Why Haven't You Enlisted?

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
If you are of an age appropriate for military service and you have not volunteered to serve, I would, once again, ask, Why not?

Quite timely indeed. Personally, I'm in the process of getting my ADDOCS package completed, and studying/preparing to take the ASTB (Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Selection Test Battery - though I'm not interested in aviation, my recruiters told me prospective intel officers also have to take the test) - I expect and intend to ace that sucker, but want to be entirely sure I do because they make you wait 30 days between the 1st and 2nd time you take it and 180 days after that! Also, shortly after the beginning of FY2006 the Navy filled up its SUWA (Surface Warfare) and Intel officer slots (so October is the earliest my package can go before the selection board), and those are the only two specialties (officer) I care about - I know a fighting force moves on its stomach and all that, but I'm not spending the next 4 years (minimum) of my life as a supply officer, that's for sure! (not that I don't respect those that do.) Can't wait to head out to Pensacola!

I don't know why everyone refers to the MEPS experience as "the dreaded MEPS" - geez, there's like 10 seconds of discomfort. I enjoy getting to talk to all the different people from all the different services there. The last time I went I was very very surprised at how many young females were there awaiting their final approvals to ship to basic training - it was clear a number of them would roll, but it was great to see kids young enough that their parents were with them (depending on their birth day, some kids are 17 when they graduate high school) have the virtue to support their country and people.

Grady, there are plenty of valid alternatives to military service. There are civillian jobs in the military, there is the Coast Guard, there any number of services that can help the guys out.

That's what service is about. Screw your country, and my nanny-state. Them and the horse they rode in on. I graduated college in July, and walked into the recruiting office right after because it's about the people. The people you would fight beside. The people you would support. THAT'S what enlistment is about to me.

You who wouldn't go for 'moral' reasons, imagine you and your friends get into a fight with someone else. They pull a knife or a gun or something- what do you do? Do you leave your buddy to die (even if they were mouthing off) or do you try and help them?

Does it matter if they made a bad choice? They're your buddies. That's it.

I didn't walk into the recruiting office because of anyone I personally know. I watched the Marines and PPCLI fighting the taliban and said...they're guys like me. They're guys I might have gone to college with (one of my best friends from college is an Afghanistan vet). And while I'm back here sitting on my duff, they're fighting and I want to help. Putting aside the fact that I need the discipline, the confidence and all that, I WANT to help these guys out. I started off reserves/enlisted/didn't care, and as of July 20th, my application says regulars/enlisted/infantry. I have my final test on Monday, wish me luck.

Grady, as I was about to hit post, I thought about it. The kids these days don't know the meaning of the words 'loyalty' and 'fidelity'. They think fraternity is a group of people you drink with at university. THAT'S the problem. I got a taste, the smallest taste of those concepts in college (ironies), and that's probably what started this terrible recruitment ordeal- I've been in processing since May, when I made my application to a reserve unit.

Good Lord I can ramble.

DE

Good for you, DE. Sounds like you've got your head screwed on properly and it's properly wired, to boot.

OK, well for the obvious reason that this thread is 26 pages in length,
and I really have no wanting to read that much, I'll just answer the
original question.


Why have I not enlisted, well there are several reasons really.

1. I have no wish to die.
2. I am vehemently agains the military industrial complex.
3. I don't believe in war.
4. I refuse to murder someone (directly).

I could come up with some more reasons, but I think what
I've said will do.

The mandatory obligation is no less than eight years now Grady. Mine is up in 09, and to be honest it sucks not being active duty any more...

I enlisted active and wanted a full carreer as such, but the military has it's way of giving those of us the exact opposite of what was asked. I get what they said when you are given a choice of duty staion ask for what you don't want, wished I listened.

But hey, eventually it will all work out and life moves forward.

Duty and Honor are rare these days, perhaps even a thing of the past. Luckily enough those things of the past are still screaming and kicking, even to the bitter end.

By the way Grady, tonight if you havn't said it in a awhile;
"Good night Chesty, where ever you are."

I've said it before in other spots, but this seems as good a place as any to say it again: To those of you who have served, are serving, and will serve in the future: Thank you.

Sounds a little trite maybe, and a little off topic, though not so much, but from the heart.

Just to let you know I served my time in 1975 - 1979 in the Air Force and have been involved in government contract work working with the Space Shuttles communication system to the F-18 hornets flight and weapontry systems. My last employment before my illness (MS) was to train the national guard in simulated desert warefare . I did this before and after 911. The web address is Pulau.com . It was a rewarding employment where I got to work with real war hero's and stand up fellow ex members of our armed forces. As for now I can no longer work , but am proud to have helped as much as I can.

I enlisted. And after 3 consecutive tours, when my time came up to re-enlist, I basically said, No Flippin Way.

Replace flippin, with you know what.

Why haven't I enlisted? Because I don't see a cause worth fighting for at the moment. When a real threat from another country arises that threatens my homeland then I will enlist.

Originally posted by ADVISOR
"Good night Chesty, where ever you are."

I'll say it tonight. This is my idea of sofa art, by the way.

If I commision instead will you still love me?

Of course. I use the term enlist broadly.

Originally posted by Johnmike
If I commision instead will you still love me?

Only, if you remember that those under you are more important than yourself, and you lead by example. Be the soldiers officer, and not a fast tracking paper pushin career absorbed type of officer who cares more about rank than his command. Then yes, otherwise you will be the officer no trooper loves.

I enlisted back in 1994 (oorahh) I believed in freedom and supporting and defending the Constitution of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA till my death.But today I'm
very sad to say that this is not the same USA that I would fight for ,and my forefathers died for.Today, fear has infiltrated our government and society and the war we wage
is a product of our own doing.when the leader or the free world proclaims that the
Constitution is nothing but a "goddamn piece of paper"...Its time to question the fact that our values are in check.
Grady, you said Why haven't you enlisted in the cause of liberty? WHAT?
the cause of liberty? please If you do only one thing tonight DEFINE LIBERTY! then get back to me.AS far as the draft...probably...
thanks for your time
-PEADY

Question.
I'd normally just look it up on Wiki, but I'm having to unblock alot of sites I accidentally blocked right now..

What/who is this "Chesty" thing/fellow?

Originally posted by iori_komei
What/who is this "Chesty" thing/fellow?

Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) was a United States Marine mustang officer, notable as the most decorated Marine in history.

en.wikipedia.org...

[edit on 2006/9/8 by GradyPhilpott]

Originally posted by iori_komei
Question.
I'd normally just look it up on Wiki, but I'm having to unblock alot of sites I accidentally blocked right now..

What/who is this "Chesty" thing/fellow?

The GREATEST man who saved those of the
FROZEN CHOSEN;
en.wikipedia.org...

See what you al have done, got me a using wiki...

[edit on 8-9-2006 by ADVISOR]

"Chesty" Puller; Patron saint of the United States Marine Corp. The one Marine all marines want to be...or so I'm told by my Marine freinds.

Ok, thanks Grady, Advisor.

Is interesting.

Never heard the term before.

Well, this is my hero..
Who here has heard of him or the Bonus Army?
en.wikipedia.org...