Discussion: Joining the US Army

[MorbidSteve]

Well, the US Army is trying to recruit me, and I'm stuck. I want to join, and I've been talking to them for merely a week. A few friends are also joining. I know the benefits are good, but that's not my main reason for joining. I want the experience, it will change my life for the better..(I hope).

So I made this thread to discuss joining the US Army. I'm only 17, and I don't really know what to say. At first I think I was looking at it as a way out.. so I wouldn't have to worry about what to do after high school, then I started to get into, and I have a want to join. But I'm not sure if it's all of what I think it is. I've heard that "Recruiters lie." and the such, but I can't really talk to many people of whom are enlisted, as I live in MI, and we don't really have a base here.

Also, I know I'd have to lose about 20 pounds to join in the first place, unless they don't take official weight till after BT.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Steve

 

[MX2]

Running at 4:30 am

 

[SoulAssassin]

What are your thoughts on death?

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
What are your thoughts on death?

lmao.

 

[MikeMike]

you didnt ask at the right place

a lot of the ppl here would run up to canada if they were forced to serve.

not all, but a lot.

it can be very good, and very "fun" if you really want to do it.

 

[PrinceofWands]

In my HONEST opinion, anyone who joins the military under Bushco/PNAC has a death wish. Seriously. I served a couple years in the military during a military campaign, but this is entirely different. Whatever my personal idealistic differences with the military were, I usually support people who choose to join. Not now. Not until everyone associated with this regime is gone, dead, and buried.

Even if fear of death doesn't dissuade you, I'd still not suggest it due to the imperialist nature of PNAC. There would be next to no order I could carry out that wouldn't violate deeply held beliefs (and my interpretation of my oath to defend the Constitution).

You asked for honest input, you have it.

 

[Mo0o]

Well given that we're currently at war, you could die. If you're ok with that then join.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
you didnt ask at the right place

a lot of the ppl here would run up to canada if they were forced to serve.

not all, but a lot.

it can be very good, and very "fun" if you really want to do it.

Perhaps, but there are also quite a few members who are members of the various branches.

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
you didnt ask at the right place

a lot of the ppl here would run up to canada if they were forced to serve.

not all, but a lot.

You are quite prophetic... your post was sandiched in between those of four posters whom I can only imagine couldn't hightail it to Canada fast enough if called to serve....

 

[chambersc]

do you have any goals or ambitions for when you get out of high school? if you do, you might want to place those ahead of a career in the military. i'm not knocking it but once you get swept up in the process, you're locked -- it's a long term, stop-loss, commitment. you need to be egotistical and think about what you want. do you have any ties to where you are right now -- solid family life, gf? bf? both?

if you generally have no conceivable ambitions, no ties to the here and now, forsee nothing turning up for you, i'd say go for it. make sure it's something that you want to do and not what others want from you.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
you didnt ask at the right place

a lot of the ppl here would run up to canada if they were forced to serve.

not all, but a lot.

it can be very good, and very "fun" if you really want to do it.

Perhaps, but there are also quite a few members who are members of the various branches.

I have served, and if someone FORCED me I would either move to Canada or revolt. The choice to take another life or contribute to such a cause is entirely personal and cannot be forced. That being said if there was ever just cause for military action I would gladly join again if I were allowed to (which I'm not, so I guess the point is moot).

 

[middlehead]

One of my best friends joined the army straight out of high school. He was stationed in Korea for a tour or two, probably going to Japan next year. Hasn't been to Iraq or Afghanistan, though.

He's happy with it, and I can definitely say that it's made him a better man.

 

[MorbidSteve]

Way from the top, I am willing to die, and the thought doens't affect me much..
I don't have a gf/bf,

I will chat more in a while, have to go to cafe, 15 mins.

-Steve

 

[Ronstang]

If you want I can give your e-mail address to my stepson-in-law who is active duty Army stationed in Hawaii. He has just been promoted to Seargent. He spent 14 months in Afghanistan and goes to Iraq in August. I will ask him if he will try and answer your questions from an experienced point of view. PM me if interested.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I would frankly be wary of joining the Army under most circumstances, but particularly under the Bush administration.

College is an incredibly fun, broadening experience, and I would recommend it to most people over joining the military.

All that being said, I would strongly suggest you test for the Air Force before joining the Army. It offers a much better quality of life IMO, the same benefits, and a much lesser chance of having your nuts blown off by an IED.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I would frankly be wary of joining the Army under most circumstances, but particularly under the Bush administration.

College is an incredibly fun, broadening experience, and I would recommend it to most people over joining the military.

All that being said, I would strongly suggest you test for the Air Force before joining the Army. It offers a much better quality of life IMO, the same benefits, and a much lesser chance of having your nuts blown off by an IED.

Truth FTW!

 

[tjaisv]

we need more bodies in Iraq

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I would frankly be wary of joining the Army under most circumstances, but particularly under the Bush administration.

College is an incredibly fun, broadening experience, and I would recommend it to most people over joining the military.

All that being said, I would strongly suggest you test for the Air Force before joining the Army. It offers a much better quality of life IMO, the same benefits, and a much lesser chance of having your nuts blown off by an IED.

Of course, as AF you get the (often deserved) reputation of being a REMF pansy who can't hack it in the *real* military

 

[olds]

<---- Prior military, 13 Foxtrot - Combat Arms
BT is easy if you are in shape and have your head on straight. If you can't run 2 miles, do 40 push up and 40 sit ups before you go in, you will have a hard time. You need your head on straight because you are always being yelled at and fvcked with.
I would suggest that if you go:
1. Be in shape before you ship. If you can run 2 miles they will be too busy fvcking with those that can't.
2. Understand that it is the DI's job to yell, scream and demean you. (I saw them as actors playing a role)
3. Take a job that translates to work on the outside world.
There aren't many jobs where you will be asked to kill people but there are plenty of IT and other tech jobs that you could get with prior military experience.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: DonVito
I would frankly be wary of joining the Army under most circumstances, but particularly under the Bush administration.

College is an incredibly fun, broadening experience, and I would recommend it to most people over joining the military.

All that being said, I would strongly suggest you test for the Air Force before joining the Army. It offers a much better quality of life IMO, the same benefits, and a much lesser chance of having your nuts blown off by an IED.

Of course, as AF you get the (often deserved) reputation of being a REMF pansy who can't hack it in the *real* military

It's not called the Air Farce for nothing.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: DonVito
I would frankly be wary of joining the Army under most circumstances, but particularly under the Bush administration.

College is an incredibly fun, broadening experience, and I would recommend it to most people over joining the military.

All that being said, I would strongly suggest you test for the Air Force before joining the Army. It offers a much better quality of life IMO, the same benefits, and a much lesser chance of having your nuts blown off by an IED.

Of course, as AF you get the (often deserved) reputation of being a REMF pansy who can't hack it in the *real* military

Compared to dying at 18 on foreign soil for no valid cause? Thanks, I think I could live with the shame. Emphasis on LIVE.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: DonVito
I would frankly be wary of joining the Army under most circumstances, but particularly under the Bush administration.

College is an incredibly fun, broadening experience, and I would recommend it to most people over joining the military.

All that being said, I would strongly suggest you test for the Air Force before joining the Army. It offers a much better quality of life IMO, the same benefits, and a much lesser chance of having your nuts blown off by an IED.

Of course, as AF you get the (often deserved) reputation of being a REMF pansy who can't hack it in the *real* military

Compared to dying at 18 on foreign soil for no valid cause? Thanks, I think I could live with the shame. Emphasis on LIVE.

If your concern is dying at a young age on foreign soil for "no valid reason", you should not be in ANY BRANCH.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
<---- Prior military, 13 Foxtrot - Combat Arms
BT is easy if you are in shape and have your head on straight. If you can't run 2 miles, do 40 push up and 40 sit ups before you go in, you will have a hard time. You need your head on straight because you are always being yelled at and fvcked with.
I would suggest that if you go:
1. Be in shape before you ship. If you can run 2 miles they will be too busy fvcking with those that can't.
2. Understand that it is the DI's job to yell, scream and demean you. (I saw them as actors playing a role)
3. Take a job that translates to work on the outside world.
There aren't many jobs where you will be asked to kill people but there are plenty of IT and other tech jobs that you could get with prior military experience.

Good advice, should you choose to go. I went in with much the same attitude and found bootcamp VERY enjoyable...in fact, it was easily the best part of my enlistment.

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: MathMan

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
you didnt ask at the right place

a lot of the ppl here would run up to canada if they were forced to serve.

not all, but a lot.

You are quite prophetic... your post was sandiched in between those of four posters whom I can only imagine couldn't hightail it to Canada fast enough if called to serve....

Hey... in my defence... I'm already Canadian. :laugh:

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: DonVito
I would frankly be wary of joining the Army under most circumstances, but particularly under the Bush administration.

College is an incredibly fun, broadening experience, and I would recommend it to most people over joining the military.

All that being said, I would strongly suggest you test for the Air Force before joining the Army. It offers a much better quality of life IMO, the same benefits, and a much lesser chance of having your nuts blown off by an IED.

Of course, as AF you get the (often deserved) reputation of being a REMF pansy who can't hack it in the *real* military

Compared to dying at 18 on foreign soil for no valid cause? Thanks, I think I could live with the shame. Emphasis on LIVE.

If your concern is dying at a young age on foreign soil for "no valid reason", you should not be in ANY BRANCH.

Currently agreed, though truth is that AF (and to similar extent Navy) are going to have lower rates of injury.