Serving your country.

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PlayboyPenguin

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Serving your country

I have noticed alot of younger board members on here. Alot of profiles list people in their 20's. This kind of suprised me. I have also noticed alot of these same "whipper snappers" very fervently defending the constitution in their posts (at least one line of it). I started wondering...of the younger members here...how many are currently on active duty with the military in this time of great need? To those that are not or never have been I pose the question of why not? Most on here seem to be very patriotic when it comes to the typed word. Just curious...you do know they give out free guns...right.;)

PS- I would also love to hear about the older vets on this board. I am sure there are lots here and I feel that their service is not recognized often enough.
 
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PlayboyPenguin said:
I feel that their [vets] service is not recognized often enough.
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Here, here.

And let's hear it for those who advance the cause of liberty at home, as well. I like to think those who fight for liberty at home, through politics, through activism, and through education, give our servicemen hope that they are fighting for more than bumper stickers.
 
Not only free guns

BUT...they also give you free ammo, food, world travel, helicopter rides, and ocean cruises.

All that being said, military life is not for everyone. While a member of the military, you are subjected to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This takes away several of the common everyday rights that common citizens enjoy.

A patriot is a patriot whether or not they join the military. Every citizen has a duty to serve their country, but it's up to them to decide how. Personally, I wouldn't want to serve in the military with someone who didn't want to be there. The bad attitude does nothing but destroy morale and the esprit de corps.

If anyone is thinking of joining, please make sure it is not because you think the military is just a big gun club.
 
The bad attitude does nothing but destroy morale and the esprit de corps.


There would not be a Navy if it wasn't for seamen with bad attittudes.

Mandatory service for everyone works for me!!
 
torpid said:
PlayboyPenguin, are you a veteran?

.
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Yes, I am a veteran that has served in Panama and Iraq as well as some other more minor squabbles. I ended my military career after 10 yrs (12 if you count IRR) as a 1Lt.
 
USMCRotrHed said:
BUT...they also give you free ammo, food, world travel, helicopter rides, and ocean cruises.

All that being said, military life is not for everyone. While a member of the military, you are subjected to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This takes away several of the common everyday rights that common citizens enjoy.

A patriot is a patriot whether or not they join the military. Every citizen has a duty to serve their country, but it's up to them to decide how. Personally, I wouldn't want to serve in the military with someone who didn't want to be there. The bad attitude does nothing but destroy morale and the esprit de corps.

If anyone is thinking of joining, please make sure it is not because you think the military is just a big gun club.
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I just felt that people that were so patriotic, almost rabidly in some posts, would WANT to serve their country in the most honorable and effective way. Activism is for after the war is over in my opinion.
 
PlayboyPenguin said:
I just felt that people that were so patriotic, almost rabidly in some posts, would WANT to serve their country in the most honorable and effective way. Activism is for after the war is over in my opinion.
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Not everyone is wanting to go serve, and get treated like Col. West was.

http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20031121-074340-4235r.htm

Frankly, I think his methods are too nice for this war. Some of us are not meant to be in this PC military.

Post #3 was pretty much right on why some people are better off not joining, and shouting at the morons to take thier bed-wetting selves away from the military. I say turn them loose, and let them purge the Muslims from this planet. Then, after they retire, let them keep their issues rifle/sidearm and all their gear.
 
I am active duty still serving, however; that doesn't mean I look down my nose at those who don't/haven't served. It's a personal choice, and I don't believe everyone should have to serve...that would just make more headaches for those of us already serving. I am in a position now, where I am responsible to train those young guys, it's hard work, because most of them simply don't give a damn.

Military life is not for everyone, I know that for sure. I do admit to snickering once or twice when young people talk up the Constitution, or other things that they believe in so strongly, yet they haven't served a day for the nation.

As for Col West...I think he did the right thing, and in todays PC BS military, the right thing is not always highly looked upon by those in the rear. Simply because they have never commanded troops in the field, or been put into a position where they had to act immediately to save the lives of their troops.

If Col West did nothing, he surely would have been called a failure... sitting idle is not acceptable in combat...700 troops dead could have amounted to his position being overrun...obviously this is a big no no. He simply acted as he saw necessary to protect his warriors, isn't that what we pay our commanders to do?

I have worked with many troops who should have never been allowed to join, joined only to earn a paycheck or GI-Bill benefits; but contributed nothing, and guys who couldn't wait to get out and become a civilian again. I know at least one of each that has returned to Active Duty, because the civilian sector is just as bad if not worse. I also know a few who have crossed over into thte green, and became Soldiers in the U.S. Army, because the Air Force has downsized my careerfield.

There is nothing in our Legislation requiring anyone to serve in the military (until the draft is re-enacted), or support the U.S. troops. These are personal choices. I personally don't serve to get anyone's pat on the back, or a thank you, although it is nice when it does hapopen. I serve to do my part for the United States, and the citizens of the United States. If I didn't enjoy it (at least a little), I would have been gone many years ago. I made a personal choice in 1988 to serve Honorably for at least 20 years, here we are many years later and I am now able to stay until 24 years. One more promotion, and I can stay for 26. But I am always looking for a way to stay even longer.

My time in Iraq showed me the best and worst in people, both American and Iraqi. I enjoyed leading troops outside the wire on Convoys and Man-Pad Suppression Patrols. I saw a lot, and I would still gladly go do it again. My only regret thus far, is that I didn't have the opportunity to do this real world (war) stuff earlier in my career. Nothing replaces real world experience in the field.
 
I ain't no whippersnapper but I'm still serving. Hit 21 years in May and still have another 2 left to go.

Bad thing is, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.;)
 
I did not join the service. I was more interested in getting to college and moving on, but if I had to do it again, I might well have joined up for an enlistment period; I think it will be one of those things I will regret never doing. I have considered joining as a chaplain (come May, I will be qualified for it), but with a wife, I am not that eager to sign on for something that will involve long separation periods.

I have a high degree of respect for those who do serve, but that respect stops short of implying that those who do or have worn uniforms are somehow better citizens and more worthy than those who have not. I am willing to give an ear to the opinions of those who serve, but at the same time, I am also aware that not every 19 year old wearing fatigues is an expert on the geopolitical reality of the situation in which they find themselves (there are smart and educated servicemen and -women, and there are also clueless ones), and the media can find any given opinion in a uniform (to the exclusion of others).

God bless and Godspeed to all those in uniform, and a hearty thanks to the veterans among us. Our freedoms would not exist were it not for you.
 
"I do admit to snickering once or twice when young people talk up the Constitution, or other things that they believe in so strongly, yet they haven't served a day for the nation."

Maybe they're too busy building the rifles, trucks and planes for guys like you who did enlist. And somebody has to write the software for the high-tech stuff, right? Ever think of that? War and national security is a joint effort...or should be anyway.

Even during WWII somebody had to stay home to get that part of the job done. I had an uncle who tried to enlist at the beginning of the war, so DuPont declared him essential and wouldn't let him go. He worked 60- and 80-hour weeks until the war ended. You know, being a young healthy guy he got a lot of funny looks on the street every single day.

And thanks for serving.

John
 
To those that are not or never have been I pose the question of why not?
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Well, I'm 30 now, so I don't know if I count as one of those "young people", depends on who's asking, I guess.
Anyway, I tried to join the Army when I was 18, wanted to ship out ASAP after graduation. My recruiter diddled around with submitting my eyesight waiver(I had very bad eyesight, around 20/900 or so), and it was nearly September before it got approved. By then, the jobs I'd wanted were gone, and I'd moved on to other things. At the time, I felt I'd been jerked around, and I still do. The guy waited 6 months before sending in my paperwork for the waiver. :fire:
When I was oh, 20 or so, I tried again. Different recruiter, worked his butt off for me. Called me up one day, said my eyesight waiver came through. I told all my friends I was leaving, slapped a US Army sticker on the window of my car, and started closing up affairs. Two days later, he called back. Seems he'd gotten my paperwork mixed up with another guys. My waiver had been denied.
When I was 24, I went to see the Marine recruiter. This was after we invaded Iraq, IIRC, at any rate, I knew I'd be shipped overseas. I tried to join, and was told that due to my Lasik surgery, I was not wanted.
So, My lack of service hasn't been for lack of effort on my part.
Seems to me, with the need for manpower, there should be some way folks can serve their country, even if they aren't soldier material. Seems as though there'd be a lot of paper to be pushed, and if it could be done by a fellow who can't soldier, it would free up extra men who can.
 
I'm "Technically" in the Air Force

I'm actually in my last semester at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs and I can't wait to get out and do something operational. I'm going to be an engineer, so it's not quite as noble as being in the Infantry like my best friend, but I'll still be making a contribution. I was originally going to be a pilot, but lost my qualification in a car accident. I've only become a member recently, so no big posts yet...I should get into that soon though. Well, thanks for asking about us "whipper snappers", and I hope all the other service members on the board are doing well where you are...

-xsnydx
 
PlayboyPenguin said:
To those that are not or never have been I pose the question of why not?
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I never was in the armed forces.......My parents insisted I went to college after high school, so that was my destiny. After college, and I'd been in the work force for a few years, I looked into joining the Army Reserves with an MOS of demolitions. I was 27 years old and went and talked to a recruiter. After finding out how much time I'd have to spend in basic training, MOS, and OCS (1.5 to 2 years), then finding out how little I was going to get paid, I decided to stay in the private sector. I was told the cut-off for OCS was 29 years old, and for those two years, I kept thinking about it, but never could make myself want to sign up......plus, I like knowing that I can quit a job or company at the drop of a hat if I don't agree with something....you can't do that when in the military.
 
As a kid I dreamed about going into the military. I was all set on becoming a Naval aviator, my family has a Navy tradition including both world wars (by the same great-grandfather no less!) and going back farther. Later I realized that wearing glasses wouldn't allow me to be a pilot, but I still thought I might be able to do something fun. Well, I realized that they if the military took me, they probably wouldn't let an insulin-dependent diabetic do much besides fly a desk.

SO, I went to the U of MT, just graduated and am now working on my family's cattle ranch and loving it!
 
Penguin,

There's a good many veterans here, active, reserve, and retired. One of the moderator crew was prior service when 9/11 came along. He quit a job making 70K to re-enlist as an Army sergeant. He's infantry in Iraq now. Another of our moderators quit a well paying job in November, 2001 to become a private in the Army. MOS 11C. Two years active, he's now finishing his bachelor's degree. He'll be commissioned the end of this year and continue in the Guard while finishing graduate studies...while taking time out for deployments.

I joined the Reserve in 1974. Discharged in 1980. Low speed-high drag...light and heavy truck driver. My unit was never deployed during my service. I'm a registered nurse. Over the age for enlistment and with medical problems the military doesn't like. But I can function as a trauma nurse in a field hospital. If the military wants my services...all they have to do is say they need nurses regardless of age or health. I'll be there with bells on.
 
well, i *used* to want to be a SEAL....

... and then i saw _jaws_. :evil:

i'm a USAF officer's brat, and i was amazingly gung-ho when i was a kid. i used to think it would be really cool to be a navy tomcat pilot *just like* tom cruise in _top gun_. (what can i say? i had obsessive fannish tendencies even as a child :p )

but from an older and wiser perspective... i'm a clinical depressive. there are days i hide the kitchen knives because i'm scared of doing something permanently stupid in a moment of temporary weakness. this is the main reason i dislike guns around me. i'm one of those people who really needs to be on meds. i mean, really. i'm *much* safer - and so is everyone else - when i'm on meds. and it's not something i want to lie about to get *into* the military especially when i function so much better on medication there's no comparison. i wouldn't be a good choice there, honestly.

otoh, if a miracle(1) occured and i was drafted tomorrow, i'd drop everything and go. and no, i wouldn't go out of my way to get a medical discharge, either. the reason being because frankly, if they were re-instating the draft, they'd need every body they can get. and i know i, at least, have a sense of responsibility about these things (most of the guys my age in this area don't seem to have any sense, much less a sense of responsibility ::sigh:: ), so i'd feel better knowing someone i trusted to *get the job done* was, well, *in* the job.

-bs

(1) and it'd have to be a miracle, cause i'm a 29yo woman.:D
 
Sometimes I am bummed I never joined the military. I applied for an ROTC scholarship and was granted a conditional three year one. It was conditional because of some heart problems. Suffice it to say, as a petulant teenager, I was pissed. So I said screw it and didn't take it.

Sometimes I regret that decision but most of the time, I am happy with it. Life has turned out pretty good.
 
Lennyjoe said:
I ain't no whippersnapper but I'm still serving. Hit 21 years in May and still have another 2 left to go.

Bad thing is, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.;)
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Lenny, AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH !!!!! I served for 20 years USN. I retired 10 years ago. I STILL don't know what I want to be, either. Having had numerous collateral duties, I enjoyed the variety of work that the Navy placed on me. So far, I haven't found any civilian job that does that. They become mundane and boring very quickly.

Glockster is almost dead on right. The PC BS has gotten out of control in today's military.
 
BigRobT said:
Lenny, AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH !!!!! I served for 20 years USN. I retired 10 years ago. I STILL don't know what I want to be, either. Having had numerous collateral duties, I enjoyed the variety of work that the Navy placed on me. So far, I haven't found any civilian job that does that. They become mundane and boring very quickly.

Glockster is almost dead on right. The PC BS has gotten out of control in today's military.
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Lenny,
Take your time figgerin' out what you want to be when you grow up. I spent 22 yrs in the USN and retired three yrs ago. Start building your network now for employment after you get out. If you need some tips... PM me. There is life after the USN.

BigRob... You are right, the jobs do get boring and mundane after a while. Although the job I have now allows me to do some of the same things as when I wore the uniform.... only now I make more money!!!!
 
I am a Vietnam Vet.............

Utapao AB Thailand, 1967/68. I guess that says it all..............11 years total service time.....chris3
 
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