Military Poll?

[Ala Dan]

U.S. Military Poll?

Greeting's All-

I know that we have had threads running concerning
the different branches of U.S. Military service by our
member's; but I'd like to conduct a poll just to see
what the percentage actually would come too? So
please, one and all vote in this poll.

*FootNote: I did not want to offend any of our friends
from the far away lands; so I edited my topic. Sorry
guy's (and or gal's) that I did not make myself clear.

Respectfully,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Soap]

DQ'ed by DODMERB

 

[Moparmike]

There needs to be more choices...

There should be one that says:

Too young.
No. (reason below)

I am sure that a couple of others that I cant think of apply.

I did not sign up because not only am I not cut out for it physically, I am not cut out psycologically for it. I have the brains to do it, but I just dont take kindly to beauracuracy, people who treat me like a peon because of a chunk of metal on their sholder or collar even if I have qualifications out the wazoo, general BS ("it is because I say it is" even if they are wrong, "tradition" even if there is a more efficient way, etc).

I guess I have a much lower tolerance of BS in general. I just dont want to be hassled from above, and loathed from below because my subordinates think I have a superiority complex because of my chunk of metal or my peice of paper on my wall.

That saidâ„¢, I have been encouraged to and have thought about going into intel. "Military Intelligence, an oxymoron since 1800-something..."

 

[AZTOY]

I can't vote, i don't fit in any category!!


I'm leaving for Army BT in 8 days.

 

[Steve in PA]

Joined the United States Marine Corps in September after I graduated highschool.

USMC 1979-1983
E Co, Wpns Plt 2/6
Camp LeJeune, NC
MOS 0351 Anti-tank Assaultman

Three tours overseas, Med Floats (Spain, Italy, France, Africa, etc.....) Did 6 months in Beirut, Lebanon. Was "in counrty" for the US Emabssy bombing, but was home and discharged when they bombed the Marine Barracks (Anniversary coming up in Oct).

Cross trained as an 0331 M60 machinegunner and served as a 0341 60mm mortargunner while in Beirut.

Did a couple of years in the PA Army National Guard recently as a M1 Abrahm tank crewman but had to leave because it was interefering with my civilian job (LEO).

 

[Mike Irwin]

I didn't serve, but why should the reason be confidential?

I broke my back at the end of my sophomore year in college.

When the Navy recruiter I was talking to heard about that, he told me my chances of getting into the 90-day wonder squad in 1987 were extremely slim when AROTC and NROTC students weren't getting positions, and I'd probably even have a hard time in passing the Navy's enlisted physical.

So much for that.

 

[C.R.Sam]

USN Ret, Mustang

Sam

 

[MJRW]

I'm not voting. The reasons given do not provide one for my particular reasons. I didn't want to.

 

[jsalcedo]

Wanted to go into airborne infantry like my father

Was forbidden by my family unfortunatley I listened to them and went to college instead.


By the time I finished college I had health problems that prevented enlistment

 

[Citadel99]

What about "Currently serving Active Duty" or "Currently Serving Reserves/National Guard"? Currently in the Army but voted for the first one based on implied intent.

Mark

 

[igor]

So, if it's not U.S. military it isn't military service?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Still in, leave the end of the month.

 

[Greg L]

Well unlike the rest of you whiners I found a catagory that fit me (of course at this time there are only two other people who can make the same claim as me ).

Greg

 

[M67]

igor, if it doesn't include sleeping under the stars when it's below -20, is it still military service?

 

[Leatherneck]

Marine attack pilot, 410 mission-Vietnam vet.

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[Iain]

Far too many health issues (and we are not talking hayfever here), doubt even the police would allow me to join.

Someone care to explain the high regard that a lot of Americans seem to have for the armed forces? Not knocking anyone by asking, we Brits don't seem to venerate (again - not being sarky) the services as much as Americans seem to.

 

[jsalcedo]

Someone care to explain the high regard that a lot of Americans seem to have for the armed forces? Not knocking anyone by asking, we Brits don't seem to venerate (again - not being sarky) the services as much as Americans seem to.

St Johns:

That is a valid question.

My dad says, "how else could a poor kid growing up in the slums get to go
to Japan, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Jump out of planes, and become a leader of men?"

The four years he served in the military were probably the most important
ones in his life (according to him)

Some Americans see the Armed forces as a ticket to college or extra monthly cash but patriotism, family tradition, sense of duty, desire for structure or adventure all play a part.

Maybe its all brainwashed hoopla, but I myself regret not being able to join.

Hope this helps, I'm sure others will have their own ideas about your query.

 

[Ala Dan]

I Will Try To Explain-

It's a thing called DUTY, HONOR, & COUNTRY!

If ever in doubt, read the book Stolen Valor !
It tells how the Viet-Nam generation was robbed
of its hero's and its glory.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[DorGunR]

US Army (Retired) 22 years
Army Aviation (check my handle)
Vietnam, 3 years.
Korea, 2 years military, 7 years civilian
Germany, 4 years

 

[boogalou]

I graduated in 73, so the military just was'nt something that most young kids wanted to do back then. I got married, found a job, raising a family, etc, but felt somewhat guilty about not serving. About 8 years later I started checking out the different reserve & NG detachments around my area, and decided to join the Air National Guard. Seen the recruiter, took some tests, decided on a MO. Talked to my boss about paying my salary while at basic and found out they wouldn't do it.

That was the end of that...

 

[Mark Tyson]

Army active & reserve

Good to see there's lots of veterans here.

 

[Brian Williams]

USMC 75-79

ST Johns

Probably one of the reasons we Americans venerate our Military much more than the Brits is the lesser extent of the power of the "Good ole Boy" Network

A lot of the British armed forces were a Blue blood run Armed thugs type of Regiments. Officers were selected from Paying Landed Gentry where the enlisted ranks are from the riffraff.

The Us Military has been a place where an enlisted man could by sweat and hard work make it up thru the officer ranks. While the US has had its bought in Officers it was to a lesser extent than the Brits.

I may not have explained it well enough due to a quick response while at work but this is some of my humble opinion.

 

[TheeBadOne]

How about a box for : Reserves, activated (ie: active duty)

 

[Augustwest]

Chose "didn't serve," but my reasons aren't confidential.

When Connecticut starts holding militia drills (not likely), I'll show up. IMO, standing armies are potentially very dangerous, and I've had no desire to perpetuate them.

That said, I'm very grateful to most of those who have served. It's the system that's the problem, not the soldiers. Some of the best folks I know are vets.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Someone care to explain the high regard that a lot of Americans seem to have for the armed forces?

That's an easy one. The liberty owned by the most free nation on Earth was bought again and again by the citizen soldier at arms.

One would have had to both experience real freedom, and appreciated it, to truly understand. As Ala Dan said, "DUTY, HONOR, & COUNTRY!", says it all for those that "get it".

I can understand subjects* and other non-citizens that don't "get it" (they have never known freedom), but what really pisses me off are the Hollyweird types (and other assorted s) that have built their fame and fortune upon freedom, yet choose only to vilify and defame those that bought it FOR THEM!!!!

Sit down and ask yourself why it is that in the past 30+ years, only about 5 movies about the military haven't featured a main character that was:

A) Mentally deficient e.g. Private Pyle "Full Metal Jacket", Forrest Gump "Forrest Gump" etc...

B) Psychotic e.g. Private Pyle "Full Metal Jacket", any of the characters in any Oliver Stone movie, Or in "The Deer Hunter", "Apocalypse Now", etc. ad nauseam, ad infinitum...

C) Chemically dependent See Above


In any case, those who know the worth of a thing best, are those who PAID for it. And those who would seek to take it from them - whether through force, or through propagandist bull???? - would do best to think again.

Hence, all that seek to do so shall always fail.


* There was a time before socialism when even subjects did get it:


This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

partial excerpt, Shakespeare's "Henry V" Act 4, Scene 3