Why Haven't You Enlisted?

I've heard of the Bonus ARMY, spent 20mins in a past U.S.
History class talking about it.
Never heard of the guy though.

And man, did I ever start a mini tidal wave with my
"who was chesty" question.

Smedley Butler of course earned two Medals of Honor and is certainly held in high regard among Marines. What distinguishes him from Puller is that Puller came up through the ranks and he never forgot it. He revered his men and lead from the front, taking risks that most officers would consider insane.

Puller's reputation would have been good enough to earn him a place in the history books by the end of WWII, but it was in Korea at the Chosin Reservoir that he proved himself to not only be an exemplary leader of Marines, but endeared himself to an entire generation of Marines.

There was never any official order to have Marine recruits end there day by paraphrasing Jimmy Durante's famous show ending words. It was a tribute to a Marine by the men he led, intended to instill in potential Marines the values that make the Corps what it is.

Taken in its totality, Puller's career was the very personification of the history of the Corps itself. Puller simply would not be denied. He wanted to be a Marine Officer and he wanted to serve in combat and that was raison d'être . Just like the Corps, he was small and easily dismissed, but it was his tenacity and his core values that distinguished him among all Marines.

Chesty: The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC

Marin e! The Life of Chesty Puller

I may enlist in the Air Force National Guard.

Originally posted by Johnmike
I may enlist in the Air Force National Guard.

The Air National Guard is an honorable service that receives far less credit for national security than it deserves.

en.wikipedia.org...

I finally went through all 27 pages of this thread, and as strange as it is I'm nearly brought to tears. Such ignorance and hatred, and so blatant too. Bringing political ideologies and agendas into this thread. Those of you should be ashamed, how dare you accuse someone giving to their country through military service of doing it to follow the beliefs of a POLITICIAN?

No, this is more than that. Serving your country is not becoming a slave to politics. Just think, all you anti-war nuts, what would happen if people suddenly stopped joining the military, hmm? Everyone just stopped volunteering? Well I'll tell you, they'll have no brave volunteers and they'll be forced to either instate a draft or endanger (more like sentence to death) the citizens of the United States by having no military. What does that mean? Cowards like you will have to fight for the country instead of those who do it willingly. If you don't like it, leave, and find a country that has no military or politicans? Can't find it? I wonder why.

I have a great deal of respect for Grady, along with anyone who gives and risks their lives (though certain parts of the military aren't nearly as dangerous as others, you can still be sent into combat zones). To attack him for what he's saying is nothing but immature and moronic.

And besides, we all know that the Marines are badass and that Grady could kick everyone's ass. Simultaniously.

As for myself (since you're all begging to know), I'm not out of high school yet (I don't flaunt it around since age is a common insult around here) but now's the time that I'm thinking - should I join the Air National Guard before college? Once I complete basic training can I simultaniously take AFROTC and be in the National Guard? What about my National Guard obligation, do I just enter active duty with a commision normally? Hell, am I even fit for military service at all? I'm planning on talking to a representative of the Air Force some time this year.

But the point is, why do I want to? I'm planning on majoring in computer engineering or computer science, and with a BS you can make between 45 and 50 thousand dollars per year to start. And yet the yearly pay for a second lieutenant is about 25 thousand per year (though allowances, room, and so forth help). So it's not for the money, but for an obligation I feel to both myself and the people of this country. I want the training, the experience and possibly the ability to make a difference too. For others, I'm one more person who can work toward defending and bettering the United States and ideally the rest of the world. I want to know that doing my job benefits more than just myself and a company, but those around me as well. It's really a no-brainer - so many countries just draft you no matter how much you whine and moan like the fools on this forum.

Applied to the RAF when I was 17 but because of my backgound(Even though I exceeded the requirements to be a pilot)was co-erced to instead seek a career as an MP..which of course i didn,t..

Probably just as well as I don,t handle Dimwitted officers handing out ridiculous orders too well anyway...

As you can tell I have a problem with authority..Which is why i became/still am self employed... My boss is still Dim-witted though

[edit on 9-9-2006 by AGENT_T]

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Agent enlisted????

More like loony listed

(only kidding m8)




Mod Edit: Quoting – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 9/10/2006 by 12m8keall2c]

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BWAHAHAHA!!! Just point me towards the explodey stuff!!

''Hey Sarge what does this button do''????


[edit on 9-9-2006 by AGENT_T]




Mod Edit: Quoting – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 9/10/2006 by 12m8keall2c]

Wrong question Grady. First off it puts whomever answers it on the defensive. I served as did a lot of people. I should not have to justify any of my decisions, whether to serve or not. Besides that simple fact, there are more ways to serve your country than serving in the military. Personally I rank a good teacher who cares deeply about her pupils as more valuable than any soldier. And, like I said I am a veteran. Why, because that teacher is in a life affirming profession that serves our, not only nation, but the world and our future in deeply positive ways. War may be neccessary at times but when it gets down to the bare facts of the issue, it is all about killing and destruction, and propaganda to the contrary, it is rarely noble.

A better question is "Why is it so many of today's leaders, who are so eager to send other peoples children off to bleed and to die, declined to serve themselves, or in the words of Dick Cheney when asked about why he didn't serve..."I had other priorities."

Originally posted by AGENT_T
BWAHAHAHA!!! Just point me towards the explodey stuff!!

''Hey Sarge what does this button do''????

Thats creepy its the exact image I saw when I imagined you in the military
Respect m8



[Mod edit: shortened quote to relevant content]

[edit on 9/10/2006 by 12m8keall2c]

Originally posted by grover
Wrong question Grady.

A better question is "Why is it so many of today's leaders, who are so eager to send other peoples children off to bleed and to die, declined to serve themselves, or in the words of Dick Cheney when asked about why he didn't serve..."I had other priorities."

Then why did you answer? Had you read any part of the thread, you would have known that my position is the same as yours when it comes to alternative service. As to your question, start your own thread.

[edit on 2006/9/9 by GradyPhilpott]

Actually Grady I did read the whole thread and missed that somehow.

I am a self declared old hippy liberal and I am in full favor of mandatory universal national service for all Americans from the age of 18 to 21. The way I envision it is that each person would have a choice as to what they would do...military, Civilian Conservation Corp, working in inner cities etc. There will always be a set precentage that will gravitate towards the military so I doubt seriously if there would be a drop in our armed forces. I see each person upon their 18th birthday or graduation from high school spending three months in a military style boot camp then off to their chosen assignments and if we did go to war, we would have an almost ready force to draw upon. It would do several things at once: (1) Everyone that was able would end up spending some time outside of themselves and serving the greater good in one capacity or the other, this would be a great benefit to the entire country. Also (2) It would serve as a national rite of passage on one side of which was childhood and on the other adulthood with all its freedoms and responsiblities. I just spent 3 years at a local community college, and believe me it is sorely needed. I saw some of the most self absorbed fools (no matter how intelligent they actually were) I have ever encountered. They every one of them were in sore need of maturity and focus on something outside of themselves. And (3) it would give everyone at least a vested mental or spiritual stake in our country and make everyone better citizens. (4) If we expanded the VA benefits to include everyone who goes through national service we would defacto create a national health service, increase educational opprotunities (especially for the poor) and increase ownership. If anyone doubts this just look back to what happened in the late 40's and 50's when all those returning from WW2 and Korea took advantage of those same benefits. The country blossomed. The benefits alone would discourage people from getting out of it, especially the health benefits. And for those who are unable to pratisapate fully, arrangements could be worked out. I would also suggest that it would also be a criatira for citizenship for immigriants. It is something seriously worth considering.

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
dgtempe, after having read each post in this thread, I have come to the conclusion that many of these people aren't willing to die for anything in any war. I've heard all these excuses before and they are just the rationalizations of the spinally challenged.


[edit on 04/10/10 by GradyPhilpott]

Incorrect. I refuse to murder someone because a government deems them worthy of murder. Quite simple really.

Originally posted by Johnmike
Such ignorance and hatred, and so blatant too. Bringing political ideologies and agendas into this thread. Those of you should be ashamed, how dare you accuse someone giving to their country through military service of doing it to follow the beliefs of a POLITICIAN?

uhhhh. since when is the military NOT about political agendas, and since when is the military free to NOT follow the orders of politicians? when you join the army, you are serving the agendas of whomsoever is in power.

Originally posted by Johnmike
No, this is more than that. Serving your country is not becoming a slave to politics. Just think, all you anti-war nuts, what would happen if people suddenly stopped joining the military, hmm? Everyone just stopped volunteering?

this is actually a great question. "what if they had a war, and nobody came?"

Originally posted by Johnmike Well I'll tell you, they'll have no brave volunteers and they'll be forced to either instate a draft or endanger (more like sentence to death) the citizens of the United States by having no military. What does that mean? Cowards like you will have to fight for the country instead of those who do it willingly. If you don't like it, leave, and find a country that has no military or politicans? Can't find it? I wonder why.

FORCE? only in a deMOCKracy.
i'll fight anyone who actually sets foot on my property. anyone else is free to forge their own path through the jungle.
gee, i guess that means, if i was in iraq or afghanistan, i would be an 'insurgent' in my own backyard.

you're young. don't waste your life or intactness being a minion of the ultrarich.

ignore them. go to night clubs. live it up. BBQ. play sports. let the rich fight their own wars.

I enlisted in 90 for the education. the military was the only way out of my town. I enlisted in the National Guard with the Military Occupation Speacialty oof Biomedical Equipment Repairer.

I find it funny that all these people on this thread that "know" so much about politics, life, and alien abduction, think that the only job in the military is killing people. It takes approx 100 people working behind the lines to keep 10 people fighting. Not to mention that most medical treatments that you recieve in any ER were pioneered on the battle fronts. Everything from Life Flights to the Golden Hour can be attributed to the horrors of war time. It is also funny that since the military is nothing more than a killing machine that first aide is taught before basic rifle maksmanship is.

There are Thousands of jobs in the military that have absolutely nothing to do with front line combat. You just dont see them on CNN. Everybody has to eat, every vehicle needs maintanance, every hospital needs nurses. But this is not news worthy these are not glamore jobs so you never get to here these stories. After wounded soilders get Evaced out of Iraq they still have months of recovery to do in the states, but do you here about the physicla therapist doing the work? NO. It is not glamours or contriversal.

So all of you out there in internet land that dont want join because "I dont want to kill/murder" use that super Google Fu that yall are famous for and do some real research on the Military and the great things that have evolved out of it.

Internet
Life flight
Emergency medicine
Trauma procedures
Ambulances
Aviation
Search and rescue techniques
Scuba diving
Comercial diving
Bridge building technieques

You get my point


[edit on 12-9-2006 by ultralo1]

[edit on 12-9-2006 by ultralo1]

i think that is very sick. using a tragic event to try and get people to join the army. thats pretty low.

give it two years and the war on terrorism will become a table talk between countries and splinter groups. military tatics will not end this, you have to talk sometime. it took decades for a British Prime Minister to meet leading figures in the Republican movement that brought about a ceasefire and a political agreement in Northern Ireland. Now the IRA is putting an end to its arms and engaging in politics.

even Blair knows now that groups like Hamas, Hizbollah, etc need the "Sinn Fein" talking, which is you are either a politican or a terrorist, not both.

Originally posted by stumason

I suggest you all get a grip on reality and perhaps look at why terrorism happens, and work to correct the underlying root cause. Blowing more people up won't work, trust me, didnt work in Ireland. We worked to find a solution to the problems, and if America actually worked WITH (not against or threatening) these failed states, instead of bombing them, I think the response would be far more satisfactory.

Well said - I have said exactly the same thing in several threads and just been accused of being a Liberal or 'Do Gooder'.
It's just so obvious that the current War on Terror is just acting as a recruitment programme for the terrorists.

Aside from the commonly held notion of 'enlisting' in the armed services, there are far more other worthy causes that benefit wider society and community.
I 'enlisted' with the Citizens' Advice Bureaux as a volunteer legal-advocate, to stand up for those in my community who are less able to help themselves, to demonstrate that even one person can make a difference no matter how seemingly small and insignificant...your brains are far more useful to you and to your fellow citizens being used to fight for equality, justice and a fair society, than splattered over a field in a land far away

Originally posted by infinite
Now the IRA is putting an end to its arms and engaging in politics.

even Blair knows now that groups like Hamas, Hizbollah, etc need the "Sinn Fein" talking, which is you are either a politican or a terrorist, not both.

I am asking because I do not know, was the IRAs' edict similar to the above groups edict to kill all people that dont want to be a Muslim?

What did the IRA want in comparsion to the terrorist groups above. Did the IRA want to Kill all Infedels?
That may be the difference in the comparison. Maybe the Mid east version of "Sinn Fein" needs to be "you are either a religous leader bent on converting the world to Islam or a politician, not both"

en.wikipedia.org...

en.wikipedia.org...