If I am still unemployed by the 17th of next month, I am gonna join the Army.

[Himu]

Haha.

Pussies scared to die.

Wah wah.

i find most people not afraid to die have never been in a position where there was a serious chance of them dying

It's really not that. Of course people are scared to die, we're human. But telling someone,"DON'T JOIN THE MILITARY. YOU MAY DIE!" is stupid because they already knew that and even considered that when it became an option. Everyone is scared of death, but it's whether or not it rules your life.

[Kestastrophe]

My wife's uncle spent 30 years in the Army and recently quit. Now he makes ungodly amounts of money doing private security consulting in Morocco.

[Fresh Prince]

Going by T234 ignoring drew and I- it's something he wants to ignore himu.

[brawndolicious]

Only thing I'd like to add is that joining the military just to pay for school is a dumbfuck idea, if your hearts not in it stay out. I really hope you thought about this. Risking your life is something you should only do out of conviction for your cause.

In his age group, he's more likely to die in a car accident than by serving in Iraq.  It is a very bad idea for him to walk around Baghdad with rose petals in his helmet and a willingness to meet his maker.

[T234]

It has NOTHING to do with finances.

[Himu]

So what's braver himu? Living your life with some adolescent death wish with no attachments with or living your life as a responsible member of society in 'the real world' where others depend on you?

I'd rather have defended my country and have actual dependence on comrades than fake "real world reliance". Also, why do you keep bringing up casualties? This isn't Vietnam. There are chances you can die under today's service, but they're far more statically low. Either way, what you're telling me is what a coward would say.

Then again, as someone who is an engineer, I don't expect you to understand that. You're probably the type who chose that major purely because of the money obtained from the profession. So it makes sense to me why you wouldn't understand someone wanting to join the military when they've got no job, they're in the toilet and need a way out. Especially since the military helps pay for school, supplies room and board and an adaquete pay for college graduates.

[Himu]

And Demi, while you may consider the war in Iraq "fake" I think it will make the world a better place in the long run.

Putting your life at risk for tuition fees is not worth it Himuro and T234.

The chances of getting blown up on a Navy ship from pirates are 1 billion to one. Who cares.

[brawndolicious]

It is all a sausagefest though.

[Flannel Boy]

In his age group, he's more likely to die in a car accident than by serving in Iraq.  

(Almost everyone in his age bracket drives; very few serve in Iraq.)

[Himu]

Yeah, the car accident example is somewhat accurate considering the military's current regs.

Guess I shouldn't walk down the stairs; I could die if I fall.

Guess I shouldn't drink this tap water; it could be poisoned!

Guess I shouldn't open this mail; it could have anthrax in it!

Who gives a crap? Not me!

[brawndolicious]

In his age group, he's more likely to die in a car accident than by serving in Iraq.  

(Image removed from quote.)

(Almost everyone in his age bracket drives; very few serve in Iraq.)

The ADDED risk.  A 20 year old who serves in Iraq is less likely to die than one in the US who drives a car regularly.

[Himu]

That said, I do think T234 is rushing it by giving himself a deadline. Rest on it and consider it an option.

[Fresh Prince]

1. Live on your idealised notions of the army, himu. You know how the army operates how? Band of Brothers? Right. You have a very childish notion of cowardice and bravery as well.
2. But is it the only option, himu? And I'm not disagreeing about using the military to get an education.

Also himu you have contradicted yourself because it actually takes more balls to live in the 'real world' than join the army using am nintendo's stats.

[Himu]

Of course it's not the only option. But it's a option.

Also himu you have contradicted yourself because it actually takes more balls to live in the 'real world' than join the army using am nintendo's stats.

[Bebpo]

Do you have a car?

Drive people around.  Charge for rides.

[brawndolicious]

Nobody should even think about death or patriotism or whatever bs.  That's a very small part of it.  A good reason to go in the military is to get enough discipline and money to straighten your life out.  fuck anything else.

[Himu]

1. Live on your idealised notions of the army, himu. You know how the army operates how? Band of Brothers? Right. You have a very childish notion of cowardice and bravery as well.

Band of Brothers is not how I envision the military. I don't even get where you got this point.

I'm not saying it's brave to join the military, but it's certainly a lot more ballsy than sitting here thinking,"I can't do that. I could die!" as you live your homely civilian life. No shit.

Nobody should even think about death or patriotism or whatever bs.  That's a very small part of it.  A good reason to go in the military is to get enough discipline and money to straighten your life out.  fuck anything else.

This too.

[drew]

I'm not the one telling a guy not to join the military because I'm a coward.

id bet everything and anything that once youre there you wouldnt be so brave, in fact youd be scared shitless half the time, joining the military because you have a deathwish IS the stupidest reason to join the army of marines, no matter what t234 says, im sure someone who doesnt care about dying doesnt have the mental accuity to comment on this anyways

[Himu]

Didn't say I have a death wish. You're merely reading into it that I have a death wish.

[drew]

I'm not saying it's brave to join the military, but it's certainly a lot more ballsy than sitting here thinking,"I can't do that. I could die!, for a completely and utterly worthless cause, and basically give up my life for dick cheney" as you live your homely civilian life. No shit.

fixed

Didn't say I have a death wish. You're merely reading into it that I have a death wish.

i wasnt referring to you

[Himu]

Yes, because the only reason people join the military is for a "uterrly worthless cause" and not for self improvement, or a job - especially in these economic times, or just something to do before there's another goal to cross out on his/her's list.

Your black/white view on why people join the military is why I call you a coward.

You weren't referring to me, but T234 said in this thread that he's jobless, and he's tired of it. It seems to me he feels like a loser, his life isn't going anywhere. The military could very well offer him something he's lacking. What's wrong with that? And they'd pay him for it too.

[Mr. Gundam]

Himu, if you want to join the armed forces, that's great. Serving our country in such a manner is an honorable thing.

However, if you're considering the armed forces just because student loan repayment still freaks you out... get over it, lots of people have student loans to pay back and manage to do just fine.

[Himu]

Of course that's not the only reason, that's stupid. Which is why it's an option; the last bullet on the list option, at that, but still an option.

[drew]

i might have a black and white view on it because i heavily considered it this past summer (marines) and ultimately decided that it wasnt worth it, another big factor is my foot condition and the fact that id have to wear tightly laced boots and i have to take meds 3 times daily, if i were to join id inevitably lose a toe or two, or three, but that didnt weigh into my decision at the time, if you dont weigh the reason youre putting your life on the line then youre a fool, of course there are other reasons, but that one is the biggest

[Himu]

Who doesn't weigh in that you could die when considering joining the military? Really?

[drew]

the question is why not if, himuro

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

Nothing wrong with serving in the armed forces.  I have friends and family that are in the military in all of the branches and some like it, some hate it.  There would be some opportunities there that working a couple of jobs at once would deny you.  If my options were the military or working 2-3 jobs, I'd pick the military.

Himu, if you want to join the armed forces, that's great. Serving our country in such a manner is an honorable thing.

However, if you're considering the armed forces just because student loan repayment still freaks you out... get over it, lots of people have student loans to pay back and manage to do just fine.

Yes, I'm $80,000 in the hole in student loans.  However, those things have all kinds of bullshit trappings to make sure that if you can't find a job that your life is made as miserable as possible.  It has definitely impacted what I wanted to do with my life (money vs. passions) but whatever.  I also live like an impoverished miscreant because I put down nearly entire paychecks towards debt.  In the end, it isn't that bad and learning to live without always having to buy shit is a net positive.

[drew]

a lot, actually, i talked to a lot of veterans and people in the marines currently before i made my decision

[drew]

 

[Boogie]

  A lot of people here are arguing about what the military is like and why people should join.  But if you're not a veteran, what the fuck do you know?

[Ganhyun]

T234, if you are going for the Rangers, you'll go to Fort Benning GA. Having been there myself, I can say that the experience will be a good one for you if you make it that way. If you can, try to manipulate your join date to either be in the spring starting in march, or in the fall (around late september) if you can. You are looking at your 12 weeks of basic, then your additional time in AIT as well (not sure how long ranger AIT is, mine job's was 6 months). If u dont mind heat, start in spring. If u dont mind cool weather, go in the fall.

[drew]

reverse double post

[drew]

yeah, because you cant have enough of an understanding of something in order to come to a personal conclusion on it

getting drunk and talking to two marines at a camp fire for an hour and a half doesnt count, neither does shooting the proverbial shit with an ex special forces guy that was stationed in cambodia in the 70's and infiltrated enemy camps and once had to run through the jungle for 13 hours straight after a sniper mission went bad, psh

[CrystalGemini]

  @ this thread

I need to get rodi in here. 

[T-Short]

thanks for the laughs, Kosma!

[demi]

So whats stopping you Kosma? I thought you liked to travel the world? Make something of yourself... make momma proud.

[T-Short]

My officer buddy who served in Afghanistan feels pretty much the same.

But I wouldnt expect a guy who takes pictures of himself for a fashion thread to understand. Baaooss

 

[MCD]

But I wouldnt expect a guy who takes pictures of himself for a fashion thread to understand. Baaooss

So whats stopping you Kosma? I thought you liked to travel the world? Make something of yourself... make momma proud.

[OptimoPeach]

Only thing I'd like to add is that joining the military just to pay for school is a dumbfuck idea, if your hearts not in it stay out. I really hope you thought about this. Risking your life is something you should only do out of conviction for your cause.

Fuck that shit. If I'm considering signing my life away for 4 years then I'm considering it because of the promise of compensation, not because Braveheart makes my panties wet. Bringing your starry-eyed ideals with you isn't going to make the prospect of combat any less terrifying.

Resigning yourself to a military life on a frustrated whim is a dumbfuck idea, though

[T-Short]

I'm not saying getting payed isnt important, it is, but it shouldnt be the main reason for such a job. Because there are many other jobs where you can get payed.

Its not about Braveheart and shit, anybody that gets swayed by tv and movies isnt fit anyway.

I think its hard to explain to people that havent had family sitting on death row in Auschwitz and having other lose their lives trying to liberate them but theres nothing funny or chilidish about this notion. So I guess for those people these notions only do exist in movies, but for others they are very much still alive.

Yes, you are right, I wish T234 well in his noble endeavour of enlisting to liberate the oppressed people of Kentucky

[Green Shinobi]

Yes, I'm $80,000 in the hole in student loans.  However, those things have all kinds of bullshit trappings to make sure that if you can't find a job that your life is made as miserable as possible.

What kind of trappings?

[brawndolicious]

Kosma, that's bullshit.  In Iraq, a soldier's job will be to help with building the infrastructure of a foreign country with a very different culture.  Their main job isn't to "go after bad guys" or anything.  You can't compare it to trying to free somebody from an execution.

[tiesto]

i might have a black and white view on it because i heavily considered it this past summer (marines) and ultimately decided that it wasnt worth it, another big factor is my foot condition and the fact that id have to wear tightly laced boots and i have to take meds 3 times daily, if i were to join id inevitably lose a toe or two, or three, but that didnt weigh into my decision at the time, if you dont weigh the reason youre putting your life on the line then youre a fool, of course there are other reasons, but that one is the biggest

Oh yeah, how are you doing with the foot condition, drew? I remember you were in pretty serious shape last time you posted about it.

[rodi]

It's not easy, T234. Just as long as you can take things in stride as they come, you'll be fine. No matter what job you choose, no matter what branch, it'll impact your life more than anything else that has happened or will happen. You'll ultimately be a different person coming out, and if that's something you want to risk - then go for it. It's your choice, and no one can tell you different.

[/patriotic music]

[demi]

Rodi tell him how many people are gay in the army

[tehjaybo]

Thor, you know I care about you like the internet brother that you are.  And I support whatever decision you make.  Just look into everything before you do anything that you have to sign for.  You know?  Make positive that is where you want to go with your life.  You're gonna have to be clean to head that way (or at least, it would help).  You're gonna have to meet physical standards.  I know that it isn't something I could do.  I could never join the military. 

But yeah, if you're 100% on the military thing, I suggest Air Force or Navy.  My dad was in the Air Force as an engineer.

[T234]

I'm essentially going to talk to every veteran who I know, including a guy who has taken exactly the same path I wanna take. This person will weigh especially on my decision, because he came back a man completely torn apart. Not physically, but mentally. But I'm pretty sure he would do it again.

[Cormacaroni]

Yes, you are right, I wish T234 well in his noble endeavour of enlisting to liberate the oppressed people of Kentucky

You never know what kind of conflict soldiers will be dropped in during his career. US soldiers are out in Haiti now helping people survive too, its not all Iraq and Afghanistan.

He may be called upon to defend Burger Town!

[Himu]

The battle of Burger Town and the Taco place was America's greatest moment.