Enlisting in the army

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Azndude2190

Golden Member
Jul 4, 2005
1,779
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Originally posted by: conehead433
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: conehead433
Enlisting in the army makes no sense. Do you have a death wish? Do you believe that the US under Dumbya needs to democratize the Middle East? If you do get ready to have fun in Iraq or Iran. Hope you don't come home in a box.

This is not the thread to proselytize. He asked a question about marijuana, not what you thought of the morailty of the current middle east conflict.

Well EXCUSE ME. He asked a question about joining the army or another branch of service. Under the current administration that is a guarantee of being put in harm's way sooner that later. One saved soul is worth a world of gold.

Joining the armed forces doesnt mean:

1)Going to Iraq...you could be deployed to bases around the world(i.e South Korea,Germany,etc)
2)Being a foot soldier.

You could easily be trained in the fields of communication/medicine/engineering/etc...

With that said I think the OP would get more benefits joing the Air Force or Navy which coincendently is alot safer too.



 

Antisocial Virge

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 1999
6,578
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Originally posted by: LoKe
I'm considering enlisting in the army, or some branch, of which I'm not sure. I'm only trying to figure things out incase, in a few years I haven't figured out what I want to do with my life.

My question : Are they as strict about your past as, say, the police? I mean, I've tried marijuana, and I know that exempts you from being a police officer, but does that also apply to the "armed forces"?

You can be a cop even if you have used marijuana. I think about right now in the army they will take you even if you show up stoned.
 

flawlssdistortn

Senior member
Sep 21, 2004
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Loke why don't you join the Peace Corps, or one of those humanitarian organizations where you'd travel to some foreign country to help the poor. You will make much more of a difference than if you enlist in some army to become a tool of whatever government. And you will also have the chance to get your hands dirty doing real work, and might find something you enjoy enough to make a career out of. Good luck!
 

conehead433

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2002
5,569
901
126
You should have mentioned that you were entertaining the idea of joining Canada's army in the OP. Canada either doesn't get involved or minimally involved in any world conflicts. So you would train and otherwise do a whole lot of nothing and get paid. The perfect job.
 

da loser

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,037
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Originally posted by: flawlssdistortn
Loke why don't you join the Peace Corps, or one of those humanitarian organizations where you'd travel to some foreign country to help the poor. You will make much more of a difference than if you enlist in some army to become a tool of whatever government. And you will also have the chance to get your hands dirty doing real work, and might find something you enjoy enough to make a career out of. Good luck!

the problem i have with the peace corps is why can't the indigenous people do the same work? it just seems like a feel good story for the peace corps, but doesn't really help the poor.
 
Jun 4, 2005
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Originally posted by: conehead433
You should have mentioned that you were entertaining the idea of joining Canada's army in the OP. Canada either doesn't get involved or minimally involved in any world conflicts. So you would train and otherwise do a whole lot of nothing and get paid. The perfect job.

I assumed being Canadian pretty much gave that away. My mistake. :)

Originally posted by: Proletariat
Originally posted by: LoKe
I'm considering enlisting in the army, or some branch, of which I'm not sure. I'm only trying to figure things out incase, in a few years I haven't figured out what I want to do with my life.

My question : Are they as strict about your past as, say, the police? I mean, I've tried marijuana, and I know that exempts you from being a police officer, but does that also apply to the "armed forces"?

Now not to get rude or anything but didn't you say you had mental issues?

From my understanding, in the American army, that pretty much disqualifies you.

Oh and they hate snitches in the army, especially the Marines :)

Mental issues? I'm not skitzo, or anything odd like that.
 

revnja

Platinum Member
Feb 1, 2004
2,864
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Originally posted by: LoKe
My question : Are they as strict about your past as, say, the police? I mean, I've tried marijuana, and I know that exempts you from being a police officer, but does that also apply to the "armed forces"?

From my experience, no. I remember going through my physicals and other such things at MEPS (military entrance processing station) -- and I was in a line for a doctor consult. There was a girl in front of me who answered 'yes' when the doctor asked her if she ever smoked marijuana, and he went ahead and approved her for entry to the Air Force.

Keep in mind, if you show up to basic military training with marijuana in your system, you're kicked out and never allowed to re-enlist/return.

This is just my personal experience from what I've seen first-hand during enlistment to the USAF. The Army could be different, but I couldn't tell you for sure.
 

bradruth

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
13,479
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Originally posted by: fitzov
Having tried MJ disqualifies you from becoming a police officer?

It depends. Some places are more forgiving than others, but that also attests to the type of people they have working there.
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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Originally posted by: conehead433
You should have mentioned that you were entertaining the idea of joining Canada's army in the OP. Canada either doesn't get involved or minimally involved in any world conflicts. So you would train and otherwise do a whole lot of nothing and get paid. The perfect job.

Canada is the only nation that has been involved in every UN peacekeeping mission since it's inception.

I guess in involved, you meant invading... yeah, we only get minimally involved in that.

As for marijuana being a disqualification LOL not even close. You can even join the military with a criminal record (as long as you don't have a stipulation against using firearms in your conviction).
 
Jun 4, 2005
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Cool. Thanks for the info. :)

So, when/if I do decide to enlist, what would be the best way? What should I join? I'm not afraid of being shipped off to some war or anything...violence doesn't bother me, weapons don't bother me. I don't think I'll be considering the Navy; I don't like water (not afraid, can swim, just wouldn't want to be around it all the time.)

Also, what path would one take to be a sniper/sharpshooter? ^^;