This is getting off topic at this point - I wouldn't be suprised if this thread gets closed or if this comment gets removed by a mod.
But more often that not, it's virtually impossible to fully discuss these things without getting into politics.
I understand the general desire of the mods to try and avoid that, but I also feel that if the OP is the kind of person who's considering military, then the OP deserves a full answer that exposes all points of view.
Point blank - if this person is considering risking his or her life for me, then this person should have the best answer we can give.
From my experience, the people I worked with in the Army were some of the best people I ever knew. I consider them as fine of a group of people as it would ever be possible to assemble. That's why it bothers me so much that those people and the people like them in every branch of the service are getting shot at in Iraq for what I feel is an incredibly poor reason.
Patriotism is a noble thing but it's also misused to get young people who are eager to get out there and serve their country to go risk their lives for reasons that don't really have anything to do with real service to their nation.
As I said, right after 9/11 I would have gladly signed my name to another contract and gone to Afghanistan to put 62 grain projectiles into Osama Bin-Laden.
What is going on in Iraq is not the same thing in my opinion, so from my point of view, it would be wrong to join now knowing that I would wind up being a part of that. That would be like saying that I consider it OK to send all those good people over there to get shot at during a protracted occupation. I don't support that with my opinions so I'd never support it with my actions.
So again, about the only way I would join now is if they told me "You're decent with a rifle and we need you for about a month. We're pulling out of Iraq and we need reliable people to help cover our withdrawl."
Even if it was a volunteer mission and all I got was room and board, and even if there was a high risk of my death, I'd still almost certainly go - because it would be the right thing to do.
But I'm not about to go get myself shot full of holes for some crazy political reason that won't benefit any of us. I also don't like that my tax dollars are being used to fund what I feel is an unjustified war that is just getting good people killed. I don't have a problem with "splitting the bill" for things that benefit us all but I do have a problem with pumping billions of dollars into what I consider to be a black hole for this nation's tax dollars.
Others will disagree - more power to them and their First Ammendment rights.
I haven't read all the posts in this thread, but I suspect that Sans Authoritas probably holds a similar opinion.
That doesn't mean that the solution for either of us is renouncing our citizenship and sailing away to some far away land. Quite the opposite - I say we fix it.
ylapirrynag said:
Wow, Sans Authoritias (whatever), take your bull**** philosophical crap to a blog where that belongs.
As for that, it's impossible to discuss guns or military service without also considering the politics behind it. At least for me it is. The OP asked about joining the military. There is a hell of a lot more involved with that than just getting up early in the morning and running or making sure your boots are shined. In order to make an informed decision it's advantageous to have as many opinions as possible. If I were a young man considering committing my life (and possibly my death) to something, I'd certainly value every point of view.
BTW - I think the standards are still 42 pushups in two minutes, 56 sit-ups in two minutes, and being able to run two miles in 15:54 for an 18 year old. I'm pretty sure that's what they were when I was in.
If you can do that now, you're probably in good shape. But you're 15 so you have plenty of time to get to that point.
Anyhow, I try to stay out of politically charged discussions anymore - too many hard feelings result from them.
So I'm out boys and girls - best of luck to you all.
