maybe you are correct. Some people do need that kind of experience. but regimen aside, can you really suggest serving in the military for today's government?

Yes...I can. Serving a cause greater than ones self has its own rewards.

I server 5 years in the army, the best thing I ever did :thumbsup

I'm too anti-authoritarian. I would rather join a militia. Which would serve the only purpose I'd be shooting people for - ie trying to invade my country.

I'm currently in the process of enlisting in the Coast Guard Reserves. When I graduate college I'm going to put my OCS package togeather and go active duty. Hopefully I'll get accepted to flight school and I can pursue that dream. If not I'll serve a good 10-15 years and then open my own business with the money I've saved.

I grew up on a USMC Air Base if that means anything.

That's call protecting your country:thumbsup ,not going to someone else's country and fucking whit them

never

Maybe if they could promise me it would be just like the movie STRIPES.

fucking great! thats how i feel exactly, and to add to Sly's post people who join the military in illinois get 100% college tuition paid for, even if you only join the reserves

nowadays that's called terrorism :)

Yeh! Let's get the Mexicans!

Actually I'm considering joining the military, but I'm afraid I'm gonna like it too much. Everytime I start something, I have difficulty stopping.

I read an article about some Green Berets the other day on foxnews.com I reflected on how the United States is very lucky that we have a warrior class who put their asses on the line for the rest of us.

We are fortunate to have people who put honor and duty above even their own lives.

I am fortunate to know some guys like this. Anytime I meet a soldier who is serving his country in combat, I go out of my way to thank them. Without them, we would not be slinging porn from the comfort of our warm houses.

I have that problem with drinking. Haha.

basically yeah.. bring it on, otherwise im not going to risk being killed in some hell hole just for some politician's stock portfolio or re-election chances.

you'll figure it out when you're older

you dont realize you've grown up till you see some kids doing stupid shit (like you used to do) and you say, look at those stupid fuckin kids...

And something else... you dont realize what a fuckin whiny, pussy you are untill you've been thru basic training and then look back at how you were before hand. Once you've been thru basic, you feel like you can do anything. And you probably can.

nah.. being able to take out your elected representatives is just the icing on the cake :) heheh.
no here you can't really do that, it's more like if someone were to invade then militias would be set up, not just go to the boondocks for one weekend a month with conspiracy theory loonies.

we don't have any mexicans.. are we missing out?

I spent four years as US Marine and I thank God every day that I did.

Too many people on this board seem to think our actions in Iraq isn't the proper thing to do. Too many people on this board have also forgotten what Iraq has done (Iran? Kuwait?), and way too many people have forgotten that Iraq was taking pot shots at our million dollar jets while we enforced a UNITED NATIONS peace treaty.

The Marines made me what I am today. Every morning when I tie my sneakers there I am reminded of this. That's right - The Marines taught me how to tie up laces (and taught me how to pee standing up too! No kidding!).

I think every one should go through the Marine boot camp. You'll learn more about yourself in three months than you will in thirty years.

Fuck no.

Rochard I respect your time in the military for the life changing experiece it was for you. I think more kids who are doing nothing with their lives should probably go into the military.

What I can't respect is blatent brainwashing of Americans. There are no good reason's any Americans had to die in Iraq or Kuwait or Bosnia for that matter although that was a better campaign even if it didn't directly involve us. If you really want to be honest, our jets didn't need to be flying over Iraqi airspace. We can see their land anytime we need to via sattellite.

People die here daily, but we take the money and manpower we should be using to correct our system and put it into sending our kids to change the fate of another country.

Does this make sense to you? Looking around you does it feel like that was our most important thing to do? It was a nice sentiment and all but we didn't have to do that, not now and not the way we did it.

Like Mike AI I do appreciate what our troops do for us, when they do something we needed done. Forces like The Green Berets, Navy Seals and Rangers generally take care of the important conflicts before it makes the news and I applaud them for that. Other than that, our overall troops haven't been used for something truly important to us, and not certain fat-cat's pockets, in over 40 years.

a typical soldier doesn't do near anything of these. You can visit another country and your authority to be within a mile. Nothing close to indiana jones adventures heh

I wouldnt join the military under Bush

stay away from the military they cheat and lie to you just to get you in :disgust

Have you ever heard the phrase "national interest" and/or "national security"...they both carry almost the same level of importance...and it is the responsibility of the duly elected representatives of the people to make the decisions about what is important...or is not important...to the "national interest" and/or "national security". The people provide them with that previlige/obligation.

An individual can have his own opinion about what is important...or not important...and excercise his disapproval...or approval...by contacting his congressman...and/or...excercising his power of the vote. This is the system used in America and it has served America well for more than 200 years.

I've already done 25 years in the Army; but, yes, I'd sign up----HOWEVER, for the Air Force (better base support/clubs/training/stability.

Dave
www.davecummings.com

:thumbsup 12 here...Army...would have been a 30 year man...but the 1st Gulf War ended my career. Yep...if you want the easy life the Air Force is number one in that AO.

I essentially have to agree with Pornwolf.

Of all the bad governments, I'd say Iraq wasn't in the bottom 20%. There was a large massacre happening in South America recently, but it barely made the news. If we are supposed to be fighting for what's right, then we should have intervened there first. Even though they're black and poor, they're still human beings (in my book at least). Iraq, for all it's problems, was a secular government, something that's really needed throughout the world, especially the middle east. We supported Iraq, and led them to believe that we wouldn't oppose their invasion of Kuwait just before they invaded it.

I don't see my country standing for freedom, even less today for fellow Americans, all I see is a very large percentage of people who believe it does, and blindly follows when this reason is given, thereby undermining our own freedom. This is a very dangerous administration, that has exposed our weakness.

Been there, I was a Gunner. The military was actually really good for me, and going through boot camp and battle school is an accomplishment that taught me lots about myself. Go Army!

Have you ever heard of the term "appeasement"?

Before WWII broke out, every country allowed Hiler to run wild and invade what ever country he so desired while the world sat by and watched. We had no reason to go into Germany during WWII, but we did, and I'm sure the world is a better place for it.

Iraq invaded Kuwait - a US ally - without a valid reason. We could have just said "okay" and watched, but we had promised Kuwait - in writing - that we would defend them. This is no different than what we would do for England, or France, or two dozen other countries we consider our allies.

Of course this is about oil. Well then, I'm standing by to invade Mexico since they produce more oil than Iraq and Kuwait combined.

And... of course we went into Bosnia beacause of the oil there too.

It's about doing what's right. I don't have problems sleeping at night because of what happens in some countries. But it does bother me. What's happening in Africa bothers me, but there is a difference taking on a country the size of California and invading a country with the land mass of Africa.

I wouldn't join at this point in my life. I haven't done half the things I want to yet, so joining the military and possibly losing my life isn't an option right now.