Am I crazy for joining the Army?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

All m.p.s, s.p.s finish their training their no matter what the service. They dont train together, and have different programs , different barracks and instructors, but all go their.
The army does osut, the marines and others are their for advanced training.

Cool, I knew the MP's had moved to Lost in the Woods, but I hadn't heard about the other services being there too.

[Showtyme5]

I'd say hell no. You can learn and grow without being in the military. Go away to college somewhere, and spare yourself from being shot at by crazy terrorists. Trust me. I know a lot of people who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they all say they'll never go back.....and that they'd tell you you're nuts to want to be over there. One of them is extremely lucky to be alive, and is pretty messed up (in his head) because of it.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Showtyme5

I'd say hell no. You can learn and grow without being in the military. Go away to college somewhere, and spare yourself from being shot at by crazy terrorists. Trust me. I know a lot of people who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they all say they'll never go back.....and that they'd tell you you're nuts to want to be over there. One of them is extremely lucky to be alive, and is pretty messed up (in his head) because of it.

I don't want this thread deteriorate into a political type discussion. I'll just say I know many who served in the Gulf War and who currently serve and have been through multiple deployments. War is never a "nice" thing. War is not political to soldiers, it's a reality.
I'm proud of my service every day, and I'm prouder still for those who have fought or are fighting for their country.
They are the reason we have the freedoms we do, including the right to say negative things about the military.

[redvette]

Originally Posted by Showtyme5

I'd say hell no. You can learn and grow without being in the military. Go away to college somewhere, and spare yourself from being shot at by crazy terrorists. Trust me. I know a lot of people who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they all say they'll never go back.....and that they'd tell you you're nuts to want to be over there. One of them is extremely lucky to be alive, and is pretty messed up (in his head) because of it.

Everyone is different as well as the opinions they hold... I also think a way a person is raised also has a very valuble influence on who that person becomes. I'm not trying to affend anyone when I say this but,not everyone is cut out for the military....

And honestly,my opinion on college is probably equal to yours on the military fella.... I've worked low level dead end jobs with people that spent years in school for masters and crap.... All that time and money for what? Could things have been different with a little training and dicipline before hand? I think so.

It's very hard for me to try and explain everything thats going through my head and the reasons for all of this through a keyboard. I dont want an arguement on all of this. And believe it or not I respect and appreciate your opinion on the question I've asked. So thank you as well friend .

I will for sure keep ya'll updated on whats going on (I honestly thought it'd go faster than this though lol).

Take care everyone .

[2Curious]

Figured at least one SOTL's gotta chime in. (was Army, 71D Legal Specialist, JAG). Basic and AIT were at Ft Jackson SC. Great times. Loved every minute of it!

Stuff to add:
1. The biggest decision you have to make is choosing your MOS, or your job. This is the pivotal deciding factor that will determine whether or not you LOVE or HATE your military experience.

I waited over 3 mos for a slot to open and get the job I wanted. They tried to offer all kinds of bonuses and incentives, and even lies just to get me into another mos now. Told them to call me when they have something. They were not happy, but didn't care. It's my life, not theirs.

TEST: Ask anyone you know who was ex-military, ask them if they liked it or hated it. Then ask them what job they chose.
I've done this hundreds of times, all branches, and people from all over the country. Result is, if you pick a shitty job you will have a shitty time, and most likely be surrounded by others 24/7 who are also having a shitty time.

So, no matter what anyone tries to push you into, offers of extra bonus money to pick a particular job that is in high demand, etc...take your time.
Past deciding that you want to enlist in the first place, the most important decision is picking a job you will enjoy, be challenged, and learn a skill that has a place in the civilian world.
No sense going through all that work to learn something that has no application in the civilian world, unless you plan on doing career service.

ps. There are soooooo many job types its amazing. All branches. Make them tell you about all of them, ask lots of questions, be a pain in the a$$, enjoy the search for that amazing job/slot.

Good luck, and have a blast at basic! It was tooo fun!

[veteranvmb]

[QUOTE=2Curious;2717616]Figured at least one SOTL's gotta chime in. (was Army, 71D Legal Specialist, JAG). Basic and AIT were at Ft Jackson SC. Great times. Loved every minute of it!"

Thanks for your service

Stuff to add:
1. The biggest decision you have to make is choosing your MOS, or your job. This is the pivotal deciding factor that will determine whether or not you LOVE or HATE your military experience.

This is absolutely true, but think long and hard on what sounds good to you, and might actually be good for you. If you think something will change your life(like say infantry) but you really do not like to camp outside, or brave the elements now, and walk a lot, its probably not going to change you and you will hate it.
So think long and hard. Especially if you are looking to obtain some skills. Most combat arms teach you absolutely nothing usefull in the real world.
Now I am not getting political here, but just stateing some facts. Everytime we have a conflict, leaders of minority races complain that its "their people getting killed" for the white race. Understand all I see is the uniform color.
But all statistics point out, that the majority killed are caucasion. The reason for this, is that a great percentage of minorities join for job skills, and a large minority of causcausian soldier join for adventure.
Thats all on that. If you want skill or adventure. And remember two of the greatest military slogans for the average soldier.

BOHICA -Bend over hear it comes again.
And the famous "hurry up and wait" You will spend a great majority of your time in these two categories in you go into the combat arms.

I waited over 3 mos for a slot to open and get the job I wanted. They tried to offer all kinds of bonuses and incentives, and even lies just to get me into another mos now. Told them to call me when they have something. They were not happy, but didn't care. It's my life, not theirs.

They will lie , lie, lie. Also remember the big bonuses they mention are not paid out all at once. They give it to you in dribs and drabs over the space of several year. If you are looking for a big payout to pay something off or help someone, you will not see it at once.

Take your time, and think, think, think, And when you decide, make the very best you can out of it. Do not associate with the malcontents , but associate with the doers. It will make a large difference in your life, and you will have friends for life. And I mean real friends. Not drinking buddies, fair weather friends, but friends if you ever go to combat, will be closer to you, then your mother and father or wife or children can ever be.
A band of brothers is not just words, but a thing. I cant describe it. When you hear and see stories of a soldier or marine diving on a thrown grenade to save his buddies. It is not heroism, as you might imagine, its that bond that you will do anything to save your brothers.
Marines try and never leave their dead and wounded behind. I have seen whole squads decimated trying to just recover the body of one of their own. Its a special bond, that I cant describe.
Movies can not describe things in war. Eighteen year old boys still alive with their guts hanging out on the floor, asking for their mothers to come and take them home. I must stop now, I am welling up.

J