Serving your country.

[jjohnson]

US Army, 4th Mech Infantry 74-78

Yep, 11B2L W5 here, Co D, 4th Combat Engineers, 4th Mech Infantry.

And PROUD of it!

Best regards to those of you carrying the flag in your turn; God bless you and your loved ones this holiday season, and for those of you overseas, safe home.

 

[Norinco982lover]

To answer the question of the original poster:

I am 20 years old and I am not in the military. I would LOVE to be in the military but at this time I know it is not right for me. My wife needs me around and I am actively pursuing a career in nursing/health professions. A LOT of my friends are in the military, most in the marines, and I also have a cousin in the infantry. I think at last count I had 8 good friends in the marines and 1 in the army.

I want to say thank you to all of the active/retired military members of THR. May God bless you and keep you.

~Norinco

 

[Ed Wagner]

U. S. Navy, Viet Nam, FTM-1

 

[MT GUNNY]

U.S. Army 94 to 97 4th ID 11M Ft Carson, CO. I kick myself in the Ars every day for not reenlisting. Id be close to retirement if I did. My Younger Big Brother is now in the Marine Core, He is reenlisting. It will be his 5 year, once he does he will go on his second tour.

Here is a Quick story Im shure most of you will like. This is something my Brother Would do if he had the Chance;

Subject: FW: USMC

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan .

One of the courses had a professor who was a vowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.'

The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am God. I'm still waiting.' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his Chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the plat form. The professor was out cold.

The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence.

The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, 'What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?'

The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting America 's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid **** and act like an *******. So, He sent me.'

 

[22lr]

USAF ROTC, and as of 2011 ill be in the USAF for 20-30 years (as long as we still have a Airforce for that long). It was never an option for me to not at least serve 4 years, never even thought of it.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I'm pretty sure I'm not military age (how old before you can't join anymore?), but if I was, the answer would be: because I don't want to get killed.

I support and thank the troops, for doing their job so people like me don't have to.

I can't even think of a conflict our armed forces have participated in in the last century that could be remotely considered a defense of the US Constitution.

There was this one conflict, known as WW2. Then there were Korea and Vietnam, in which we fought for other's freedom. Then there was "The Gulf war", in which we(meaning America, again, I didn't fight) fought to preserve America, and the freedom of others. After that there was "Afghanistan" and "Iraq", in which we fought against America's enemies, who wish to restrict such things as freedom of religion.

If I forgot anything, please feel free to mention, I will add them in.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

^^ Hilarious, WW2 is probably the only "noble" endeavor the US military has been involved in ever.

We went to Iraq and Afganistan because they want to restrict our freedom of religion? I beleive those are sovereign countries. It may be hard for Americans to beleive, but not every one in the world wants to be like an American, or live in a country like America.

 

[nachosgrande]

Most of you are correct. Military life is not for everyone. I would have no problem if we had mandatory military service for 2 years, but I think people need to be put where they will contribute the most to society. Some people may best contribute by offering military service. Some may best contribute by having strong economic sense, some by creating cures for diseases. You aren't unpatriotic because you don't live a military life. It's also luck of the draw for those that contribute best by serving military, law enforcement, or teaching. Those are all difficult and very important jobs that are way under compensated.

If you're looking to an answer to the general patriotism of my generation, don't be surprised by the results. I'm not sure who's to blame, but we tend to have quite a bit of respect for WWII vets, but not so much Korea, Vietnam, or any middle east conflict vets. It's all media controlled public opinion and I can see now why suicide rates are so high for returning vets. They simply do not get the respect they deserve for what they've gone through.

We sit here behind our desks in our big cushy chairs making 5 times as much as an enlisted man and still think we have the right to judge. We're judging soldiers because we don't like Bush. It's crazy.

By "we" I'm referring to media opinion, by the way.

 

[DarkCharisma]

I'm 19 years old, have every intention of joining the Air National Gaurd by spring-time in '09. I'm the last in my group of friends to go. They both beat me--Raub's 20, in the USAF--he's finishing tech school now, Justin's 20, in Air National Guard, currently deployed in Afganistan with the Security Forces.

 

[rosemont]

With the way vets are treated in this country, who would want to join?

 

[JImbothefiveth]

We went to Iraq and Afganistan because they want to restrict our freedom of religion?

No, we went their because we were attacked by terrorist groups who operate in that area. However, these terrorists groups want to destroy America and then restrict things like freedom of religion.

WW2 is probably the only "noble" endeavor the US military has been involved in ever.

Really? I guess fighting communists and dictators doesn't count. If the U.S. hadn't fought, South Korea would be just like North Korea, if the U.S. hadn't fought, the Soviets or the taliban would control Afghanistan, and Saddam Hussein would control Iraq AND Kuwait, people would still get killed trying to cross the Berlin wall, and the Soviets might have pretty much gained control of the world a long time ago.

If the U.S. military was suddenly gone, I bet that we'd be controlled by China or Russia within a week.

but not so much Korea, Vietnam, or any middle east conflict vets.

Maybe some of the people that don't respect them should live in Vietnam or Cuba for a week, to see what these guys saved them from.

have every intention of joining the Air National Gaurd

You have my respect, you are far braver than I am.

 

[mljdeckard]

One of my plt sgt had an interesting idea. There would be mandatory military training, either immediately after high school, or between the first and second years of college in the summer. All would receive mandatory infantry training except conscientious objectors, who would receive extensive medic training, like EMT level. After that, one or two years of service or reserves/national guard membership would be optional. This would allow for large numbers of trained personnel for emergencies of all types. It would also encourage voluntary enlistment from those who had the ability and desire to do something besides army infantry. But we decided that it probably just isn't feasible for the DOD under current funding to have large numbers of trainees with little or no service in return.

Here's the thing about wishing we had a more justified war. WWII let us get rid of the really big obvious bad guys. There are no more big imminent threats that everyone can get behind to agree we absolutely must stop them at all costs immediately. We're left with smaller scale crises, dictators, and enemies. We don't LET them get big anymore. We act early to stop vague threats like Saddam Hussein, so that we won't have to stop BIG threats later. It's harder to get your head around, and you wonder if it's worth all of the expense, but I would rather fight in this war than have my sons fight the next really big one. Unfortunately it isn't as obvious and gratifying as VJ day was. It's a trade-off I'm willing to live with.

And we do have an obligation to help those who can't help themselves. (At least I do.)

 

[swgunner]

USN GMG3 SW 2001- , I will probably be medicall retired by the end of 2009.
Served on USS Donald Cook DDG 75 First to Strike. VBSS, counternarcotics anti-piracy, all the fun stuff us squids get to do.

 

[coosbaycreep]

If fighting terrorists was our main reason for Iraq/Afghanistan, we'd be fighting in a lot more countries than we are right now. Saudi Arabia and Israel are the first to come to mind.

Most of our wars weren't necessary. The lower and middle class are primarily the ones who pay for our failed foreign policies with their lives. If our politicians truly cared about our troops and vets, then we'd assassinate the leaders of nations and terrorist groups instead of sending innocent Americans off to get killed and crippled fighting for our corrupt government.

I didn't go overseas while in the army, but my three years were enough to know that the majority of people who stay in the military are either power hungry egomaniacs who get off on bossing others around, or people who like a guaranteed paycheck without having to think too much. I can honestly say that I didn't meet one single person in three years who's primary reason for enlisting was out of patriotic duty, therefore, I don't have any more respect for vets than I do for anyone else, and I get sick and tired of hearing about how these people are "fighting for my freedom", when most of them were just fighting for college money.

Nationalism is second only to religion for the amount of death and destruction it has caused throughout history.

 

[mljdeckard]

Funny. You are so principled, yet not so principled as to cease supporting such a corrupt government which has murdered so many lower and middle class citizens. Also interesting that you support assassinations as an alternative.

Some of us stayed in when the college money ran out. You're welcome.

 

[Sinixstar]

I actually wanted to be in the military when I was younger.

Somewhere along the lines - I realized I had a really big problem with authority, and I don't take orders very well. (big surprise to many of you i'm sure). Decided perhaps that the military may not be the best course of action for my life.

No, I don't regret that decision.

 

[lonegunman]

You don't have top be younger to serve. I have enjoyed all of my years of service, I think it helps a person to understand why this country is great when you put it ahead of your personal feelings.

Since Democrats base their ideology on taking what they feel they deserve from those who actually earn it, it is easy to see why so few serve.

 

[Sinixstar]

Since Democrats base their ideology on taking what they feel they deserve from those who actually earn it, it is easy to see why so few serve.

I've never taken a dime from anyone (other then my parents when I was younger, obviously) thank you very much.

 

[MikePGS]

When I was younger (19) i almost went in, but changed my mind at the last second. I still occasionally feel the urge, but don't think I ever will. I just can't reconcile having someone else determine what I do with my life for that long of a period of time. To those who do serve, more power to them and I am grateful for their service.

 

[Floppy_D]

Served on USS Donald Cook DDG 75

Neato, I likely ported alongside you on the Gonzalez and Laboon. (66&58.)

 

[Rshooter]

USMC Disabled Retired

 

[Limeyfellow]

Since Democrats base their ideology on taking what they feel they deserve from those who actually earn it, it is easy to see why so few serve.

Considering the military is about 50/50 split between Democrats and Republicans and that in the last election the presidential candidate who got the most money from military personal by a factor of 6-1 and more support in the polls was the Democrat, I think you really saying a big f*** you to a large portion of the US military men and women. Congratulations on your arseholeness there.

 

[mljdeckard]

Which military are you talking about limeyfellow?

 

[buck00]

This is a contraversial question. I especially remember this issue coming up early during the war- liberals would say "oh so you support Bush's war in Iraq huh? If you believe in the war so much, why don't you join up!!!??" So suddenly, in the minds of many liberals, you weren't entitled to support the war unless you were serving in the military.

I would be very wary to transform that argument into- "If you're so pro-gun and pro-2nd amendment, then why aren't you in the military?"

Today isn't 1942- not every 18 year old is expected or needed to enlist. Those that do- great, but those that don't are not looked down upon.

I would flip this around in a positive way- because only a minority of Americans serve in the military, and far fewer of that number see actual combat- it gives them a unique status. That is why our veterans are worthy of respect- they did something that not everyone else does.

 

[natecade1]

I am 20 years-old and have always considered military, however, I'm almost done with school and have a fairly promising career in law enforcement ahead of me.
Didn't enlist out of high school cause I was able to get a free-ride to college.