It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
originally posted by: Bedlam
a reply to: musicismagic
I've got one uncle that this is about 20 years too late for. He told me that they used to dump whatever was left in the tanks at the end of the runway and how he used to end his day as an ordnance loader covered with it.
Then he got about five different types of cancer, beat them one by one, but finally one got him.
originally posted by: VictorVonDoom
Over 40 years after the war ended, now they figure Agent Orange may not have been safe. And people can't understand why some people are leery of today's vaccines.
I would not recommend that parents allow their children to join the US military at this time. First of all, I feel if someone isn't old enough to decide to buy a beer then they aren't old enough to understand the possible consequences of joining the military. Either lower the drinking age or increase the enlistment age.
Second, an impartial lawyer should be required to explain the terms of the enlistment contract. I think nearly everyone who signs up would be surprised by some of the things they are agreeing to. You are basically signing yourself into slavery. Any promise made by a recruiter is non-binding. They are not even legally required to pay you.
Finally, a short course in how the US treats its service members and veterans should be mandatory. Potential service members should be aware of things like the Tuskegee Airmen, Agent Orange, Veteran's hospitals, and others.
The fact that the US seems to need multiple charities to help veterans speaks volumes.
originally posted by: Kali74
a reply to: Bedlam
I lost an uncle too a couple of years ago but not to cancer. He served in Vietnam as a nurse even as such he was exposed to a hell of a lot of Agent Orange. In his 50's he developed a form of dementia that doesn't even have a name, they called it early onset, acute, aggressive dementia... he was 62 when his body was no longer able to function and he passed. One of his doctors suggested it was due to his exposure to Agent Orange.