Why Haven't You Enlisted?

Originally posted by intrepid

Originally posted by Jamuhn

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
The topic is, Why Haven't You Enlisted? It is not, What do you think of those who do?

The two are inextricably linked, it doesn't take a philosopher to figure that one out.

Grady's point is valid. You ARE off topic.

Intrepid, you ARE wrong. You tell me because I dare to question someone's reasons for enlisting I am off topic? My opposition to those reasons show my own reasons for not enlisting. And, all over this thread people like Grady have questioned people's reasons for not joining, yet you say nothing. Why?

People with hypocrisy really disgust me sometimes. Keep your "join the military" circle-jerk then, I'm out of this one-sided discussion. If Deus wants to discuss more, I ask that he PMs me since people can't handle our discussion here.

[edit on 14-10-2006 by Jamuhn]

Originally posted by Jamuhn

Army is the last place you go if you want to develop morals. The army will only not attack somewhere if they will lose or if the benefits outweight the cost. That's the extent of their morals.

Really? I enlisted at age 17 and spent six years as 11B. The Army taught me everything my parents didn't about honor and morals. I'd still be in if I could.

So take that comment and hang yourself with it, for lack of a better statement that would undoubtedly get me banned.

Apparently, what you know of morals is limited to what you read on the internet, or what you learn on the way to the grocery store. But if you weren't a pedantic turd and actually did more than talk, you'd know how wrong you were.

Pff, you make me sick.

Originally posted by Jamuhn
But the cook or the brass band player doesn't know more about war than the international diplomat.

He does. The clerk sees the rolls of dead, the cook notices a few less mouthes to feed. The band player is at the funerals. They may not have the best picture, but they have a much better picture than the beret-wearing scumbag trashing a Starbuck's. They volunteered to serve, to help their countrymen and their country, even if it meant potential danger or death.

I hope you are not saying you would rather be on the side of the psychpath. That's why many people don't join the army, especially now, because they don't want to be on that side, even if they have to die at the hands of such a pyschopath.

No, what I'm saying is that truth without force of arms is just about useless. I'm saying that if someone has a gun and you don't, you're screwed if he has intent to harm. And I VERY much doubt that the abovementioned scumbag is willing to die for anything. I'm afraid I must agree with Astygia on a few points- the army IS the place to learn about honor, loyalty, and duty. And the majority of people objecting to service ARE pedantic scumbags. We've been friends awhile J, and I have a feeling you're not like that. Hey, some people aren't cut out for the military. That's why God invented the Coast Guard.

I'm starting to suspect you didn't read the exchange between myself, grady, and a few others about noncombat MOS's.

DE

[edit on 14-10-2006 by DeusEx]

OK guys, let's chill out NOW.

[edit on 14-10-2006 by intrepid]

For those who enjoy this website and haven't enlisted I can give you a big reason why you should enlist. Who has the info that you are looking for? The US Air Force. Why not enlist and see what you can find out? Try intelligence (AFSC 1N0X1, 1N1X1, 1N2X1, 1N3X1, 1N4X1, 1N5X1) since they are always looking for smart people, and there are many on this forum. This way you can get your Top Secret clearance, have a chance to get orders to a "black" project, see first hand what is really going on, and go to sleep knowing the truth. If you don't like it, get out after your enlistment and get a job with the NSA, FBI, CIA or some other 3 letter agency. More doors will open, only if you enlist.
I would love to see the members of this site join up and help the USAF since I see so much potential, but nobody taking the trip to see a recruiter. Knowing that you have a chance to see what many people on this forum dream about, or think they know about, would have me applying for an intel position. Don't you want to know the truth?

That would be quite deceptive. I'm sure they would put you through a polygraph test to test your loyalty and oath to secrecy.

[edit on 14-10-2006 by DJMessiah]

I didn't notice that NJ Mooch suggested that anyone be disingenuous or break the law. What I gathered was that one way to deny ignorance is to work in intel. There's nothing wrong with being in the know, as long as you keep your mouth shut.

To all of those enlisting...

Relax!!!!

Your going to get a lot more "Flack" from those that have no idea of your Honor, your commitment or your Courage.

Trust me I know.

I attained my Bachelors Degree prior to going in the Marines, served 5 GREAT years active, including action in Lebanon and Panama. Came out then went immediately back into uniform, now have my advanced degree and working towards the PHD. Still I receive the same denigration from those that have no concept of what my life is all about.

You learn to accept the insults, and really what do you have to prove to those that wont!!!! Thank about it...

I have traveled all over the world, several times. Done things that other men only dream of. You all are on that track as well and I envy you the thrills, the adventure and the sense of Honor you are all heading for.

Some highlights..

You will stress your body to the braking point, then realize for the first time, you truly have no breaking point except what limits you set your self.

Rappelling from incredible heights, Jumping out of Helicopters, Skydiving, Hitting a target a Half Mile away (Unless your a Sniper, then it's over a mile)

All of this and more. As well as the satisfaction you will receive that these 'nay sayers' can never know. The HONOR, they can only guess at, the Esprit' de Corps, they have no idea what that even means. This is all yours now.

You are soon to be stepping beyond any petty little quarrels the "do nots" may attempt to start on here. Soon you are going to be above even acknowledging they are making a statement. For what you do, are preparing to do, comes from a place that is far deeper than they will ever understand.

From one old Marine and Cop for life......




HOORAY!!!!!!

I SALUTE YOU ALL

Semper

[edit on 10/14/2006 by semperfortis]

Oh come on semper be honest....they are going to pound the crap out of you in basic training, make you wish you were dead and by the time you are done, consider fragging your recruiter.

shhhhhhhhhh

Grover..

Let them find that out like I did.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Yes, but it is worth in 1,000,000 times over.

Semper

Yeah! Join up and get sent to Iraq! Doh!

ABSOLUTELY!!!

What a PROUD heritage....

Honor and Courage..

Heck, some of us actually went as civilians..

HOORAH!!!!!!!

Semper Fi

Semper

A few years ago this kid (like 18) was working as a dishwasher where I was the chef and he enlisted in the Marines and he came into the kitchen waxing all poetic about the corp and serving and all that...talk about totally bedazzled and befuddled by his recruiter.

Well I listened to it for as long as I could. Now I was not in the Marines, I was in the Coast Guard (my friends even after all these years find it amazing that I was in the military) and I do not know how it is now but in the 70's they prided themselves on having the 2nd roughest boot camp after the Marines and I believe it...it takes a lot of cojones (and teamwork) to board a sinking boat in the North Atlantic (in the winter) and try and save it... I know I've done it.

So anyway I served and I know the truth vs the bullhooey so the night before he went in I sat him down at the bar and got him drunk and told him the truths:

Don't believe a word the recruiter says even if you have it in writing...a job is only yours, if they need it filled and you qualify...nothing is garantteed.

You have no rights...your body is theirs (and your soul if you let them) to do with what they want and if you object...well the military code of justice will put you in your place and it makes the civilian code look like a powderpuff.

Expect to be screwed... NO ONE is going to look out for your rights if you don't. If something happens like you break your leg make sure you are throughly examined and if you have any problems scream like bloody murder...It might make you sound like a wimp but after you are discharged and 20 years down the road, if you start developing problems...you will be glad you did...cause if you don't you, are crap out of luck. Believe me I know from first hand experince.

Whenever you go up to the VA Hospitals get the latest guide to benefits and read it carefully. If you don't know what they are, no one is going to tell you.

Killing sucks. There is no glory or honor in warfare no matter what they say...its evil, dirty work and if you don't keep your heart and soul about you, what you do can haunt you for the rest of your life. I have known vets from WW2 and Korea and Vietnam who, half a century or more later, still cannot talk about what they did. My father (may he rest in peace) was that way. I still don't know what he did that would make him turn pale and choke up when he was questioned about it, 60 years later.

I haven't seen the young man since and I sometimes wonder how he fared. I am glad i had that chance to sit down with him though and I wish someone had done the same for me.


[edit on 15-10-2006 by grover]

[edit on 15-10-2006 by grover]

Looks like it's time to take the gloves off, and move this one to Slug Fest.

Can you take the mud slinging?

Have fun now!

Get ready to get dirty.

Grover,

I am sorry you had that experience.

My time in the service was, very simply, the complete opposite.

I was injured in a Climbing accident and wounded in Panama; I was cared for like a King.

I was selected for STA Platoon right out of Boot, and when I accepted, I was never anything I did not want to be.

I attended every school in any country I ever volunteered for.

I had no interest in Rank as I had other plans, but I was meritoriously promoted every time until Corporal.

I was granted leave time in the most exotic places.


NO, Grover, I am very sorry your time was not as mine was. My time in the Corps, was very simply; the finest years of my life.

Semper

Oh I wouldn't trade my experince in the military for nothing... but the way I described it to that young man is exactly how not only how I experinced it but how I have heard others describe it as well. Those recruiters would offer you 70 virgins to get you to enlist if that incentive wasn't already taken.

Perhaps therein lies the difference in the Marines and the CG..

As you may imagine, I still correspond with members of my old unit. I still meet them from time to time and we have even done some "Long Distance Shooting" Competitions.

Our experiences are all remembered as Wonderful, Growing, Educational and Positive.

Semper

Well ya know some go in for a job or an education or lack of anything better to do and then there are those who seem to gravitate towards the military and thrive there... but it does take a special breed (but not necessiarly a better breed) and that is what I think the difference is, not the branch. You semper, are the type who thrived...me after 3 years they told me I was unadaptable to military life and I took it as a compliment and told them that I could have told them that when they sent me my draft notice and saved us both a world of hassle.

For some reason my parents taught me to think for myself and have regretted it ever since.

I served and have no regrets.

The military needs both career soldier types who thrive on military life and soldiers who show everyone what not to do.

So hats off to both Semperfortis and grover.

Hey I did my job well, I was no Gomer Pyle.