Alternatives to the military

[walking arsenal]

What alternatives are there for folks who can't join the military due to small medical reasons but that are otherwise "fighting fit"?

For instance.

I'm a perfectly healthy individual but am on meds for extreme hypertension due to genetics.

Nothing I can do about that except take pills, do that and i'm fine.

However if I wanted to "serve my country" and take advantage of the benifits awarded to our "volunteer" soldiers, I wouldn't be able to.

This is, of course, as far as I've been able to gather from the net and talking to service people and a couple recruiters. They haven't been able to suggest much.

Seems unfair that I, and others like me, are not allowed to do somthing useful.

I realize the logistical problems attached to trying to get soldiers in combat their daily meds and I understand that part.

But why wouldn't I be able to load missiles on planes or work on stuff in the states, thereby freeing up healthier folks for more serious work over seas?

 

[Javelin]

Military Contracter? Just a couple of companies off the top of my head;

Honeywell
Raytheon
General Electric
DynaCorp
General Dynamics

 

[average_shooter]

You could work for a private contractor. I asked an army friend about this and he said that security contractors prefer people to have had previous combat experience, but they're hard-up for medics so civilians with EMT training could be hired even without combat experience.

Or you could work for a non-security contractor building stuff. Or the Peace Corps. There's things like USAid, too. But I'm not sure about any after-work benefits they might give out.

 

[RNB65]

If you've got the IQ and education, CIA, NSA, and FBI are good choices. State and local LE are always looking for a few good men (and women).

 

[Corporal K]

Information Technology is a great way to serve your country, get a security clearance and do some reeeeeally cool things.

How are your computer skills?

 

[jpcampbell]

Become a teacher and give the students the truth instead of the leftest propaganda they get now.
Get a job flying one of those Predators.

 

[Chris B]

Americorp is basically a stateside version of the Peace Corp. It's a great opportunity if you want to help people in this country. http://americorps.org/
After service benefits are limited mostly to education grants which can be used to pay off student loans of pay future tuition.

What about a career in law enforcement?

 

[Ed Ames]

Mall cop.

 

[Javelin]

Mall cop.

Ed Ames, well... I guess it is a living. You do get to drive around with a cool yellow light spinning on the top of your 4x2 Ranger.

 

[Thain]

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. The Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and law enforcement actions.

You won't be doing anything with guns, but you'll certainly be serving your country.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

I feel ya on this one arsenal. I had two wrist surgeries from sports injuries in high school, and none of the big four as I call them (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines) would not spend any time to even see if they could find a way to get me in. I even tried a second time four years later.

The problem is my wrist does not fully flex so I cannot do a flat palmed push-up. It seemed like they avoided me like the plague. I even had an ASVAB score in the 90's.

You are not alone. I am finishing school in Criminology and trying to find my way through government jobs. We just have to take the long way around and find something that will take us, as sad as it sounds.

 

[dracphelan]

You can look at joining one of the official state militias. Also, you can look into becoming a police officer. Many communities offer plenty of volunteer services. To serve your country, you do not have to join the military. All you have to do is work to make this country a better place.

 

[1911Tuner]

You can arrange to make up "Care Packages" for the guys and gals who are walkin' the walk in the Mid-East.

Socks...Chewing gum...Tobacco products like "Cope" and Skoal...Texas Pete hot sauce (Available in 2-ounce bottles from TW Garner Food Company in Winston-Salem, NC)...Inexpensive pens and stationery...Hard candy...Foot and body powders (Gold Bond is a good brand)...Pocket Bibles...Playing cards.

Little things that are trivial to most of us, but can offer a lot of comfort in places like that. Including a simple "Thank You" note in every personal package would mean more than you can imagine.

WA...You just earned yourself a lot of respect.

 

[Eric F]

Might I suggest this. I also could not Sign up due to medical disqualifications. So I did the next best thing I joined the Federal Fire service. No you dont get a gun or get shot at but You Do Get To "Protect Those That Protect Us". If you are interested give me a pm and I can refer you to a personnel center.

 

[chaim]

I need to start with this:

But why wouldn't I be able to load missiles on planes or work on stuff in the states, thereby freeing up healthier folks for more serious work over seas?

Can you imagine the morale issues and basic unfairness of a situation where say 20% of the military was non-deployable? That means the rest have to spend even more time than they already are deployed to combat zones since you can only stay at home. Why would the military even want this two tier system? How does it benefit them to have a portion of their force be basically unusable for some of what they would need them for? Why should someone who can't do the main job the military is there for (fighting) get the same benefits as someone who spent 18 months in Iraq?

Sorry, you have health issues, I was discharged early due to my ankle and now even if it would handle it I can't really go since it would be impossible to correctly practice my religion (shabbos would be a problem), some people decide too late they want to go and they're too old, some people have any numbers of problems that keep them out- the world isn't always fair.

What alternatives are there for folks who can't join the military

There are plenty of ways to serve your country, state, and community outside the military. Volunteer fire department (one of the few volunteer jobs that will actually pay you a pension, usually after 20 years), state defense force/state guard (official, state sponsored, militia/civil defense organization), Coast Guard Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, police work, professional fire department, teach, Americorps, civilian government work for any number of agencies, etc.

However if I wanted to "serve my country" and take advantage of the benifits awarded to our "volunteer" soldiers, I wouldn't be able to.

There are plenty of rewards for the non-military service you could do for your country and community, but no, none give the same benefits as the military (no GI Bill for us). Some may give you breaks on student loan repayment, some may partially pay for school if you go to school while working (or get certain scholarships), but nothing like what the military has. Nor should they- none of these options require the level of sacrifice that the military does. As for the fairness- get over it! The military needs people who meet certain minimum standards. If you don't meet them, you have the potential to be more of a liability than an asset so they won't take you. So be it. That does mean military benefits are out of our reach. If it really matters to you, lobby Congress, write the President, or just take another job that pays for college or gives you good benefits.

 

[RPCVYemen]

I don't know what the Peace Corps medical requirements are like, but you might give them a call. As you might be able to tell from my login, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in North Yemen from 84-86.

Mike

 

[Neo-Luddite]

However if I wanted to "serve my country" and take advantage of the benifits awarded to our "volunteer" soldiers, I wouldn't be able to.

Have you fully explored any medical waivers/ exceptions to the rules that can be made these days in the military? Lots of conditions that once 'banned' you from service are now given a pass under the right conditions. I feel for you--I have asthma. The 'work around' I used for this I would not recommend to anyone--I lied. But the impulse to serve is strong.
With the climate being what it is today, don't you have a shot at enlisting?

 

[KC&97TA]

You don't have to wear a uniform, to serve your country. Just be a productive honest citizen, and be a good person. You can do that weather you are GI Joe, a Sherif, a Store owner, Car Salesman, Teacher, Carpender, Welder, Executive... ect, ect.

I've been fortuneate to still have all my body parts intact, most of my mind and have lead a life that most Marines dream to live. When I find the oportunity and the time; I have volunteered helping boyscouts shoot 22LR (there's also alot of MILF's there), I've helped clean up litter in Clevland National Forest, I don't have any kids as of yet, but I spend about $200 every december for Toys for Tots (I don't buy grown ups presents anymore X-mas is for kids) there are many things you can do.

One Volunteer thing I'd like to do, would be to help on NRA Hunter Safety/Education Classes.

 

[steak-knife]

If you've got the IQ and education, CIA, NSA, and FBI are good choices. State and local LE are always looking for a few good men (and women).

Just to clarify, you could be an analyst, civilian support, or IT, if you have the skills and pass the background investigation, but not as a special agent, or any other LEO.

If you're on meds for hypertension, there's no way you're going to pass the physical, let alone any of the LEO academies at either Glynco, Quantico, or just about any local academy that I know of.

I won't patronize you and say that I'm sorry about your condition, but you have to make do with what you've got.

 

[Funderb]

I understand somewhat, and I am sorry for your predicament.
I honestly have wanted to serve since I coul have possibly formed the thought. I talked to recruiters, took the ASVAB, missed two questions,
checked out physically well, just a bit short, only 5'8. Granted, all the recruiters were my height, if not very close. (they do that for psychological purposes)
Unfortunately, I am in a moral contract with my father and family, who have provided for me, not to follow a military path until I graduate from college.
That's okay with me, because it's not long from now.
I still think I could be doing my part right now.
All I have to do is walk to the recruiters office and tell them to put me on the bus. Lord knows the Cpl. has me on speed dial, haha. He's a great guy though, despite the weekly messages and calls.

But I do salute those in service, thank you.

 

[S4Lee]

Do you want to "serve your country" (your quotes, not mine), or are there particular benefits you are just looking to take advantage of?

You can look into your local CERT team:
https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/

 

[walking arsenal]

How are your computer skills?

Good enough to get by on this board.

Mall cop.

Yeah.....................no.

You can look at joining one of the official state militias.

Does Minnesota have one of those? I couldn't find anything on it.

You can arrange to make up "Care Packages" for the guys and gals who are walkin' the walk in the Mid-East.

Already do. Phantom warrior from here, and his unit get most of them. btw he just finished his tour over in Iraq.

pm him a congrats.

I won't patronize you and say that I'm sorry about your condition, but you have to make do with what you've got.

Boy, don't I know it. TY

Do you want to "serve your country" (your quotes, not mine), or are there particular benefits you are just looking to take advantage of?

At the risk of sounding shallow. Yes, there are some benefits I'd like. A paycheck would be nice, along with the education and health benefits. But I think those would mostly be icing on the cake.

I did SAR with the Civil Air Patrol for 12 years until just recently. I actually dried up a good chunk of my bank account volunteering with them which is why I had to take a step back from it for a while. I spent more money volunteering than i had coming in.

Now i do SAR professionally for our county, tax payer funded.




Thanks for all the posts guys. Nice to know there is still a little hope.

Could some of you guys post some links with your suggestions if you have them handy?

I appreciate this. TY

 

[chaim]

OK, it sounds like the benefits you are looking for aren't anything big- just normal professional benes.

Government jobs usually don't pay as much as in private enterprise, but you somewhat make up for that with better health and retirement benefits. Generally tuition reimbursement is slightly better, but different companies and organizations have so many different ways of doing it the government isn't going to be better than all of them.

If you are still around college age (or young enough to be willing and able to go back), I dated a woman once who had her degree in emergency management. I don't know how hard it is to get into, but working for FEMA or one of the state emergency management agencies has always struck me as interesting. NSA and CIA are options. If the health issues won't get in the way, police and fire are options. Beyond that, you'll have to define what you consider service. Teaching (especially the Teach for America program), nursing, counseling of some sort, social work, and even non-security or human services related government work are all serving your country and/or community. Do you want to stick with national security work or at least security related work or do other forms of service also interest you?

 

[Eleven Mike]

But why wouldn't I be able to load missiles on planes or work on stuff in the states, thereby freeing up healthier folks for more serious work over seas?

Because the military isn't interested in anybody that it can't deploy overseas? It's not unfair. You just don't have what it takes. Harsh, but there it is. Sorry, man. As others have said, there are many other ways to serve your country. Public office used to be regarded as one way. Emergency services, social work, the practice of law (believe it or not). All are ways to serve your country.

 

[walking arsenal]

People like me aren't undeployable. We're just a logistical nightmare.

You'd have to ship us drugs every three months................which is why we're undeployable...........hmmm......point taken.